War "Evolutionary"

I had to wonder what this actually was when BKP sent it over.  There was a compilation in the early 90's called "Rap Declares War" that reintroduced the group to the generation of kids raised on rap artists who sampled some of the band's catalog to make their mark.  The surviving members tried to capitalize on their new notoriety with an album and tour (they played a free show in the old Cheyenne Saloon when rain forced the reduced crowd inside......and they kicked ass!) but it didn't sell.  Jerry Goldstein had discovered War in the late 60's and essentially owned the band and its name, so when the album tanked, all but Lonnie Jordan walked away.  Those guys have been the Lowrider Band since, but I had hoped that time had healed the wounds and a reformation was afoot.  Nope.  "Evolutionary" is Lonnie Jordan and a cast of others all helmed by Goldstein, who you might remember seeing in the news a couple of years ago as he squatted in his foreclosed mansion after it had been sold at auction.  Sooooooooo, how the hell did he get money to fire this record off?  Beats me, but this is a much better project than I ever expected.  There are some of the old War blueprint sounds scattered about and though I can't say this flows in the currents of today's music, it still has singles potential throughout.  Obvious first choice was this one...



They are currently touring with Cheech & Chong, too!  Judging from this record, if the studio band is on the road for this tour then I may just have to go.  There are only one or two soft spots on the record yet several highlights.  Three tracks are based on unrecorded War material from who knows when, but I doubt Harold Scott and the others will see any residuals.  There are critics who must hold a grudge against Goldstein and his treatment of the band brand because reviews have been mixed, at best.  I'll admit to expecting the worst but will end up keeping the entire disc.  It's still a mix of Latin, jazz, soul, funk, rap and a hint of rock.  Jordan sounds good, the band is sharp with its rhythms, and song quality is surprisingly efficient.  Hints of Sly Stone and Sonia Dada made my notes.  There's an updating of Whitfield/Strong's "War," of Edwin Starr's fame and a track called "Bounce," that if neither the Lakers nor Clippers pick it up for in-house use during games then someone needs to be fired. 

Included with this new album was a bonus disc of greatest hits, radio edits.  Gawd, how I hate that!  How can you cut "Slippin' Into Darkness" in half, trim "Gypsy Man" of six minutes, and reduce this to four?!?!



Even though I have the vinyl tucked away, I'm pretty sure they are worn out, so I'm off to buy the three original albums and maybe "War Live," too...