Peter Tosh - Equal Rights (1977) [2CD Legacy Edition] (2011)

Artist: Peter Tosh
Title Of Album: Equal Rights
Year Of Release: 1977 (2011)
Label: Columbia / Legacy (88697 74691 2)
Genre: Reggae
Quality: WavPack (image+.cue+.log)
Bitrate: Lossless
Total Time: 02:24:47
Total Size: 969 MB (Scans)

Equal Rights was to be the album that propelled Peter Tosh to the top of the reggae world -- the rival to onetime fellow Wailer Bob Marley. Time has shown that this lofty aspiration was not borne out, but Equal Rights remains among the handful of best, and most influential, reggae albums ever recorded. Tosh was always the most militant of the original Wailers and this album reflects that outlook. Whether it is preaching about the unity of the African diaspora ("African"), protesting conditions in South Africa ("Apartheid"), or giving a more general call to arms ("Get Up, Stand Up"), Equal Rights is a political album. This is at times crippling, as some tracks are more effective as political statements than they are as songs. This, in fact, is a primary difference between Tosh and Marley -- Marley's political statements never overwhelmed his songs. Unfortunately, this is not always the case with Tosh. That being said, "Downpresser Man" (based on a folk standard), "Stepping Razor," and his definitive version of "Get Up, Stand Up" are as good a trio of songs as you will find on any album, reggae or not. Tosh's singing is angry and forceful and the music is intricate and distinctive. On these three tracks you can see why people thought that Tosh could become a transcendent international star. The rest of the album, however, shows why he never quite lived up to that potential.
Allmusic.com, by Toby Ball

Tracklist:

1-01. Get Up, Stand Up
1-02. Downpressor Man
1-03. I Am That I AM
1-04. Stepping Razor
1-05. Equal Rights
1-06. African
1-07. Jah Guide
1-08. Apartheid
1-09. 400 Years
1-10. Hammer (Extended Version)
1-11. Jah Man Inna Jamdung
1-12. Vampire
1-13. Babylon Queendom
1-14. You Can't Blame The Youth
1-15. Mark Of The Beast

2-01. Get Up, Stand Up (Alternate Version)
2-02. Dub-Presser Man (Dub Version)
2-03. I Am That I Am (ShaJahShoka Dubplate)
2-04. Heavy Razor (ShaJahShoka Dubplate)
2-05. Equal Rights (Extended Version)
2-06. African (London Sound System Dub Plate)
2-07. Jah Guide (Dub Plate)
2-08. (Fight) Apartheid (Alternate Version)
2-09. Vampire (Demo)
2-10. Jah Man Inna Jamdung (Demo)
2-11. Hammer (ShaJahShoka Dubplate)
2-12. Blame The Yout (Dub Version)
2-13. Babylon Queendom (Dub Version)
2-14. Vampires (Dub Version)
2-15. Get Up, Stand Up (Extended Alternate Version)