Legalize It

I don’t know man, I’m not sure it’s good for asthma

I know I checked out the title track to this album sometime last year. For those not aware, Peter Tosh was one of the founding members of The Wailers alongside Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer. However, Peter and Bunny would later leave the band, citing unfair treatment by their label, Island Records, and its founder, Chris Blackwell. Peter would pursue a solo career, releasing his debut record, Legalize It, through CBS Records.

The essence of the reggae sound that Peter established with The Wailers is very much present here, between the slow tempo, the emphasis on the downbeat, the prominent staccato guitars, and Peter's call-and-response lyricism. Granted, it's hard to gauge the bass's presence, as the production comes off rather tinny, lacking in the low end. But I can at least compliment the more intricate guitarwork on this record, particularly Donald Kinsey's soloing on a cut like "No Sympathy".

As for Peter's lyrics, the first half comes off rather strong. The title track's fervent calls for the legalization of cannabis, "Burial" in laying bare the Rastafarian practice of not attending funerals out of belief in reincarnation, "Whatcha Gonna Do" in Peter's dealings with religious and racial discrimination, "No Sympathy" as a more bluesy reworking of an earlier Wailers tune in detailing the desperation for peace amidst neverending persecution, and "Why Must I Cry" as a truly gutwrenching ballad over lost love, all are sold with the utmost conviction from Peter amidst the laidback vibes. Hell, even side two opens well with the overtly religious tone of "Igziabeher (Let Jah Be Praised)".

That said, the momentum does wane as the album closes out on a series of relationship-matter songs that I don't find interesting. "Ketchy Shuby" uses the Jamaican variation of cricket as foreplay for sex, and it isn't particularly clever at hiding it. "Till Your Well Runs Dry" is another heartbreak song that doesn't carry the same gravitas that "Why Must I Cry" had, undercut by the weirdly jovial chorus. Finally, "Brand New Second Hand" is the callout of a cheating woman that left me with a rather bitter taste at the end.

Overall, I do consider Legalize It to be a solid record in establishing Peter Tosh as a breakout star in his own right. Sadly, he would later be killed by gang members. Decades after Peter's death, Jamaica would finally relax its laws and allow for the legal recreational use of the herb. The push for legalization continues in other countries, but at the very least, it's evident that his work has made a mark.

Just some solid reggae, totally chill and easy to listen to, how could you not love it.

I know reggae is meant to be laid back, but there still seems to be something a bit lacking on this one. Still, it’s reggae, which is kind of like pizza. In that even not great reggae is still good.

My beautiful country has LEGALIZED IT.

What a festive pick for Christmas Eve! Just look at all those trees!

Repetitive? A little, but its a solid groove beloved by teenage stoners since it came out. Pair this with Black Sunday by Cypress Hill and you'll become radicalized against the War on Drugs in no time, let it in, boy! That's freedom calling! Let it in! Let it run! Let it run wild!

You know it’s a three-star when you like it but absolutely can’t be bothered to write a review.

3.2

It took almost 50 years after the release of this album before it was legalized where I live which is absolutely idiotic. I'm not much of an expert on reggae to say how deserved this placement here is, but I certainly enjoy it.

It's fine. Not much to say, really. It's kind of typical 70s reggae. It's pretty OK, for sure, but it's not special. probably 2.5 stars.

After 148 albums, I finally did a reggae album with Legalize It. Honestly, It is kinda weird that an album about trying to get weed legalized is a reggae album because i would honestly expect that more from a hip hop album (heck, some of the ones i have done already talk about that in some of the lyrics) but i guess it does add to it's interestingness. The album itself is fairly above average even if it does sound a little sloppy. This was just one of those cases where i got used to the sloppiness of the composition and it grew on me. One thing i can't excuse though is that weird noise in Till Your Well Runs Dry which kinda sounds like someone drinking through a straw. This album is for me is a rather light 3.
Best Song: Whatcha Gonna Do
Worst Song: Till Your Well Runs Dry

Never been a fan of rastafari music because of its blatant sexism and homophobia. But yeah. Smoke some more weed and claim one love. As long as it's your narrowly defined definition.

No thanks

Su papel de segundón de lo Wailers y a la sombra de Bob Marley no hace justicia a su papel como pionero del reggae fuera de Jamaica. Si te gusta este música tranquila es un disco interesante y suena a playa y verano. Y huele a otra cosa por supuesto. Canciones como Why must I cry, Ketchy Shuby o Brand new second hand, no pueden parecerte mal.