The World is a Ghetto

Slow, soulful funk with hints of jazz, rock and the slightest reggae flavour. This feels luxurious. Rating: 4/5 Playlist track: The Cisco Kid Date listened: 14/05/23

Before today, the only songs by War that I knew were the hits (Low Rider, The Cisco Kid, and Why Can't We Be Friends?). These guys were a hit in the 60's - 70's, and actually, this album was named Album of the Year in '72, so I am excited to hear more of their catalog today! This album is a slow, funky masterpiece. Songs such as "City, Country, City", although being 13 minutes long, were excellent. Instead of being a long song with half a dozen solos mixed in, it was one huge groove, in which each member of the band could solo, and show their skills while the rest of the band kept time. There are some amazing artists in this band! The inclusion of a harmonica in "City, Country, City" surprised the hell out of me, in a good way. The opening song, The Cisco Kid is such a fantastic funky song! This band is a melding of soul, jazz, funk, Latin, blues, and rock into one hell of a laid back sound. They sound a lot like Sly and the Family Stone, but their musical themes are never negative. It is always "peace and love", which is refreshing to listen to. You would think, with a title like "The World is a Ghetto" you'd be in for a political, negative album, but this album is full of positive vibes. The long drawn out grooves have a way of pulling you into a trance, and making all your worries disappear. Overall, an excellent album today. Not something I would always be in the mood for, but it helped make yard work a hell of a lot more enjoyable today!! Favorite songs: The Cisco Kid, Where Was You At, The World Is A Ghetto, Four Cornered Room Least favorite songs: "City, Country, City" 4/5

I hadn't heard of War before, and thus I wasn't sure what I was expecting going into this totally blind. "War" sounded like a metal band, "The World is a Ghetto" sounded like a gangsta rap album. I was completely wrong on all accounts and very pleasantly surprised. This is 44 minutes of just some really funky, jazzy psychedelic soul with some Caribbean flair. It's generally melancholy and usually quite chill, but it gains energy at the right moments and is just a general pleasure to listen to. I especially liked the general feel of Beetles In The Bog and City, Country, City. Thank you Generator, this was a great album to be introduced to. Favourite: Beetles In The Bog

This feels like what soul was meant to become.

the soul side of the moon

Great album, the intro songs kicks strong. Solid instrumentals then wraps up crisp without overstaying it's welcome. War is a lot more than just low rider.

I enjoyed this album quite a bit. It's not really in a style I normally listen to, but I may seek out more like this in the future. The Cisco Kid is a banger. I also liked the longer songs. 4/5

Oh yeah! Happy to see this pop up. Love War the music band. This is not one of the albums I own but I know a couple of tracks. City Country City is just beautiful - first heard David Mancuso play it at the London Loft. The World is a Ghetto is slinky, funky and political, just the way music should be. It's great stuff all round x

Me every time a new track started on this album: wow, this is the coolest song I've ever heard in my life. Ultimately, City, Country, City was when I knew I loved this album, so that'll go down as my favorite here

A great listen

This album went hard.

It was a really great funk album. Perfect song as I walk around and observe city living - the good, the bad, the ugly

An album that sounds like a hot summer day in Brooklyn. Such a rich atmosphere of sounds.

A promising album that never takes off: The music definitely has the right leanings when it comes to its take on R&B, but at the same time it tends to err on the boring side.

So good. 5 stars.

Never heard of these guys before. Some great songs on there, not my normal style of music but maybe my tastes are changing!

I always just assumed that the song “War” (What is it good for?) was by War, like how Black Sabbath has a song called Black Sabbath on their album “Black Sabbath”. Good God, y’all - I’m embarrassed by my ignorance here. The World is a Ghetto is solid and funky, and maybe a little world-weary. The musicianship exceptional and engaging…this is a record well worth revisiting.

At the time WAR released their critically most acclaimed album, Funk was already on the rise and had just seen more and more mainstream success. And with an album as forward thinking and progressive as this, Funk and the Soul surroundings that it was still mainly touched with got pushed into a new niche that pretty much walked hand in hand with what The Temptations did before and around that time. The album starts with the Latin Funk 'The Cisco Kid' that plays with versatile percussion and rhythm sections while incoprorating a variety of different South American instruments and sounds that give the track a lush feeling. The different aspects in songwriting and flow are really interesting and the vocals just add even more enjoyment to these tracks. I really love this track and it's easily a perfect track. It's just very fun to listen to it. 'Where Was You At' plays with more Soul and even a little bit of Blues Rock while still having a lot of Funk as a main attraction. I really like the different wind instruments but except the moments where they really shine in the bridge or as a solo, I am not really interested with what the song does. I think the song is alright but if it wasn't for the already mentioned few wind instruments, I wouldn't even really enjoy it much. The song is alright and pretty much right in the middle of enjoyment. The bad/boring moments and the few good cancel each other pretty much out. The albums longest song, 'City, Country, City' closes the first side of the album with a playtime of over 13 minutes. The track is a pleasent mix of Psychedelic Soul and Jazz-Funk with a very pleasent use of harmonica as well as some Latin Funk influences here and there. And although I like the slightly laid back and dreamy sound of the start, it does take too long to change that repetitive pace that I am even annoyed after a bit and once there is more percussion added that is supposed to give a more energetic feeling, I can't but feel like the harmonica doesn't fit together with the vibe of the track. For the most part, it just feels off and while I do very much enjoy the percussion on its own, the entirety is pretty ruined by that annoying repetitive harmonica. The change of lead instrument to guitar is pleasant at first, there are some moments where the playing sounds actually bad. The result just feels average. And even though the song is supposed to be anything but average, the result, at least to me, is exactly that: average, unfocused and basic. On top comes the sheer length of the track that makes some parts so overly annoying that I cannot even think of the track as just "basic" but actually as an below average track. I really like the sound and some ideas but the execution is really not that good. The albums second half is opened by the Soul Blues 'Four Cornered Room' which brings in a lot of Psychedelic inspirations as well as more harmonica both used in a both tender and ominous way that make this feel like a mix between a Western soundtrack and a Mexico soundtrack. And I think that this track might've been better if it was actually bulding tension and had more lush surroundings but the way it was done here, it feels repetitive, boring and sometimes annoying. I really like the bass playing and it does its job good at building the slight tension that the song actually offers but no other instruments can really do anything. The vocals (or more the Spoken Word parts) can become really annoying because they "explode" like it was already time for a chorus when nothing build towards that. And while I do think that the explosiveness of such hooks can be extremely benefitial, the way it's done here just doesn't work. The song is a boring and average Soul track. Luckily, the title track 'The World Is a Ghetto' comes to save at least a bit. It is very much a Progressive Soul song with only a few Funk influences. The result works much better even at over ten minutes than the last songs. This song is great in terms of structure, flow, songwriting, performance as well as the vocal and musical delivery. This song is full of soul and does its thing in a hypnotic, passionate and optimistic way while still being tender and beautiful in terms of vocals. At the lenght that it is, the quality does suffer a little bit at some parts but it's not enough to make the track anything less than simply great. The solo's, the verses, the chorus, all of it is fun and enjoyable. The album closes with 'Beetles in the Bog' which not only brings back more Funk but it does it not all that great. I do like the anthemic vocals and the ryhthm of the track, I also think that multiple instruments don't really work togther. It sounds very messy, very bloated and just unfocused. This would've nearly passed as Free Jazz if it was more like Jazz which isn't a good sign when you want to do Soul & Funk and not Free Jazz. Especially when most Free Jazz would be more enjoyable than this. It's still not bad but the messiness of the track just turns it stale and annoying. favourites: The Cisco Kid, The World Is a Ghetto least favourites: City, Country, City, Beetles in the Bog, Four Cornered Room Rating light to decent 6 https://rateyourmusic.com/~Emil_ph for more ratings, reviews and takes

Forgettable: probably one of if not my shortest review, so incredibly forgettable. All the songs seem to merge into the background with me not having heard anything notable or anything to make me enjoy or hate it.

Terrible.

Almost not annoying

This was a great find for me today. I'm sure I've heard it before because the album cover is so familiar (cycling back, I think I'm conflating with street corner talking) but none of the tracks were. Super cool, loved the groove and even the long songs kept my interest. Will come back to this one for sure.

I don’t know what I was expecting but not this! It’s great. A bit slow and relaxed, it grooves and flows, some soul and reggae.

Nice album. Lotta soul, great instrumentals, great vocal work! 'Four Cornered Room' was my personal fave.

At any one time I may say War is in my top ten band list. Although I never place any album of theirs in a top ten list, I find this record great and deserving. Nice beat, great lyrics, excellent musicians.

WAR! What is it good for? Making banging tunes mate. Loved this one

Having listened to this several times I can quite confidently declare this an absolute banger. I love the mixture of soul, funk, jazz and rock on this album. Definitely one of the most enjoyable albums to be randomly selected so far

The only War album I know but it is great, especially The World Is a Ghetto.

Really enjoyed this nugget of funk rock

Enjoyed this!

Superb. Really superb. A magnificent discovery. I greatly enjoyed hearing this album and I will listen to it again and probably again. 5 stars.

Nothing short of glorious

Lovely fusion of jazz, funk, and soul music. As comes with jazz albums, there are 10 minute instrumental singles, however, they're filled with enough switches and Tempo changes to make them feel shorter than they are. Definitely an album to be played and listened to multiple times and get a different feel each time. I'd give it a 9/10.

Make me dance

Nice album. Great funk band. Eric Burdon probably feels a little hard done by to not make the list but you know who else is not on here at all? Lionel Richie or Commodores. 3 Pet Shop Boys albums though. List is crazy.

The World Is a Ghetto is the fifth album by War, originally released in 1972. Man this is a dark, funky, psychedelic masterpiece. The way it's mixed makes the bass extra juicy. The lyrics are powerful while remaining catchy. Don't even get me started on that cover art... Apparently this album sold a shit ton and ended up winning Billboard magazine's Album of the Year for 1973. I was previously only familiar with War's work with Eric Burdon, so it was cool to see how this band progressed without him. They were definitely experimenting with jamming a bit more... a lot of these songs clock in at 8+ minutes. The jams are super tight though and don't seem to overstay their welcome at all. Banging album.

Easy listen. Varies between 70s rock and funk in my ears. Love the songs The Cisco Kid and City, Country, City.

Wish I had more words to express why I like this album, but the songs here don't need to overburden themselves with lyrics, so I hope the stars suffice.

Bisschen Funk, Bisschen Jazz Für mich eine Neuentdeckung

4.5/5 Nicely varied, really enjoyable album. The second side is amazingly good. The Cisco Kid 2.5/5 (LEAST FAV) Where Was You At 5/5 City, Country, City 4/5 Four Cornered Room 5/5 (FAV) The World Is A Ghetto 5/5 Beetles In The Bog 4.5/5

Excellent, but we knew that, right?

Really jazzy really smooth. This is the kinda vibe I wanna hear in a speakeasy or a bar with a jukebox. Sipping on some lemonade on my porch and relaxing. I think we have finally found the first album I'm throwing into my library! The exact jazz I adore.

Exactly my kinda shit. The title track dragged a lil bit imo, besides that everything was absolutely flawless.

This is just piggin' excellent. Start to finish, it's absolutely The Tits.

I felt like I was walking on a tungsten lit street late night, dancing with strangers. All good vibes!

very striking and fervent music this time around. usually i don't really favor classic dance and soul tracks that go on for long lengths, but this album does it in a way that keeps me engaged and interested throughout its duration. the trick is to have a nice few variations if you got a base progression going on. the vocals are smooth, the drumlines are smooth... everything is just so buttery.

esta chulo también

Discazo. Es decir, es una absoluta joya. Nunca había escuchado nada de "War", y como primera escucha me quedé pasmada, el sonido es increíble y las voces están a la altura de ese sonido cargado de sentimiento y emoción. Mi canción favorita sin duda es "City, Country, City".

Musical perfection.

Man, this one hit so good on the commute today. On the train, eyes closed, feeling the mood of every track. The energy lift of cisco, the bop of Where Was You At, the groove of CityCountryCity (btw that sudden mood change towards the end took me by surprise), the trip in Four Cornered Room (zoom zoom zoom), and Ghetto and Beetles, of course the namesake of the album followed by a great closer. Anyway, I'm done being wordy. Gonna take an immediate 2nd listen because I don't want this to end.

Awesome funk. Lovely

Good album

Man who the hell needs Lowrider? awesome album! Stuck with it from start to finish, love the tempo and the horns, really glad this popped up on the list. My only gripe is its too short, great contribution though! Where Was You At is my favorite off this.

Really enjoyed this. Sounded like a south of the border Stevie Wonder album at times. Glad to find out they have more depth than just Lowrider!

I'm at 'Four Cornered Room' right now and I think it's time for the generator to give me some boring stinkers again. Another album I gladly listened to.

It is a rather apt saying and a rather apt feeling. What the now difficult to search these days band named WAR managed to achieve with this record is quite impressive in scope and ambition, paring funk with jazz in ways that are accessible and easy to grasp all the while not deviating from the concept at hand. The two ten minute plus jams in the middle of each of the album's sides do the majority of the heavy lifting and demonstrate the overall feeling that was in the air at that time. The world is a ghetto? You don't say.

Spiritual and raw.

Good mix of styles, hard not to groove.

This album undoubtedly had the vibe of of a summers evening turning to night. Great overall album

This album was so sick. So much flavor with all the different sounds and tempos. The jams went hard. I also loved how layered all the tracks were.

Wow. What a masterpiece. This might be the album that has blown me away the most on this project. I listened to this 5 times through on my flight to Japan. I didn’t listen to anything else. The fusion of genres is perfect. Jazz, soul, funk, gospel, blues and psychedelia. One minute you’re jamming hard and bumping to The Cisco Kid and the next minute you’re on a journey through the many ups and downs of City, Country, City. This song takes you on a ride. Very aptly named. Where Was You At is sad and funny all at once, but perpetually groovy and glowing. City, Country, City was the song that converted me to this record. I was having fun, I was jamming but this song just takes you places. And without vocals! It’s a true journey song. Four Cornered Room blows my mind. I love how it starts out with voices harmonizing “zoom zoom zoom,” and then as the song builds and crashes the vocals and lyrics change. Though they keep building on the harmonizing. The World is a Ghetto is such a rad blues song. It’s jams, and builds but totally rooted in blues. It keeps coming back to that chorus. Beetles in the Bog is perfect way to finish the record. The group vocals that sound like a prison gang on top of crazy bass lines and percussion. It’s a wild ride. I love the mixing of sounds throughout the record. It’s trippy, but it’s all traditional instruments which makes it feel natural and grounding. I also love how the vocals / lyrics are truly just a vessel to move the music forward. It’s not vocals first or even “music first” music. It’s just mixed so great and the music speaks for itself. This album absolutely blew my mind.

Nice

Funk. Jazz. Social commentary. Fantastic.

Love their music!!

What a great soul album! I’d never listened though a whole war album, but I really enjoyed this!

I love this album. Start to finish brilliant.

Groovy and a little poignant. 4.5/5

Man, Eric Burdon is talented. I'm not even sure which one of his bands I like better but I think I lean towards War.

An incredible album. Saw another take calling this the Soil Side of the Moon and it entirely tracks. It's a very tight and cohesive album flowing seemingly effortlessly from track to track. All performances are thoughtful, additive, and balanced. The groove sets and it is easy to get lost in the flow of the music or pay attention to all of the details. Great for ambient or intentional listening.

love love love

Great Album. Classics 60s/70s sound. Really full sounding band.

One of my favorites

Loved it!

Es la música favorita de Jaime.

Excelente descubrimiento! Tiene cositas de Floyd y sobre todo de Zappa...muy loco. Muchísimas mixturas instrumentales para deleitarse en cada momento sin que avasallen. Las melodías que vienen y van en city world city me gustaron muchísimo.

i was 6 years old when this came out

Can't believe I had never heard this! Moving songs, heavy grooves, fusion of blues, funk, Latin, afro-caribbean. Missing link album?

# Playlist track - The Cisco Kid # Notes - Just great right off from the first track. - Kind of a jazzy, funky soul that is fun and catchy. - Even with 2 10+ minute tracks, War pulls it off, and the album doesn't drag at all. - Definitely listening again.

Excellent album. Funk, soul, jazz, blues, and even psychedelia, all in one, with remarkable cohesion and skill among the musicians.

Fusion of multiple styles with great vocals and deep lyrics. One of the best albums I've heard on this list so far.

Have this on vinyl! Played it on my record player as soon as this popped up. Classic.

Hell on earth exists But funky beauty does too Chill in that beauty

I got this on vinyl from Goodwill. Some amazing music here. Four Courned Room was one of my most played songs from last year.

Buena música Funky de los 70, con fusión de varios estilos. Redescubriendo los temas Why can't we be friends, y Low rider, que había escuchado alguna vez, pero que no sabía ni el grupo, ni el nombre de las canciones

Pare che abbiano avuto enorme successo agli inizi degli anni ‘70 e io non li conoscevo proprio! È stata una bella scoperta. Gruppo da approfondire

Interview at end is fascinating

I need more 60s/70s funk in my life and this is a fine start. Strong reggae vibes too though.

Day 4/1001 Groovy, funky music from the golden era - what's not to like? 'City, Country, City' and the title track are particularly excellent - the length really helps to explore the sounds.

Always thought they needed Eric Burden - WRONG! loved all of it & will look for more.

Man this crosses all genres. Rock, Funk, Soul and a near-13 minute bongo jazz riff? Yeah, WAR really lives up to the hype with The World Is A Ghetto. 4.5/5

I was so torn on what to give this album, until I asked myself “what’s holding this album back from being a 5/5?” and I couldn’t come up with anything. So ladies and gentlemen we got my third ever 5/5 here. It’s just so full of life, addresses very universal human emotion/struggle. I’m beginning to create a scale for boomer music: on one end is the “songs to ride your Harley to” and on the other end is “songs to do a line to” and this one is more on the latter side

I’m not as up on Progressive Soul as I’d like to be, so this was an interesting listen. The centrepiece is the 13 minute City, Country, City which opens with an organ and a Spanish sounding guitar playing over the top, continues by alternating between a pastiche sounding country complete with harmonica and a more typical funk beat, before settling into a Jazz jam session with a latin funk sounding rhythm. It’s great, and fascinating to hear a funk bands take on jazz rather than a jazz bands take on funk. The best song is the opening Cisco Kid, with it’s slow reggae inspired beat. I’m trying to find something bad to say about this record but I can’t. This is great

Oh my god, this album!!! What have I been missing all this time! Such a great record. Next to the classic hits, the other songs are equally as good. But City, Country, City really blew me away! Standouts: The Cisco Kid, Where Was You At, City, Country, City, Four Cornered Room, The World Is A Ghetto 9 out of 10

Lyrics: The lyrical content of "The World Is a Ghetto" is both introspective and socially conscious, reflecting the tumultuous times in which it was created. The title track, in particular, explores themes of urban decay, poverty, and the impact of war on everyday life. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the struggles faced by marginalized communities, capturing the essence of the band's socio-political commentary. Tracks like "Cisco Kid" and "Four Cornered Room" showcase the versatility of War's lyricism, with narratives that touch on personal experiences and relationships. The lyrics often blend seamlessly with the music, creating a cohesive narrative that resonates with listeners. Music: War's musical style in "The World Is a Ghetto" is a rich fusion of various genres, including funk, jazz, rock, and Latin influences. The band's ability to seamlessly integrate these diverse elements contributes to the album's enduring appeal. The infectious grooves, tight rhythms, and intricate instrumentation showcase the musicians' exceptional skill and chemistry. The use of brass instruments, especially in tracks like "City, Country, City," adds a layer of sophistication to the music, while the rhythmic guitar work throughout the album provides a solid foundation. The dynamic interplay between percussion, bass, and vocals creates a sound that is both energetic and soulful. Production: Produced by Jerry Goldstein and Far Out Productions, the album boasts a polished yet raw production quality that complements War's eclectic sound. The balance between the various instruments is well-executed, allowing each element to shine without overshadowing the others. The production captures the spontaneity and energy of the band's live performances, contributing to the album's overall authenticity. Notably, the album's production values contribute to its timelessness. Despite being over four decades old, the sound remains fresh and relevant, a testament to the meticulous production work that went into crafting this musical masterpiece. Themes: "The World Is a Ghetto" explores a range of themes that remain pertinent to societal issues. The title track delves into the harsh realities of urban life, addressing poverty, crime, and the struggle for survival. "Cisco Kid" reflects on the allure and pitfalls of a life of crime, while "Four Cornered Room" touches on the isolation and introspection that can accompany personal struggles. The album's thematic depth extends to its instrumental tracks, such as the multi-part suite "City, Country, City." Here, War skillfully conveys the contrasts between urban and rural environments, using music as a medium to tell a powerful narrative without the need for words. Influence: "The World Is a Ghetto" has had a lasting influence on the music industry, particularly in the realms of funk, jazz, and Latin music. The album's ability to blend genres has inspired countless artists across different musical landscapes. War's unique approach to storytelling through music, coupled with their socially conscious lyrics, has left an indelible mark on subsequent generations of musicians. The fusion of diverse cultural elements in the album has also contributed to its influence on world music, showcasing the potential for cross-cultural collaboration and artistic expression. The socio-political messages embedded in the lyrics have resonated with audiences and continue to inspire artists seeking to address social issues through their music. Pros: Musical Diversity: The album's ability to seamlessly blend funk, jazz, rock, and Latin influences showcases War's musical versatility. Lyrical Depth: The socially conscious and introspective lyrics provide a thought-provoking narrative that resonates with listeners on a personal and societal level. Innovative Production: The production quality captures the band's live energy while maintaining a polished sound, contributing to the album's enduring appeal. Timelessness: Despite being released in the early 1970s, the album's themes and musicality remain relevant and continue to resonate with audiences. Influence: The album's impact on subsequent generations of musicians across various genres cements its status as a groundbreaking work. Cons: Length of Tracks: Some tracks, particularly the longer instrumental pieces, may be considered overly indulgent by listeners who prefer more concise compositions. Specific Sound: The distinctive sound of War may not appeal to all listeners, especially those with a preference for more mainstream or narrowly defined genres. Limited Commercial Success: While the album received critical acclaim, its commercial success may not have matched its artistic significance, limiting its recognition during its initial release. In conclusion, "The World Is a Ghetto" by War stands as a musical and lyrical tour de force that encapsulates the spirit of its era while remaining relevant across generations. Its fusion of genres, socially conscious themes, and innovative production contribute to its enduring appeal and influence. Despite some minor drawbacks, the album's pros far outweigh its cons, solidifying its place as a classic in the annals of music history.

Love this album, would sing some of the songs with everyone else! 5 stars!

So funky and upbeat! Bossa Nova vibes deliver.

Oh how I love War! Just pour ‘em right in my ears. War have that rare ability to make sounds that go right to your human core and this album is pure War.

Album 256 of 1001 War - The World is a Ghetto Rating : 5 / 5 Favorite Track : Cisco Kid A personal favorite. Great tunes with some meaningful themes. War is a fun band. Hate that this is the only album of theirs on the list. I also really like "Why Can't We Be Friends". Have vinyl and cd of each. Good stuff.

So cool, jazzy, funky. Best kind of music

Wow - love this album!!! How cool is it?!? Knew within 5 seconds that it would be good, but not how good. ‘City, Country, City’ is superb!