Serious Business (Third World album)
Serious Business is an album by the Jamaican band Third World, released in 1989.[2][3] "Forbidden Love" was the first single.[4] Third World supported the album with a North American tour.[5]
| Serious Business | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1989 | |||
| Genre | Reggae | |||
| Label | Mercury[1] | |||
| Third World chronology | ||||
| ||||
The album peaked at No. 107 on the Billboard 200.[6] It was nominated for a Grammy Award for "Best Reggae Recording".[7]
Production edit
The album contains covers of "It's the Same Old Song" and "Keep Your Head to the Sky".[8][9] Daddy-O rapped on "Forbidden Love".[10] Kenny Gamble coproduced "Take This Song", which features singers from the musical Sarafina![11][12] The Brecker Brothers appeared on several tracks.[13] The title track is, in part, about apartheid in South Africa.[14]
Critical reception edit
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | [15] |
| Chicago Tribune | [16] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [17] |
| MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide | [18] |
The Chicago Tribune wrote that "the band continues to use strong strains of rock, soul and now rap and to highlight glossy pop production values."[16] Newsday noted that the album "tries to be in so many places at once that it would be a mess if the band weren't so versatile, its vision of crossover dreams so clear."[11]
The Boston Globe determined that "the group's bouncy 'reggae lite' files the genre's rough edges and leaves a smooth, palatable dose of music worth bouncing to."[19] The Atlanta Journal-Constitution concluded that Serious Business "continues Third World's eclectic tradition of combining the old and the new, mixing elements from the United States, Africa and the Caribbean."[12] The Wisconsin State Journal called it the band's best album.[20]
AllMusic wrote that "'Reggae Ambassador', both the vocal and dub version, stands out as the album's most creative moment, showcasing Third World's easygoing melodies and fun-loving spirit."[15]
Track listing edit
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Forbidden Love" | |
| 2. | "It's the Same Old Song" | |
| 3. | "Reggae Ambassador" | |
| 4. | "D.J. Ambassador" | |
| 5. | "Keep Your Head to the Sky" | |
| 6. | "Take This Song" | |
| 7. | "Love Will Always Be There" | |
| 8. | "Serious Business" | |
| 9. | "Never Say Never" | |
| 10. | "We the People" | |
| 11. | "Theme from the Underdog" | |
| 12. | "Theme from the Underdog (Rap Version)" | |
| 13. | "Take This Song (Reprise)" |
References edit
- ^ Norment, Lynn (Aug 1989). "Sounding Off". Ebony. Vol. 44, no. 10. p. 19.
- ^ "Third World Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- ^ Thompson, Dave (June 30, 2002). Reggae & Caribbean Music. Hal Leonard Corporation.
- ^ Rickelman, Melinda (Aug–Sep 1989). "A Summer of Reggae". The Crisis. Vol. 96, no. 7. p. 16.
- ^ Wartofsky, Alona (8 May 1989). "Third World". The Washington Post. p. B8.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2010). Top Pop Albums (7th ed.). Record Research Inc. p. 776.
- ^ "Third World". Recording Academy. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
- ^ Gettelman, Parry (11 June 1989). "Third World's Success Turns On Reggae's Resurgence". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 1.
- ^ Sinclair, David (July 29, 1989). "Reggae to Nashville rock". Features. The Times.
- ^ Farmer, Robin (June 12, 1989). "Third World's Reggae Electrifying". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. B10.
- ^ a b Robins, Wayne (12 Nov 1989). "New Releases". Part II. Newsday. p. 19.
- ^ a b Emerson, Bo (June 9, 1989). "Third World Takes Its Musical Mission Seriously". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. E4.
- ^ Shuster, Fred (November 24, 1989). "First-Rate Third World to Perform at the Palace". Los Angeles Daily News. p. L36.
- ^ Mitchell, Rick (June 8, 1989). "Third World shows versatility". Houston. Houston Chronicle. p. 4.
- ^ a b "Third World Serious Business". AllMusic.
- ^ a b Heim, Chris (7 Sep 1989). "Recordings". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 17.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 6. MUZE. pp. 126–127.
- ^ MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 2000. p. 765.
- ^ Smith, Patricia (23 Nov 1990). "Sound Choices". Arts and Film. The Boston Globe. p. 127.
- ^ St. John, Michael (November 22, 1989). "Third World: Party with a Point". Wisconsin State Journal. p. 3D.