DVD Review: Peter Tosh Stepping Razor Red X (A)

Peter Tosh: Stepping Razor: Red X
Directed by Nicholas Campbell
Starring Peter Tosh, Bob Marley and Mick Jagger
MPAA: UR
Grade: A

Reviewed by Scott Standish

In a time where VH1's Behind The Music is the most watched form of music documentary its nice to stumble across something as well done as Nicholas Campbell's Stepping Razor. Peter Tosh, a founding member of Bob Marley's band the Wailers, was a reggae superstar at the time of his vicious murder in 1987. This finely crafted documentary lends insight into his life, his music, his politics and his death.

After the death of Peter Tosh, a collection of audio tapes were discovered in the legendary singer's home. Entitled Red X (after the Red X that the Jamaican government always attached next to his name on official documents), the tapes were filled with Tosh's inner thoughts and fears. They were intended to be the basis of his autobiography. They are used as the narration to this great documentary, providing in his own words rare insight into the mind of a politically outspoken artist.

For those unfamiliar with Tosh, he began his musical career at a young age, and formed the group the Wailers with Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer. The group achieved fame internationally and Tosh decided to go solo. His lyrics praised the Rastafarian religion and bashed the Jamaican government at every opportunity. His controversial views brought him attention from the press, the music industry and the increasingly angry Jamaican political structure. Tosh endured beatings at the hands of the police and was convinced that he would be killed by "demons" or "ghosts" that haunted him. And yet, Tosh continued his musical and political campaign to uplift those forced into poverty by a corrupt political system.

A fantastic documentary, artfully crafted with excellent music, its hard to find a better independent feature than Peter Tosh: Stepping Razor: Red X. This is one to seek out (it's very hard to find) and enjoy.

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