Peter Tosh

Equal Rights is a rich improvement over Peter Tosh's ganja-steeped solo debut of last year,
Legalize It. While his highly touted revolutionary stance (which, in that case, amounted to
nothing more militant than a plea for legalizing marijuana) was certainly admirable -- and
refreshing, given the acquiescent wait-and-see philosophy that permeates so much
Rastafarian reggae -- it had no musical impact. Equal Rights, though, is a potent m... More >

What's most impressive about this music is its sinew. The tracks are strong, yet although they usually include at least seven instrumental parts, they never sound lush, full, or even jubilantly multipercussive, which given Tosh's increasingly ominous lyrics is a good thing. Yet while Tosh's lyrics are more correct politically than Marley's, they're only marginally more eloquent. His singing is rather less eloquent. (Grade: B+)