Review: Bushman Sings The Bush Doctor
01/21/2011
Bushman Sings The Bush Doctor - A Tribute To Peter Tosh
In his career the St Thomas roots singer Bushman has been compared to Dennis Brown and Luciano. Yet his deep rich voice is also a good match for Peter Tosh, to whom he pays tribute on this selection of the Stepping Razor’s biggest sides.
First sparked back in 2004 when the Jamaican Minister Of Finance Omar Davies likened Bushman to the late star, this project has gone through various negotiations and potential collaborators before finally getting its big release. The production comes courtesy of Donovan Germain, and the rhythms, played by Sly Dunbar as well as Bush Doctor album session men Mikey Chung and Robbie Lyn, are respectfully close to the seventies and eighties original recordings while remaining in the modern style.
Guests Buju Banton (on Mama Africa) and Tarrus Riley (on a dare we say improved recut of Mick Jagger duet Don’t Look Back) lay down some fine vocal contributions. But naturally, the main focus is Bushman’s more tranquil yet undeniably similar channeling of Tosh’s delivery. He takes us through the former Wailer’s political (Equal Rights, and Glen Browne production Buck-In-Ham Palace – the latter released on 2007’s Get It In Your Mind), spiritual (Ighziabeher), herbal (Bush Doctor, Legalize It) and brush off songs (Brand New Second Hand) with easy going, measured charm.
It’s been a long time coming, but Bushman Sings The Bush Doctor is worth the wait. It should please all bar the most fussy Tosh fans, and introduce a new generation to the legend’s works.
