Customer Reviews

'Commercial but Conscious Reggae' - By: Antony May, 14 Apr 2007
Until I heard 'Johnny B Goode' (one of three singles from this album) I had never really taken much notice of Peter Tosh's music. So good was his cover version of Chuck Berry's old chestnut however I decided to give this album a try. What I found delighted me. This album is chock full of danceable, catchy reggae with memorable lyrics & hummable melodies. This said, a lot of Tosh's lyrics (as usual) have a lot to say so don't expect your brain or heart to get an 'easy ride' listening to this. 'Mama Africa' deserved to be a much bigger seller than it was as commerciality & consciousness are for once sucessfully fused together here. 'Where You Gonna Run' the second single from the album, perhaps typify's what I mean best being radio & dancefloor friendly but with a lyrical message. The title track (and final single from the album) is a bright more celebratory, repetative but addictive song, while 'Glass House' is a deceptively catchy politically charged song. 'If you livein a glass house, then don't throw stones' Tosh chants repeatedly, no doubt as a message to those that treated him so badly back home for his forthright views. 'Not Gonna Give It Up' is another great trackin a similar vein, while the rest are all of a high standard so the really isn't a duff song on the whole album. As a bonus all three singles have their extended versions tagged on at the end of this cd which can be very handy if you are a DJ. 'Mama Africa' may then be more of an album for the 'casual reggae listener' than the purist, but for me it's one of Reggae's finest hours.