A remastered and well-presented five LP box set of War’s best-selling album “The World Is a Ghetto” recaptures that slice of time when multicultural rock reached its first peak.
War dependably delivered a fusion of rock and Latin rhythms in the early ‘70s, coming out of the age of musical psychedelia. The Southern California band — originally called Eric Burdon and War — gave us music for the working class, with lyrics bemoaning political infighting and frequently urging social harmony.
The band, initially formed to back Burdon as he plotted his next musical endeavor after the Animals, took on a life of its own and was spurred into success by a fan base that crossed cultural boundaries.
“The Cisco Kid” sounds clean and defined as rendered on the 50th anniversary remaster on gorgeous gold colored vinyl. The instrumentals are nicely separated for this side one song on Billboard’s best-selling album of 1973.
The stabs of keyboard work from founding member Lonnie Jordan are a mainstay of War’s music, and shine on tracks like “City, Country, City,” a long-winded jam session. Bonus tracks on separate vinyl in the set include “Lee’s Latin Jam” with its upbeat, heavy horn work.
War’s music maintained through decades, earning the band more than 20 gold, platinum and multi-platinum records. They were Santana with a little less guitar and a few more horns, and quickly became a Southern California car culture favorite.
Best of all, War endured.
