January 2026 left a bitter taste in the heart of world reggae. In a matter of days, two fundamental pillars of Jamaican music left for Zion, marking the beginning of the year with silence, respect and living memory. They were not just musicians: they were architects of sound, cultural ambassadors and guardians of a tradition that today resonates throughout the planet.
(April 6, 1956 – January 18, 2026)
On January 18, Jamaica and the world said goodbye to Steve “Cat” Coore, guitarist, arranger and last living founding member of Third World, a band known globally as The Reggae Ambassadors.
Cat Coore didn't just play the guitar: she built soundscapes. His style mixed roots reggae, soul, jazz and R&B with a unique elegance. Third World was one of the first bands to take reggae to international stages without losing its essence, and Cat was key in that balance between roots and sophistication.
Beyond the stage, he was a mentor, teacher and defender of reggae as universal music, always committed to Jamaican identity and musical excellence.
(May 10, 1952 – January 26, 2026)
Days later, on January 26, reggae once again dressed in mourning with the departure of the great Sly Dunbar. Drummer, producer and rhythm architect, Sly was one of the most influential figures in the history of modern music.
Together with Robbie Shakespeare, he formed Sly & Robbie, probably the most recorded rhythm section of all time, with thousands of sessions that defined the sound of reggae, dub, dancehall and beyond. Sly didn't just keep time: he reinvented reggae drums, introducing patterns, silences and accents that are still studied and replicated today.
His impact transcended Jamaica: he worked with artists such as Bob Dylan, Grace Jones, The Rolling Stones, Serge Gainsbourg and many more, bringing the Jamaican pulse to the world.
Although their artistic paths were different, Cat Coore and Sly Dunbar shared something essential: absolute respect for music and Jamaican roots. Sly participated as a session musician on multiple recordings by artists and projects close to the Third World circle, especially in Kingston studios during the golden decades of reggae. It was not unusual for these giants to coincide in sessions, festivals or conversations where groove was the common language.
Both understood that reggae is not just rhythm: it is message, discipline and spirituality.
From Pull It Up Radio, we honor the life and work of these two giants. His music continues to spin, educate and connect generations. January 2026 reminded us that legends do not die: they transform into eternal frequency.
May Zion receive you with infinite dubplates. Thanks, Cat. Thanks, Sly.
Pull It Up. Always.