This is a Random Album Generator.
One album a day.
From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

Legalize It

Peter Tosh

1976

Buy At Rough Trade
Legalize It
Album Summary

Legalize It is an album and song by Peter Tosh. Legalize It was Tosh's debut album as a solo artist after leaving the Wailers. It was recorded at Treasure Isle and Randy's, Kingston, Jamaica in 1976 and released in Jamaica in the same year.Legalize It is one of the two solo albums released in 1976 by Wailers members, along with Bunny Wailer's album Blackheart Man. Bob Marley and his new Wailers also released Rastaman Vibration. The song was written in response to his ongoing victimization by the Jamaican police and as a political piece pushing for the legalization of cannabis, particularly for medical use. In 1977, Tosh backed this up by saying "We are the victims of Rasclot circumstances. Victimization, colonialism, gonna lead to bloodbath". Tosh also said "Herb will become like cigarettes", in an NME interview in 1978.

Wikipedia

Rating

3.06

Votes

10129
Genres
Reggae

Reviews

Like a review? Give it a thumb up to help us display relevant reviews!
Sort by: Top Date
View Author
Thu May 12 2022
3

Here's Peter Tosh calling for the legalization of marijuana in 1976 (in Jamaica). Tosh also said "Herb will become like cigarettes," in an NME interview in 1978. Yet here we are, 46 years later, and cigarettes have become much less common and marijuana is still not culturally acceptable at the level Tosh was pleading for. Five years after this album was released, President Nixon called for a "War on Drugs" as part of the tough-on-crime platform of the Republican Party, and countless lives have been ruined by this war in the years since. In Jamaica, possession of up to 2 oz. of ganja was decriminalized in 2015, and in 2018 the first medical cannabis dispensary opened after medical marijuana was legalized. In the United States, marijuana is legalized in 18 states, 2 territories, and the District of Columbia – but illegal at federal level. Decriminalized in another 13 states and 1 territory. Despite these recent changes, 8.2 million Americans were arrested for marijuana between 2001 and 2010, and 80% of those were for simple possession. On top of that, blacks are 3.73 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana than whites. The numbers improved only slightly from 2010-2020, mostly offset by increases in methamphetamine arrests. Over 40,000 Americans are in prison for marijuana offenses, and millions more have criminal records that impact their quality of life. The War on Drugs is a failure. Legalize It.

👍
View Author
Wed Feb 24 2021
3

Give me 85 degrees, a beach, and a cooler full of beer and this album is a 5.

👍
View Author
Thu Sep 29 2022
5

I opened the first legal aquaponic cannabis growing facility in Washington State. I ran my business for over 5 years, and then sold it. The profits from that sale bought me and my wife a farm in the county where we raise our now raise our two beautiful girls. I believe that I have lived Tosh's dream. I am so grateful to everyone who came before me and fought for our right to enjoy this plant. Thank you Peter!

👍
View Author
Sat Jun 12 2021
2

I'm sorry but all regge sounds the same THIS IS 40 MINUTES OF THE SAME SONG WH

👍
View Author
Sun Feb 07 2021
4

Legalize It cemented Tosh's position as a giant in reggae, and the album is one of the best albums of the genre.

👍
View Author
Fri Jan 15 2021
2

Was ok. Wouldn't really listen again

👍
View Author
Tue Jun 08 2021
5

Amazing, lush, melancholy, relaxed

👍
View Author
Sun Aug 15 2021
5

Rating: 9/10 Best songs: Legalize it, Why must I cry, Ketchy shuby, Till your well runs dry

👍
View Author
Thu Aug 26 2021
5

Love it! Varied song themes, great instrumentation, great vibes. Legalize!

👍
View Author
Sun Oct 31 2021
5

Wow. Such a great reggae album. Love the cadence and delivery on the vocals. Incredible instrumentals and backup vocals. Great lyrics and storytelling from the case for legal weed to good vs evil to loyalty and fleeting beauty. Compelling and various composition throughout. Never stale reggae sound. Burial, whatcha gonna do, why must I cry, legalize it.

👍
View Author
Tue Nov 22 2022
5

Good to hear reggae albums not featuring Bob Marley for a change, though I do like his stuff. This was consistently great throughout as well which is an extra bonus. Love how there's meaningful messages and really good music to back it..Highly recommended listen.

👍
View Author
Sat Jan 21 2023
5

Great songs and sounds. Strong start with "Legalize It." "Ketchy Shuby" bumps and "Brand New Second Hand" is a great diss track. The bits of piano really enhance the musical layering. Tosh singing on "Till Your Well Runs Dry" rather than reggae styling is really interesting. Only track I didn't really like was Igziabeher.

👍
View Author
Tue Jan 26 2021
4

feels fresh & original after his work with the wailers. fav track: burial

👍
View Author
Thu Jun 03 2021
4

Peter Tosh flexes his musical gift with this solo effort with the backing Wailers. Tosh proves he can function in his own spotlight without Marley and comes away with good vibes and a message.

👍
View Author
Sun Sep 26 2021
4

I think I (or my brother) bought this album in the 70s. I remember not being in love with it, possibly I was comparing Peter to the only other reggae guy I knew, Bob. I like it better now, the rootsy feel, the keyboards (clavinet?) and the song-writing is solid - lots of memorable tunes on the side 1. Side 2 not as catchy. Between a 3 and a 4 but since I'm in a good mood...

👍
View Author
Wed Oct 06 2021
4

An utter joy after 2 Iron Maiden albums. I knew this was his first post-Wailers album - and the important political message behind it (not just about cannabis). Not perfect, but essential listening.

👍
View Author
Fri Oct 29 2021
4

Perfect kick back on the beach album.

👍
View Author
Sun Sep 26 2021
3

I remember listening to Legalize It back in the day and thinking "This guy actually thinks they will legalize weed. What's he smoking?" 25 years after he died he is smiling in his grave. Tosh also wrote some tunes on The Wailers' albums before he moved on. It seems Bob had a one or two song cap on Tosh tunes per LP similar to the cap John and Paul gave George. There are some good tunes on this one including Burial and No Sympathy in addition to the title track. Till the Well Runs Dry is very clever with the verses and solo done in a blues style and the chorus in a Reggae style. He lays down a good solo in No Sympathy and his guitar work makes this song much better than the version previously released with The Wailers. Around the time this album was released Bob released Exodus. I suppose comparing these two albums validates the two song cap. 

👍
View Author
Wed Jan 26 2022
3

Gorgeous and totally without fuss, fully-formed grooves unroll as if they've always existed and are just popping out to stretch their legs. Such is the gift of the magi-musician.

👍
View Author
Wed Nov 29 2023
3

It was fine. Not especially memorable.

👍
View Author
Sat Nov 25 2023
2

This was almost exactly what I expected it to be. Bloopy reggae jams that are criminally inoffensive, but generally boring. There is harmonies and stuff I like here, as they remind me of some great 50s and early 60s doo-wop, but otherwise this is stereotypical. Sure, albums like this had to be a thing for this sound to be stereotypical, but that doesn't make it any less so to a modern set of ears.

👍
View Author
Sun Jan 14 2024
2

I'm no big Reggae enjoyer. But some tracks on here i found quite enjoyable! I doubt this will stick for years to come though. Standout tracks: Legalize It, No Sympathy, Igziabeher (Let Jah Be Praised, Ketchy Shuby, 4 out of 10

👍
View Author
Fri Nov 18 2022
1

What a silly Billy, doesn’t he realize that the devils lettuce has been legalized in most states these days

👍
View Author
Wed Jun 28 2023
1

Love my weed. I do not like Raggae. When I smoke weed, I do not like Raggae. When I smoke weed, I like Tosh.0, but not Peter Tosh. That was a hilarious, inappropriate show. I would think most weed lovers would like Tosh.0. Of course, if you're stoned, you probably enjoy a lot things you wouldn't when not stoned. But in my case, not raggae music. All this talk about being stoned makes me want to eat a doughnut. Mmmmm, doughnuts. Especially chocolate covered doughnuts. Anything chocolate. Mmmmm, weed. Great album cover. All I got. 5 for cover 1 for the music 5 for making me think of weed AND chocolate doughnuts

👍
View Author
Wed Dec 13 2023
1

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

👍
View Author
Fri Dec 15 2023
1

I really don't like reggae. I listened to this album and it felt like one long song.

👍
View Author
Thu Jun 02 2022
5

Trying my best not to give everything five stars . Aw well

👍
View Author
Thu Oct 20 2022
5

I think it's the first reggae album I bought. Love the riddims.

👍
View Author
Wed Nov 02 2022
5

Don't be fooled by the simple and clear message (agreeing or not) at the beginning and in the album's title. There's a lot going on and to me this album just gets better the longer it runs. Especially Tosh's feeling for melody and the guitar play makes this a great listen.

👍
View Author
Fri Nov 11 2022
5

9/10 good vibes, love reggae the mixing on some of these songs were a bit weird but idc, still sounds great

👍
View Author
Mon Dec 05 2022
5

Sorry I missed this. Fucking legendary album. Even the goats love it.

👍
View Author
Mon Feb 20 2023
5

You're only acting like You are somebody But I don't no say You know nobody You're only a show off Your painted face, yeah But underneath that face Your just a disgrace Amazing album, I agree that this is one that everyone should hear. 5/5

👍
View Author
Fri Apr 21 2023
5

Pure chill reggae. Him and Robert (Marley) were the GOATs !

👍
View Author
Thu Jul 06 2023
5

Le ga liiiiiiiize iiiiiit yeeaaah. Yeaaaah.

👍
View Author
Wed Jul 19 2023
5

I just love reggae. He’s the man!

👍
View Author
Wed Oct 25 2023
5

This is Quintessential Reggae, outside of Marley of course. But a fellow Wailer is still a vital part of the music.

👍
View Author
Thu Jan 25 2024
5

A really great find and I did not expect to enjoy this album or be able to differentiate it from other reggae albums I have heard. This is an excellent album and I love hearing Tosh do reggae songs that are not all political. I have always enjoyed Bob Marley's music and I find this album to be on-par with Marley's best work.

👍
View Author
Mon Feb 26 2024
5

I absolutely love Bob Marley, so it’s great to be introduced to other members of The Wailers. I’m gonna be expanding my repertoire of reggae now. The beach playlist is getting better! And yeah, I think we should legalize it, too. And free every person in prison who has been preyed upon.

👍
View Author
Thu Sep 10 2020
4

Not a big fan of Reggae but this was nice to listen to.

👍
View Author
Mon Sep 14 2020
4

This was pretty good! Legalize It itself is very good song, and the album (while short) is really solid. I think I'll definitely come back to it.

👍
View Author
Mon Feb 08 2021
4

Actually pretty good. Definitely see how the rhythm section influenced other bands I like.

👍
View Author
Sat May 15 2021
4

Would have been timely on 4:20!

👍
View Author
Fri May 21 2021
4

Mellow reggae. This is great weed smoking music haha

👍
View Author
Tue May 25 2021
4

Alles groovt erwartungsgemäß und doch ist das ein Reggae mit bluesy/folky Anteilen, Klavier Einsätzen, Dub Andeutungen, überhaupt super Songs, die eine oft generische Selbstbezogenheit des Genres mit Leichtigkeit transzendieren. Tolle Platte. 3.9

👍
View Author
Wed Jul 07 2021
4

Un dels clàssics del roots reggae, amb temes mítics, com 'Legalize It' o 'Till Your Well Runs Dry'; i d'altres també top, com 'No Sympathy' o 'Why I Must Cry'. Encara dins l'ona dels Wailers, un disc a l'alçada dels de Marley en aquells anys

👍
View Author
Mon Jun 21 2021
4

No sé, siento que no necesitaba escucharlo antes de morir, pero sí que me parecieron chidas Igziabeher y Burial, no me esperaba un sonido tan dark en este disco y no simpathy de hecho está bastante simpática. Mood: Me da dos motas, por favor

👍
View Author
Tue Jun 29 2021
4

I thought it was a solid 3 but then I was looking through for special mentions and more than half the songs - so I guess a 4 then...

👍
View Author
Wed Feb 24 2021
4

As good as any Bob Marley album

👍
View Author
Fri Feb 19 2021
4

A very nice and enjoyable album. I liked it.

👍
View Author
Mon May 10 2021
4

Super vibey!! Not as good as Exodus for me personally, but would definitely listen again.

👍
View Author
Fri May 07 2021
4

A grower. Has a lot of rasta spirituality infused in it. Took a while before I liked it, but it's good. Best song: Igziabeher (Let Jah Be Praised). Worst song: Ketchy Shuby.

👍
View Author
Fri Jun 04 2021
4

Good shit, man. I'm not a huge reggae fan, never bought a single album, but I can listen to this all day.

👍
View Author
Thu May 20 2021
4

Great chill music for the backyard

👍
View Author
Wed Jul 07 2021
4

Every song on this album is catchy and interesting. No low points. Great example of classic Reggae.

👍
View Author
Fri Jul 16 2021
4

Een van de muzikanten van Bob Marley die een eigen carrière begon ... Ik vind het eigenlijk nog best leuke muziek om naar te luisteren. Het eerste nummer is wel heel stereotiep, maar daarna is het eigenlijk best genieten. Naast het typische reggae ritme heb je geinige gitaarsolo's, wat electronische geluidjes en zo af en toe een heel poppie melodietje. Ik denk dat dit zeker in zijn genre een heel goed album is.

👍
View Author
Fri Jul 23 2021
4

Iree! Good stuff. Treading familiar ground, but still nice. Makes a giod companion piece to Bob Marley's Uprising.

👍
View Author
Tue Jul 27 2021
4

As far as the genre goes, this is pretty clearly at the top with Marley. Not music I’ll likely listen to again but maybe on a beach vacation or something.

👍
View Author
Fri Aug 13 2021
4

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Reggae is better when it's not boring bob

👍
View Author
Thu Aug 26 2021
4

Catchy tunes with plenty of depth, assuming you don't mind reggae.

👍
View Author
Tue Aug 31 2021
4

Powerful, dank and dirty. 4.5.

👍
View Author
Fri Sep 17 2021
4

On par with Bob Marley's best.

👍
View Author
Thu Dec 23 2021
4

Peter Tosh and Bob Marley are like the Lennon & McCartney of Reggae. Both are absolute pillars of influence in the genre. While Marley gets the lion's share of attention, this album proves how capable and even masterful Peter Tosh was in the absence of Marley.

👍
View Author
Thu Dec 23 2021
4

Good tunes, reggae up there with the greats.

👍
View Author
Thu Feb 03 2022
4

Classic Reggae sound. Haven't heard this album in a long time and really enjoyed it. Such a summer vibe.

👍
View Author
Fri Mar 04 2022
4

Not my usual type of listen, but quite enjoyed it

👍
View Author
Wed Apr 06 2022
4

Vaguely knew about Peter Tosh, but I had no idea he was a part of the Wailers until I got this album picked for me! Absolutely wonderful Reggae. Calming and catchy, just like it should be, and a nice break from the typical Marley dominated Reggae I'd been listening to. There were only a few places where I felt the album faltered a little, but overall it was a joy to listen to.

👍
View Author
Wed Apr 13 2022
4

It's good, loved the last song

👍
View Author
Wed May 04 2022
4

Peter Tosh almost at his best.

👍
View Author
Fri May 06 2022
4

Enjoyed it much more than expected, many of the songs were so easy to listen to with some being very catchy. Haven't listened to much in this genre but I'm sure there will be more to come. Favourite Songs: Legalize it, No sympathy

👍
View Author
Thu Jun 02 2022
4

This feels so cutting edge for the time, the sound, the album cover. I would have thought this was a late 80s or 90s album. I like it!

👍
View Author
Thu Jun 02 2022
4

Yep. Chalk this one up to another Reggae album i've not properly listened to. Great stuff

👍
View Author
Sun Jun 12 2022
4

Cooking outside, overlooking a lake, listening to this album. Just needed some weed to complete the vibe. -1* due to it not being legalised.

👍
View Author
Wed Jun 22 2022
4

The first song is really hard to get thtough, but after that it actually gets pretty good. 3 Best reggae album yet 4

👍
View Author
Wed Jul 20 2022
4

I understand why I've never heard of Peter Tosh, but he knows how to put together a solid reggae album. Although there are only a handful of standout songs, this album is very easy listening. I found out I like reggae more than I expected! Best Songs: Legalize It, Till Your Well Runs Dry, Ketchy Shuby Worst Songs: Whatcha Gonna Do

👍
View Author
Thu Aug 04 2022
4

I'm a very casual reggae fan, only owning 10+ essential albums at home (by Bob Marley, Toots And The Maytals, Desmond Dekker, Jimmy Cliff, Lee "Scratch" Perry/The Upsetters or the Congos...), plus a few Trojan and Studio One compilations. If I had a little more room and money to spare, this one would be part of my collection for sure... But since I already have the historical title track on CD somewhere, I didn't go for it. Don't get me wrong, *Legalize It* is still a fine album. The songwriting can be very good sometimes, and some of the arrangements are top-notch. Take "Igziabeher", for instance: its dreamy piano flourishes, to which Tosh adds enigmatic wind sounds at the end, make for a trippy listening experience. Nice way to praise Jah, Peter. Here are the sort of nice touches that can take the genre up to the next level. Admittedly, some of the tunes are still a little light on the ear, especially compared to Tosh's former band, The Wailers. That comparison may seem unfair to a certain extent--Tosh is a more than decent songwriter--yet one can still sense this record sometimes lacks the mystical intensity of Marley's vocal performances, or the full-on inventive quirkiness of Lee Perry's productions, or the sheer soulfulness of Toots And the Maytals. But I can still get why *Legalize It* should be an album you must listen to at least once in your life. And this even if you're only a *casual* reggae fan, with not enough shelves in his living room. Number of albums left to review or just listen to: 839 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory: 88 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 39 Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more important): 33

👍
Load more reviews