Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Andrew Tosh (left) performs with Damian 'Jr. Gong' Marley at 'Welcome to Jamrock' at the Constant Spring football field, Constant Spring, St. Andrew, December 2006. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

As the third son of reggae pioneer, Peter Tosh, expectations have been high for Andrew to carry on his father's legacy. "It goes with the territory. Expectations are high because of who my father is, but I don't feel the pressure. It's a good thing doing the message that those men convey to the world; it's no average message," he told The Gleaner.

Although Andrew recorded his first single, Vanity Love, in 1985, it was after his father was gunned down in 1987 that he became motivated to pursue a musical career. Inspired by the likes of his 'uncle', Bunny Wailer, Toots and the Maytals, Dennis Brown, Bob Marley and Burning Spear, Andrew Tosh is eager to hit it big in 2007.

"I'm working on my fourth album. The first was Original Man then Make Place for the Youth, which was nominated for a Grammy, and Andrew Tosh Sings Tosh: He Never Died, which was a tribute to my father," he said. His fourth album, tentatively entitled Focus, combines hardcore roots and culture with a message for the youths in 2007.

With a voice hauntingly similar to his father's, according to Andrew Tosh at one time he had tried to be different but has now embraced the link. "He (Peter Tosh) is a great influence to me. He taught me my first chords on the piano, he is a great musical influence. What I remember most about him is going to the rivers a lot, do river stuff with the family. It was fun, 'cause he was a fish," Andrew said.

Maintaining the link created by his father with the Marley family, Tosh was recently seen at 'Welcome to Jamrock' held in December. "I get along well with the Marleys; me and Julian Marley are working on his new album," he said.

According to Tosh, he toured Europe last year and he has been busy in South America, as he will soon be releasing a tribute album to his father in Brazil. He will also be appearing at the Cricket World Cup's opening ceremony, performing a song of his father.

Andrew Tosh affirms that he hopes to continue making good music, keeping the family name high.