Legalize It (Legacy Edition) [Original recording remastered]

Peter Tosh | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 21, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Sony Legacy
• ASIN: B004VH656G
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #33,560 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Legalize It

2. Burial

3. Whatcha Gonna Do

4. No Sympathy

5. Why Must I Cry

6. Igziabeher (Let Jah Be Praised)

7. Ketchy Shuby

8. Till Your Well Runs Dry

9. Brand New Second Hand

10. Legalize It (Demo)

See all 16 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Legalize It

2. Burial

3. Whatcha Gonna Do

4. No Love,No Sympathy

5. Why Must I Cry

6. Igziabeher (Let Jah Be Praised)

7. Ketchy Shuby

8. Till Your Well Runs Dry

9. Brand New Second Hand

10. Legalize It (Alternative Version)

See all 16 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Thirty-five years have passed since the release of Legalize It, Tosh's first album as a solo artist after more than a decade in the Wailers with Bob Marley and Bunny Livingston. All of the previously unreleased songs on LEGALIZE IT (LEGACY EDITION) are from the extraordinary archives of a British collector. CD one presents the original nine-song, 38-minute album, followed by demo versions of seven of the nine songs, all previously unreleased. CD two then presents Tosh's own previously unreleased original mix of the album, the way he was sending it out to major record labels in 1976. Those nine tracks are followed by a previously unreleased alternate version of the title song, and then six extremely rare dubs, only one of which ever actually made it onto an album ("Igziabeher").

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars amazing debut September 21, 2000

By Sean M. Kelly

Format:Audio CD

More than Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer, it was Peter Tosh who gave the Wailers their harder edge and roots credibility on famous tracks like "400 Years," "One Foundation," as well as his work on "Get Up, Stand Up."

It should come as no surprise, then, that Tosh took on all comers in his solo career, as well, with "Legalize It" and "Equal Rights" being 2 of the most militant offerings this side of Burning Spear's "Marcus Garvey."

On "Legalize It," Tosh's roots sensibilities are sharp, with beautiful rastafarian numbers like "Let Jah Be Praised" mixed well with his all out assaults on the government's anti herb policies, ("Legalize It") and self pity and fear ("Why Must I Cry," "No Sympathy"). He also manages to talk to the naughty side of things on his tracks "Ketchy Shuby," and the Wailers' throwout tune "Brand New Second Hand."

The album's tour de force is Tosh himself, and his voice- a rough and ready, gritty tenor that in no way weraks of complacency; it strikes a deep, resonant chord- that of fear- but can also at moments, like on "Let Jah Be Praised," be almost soothing and re-assuring.

This lp is a must have in any respectable reggae collection, and is one of reggae's shining moments and brilliant debuts.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wolde Semayat - Son of Thunder February 11, 2005

By Matthew Channon

Format:Audio CD

Peter Tosh's first solo album proved beyond doubt that this artist's talent and vision was far reaching enough to break through the small confines of his little Jamaican island to reverberate across the music world enjoying great critical acclaim being even more popular today than when it was first released.

As one of the original founders of the legendary Wailers, Peter Tosh always felt stifled musically and after Island Records decided to rename the group "Bob Marley & the Wailers" for international appeal it was more than the angry rebel's pride could take. Tosh stayed with the group for their first two albums, contributing much to their initial success with gems like "400 Years," "Stop That Train" and the mighty "Get Up, Stand Up." Not to mention his incredible ability with the guitar, giving the band its original edge. His amazing compositions for songs like "Concrete Jungle," and "Stir It Up" are irreplaceable.

Becoming more disgruntled with all the attention Bob Marley was getting, Tosh finally left the band along with Bunny Livingston to pursue his own solo career. If their were any skeptics as to whether Peter Tosh could make it as an international star without Bob Marley, they were shamelessly silenced in 1976 as "Legalize It" showed that Tosh was more than capable of holding his own. Of course, that's an understatement. The truth is, "Legalize It" has become one of the most colossal Reggae albums of all time!

A photograph of the 6'3" Reggae singer curled up in a field of ganja (perhaps his own), smoking the sacramental herb of the Rastafarian religion in his pipe adorns the cover sleeve. His premature "dreadlocks" crown the head throwing shadows over his eyes; the cover of this album is worth the entire CD! The yellow border saying "collector's choice" that used to outline the cover has been dropped for the CD's reissue making the picture larger.

The songs included in the set are remakes of the artist's most popular singles during the early 70's trying to develop his own solo career while working with the Wailers at the same time. The psychedelic title track opens the album followed by the stunning "Burial." "...you want I comma comma funeral, yet no one bury I..." he sings (Rastas don't believe in attending funerals). "Why Must I Cry" is one of the few love songs Peter Tosh has and "Igziabeher" is an absolute masterpiece. Also check out the countryfied "Till Your Well Runs Dry."

A couple songs are a bit naive (almost like children's songs) but overall a classic album.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wicked September 7, 2005

By Tekena J. Lawrence

Format:Audio CD

"Legalize it", Peter's first solo album after he left the Wailers in 1974, is quite simply his best effort,with 1977's "Equal Rights" coming close and of course more socially and politically relevant. But on the scale of musicality, none touches "Legalize it". The hard-driving rhythm section of the Barrett Brothers...lead guitar from the 'steppin' razor' himself... finally Peter could express himself as a solo artist, free from the artistic constraints of being a Wailer and being in the shadow of his student, Bob Marley. Peter is not an 'egomaniac' as someone on this forum commented; he simply spoke the truth very bluntly and this was a bit too difficult for some people to deal with. Yes he did teach Bob to play the guitar; saying so made it sound like blasphemy. Could it be, as he asserted, that he was just too black for some people? I tend to agree... Nonetheless, this is one of reggae's greatest albums, definitely one that will always find it's way back to my cd player.