The Making of 4th World - In the Beginning

4th World hails from Vieux Fort, a town at the southernmost tip of St. Lucia, long regarded as the hotbed of St. Lucian reggae. At its core 4th World is a conscious reggae band, but even so the band has no reservations about fusing roots reggae with dancehall, hip-hop and R&B. In fact, the band interprets its sound as the blending of the creative energies of its members. This openness towards music along with the fact that three of 4th World's instrument players take turns serving as the band's song writer and lead vocalist, has enabled the band to create and perform a wide variety of reggae music; some songs remaining true to the music of Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, some veering towards dancehall and Hip-Hop, others serving heavy doses of R&B, Blues and Jazz.

4th World is led by Nijah "Cold Sweat" St. Catherine (vocals and keyboards) who has over forty recordings under his belt and whose deep, husky voice is considered one of the best voices in world reggae. There is Darrel "Frenchy" Augier (vocals and rhythm guitar) who, singing in a high pitched and passionate voice, is gaining a reputation for composing compelling and captivating songs that are all his own and as such he is an original artist to keep an eye on. The veteran of the band, Sylvester "Itoobaa" Peter (vocals and bass), 2001 album (Freedom) is considered the best reggae album produced in St. Lucia. On lead guitar is Marlon "Bad Kali" Florent, who makes the guitar cry and fills in all the empty spaces of the band. He provides the glue that binds the music together and the spice that gives the band its special flavour. On drums is the energetic Al Prescott, the youngest and newest member of the band, who, coming from a long line of percussion musicians, keeps the band energized and ever ready.

A question many people ask is how did 4th World get its name? or what's behind the name? Itoobaa explains that long before 4th World was formed, in impromptu fashion him and Cold Sweat would be on the block playing guitar and singing, sometimes composing songs on the fly. In fact, many of the songs they have since recorded were first tested in the crucible of those spontaneous gatherings. During one of those sessions, a friend from the neighborhood walked up to them and said, "You all are the 4th World  Band, man!" At the time Itoobaa and Cold Sweat thought nothing of it because there were no plans for a band, but after the band got started and they had to come up with a name, the first name that popped up was 4th World. They brainstormed for a different name, but none of the other names they came up with seemed to fit the band as well as 4th World. So the name stuck.

385

389