Peter Tosh

It's summertime, and what has more of a summer feel than reggae music. Of course everybody knows Bob Marley and the Wailers, but do you know who the original Wailers were? Two of them became legendary reggae artists in their own right: Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh. Tosh iwas from Kingston, Jamaica, and he wrote some of the big Marley hits including 'Get Up, Stand Up' ,as well as being much more of a political writer in his time. He ended up leaving the Wailers because of all the success Bob Marley was having (he believed it to be because Marley had a white father). Tosh was a very outspoken man, and in his solo career he released two groundbreaking reggae CD's entitled 'Legalize It' and 'Equal Rights'. Both of these CD's are usually put in the top 15 reggae CD's of all time, and there is good reason why.

Tosh's first album, 'Legalize It', is the only one I own...and it is quite a reggae masterpiece. He takes the dub style that defines reggae and incorporates it with great melodies and hooks that will stay with you well after you listen to the album. My favorite song on the album is 'Why Must I Cry', which is one of the few love songs that Tosh sang. The background vocals sound great behind Tosh's smooth tenor, and the dub is in full effect. Just try to not sway along to this tune...I dare you. The other tune I really dig on the CD is 'No Sympathy', which really speaks out as to what Tosh was feeling at the time. Listening to the whole CD is like listening to an era gone by (or perhaps still around). It is really quite interesting...listen to the album a few times, and then go back and pick out the lyrics...you will be pleasantly surprised.

Hopefully this will give you something other than Bob Marley to throw on at parties when you want some reggae...if you dig this, let me know...I've got plenty more reggae to choose from.

Peter Tosh - No Sympathy


Peter Tosh - Why Must I Cry