Peter Tosh - Equal Rights

Even though Captured Live might be Peter Tosh's greatest recorded gift, this 1977 studio album was his best--by far--away from the stage. Equal Rights opens with two great salvos, "Get Up, Stand Up" and "Downpressor Man," both of them politically unequivocal in their support, aptly, of human rights and political equity. In his post-Wailers days, Tosh seemed ever in dialogue with his conscience and his obsession with Bob Marley's fame. Tosh sought a place for himself somewhere between reggae and pop (check out the Mick Jagger and Tosh duet, "(You Gotta Walk and) Don't Look Back" on the hits pack Scrolls of the Prophet). In itself, such a desire isn't at all surprising, but it did impact Tosh's music even on his best studio album. But even with any wrinkles, Equal Rights holds a spot firmly as one of the best reggae albums of the 1970s. In this reissue, it comes with a pair of live bonus tracks, "Pick Myself Up" and "African," both recorded live and charged with the best Tosh energy. --Andrew Bartlett Amazon.com

Tosh's Best Studio Album

This album is Tosh's best studio offering. It is his first album with the legendary rhythm twins, Sly Dunbar (drums) and Robbie Shakespear (bass). You can't go wrong here if you want some great conscious reggae. There aren't any bad songs on this album. The best songs are "Downpressor Man," "I Am That I Am" (my favorite), "Stepping Razor" (a song covered by Sublime), "Equal Rights," and "Jah Guide." While Tosh's best overall album is probably "Complete Captured Live," this is right there with it. Don't hesitate to buy it if you like reggae at all. August 6, 2007

Superb

This is probably the best reggae album I ever bought. For reggae or Peter Tosh fans this album is a must have. I've heard other version of Get up, Stand up songs played by others but the one in this album is the best I ever listened to. You will not be disappointed. June 15, 2007

Must Have

There really is no reason to read the reviews for this album.
You should be listening to it, now.
You can't listen to one song without listening to the entire album.
EVER. June 14, 2007

One of the best

This is required listening for any reggae fans and a must have in any reggae collection. Peter Tosh is way underrated for some odd reason, but this album will surely make anyone interested in reggae a fan. Tosh's version of "Get Up, Stand Up" is arguably the best version there is (or, at the very least, a great alternate version). Follow that with tracks as good as "Downpressor Man", "I Am That I Am" (my favorite), and "Stepping Razor", and the CD never lets up. The lyrics are very political and relevant even today, about 30 years later. The CD features 2 Live tracks, "African" and "Pick Myself Up" that were not available on the old cassette, and it's definitely worth upgrading to CD for them. October 19, 2006

6 Stars

Morality weighs on this album. Peter Tosh is the black equivalent of Michael Moore. Move over Tupac, Biggie Smalls, Marcus Garvey, Fred Hampton, and any other black leader (except for maybe Malcolm X) Peter Tosh had the most current and staunch and relevant voice for the scattered people of Afirca. I'd say that this album has a jazz feel to it. The photos in the remastered edition booklet are worth the price alone. Peter Tosh was all powerful. The influence of the album Mystic Man inspired me to quit drinking soda. Listen to this man, and see if he grows on you. September 8, 2005

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