Legalize It : Peter Tosh

This is of course one of the most well known reggae albums of all time thanks to the Bob Marley / Peter Tosh connection via the Wailers that has helped leaked the more poignant and sometimes militant vocals of Peter Tosh in to the main stream. The title  track serves not only as an anthem for the cause of ganja decriminalization, but also a love song and testimonial to the benefits of the herb on not only ones body for certain ailments, but for the psyche of the mind as well.  This album was Tosh's first solo experience and you can hear all the built up enthusiasm in his energetic delivery of songs like "Ketchy Shuby / Track 7" and "Brand New Second Hand / Track 9".  My copy of this disc is the CBS Collector's Choice series of classic seventies releases strictly based on the original 1976 LP.  Tosh followed with releasing "Equal Rights" in 1977, the two first solo sets of his career seem to help Tosh find his true direction and message in the reggae world.  "Legalize It" was recorded at Randy's and Treasure Isle in Kingston, JA and features musicians such as Robbie Shakespeare, Carlton & Aston "Familyman" Barrett.

Abraham VP Various Artists Compilation : Scientist, Wailing Soul, Wayne Wade, Barrington Levy

This is a great compilation of seventies roots from the Abraham / Clocktower group out of Ontario, Canada.  There's 14 tracks total on this disc including cuts by Barrington Levy, Sammy Dread, Linval Thompson, and others.  This disc keeps it going throughout by supplying a good mix of downbeat - classic roots - and chant style DJ.  The highlights of this set are track #6 Rudy Say Him Bad (Wailing Soul), #10 Poor & Humble (Wayne Wade), and numbers #6 and #14 which are both dub tracks by Scientist.  I don't really know if this disc has an official name or not - the front says "Various Artist" and then simply shows a few images of some our reggae favorites.  I really didn't know that this disc was the highest of quality by it's appearance.  Looks can be deceiving sometime.