I can not remember why but for some reason this cover caught my eye as youth! Peter's Legalize It is an anthem for all generations. Whether your listening to it with young or old ears, this record is so pungent in an irie vibe, that your eyes will get bloodshot! In fact, driving thru some of those "weed and seed communities" if you get caught with this record in your car, it is equal to possession of a dime bag.
Seriously, the tall thin man backed by the fat riddims of Sly and Robbie. Peter standing alone in defiance of Babylon. Like his old bandmate, Bob Marley, Peter would use the worlds stage as a pulpit to perform his teachings. This was easily the most notorious record of the time.
The soundtrack to the star making movie for Jimmy Cliff. Jimmy had been kicking around the local scene since 1964 but this 1972 release put Reggae on a lot foreign turntables for the first time. Jimmy was the leading man in the movie but he is a co-star on the soundtrack. The Slickers with Johnny Too Bad steal the show. Toots along with his Maytels deliver the devastating Pressure Drop. Desmond Dekker's 007 (Shanty town) gets things skanking. The Melodian's give us Rivers Of Babylon. Jimmy the star is only represented with four songs. His Many Rivers To Cross and Sitting In Limbo soften the pace. Jimmy's massive hits You Can Get It If You Really Want and The Harder They Come are included twice but that is okay because I never tire hearing those classics. This record is one part historical ducument and one part the greatest hits of early roots. Trojan recently released an even thicker version stuffed with extra hits from the same era. Sweeting the pot.
Jimmy as Ivan.
Maybe someday, some record company will press this in CD format and not just for profit because I doubt it will make one but for the simple fact that this is crucial listening. I do believe Greensleeves printed it last, so maybe there is hope. Ras Michael and the Sons of Negus are my first experiance with Nyabinghi. Although this is not a straight drum session. Robbie Shakespeare drops some bass down low into the mix. Peter Tosh and Earl Chinna Smith strum some high notes on gutairs. Ras Michael has an interesting way with words.
I remember picking both of these up out the record store bin. I could not wait to hear what the fuss was about. I slid an Andrew Jackson outta my wallet to cover the bill plus tax for Uncle Sam. Not since Paul Revere riding thru town calling out that "the British are coming" has a warning cry the split the silence as the Wailers announcing that Jah will be passing Judgement on Babylon.
While lyrically fighting the wrongs that Babylon inflict on the Sufferah, the pressures and business realities began to split up the strong individual personalities that made the Wailers. Burnin' would be the last studio ducument from the classic trio. This record and the next one never seem to be talked about with the same reverence as Catch A Fire or Bob's later recordings like Exodus. Old songs like Put it On, Duppy Conqueror and Small Axe are given new life by big budget ( Reggae standards) studio treatment. Burnin also introduced the Peter Tosh penned battle cry, "Get Up, Stand Up" and Bob Marley's world attention getter," I Shot The Sheriff." This record is the original Wailers going out while still on top. No weakness showing at all. This record is strength after strength.
The first record of Bob being positioned as sole leader was Natty Dread. Rastaman Vibration further confirms Robert Nesta Marley's solo authority. Long missing from the front line are veteran Jah soldiers Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. The I-Threes with Bob's wife Rita continue to fill in the ranks. The tunes are still strategised in the studio war room by the Barrett brothers. They, Carlton (drums) and Aston Family Man (bass) Barrett, lay down the groove to which Marley builds his songs on. Rastaman Vibration may not have as many famous tunes on it as other Marley records but this record has some of his finest momments.
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