Possibly Peter's crowning stage moment, the One Love Peace Concert is finally released for all to hear. For many years tapes of this show have circulated amongst traders, now fans all over the world will have the chance to listen to one of the most powerful performances ever and hear the unforgettable livatribes that nearly cost his life.

One of the most anticipated shows ever has finally hit the stores worldwide thanks to JAD records. The CD features Peter's full set from the monumental One Love Peace Concert, recorded at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica on April 22, 1978 and lasts just over 64 minutes.

Following it's reputation for releasing high quality rarities and obscure collectibles from The Wailers recorded legacy, JAD Records is currently focusing on Peter Tosh's impressive musical career.

Endorsed by the Tosh family, the Live at the One Love Peace Concert CD is a comprehensive package that defines the historic event and the most important concert Jamaica ever witnessed.

On the twelfth anniversary of His Imperial Majesty, Haile Selassie's visit to Jamaica Peter decided to open his set with his praises to Jah on the thunderous version of 'Igziabeher', there is a 90 second intro jam before Peter comes onstage and starts the proceedings. A fantastic way to start the show. 'Igziabeher' was used on Peter's early solo shows to open the events and was always a favourite of mine when played live, so it is great to hear Peter open his historic set at the Peace Concert with 'Igziabeher'. Peter puffs his chest out with pride as he sings "Igziabeher, let Jah be praised".

A rather short version slips effortlessly into a rocking version of '400 Years'. Something that has often puzzled me is why Peter never re-cut this song for any of his later albums, I think this was one of Peter's strongest songs and thought this was worthy of a reworking. This version is a real favourite with the crowd and Peter improvises and adds lyrics to great effect.

'Stepping Razor' follows closely which features a fantastic guitar solo from Al Anderson, who would soon after join up with Bob once again to take part in the 1978 Kaya tour, teaming up with Junior Marvin for the two guitar sound that Bob liked.

Unfortunately the song does fade out not long after the 3 and a half minute mark, this is a real shame and is one of the minor let downs on the CD.

At the end of the song Peter delivers his first livatribe to the crowd on hand, talking about "breaking down the barriers of oppression and to rule equality". Peter's voice booms across the stadium when he roars that he "comes with earthquake, lightning and thunder to break down the barriers of oppression, to drive away transgression and to rule equality between humble black people".

Peter then continues with a fantastic version of 'Burial' which features a very lengthy instrumental break which allows Peter to showcase his distinctive scratch guitar style, something of which Peter was a master of. Towards the end of the song Peter launches into another fiery livatribe, with the 40,000 strong crowd roaring Peter on, he did not mince his words, speaking what he believed was the truth and not caring about the consequences. The consequences he paid were a very high price, a few months after the concert Peter was beaten profusely by a Police Officer(s) wielding a baton for over 90 minutes. The result of the attack left Peter needing over 30 stiches to close the horrific wound. If Peter had the opportunity to do it all again he would do so without even hesitating, that was the kind of person Peter was.

The only slight niggle I have is that maybe the speech could have been given it's own track instead of banded with Burial, although the speech is delivered under the Burial rhythm I do think it might have been better served if the speech was given it's own track so that it would be easier to find.

Peter berates pirates such as Colombus, Henry Morgan, Francis Drake and Bartholomew Delas Cassis during the 6 minute long livatribe. He even suggests planting acres of herb on idle land so that shipments of herb could be used to make medicince for glaucoma. Peter ends off the hellascious speech asking the crowd "We want equal rights and what?"

This makes way for an extremely militant version of 'Equal Rights' with Tosh demanding "equal rights and justice".

Peter's tirade then continues after 'Equal Rights'. This time he focuses his attention on a cameraman trying to film his set. As the bright camera lights shone in his eyes almost blinding him, he explodes, demanding that the camera be switched off, he became very heated about this matter and was not happy about TV stations making money by filming his set. However one lucky fan was fortunate enough to capture some black and white footage on his own home camera, small clips from this historic video can be seen on the tremendous 'Stepping Razor: Red X' documentary. It is a great shame that Peter's set was not filmed in full as I am sure the visual aspect of the show would have made it even more powerful and explosive. One can only imagine what Peter would have looked like onstage in his black karate suit and beret directing his livatribes at the Prime Minister and the Leader of Opposition.

Peter focuses his attentions on Manley and Seaga when talking about the need for change in education and the legalisation of herb, he follows this up with the herb anthem 'Legalize It', which is warmly appreciated by the thousands on hand. Peter sings passionately and with conviction. He had the whole crowd on their feet singing along and had the crowd roaring with laughter and cheers when he sang "Policeman smoke it, Inspector smoke it" much to the annoyance of the Jamaican heads of state and Police Officers on hand.

The song then segues into an extended jam on 'Get Up Stand Up'. A real ferocious version unfortunately fades out a little short, which is a slight disappointment as it would have been nice to have heard the applause given to him at the conclusion of his set. It is also odd as to why 'Legalize It' and 'Get Up Stand Up' were not given separate tracks, instead being banded together.

A bonus track then follows on, on the same track I may add, again this should have been banded separately in my opinion. The bonus is a nice inclusion, but is rather oddly placed. It features the introduction of Peter and his band members (Word, Sound & Power), I like the idea of this inclusion but feel it would have been much better placed in it's correct position at the start of the CD instead of closing it out. It is also odd that there is no mention of this bonus anywhere in the accompanying booklet or artwork.

The artwork is fantastic with a nicely designed sleeve and back cover, the picture used on the back cover is of Peter at the soundcheck a day before the concert which is supplied courtesy of Peter Simon's extensive photo collection. The picture is a wonderful shot of Peter carrying his guitar case.

JAD records have really made sure that this release is of the highest standard possible by including a magnificent 16 page booklet that features Peter's livatribes rendered in the original Patois as well as being translated into English (thanks to Herbie Miller) for a wider understanding. Fans now have the chance to read and listen to the famous speeches that nearly cost Peter his life.

The liner notes also contain a lengthy essay tracing the roots of the Peace Concert to the assassination attempt on Bob Marley sixteen months earlier.

One minor disappointment though was the lack of pictures used in the booklet, it would have been nice if a picture or two from Peter's set were to have been included in the booklet.

The overall sound quality is very good, although not quite perfect, at times there are a few balance dropouts and also a little bass heavy, but to fault the CD for this would be hugely unfair. As a friend recently pointed out to me, us fans demand that these shows are released officially and when they are we are sometimes a little to quick to judge about the sound quality.

All in all I think this is a fantastic release that will give fans around the world the chance to hear another side of Peter and hopefully give them more of an understanding of what Peter was about and what he stood for. This show is what Peter was all about, he was given centre stage and he took the opportunity to get things off his chest with both hands and in the process delivered a musically stunning set. This is a must have show for all fans and an album that you can not live without.

The Live at the One Love Peace Concert CD is part of a Tosh trilogy that will be released in the next year by KOCH International. The next release, will be an all acoustic solo album with interview excerpts; described as a talking blues meets Tosh unplugged. The third album features Peter, again, in his speech making mode at the One World Music Festival during the inauguration of the Bob Marley Performing Arts Centre in Montego Bay from November 1982.

Go and buy your copy immediately if you have not already done so.

PETER TOSH
Live at the One Love Peace Concert

Tracks: Igziabeher, 400 Years, Stepping Razor, Speech, Burial/Speech, Equal Rights, Speech, Legalize It, Get Up Stand Up