For many outside of Jamaica, Third World provided their first exposure to reggae. Courtesy photo

One of the longest performing reggae bands of all time, Jamaica’s Third World continues to captivate audiences with their appealing mix of soul, funk, African music and pop infused into their reggae foundation.

“That’s what we set out to do,” said Third World’s founding guitarist Stephen “Cat” Coore. “It was just natural because when we were growing up we heard a lot of R&B. We were all James Brown and Temptations fans, and Ohio Players and Earth, Wind and Fire. It was just part of our history.”

This creative fusion produced many memorable songs including “Now That We Found Love,” “96 Degrees in the Shade,” “Try Jah Love” and “Lagos Jump.”

Returning to Hawaii, the nine-time Grammy-nominated band performs at Da Playground Maui on April 24, with Jamaican reggae artist Kumar Fyah.

For many outside of Jamaica, Third World provided early exposure to the island’s music. In 1978, they attained a worldwide hit with a roots reggae version of the O’Jays song “Now That We Found Love.”

A classically trained musician in terms of his guitar tone and expression, Coore could be considered the Carlos Santana of Jamaican music. “I was very influenced by him,” he said. “When we were growing up in Jamaica, we weren’t given a good diet of great rock guitarists like Clapton, but songs like ‘Oye Como Va’ and ‘Samba Pa Ti’ were played on the radio.”

The genesis of Third World began when keyboardist Michael ‘Ibo’ Cooper and Coore joined brothers Roger and Ian Lewis and William Stewart to form Inner Circle. When four of the members later left to create Third World, they were the only group of that era composed of young, talented, trained instrumentalists who could sing and took chances absorbing diverse musical styles. They were soon offered the opportunity to open for Bob Marley and the Wailers on a tour in England.

“We actually got billing on the poster,” Coore recalled. “It was great. After that, we had our first album.”

Their universal approach to creating music attracted Stevie Wonder, who was inspired to compose “Try Jah Love” (which became the group’s anthem) and “Playing Us Too Close” for the band.

“Stevie Wonder came down to Jamaica to feel the vibe,” Coore explained. “We met him in L.A. and he wanted to do a song with us.” Wonder’s affiliation with the band led him to record the Bob Marley tribute “Master Blaster” and “Boogie on Reggae Woman.”

Then came their hit “Lagos Jump” in 1983, which featured the Earth, Wind and Fire horn section. In 1984, the group released their “Serious Business” album, topping the urban charts once more with the single “Forbidden Love,” featuring rapper Daddy-O from the group Stetasonic.

Third World revisited their classic song “96 Degrees in the Shade” on their 2011 album “Patriots,” with an updated version featuring Damien and Steven Marley, which included new rap lyrics amplifying its meaning. The song was a tribute to one of Jamaica’s greatest heroes, Baptist preacher Paul Bogle, who was hanged by British authorities in 1865 after he led a rebellion against their oppression.

For years, audiences at concerts have sung along to its infectious “real hot in the shade” chorus, while maybe not knowing what the song really portrays.

“A lot of people had no idea what the song was all about,” said Coore. “There’s a far more poignant meaning to the song than it’s hot in Jamaica. Damien did some research online about Paul Bogle and he came up with the whole idea of the rap. He was very familiar with the song and the theme of what it was all about. It was very cool.”

A star-studded project, “Patriots” teamed Third World with a host of veteran reggae artists and some younger, contemporary musicians ranging from Gregory Isaacs, Toots Hibbert and former Black Uhuru singer Michael Rose, to Capleton and Tarrus Riley.

In 2014, they released “Under the Magic Sun,” a collection of popular songs interpreted reggae style. Covers ranged from John Fogerty’s “Have You Seen the Rain” to Marvin Gaye’s “Inner City Blues.” It was dedicated to the memory of their late singer William “Bunny Rugs” Clarke.

Their most recent album, the Grammy-nominated “More Work too Be Done,” featured Damian and Stephen Marley, Taurus Riley and “The Voice” winner Tessanne Chin. Highlights included the inspiring protest song “Hear Us Now,” the funky “Third World Keeps Turning,” the anthemic “Na Na Na” and the ebullient groove of “Feel Good.”

“Threading classic one-drop reggae with vintage R&B, the band has once again created a work of musical art,” praised a Reggaeville review.

Third World performs at Da Playground Maui at 8 p.m. April 24, with special guest Kumar Fyah. Tickets are $35 standing, and $85 for general admission with VIP lounge access.