On September 11th 1987, approximately 8:30 pm, Peter Tosh was assassinated in his own home by Dennis "Leppo" Lobban, an old friend of his with assistance of two other unidentified gunmen. Many years throughout his career he warned many people about watching out for your friends, fore one day they may turn their back(s) on you, especially over money. Many songs with such references such as: "Lessons In My Life", "Guide Me From My Friends", That's What They Will Do, & many other classics he made throughout his career.
This compilation album is a specialty to ALL hardcore Tosh fans, and not only because it contains many rare & unreleased material. This compilation pays tribute to what I&I believe is (if not the best, at least) one of the best documentaries ever based upon a Reggae artist's career; "Stepping Razor Red X".
For those who may not be familiar with the documentary "Stepping Razor Red X", it's based off the life and assasination of Peter Tosh. The documentary contains material from tape recorded diaries that were recorded from 1983-1987, and were "discovered" in 1990. Whenever Tosh saw his name on an official document, he would mark it with a red "x", thus being how the term "red x" came about.
Many believe Tosh was murdered during a robbery due to not having any money stashed in his house. However most believe that due to his plans of buying a radio station with close friend and DJ Jeff Samuel "Free-I" Dixon, evil forces plot the assassination to put a stop to Peter's massive spread of educating people of the ways of RasTafari.
There are many situations which relates to the belief that the murder was premeditated, which also makes it seem more believable. One well known situation is related with the speeches Peter gave while performing at the revolutionary "One Love Peace Concert" in 1978. He starts off by making remarks about the concert itself: "This concert here, dem say it's a 'Peace Concert'. I-man never wan come, you know why? 'Cause why? 'Cause it's a 'PEACE CONCERT'!" He then goes on making comments directly towards Michael Manley of the People's National Party (PNP) & Edward Seaga of the Jamaican Labor Party (JLP);"I wonder if many people know what the word 'peace' mean. The most intellectual people in our society think 'peace' means coming together, seen? Peace is the diplomacy you get in the cemetery...this is a 'Integration Concert'." A couple months later Tosh was arrested for possesion of Marijuana and beaten until his near death. To stop the officers from beating him to death, he stopped breathing and "played dead". In an interveiw in 1979 Tosh stated that while faking his death, he over heard an officer say, "yes, he's dead", leading to the public belief of Tosh being in great danger.
24 years after Peter Tosh's untimely death, the message he spreads through Reggae music still lives within thousands of people willing to accept RasTafari. Now 18 years after the release of the documentary that let you vision the life & death of Peter Tosh, now comes with it's own soundtrack for many Tosh fans to enjoy for years to come!
Love, Peace, iNity, RASpect, & (most of all) Prosperity!
JAH Bless I&I. Enjoy!
Track Listing:
Disc 1
1. Treat Me Good
2. No Nuclear War
3. Oppressor Man
4. Vampire
5. Legalize It
6. Don't Look Back
7. Stepping Razor
8. Not Gonna Give It Up [Live]
9. Oh Bombo Klaat
10. Here Comes the Judge
11. Stand Firm
12. Lessons In My Life
13. Apartheid (Inamalan)
14. Don't Wanna Get Busted
15. Stop That Train
*BONUS TRACKS - Acoustics*
16. Legalize It [Acoustic]
17. Get Up, Stand Up [Acoustic]
18. Fire Fire (Babylon Burning) [Acoustic]
Disc 2
1. Creation
2. Igziabeher (Let Jah Be Praised)
3. Anti-Apartheid
4. Coming In Hot [Live]
5. Dog's Teeth
6. Have Some Faith
7. Get Up, Stand Up [Live]
8. Fools Die (For Want of Wisdom)
*BONUS TRACKS - Rare Dubs*
9. Ras Klaat (Bombo Klaat Dub)
10. Dracula (Vampire Dub)
11. Dubpressor Man (Oppressor Dub)
12. Rok With Me (Version)
*BONUS TRACKS - Outtakes of the "Bush Doctor" Sessons*
13. Pick Myself Up
14. Dem Ha Fe Get A Beatin'
15. The Toughest
Disc 1
Disc 2
