Back In The Day
A little while ago, I DJ’d in Brighton. Something about that statement makes me think “Hey, didn’t everybody?” but nevertheless, I had my own regular Thursday night gig at the Cobs. I had carte blanche, but there was a vibe and I had to fit seamlessly into it. It was ‘organic’ (hate that word), not artificial or manufactured, and no talk, just music. The sounds had to have soul, they didn’t have to necessarily be soul.. punk (the real kind mind you, not the cartoon toytown stuff that passes for punk these days), ska, dub, a bit of blues, the best of indie, glam.. and, yep, soul. Northern, Stax, Philly maybe..
Including a couple of tracks from a mighty album, unknown to the majority of the young clientele. I’d get inquiries though, every time.. “Who’s this?”, from punks, Goths, crusties and indie kids alike. Grizzled old lags would look up from their pints and nod an acknowledgement across the crowded room, because it was War.
‘The World Is A Ghetto’ was their most popular record. It caught the mood of the times and it displayed subtle touches of the evolving studio techniques of the early 70s. It’s right up there with other more recognisable classics from the era by Marvin, Curtis, Aretha… it’s funky soul with a jam-band aesthetic, but much more than that. It touches on Latin, blues and psychedelia: maybe that’s why it has something for everyone. The sounds are so accessible, but the musicians all stretch out and reach for something extraordinary. Wonderful stuff.
Four of those musicians still work in the same ensemble today, now called the Lowrider Band (some great video on their site). My good friend Wanderin’ Wilf will shortly feature War stalwart Lee Oskar in an interview on the Harp Surgery. And have a listen to the aforementioned mighty album at Amazon
I don’t think you’ll regret it.
