Peter Tosh ADD

Peter Tosh's Legalize It & Equal Rights Albums as 2CD Legacy Edition

04/20/2011

Legacy & NORML Announce Re-Release of First Two Peter Tosh Solo Albums

Collectible 7-inch vinyl single of "Legalize It" b/w "Equal Rights" released in Rasta colors of red, green and gold on National Record Store Day, April 16th

Legacy and NORML re-launch Tosh's 1976 PSA at radio, promoting legalization of marijuana, in honor of NORML's 40th anniversary birthday in 2011

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The first two solo albums by Peter Tosh on Columbia Records, cornerstones of the roots-rock-reggae movement, will be commemorated with the releases of LEGALIZE IT: LEGACY EDITION and EQUAL RIGHTS: LEGACY EDITION. Both double-CD packages will contain a lion's share of previously unreleased material from the original sessions (and material previously available on very limited edition Dub Plates), along with new essays by Reggae scholar Roger Steffens (on Legalize It) and former manager Herbie Miller (Equal Rights). Both packages will be available at all physical and digital retail outlets starting June 21st through Columbia/Legacy, a division of SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT.

The re-releases of Legalize It (1976) and Equal Rights (1977) coincide with the 40th anniversary birthday in March 2011 of NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, based in Washington, DC). Tosh endorsed and supported the organization, and recorded a PSA (public service announcement) for NORML in 1976, promoting the legalization of marijuana. In 2011, Tosh's PSA is being re-launched at radio in a partnership between Legacy and NORML.

Along with Tosh's advocacy for NORML, Legalize It and Equal Rights serve as reminders of the glory of vinyl. In recognition, the two classic title tracks, "Legalize It" and "Equal Rights," will be coupled as a special 7-inch vinyl single. The double-A sided single will be released in conjunction with this year's fifth annual National Record Store Day on Saturday, April 16th. Honoring the colors of Tosh's beloved Rasta flag, the single will be available in collectible red, green and gold vinyl editions.

Adding immeasurably to the historical impact of LEGALIZE IT: LEGACY EDITION is an evocative 2,000-word liner notes essay by Roger Steffens, a close friend to Peter Tosh in his lifetime, and an enduring keeper of the flame as the curator of the Reggae Archives, the world's largest collection of Wailers and Peter Tosh material.

Herbie Miller, who wrote the liner notes essay for EQUAL RIGHTS: LEGACY EDITION, is internationally known for his work as the trusted former manager of Peter Tosh and a highly-respected member of the Jamaican community.As Roger Steffens' liner notes to LEGALIZE IT: LEGACY EDITION point out, "All of the previously unreleased versions on this package are from the extraordinary archives of British collector, Sam Dion, to whom the tapes were passed along." He refers to Tosh's vast archives that survived his assassination of September 11, 1987. 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 original mix of the album, the way he was sending it out to major record labels in 1976 (rescued from the garbage heap by someone "with a keen eye"!). Those nine tracks (all previously unreleased) 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").

Similarly, CD one of EQUAL RIGHTS: LEGACY EDITION presents the original eight-song, 40-minute album as it has been embedded in listeners' heads for decades. Then the disc follows up with seven previously unreleased outtakes from the original album recording sessions, offering a different program of compositions. CD two presents a well-sequenced mix of 15 tracks – about half of which are previously unreleased . These include original session alternate and extended versions, and extremely rare dubs.

Equal Rights brought together Peter Tosh's dedications to the revolutionary movements growing in Africa, and the mysticism and wonders of his personal growth as a prophet, poet, preacher and world-class musical trailblazer. The album included a number of songs that became human rights anthems over the next two decades: "Get Up, Stand Up," "Downpressor Man," "African," "Apartheid," and the title tune. There were also intensely personal songs of his revelations as a Rasta: "I Am That I Am" and "Jah Guide"; and the ultimate rude boy, proto-punk declaration of "Stepping Razor," by reggae's original roots-rock and Rasta ragamuffin.

"A quarter century later," Steffens writes, "[Tosh's] songs ring eternal with millions of strugglers worldwide, still crying out for equal rights and justice with the words of the immortal Minister of Herb."