After years of being overshadowed by
Bob Marley
,
Peter Tosh
left
the Wailers
to pursue a solo career. Released in 1976,
Legalize It
is a bold statement that
had arrived and was a creative force in his own right. Although he explores some issues of spirituality, this is
Tosh
's most lightweight album in the sense that it is his least political. This is not meant as a criticism -- in fact,
's playfulness and joy (
"Ketchy Shuby"
) only add to the album's charm. He does make political statements (the title track celebrates and promotes the use of marijuana), but they are done with a sense of humor and a melodic infectiousness that belie his sincere concern for the issues.
incorporates many instruments and mixes slower ballads with upbeat grooving tunes. The album's highlight is
"Why Must I Cry,"
a multi-layered song (co-written with
) that conveys a sense of personal failure when fighting an uphill battle, whether it be against injustices of the world or within the confines of a relationship.
cemented
's position as a giant in reggae, and the album is one of the best albums of the genre. ~ Vik Iyengar