The World is a Ghetto

Good album, never heard it before

Non l'ho mica capito, ma non è malvagio

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

It’s my birthday today so I was expecting a really good album but instead got this. I went about my day doing birthday things and watching Leeds United lose and consigning themselves to the playoffs. Best thing was that I got a new Eversolo music streamer for my birthday. So I eventually listened to this on my new gadget. You might think that I hated this, and you might be right, but as I am typing this pissed in my bed, I am feeling generous and full of birthday goodwill. So I’m giving it a drunken three out of five. Not because it deserves this rating but I really need to get my average above 2.5 otherwise I am bound to hate half the albums on this list which I don’t. It actually wasn’t all that bad and a lot better than a lot I’m subjected from this genre. Please disregard the average score thing as I am trying to be fair across the board but on my birthday surely I can be a bit more generous? It really is a 2.7 so closer to 3 than 2. This is a one off for my birthday and hope that next year on my birthday the 1001 Gods give me a better album. Happy birthday to me and hope that all your ideas are great and there’s a big one around the corner. 3/5 4/5/24

Musically great but not to my taste

A couple of good funky tunes but most kinda blah.

Won’t listen again but not bad. Just not my thing.

Easy listening. Rating: 3.3

Me gustó. Tiene unos arreglos hermosos en una mezcla de géneros tranqui. Pasa por funk, soul y algo progresivo.

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.

There's nothing offensive about this album, it just kinda does its thing never really goes anywhere interesting and drags on for too long. 70s funk is really hit and miss, and this one is a hard miss for me.

Too long, sparse

Soul, funk, good stuff!

Album was enjoyable soul funk. Like most people I was only familiar with Low Rider and Why Can’t We Be Friends. I really like the intro song Cisco Kid and also how Four Cornered Room really slows down and gets heavier. The album doesn’t feel superfluous at all despite the length of The World is. Ghetto. I think the sound and the lyrics capture the time and place they were writing and performing at very well and I’m glad I got to know a bit more of War through this album.

Solid funk with just the right amount of dirt on it. I love a good extended jam, but agree that certain parts of “City, Country, City” and the title track slightly overstay their welcome. Still, I dig this one well enough and it could potentially keep growing on me over time. 3.5/5

This album is cool

Nice

Familiar with Low Rider, and that War is a funk band. But I didn't find that this record was overly FUNKY - or at least in the way I'm familiar with. It was more chanting sorta long drawn out sequences that get maybe more jazzy & jammy then anything. Needless to say a little underwhelmed, was hoping for more.

It’s a shame ‘Low Rider’ got popular, because this is a better album than that song. Maybe in another life

Something that would probably be a 6/5 live but don’t know when I would listen to in my apartment

If it’s not Low Rider, I don’t want it

Adding beetles in the bog as my ringtone

Funk. Jazz. Social commentary. Fantastic.

lelöoisa..mukava. kun menusi loikoilemaan, vii vsi. nautti a ja äkkiäkö loppuu koko ho.m melkein kesken, voisi vuelä pitempäänkin voinut pitää yllä kun wau... olipa lwppoisa albumi kuin lomailisi maaten, maallapäin horisotäntaLisesti ja nauttisi leppoisast...ja lomapäivä on.. tyttöjä katselen baan... where was you at

3.4 - Boring background funk. I feel like I’m watching a crappy cop drama from the 70s with endless montages of the afroed undercover cop protagonist as he drives through a lurid city center in his muscle car.

I don't really like the harmony

I've owned this record for years. I love War's sound. But I think it really finds its special purpose on Cisco Kid, when they come up with amazing songs to wrap it around. On this album, they sound like a bunch of stoners who've found a great sound, want to say something, but find it much easier to just jam out.

A bit different than the George Lopez song. More rambling jam stuff that never really kicked into the next gear

I like WAR, always have. They are a good listen. Settle in.

When I saw this was a War album I thought for sure they would have Low Rider on it. I was mistaken. But I'm not too mad at this because this was a pretty good album overall. I also learned there is a lot about War.thr band that I had no idea about. As I've mentioned before with some of these older rock bands, I kind of want that extra component to take it up a level and War has that with the keyboard and sax, etc that gives it the kind of funky or progressive type of sound. Some songs almost kind of reminded me of a Pink Floyd sound, and others kind of dragged on a bit on the run time, but I'm looking forward to discovering more albums from what I wrongly assumed was a one-hit-wonder. Favorite track "The Cisco Kid" 3.5/5

It's good, but serious music. I mean... Walkin' down the street, smoggy-eyed Looking at the sky, starry-eyed Searchin' for the place, weary-eyed Crying in the night, teary-eyed Don't you know that it's true That for me and for you The world is a ghetto really?

I don't get this one. Though the Cisco Kid isn't bad, it it quickly gets repetitive and that is a short song. Though City, Country is an instrumental, it's a 13 minute trip that doesn't really go anywhere. Certainly by the time four cornered and world is a ghetto rolled around it was getting pretty tiresome. Not enough to make these track compelling, especially over their long durations.

loved it. funky as all get out.

It's funky and well recorded, but not something in a genre that I enjoy.

Didn't meet my expectations

Eh? It was nice but was kind of just background music. Maybe I would have liked it more if I wasn’t freaking out about my life while I listened to it

I like this... it's smooth

A solid three-star album of tight grooves elevated to a four by the fantastic title track.

Good stuff, nothing stale.

Such slick production and performances on this. To me, the music paints a picture of urban landscapes as places where people live. They're beautiful, imperfect, a little unsettling, but more than anything, the cities depicted here are alive with people's energy. What a great listening experience this was.

interesting

Very good

A solid slow burn kind of album! Standout Tracks: The Cisco Kid, The World is a Ghetto

- sounds like it could be a movie soundtrack - good to have in the background - smooth - 2.5

- as I sitttttttttttt in my four cornered rooooom - I don’t mind the long form songs as much as I usually do - love how funky it is

When it fully gets into the groove I'm all here for it, but some moments don't fulfill the ambition. 3.5/5

Pretty funky and cool, but wouldn't be something I'd listen to again

War - The World Is A Ghetto (1972) 4 / 5 Cisco Kid is a killer all time classic song. Where Was You At - Funk, soul and rock this is not too far from a song that might pop up on “Band On The Run”. City, Country, City - Funky jazzy soul. Mellow grooves. Four Cornered Room - Mello vibes for 8 minutes. Beastie Boys would mine this Funky Latin groove feeling 20 years later. The World Is A Ghetto - Mello funk. Beetles In A Bog - This is four minutes of instrumental jamming. They’re really good musicians and the whole album has a Funky Latin jamming vibe, but this song feels a bit more like filler.

it was a long time since i listened to this, and i just feel like i don’t want to listen to it all again for a reason - it was ok but i didn’t love it, though it did have some interesting bits….

Album goes incredibly hard. Sees WAR stretching their limbs out a little more heading into some real expansive jazz/funk/soul jam territory. Personally I love the extended jams on like “City, Country, City.” Think I honestly prefer "All Day Music" ever so slightly, but anytime I listen to WAR I’m left thinking they’re one of the best bands the American experiment has produced.

No thanks

Pretty cool combination of soul, prog jazz and Latin influences. Given the title, I wish it had a bit more of an edge to it but it's pretty upbeat throughout. This may not be something typically in my wheelhouse that I'll listen to often, but it's a nice different style.

Love their music!!

Hypnotising

This album is a good time, maybe a bit too indulgent on some of the track runtimes. But it's funky music that I can totally groove with. This album cover is everything though! God, I love it so much. It's such an impactful image that perfectly encapsulates the overarching themes and message of this music.

I dug this - maybe I didn’t pay close enough attention to the lyrics but not overly political. Great vocal harmonies, long jamming songs. I found myself focusing in the bass playing - fun listen.

Música negra bien desarrollada con un tono interesante.

This is quite a slow album and is seems to fall through the cracks a bit. It's funky but not full on funk. It's slightly jazzy, slightly soulful, slightly Latin but doesn't really hit home anywhere stylistically. No songs jump out at you either but there are some nice moments going on. Ultimately it's doesn't have an edge to it and it's just a bit dull. A solid 2 stars.

Different jazzy

own

Pretty rad. The production on this is fantastic and there are a lot of really cool grooves.

Had a pretty good funky sound, but none of the songs felt creative or innovative and it kind of dragged on

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

Cisco Kid is still a favorite. There are some very long songs here and the album overall makes for some great background listening. The title track is a definite banger! Overall, really enjoyed the album. 4

Nice!

Decent, but the early 70s is packed with incredible soul like Marvin Gaye, Sly and the Family Stone, or Stevie Wonder. I don’t think this quite stacks up against that

I love this album. Start to finish brilliant.

Groovy and a little poignant. 4.5/5

Great slice of funk.

I don't have the patience for 10min+ songs so I skipped the longer tracks once I got about 6min in on them. That said, this was fine. I don't mind this era of soul, even though this was more like prog soul (which does exist as a genre, apparently). Not something I'd willingly return to but it was fine. Maybe more like a 2.5 but I'm feeling generous.

While The World Is A Ghetto and Beetles In The Bog are great, the album itself doesn't warrant a higher rating.

Love the Cisco Kid. The instrumental pieces are interesting, no doubt. I can't really sit and listen to it that long.

A mix of genres. Lyrics are still relevant today.

Was nice

Really enjoyed! 3.8 to be exact. Got bored during City, Country, City but loved the other ones.

Good stuff. Love tracks 1, 2, & 6. The rest was mainly soulful vamping, which was fine.

Slow and instrumental heavy, in a good way. The combination of instruments with the passionate vocals creates a soundscape that's easy to get lost in. Loved the additions of the organ, sax, harmonica, bongos, even steel drums at the end.

It's often tricky to rate an album by a super tight band, who have some super moments. I find myself having to listen again and again to see what grows and that was the case with this album, which didn't grow on me much at all.

Ratings: 5: I will happily play this album anytime 4: I may occasionally play this album of my own free will 3: I will happily listen to this if someone plays it in the background 2: I will tolerate this if it is playing in the background 1: I will leave the room if someone plays this in the background Solid 4 here. Other than Low Rider I was not all that familiar with War. Really enjoyed this. I can see this getting some playtime moving forward (you know, after I get through the next 980 albums or so).

Timeless progressive soul + funk. Complex and catchy with atmosphere and spirit. A

While the fans wanted low rider, War is good for somethings. Best Song: N/A Worst Song: N/A

What it feels like to live in a shoebox in NYC.

Loved the soul side of the album how it started off. "Cisco Kid" & "World is a ghetto" are amazing - some of the tunes in between are a bit too jazz focused for me.

Really great funk album that deftly mixes in other styles. I particularly like when it incorporates country and western, like the guitar and harmonica playing at the beginning of Four Cornered Room and the subject matter of the otherwise funky Cisco Kid. I don't think the longer songs quite justify their length, and the last track is disappointing compared to the others, but I'm glad I listened to this and it made me want to check out more War.

Mostly bored while listening sadly

The album started with two fun, rockin’ tracks. The rest of the album did not match this tone, at it was followed it up with an extra long instrumental and two other longer songs. Not sure if I’d go back at this album, even if it is a high quality sound. 3

Audição satisfatória, sequência garante um clima agradável.

A good album and made for a relaxing listen. Part of it did invoke images of a noir detective show as I was listening which was amusing.

Ok

Vibes = song length

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.

The World Is a Ghetto is the fifth album by American band War. It was Billboard's #1 album of 1973 and was certified gold in the US. War is known for their Latin/funk/rock/soul music and they spiced this album up further with jazz and psychedelia. The band grew closer to mastery of their type of music with this album, although some critics found the rhythm a little too slow. I thought this was a great soulful, but funky jazz album. The music really encompassed the feelings of the poor and minorities during the early 70's, while still delivering good grooves. Jazz and soul lovers will enjoy this classic album.

First time hearing a War album, I’ve previously only had radio exposure to them. Pretty good soul/ rock

Groovy

Listened to this while playing Imperium Classics. I won! This totally brought me back Curtis Mayfield's Superfly, but almost a little more polished or something. I love this era and style of music, and these were some great soul/funk songs that I was previously unfamiliar with!

A very mellow, laid back funk album. Some long songs, a nice listen though, just not that memorable. Best track: Maybe the title track?

I can appreciate it, but not my style.

Influence

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.

While I can see the greatness of this album, and I enjoyed the songs, there weren't any particularly memorable. Some felt like they dragged on as they repeated the same verse over and over. Great album cover though!

For some reason I thought this would have the song "War," but I'm confused, that's Edwin Starr, right? In that case, I'm not at all familiar with this group, but some of these songs sound familiar. Some long, odyssey-type soul tracks, I dig it. The melody on "Four Cornered Room" sounds sooo much like Black Sabbath's "Planet Caravan" to me, and I love that song (released two years before this album), so I'm cool with it. Nothing too crazy, but it's well done and I enjoyed the ride. Favorite tracks: The Cisco Kid, City Country City, Four Cornered Room. Album art: Very cool, very detailed drawing of a city street, of the titular ghetto world, and I love that this is animated on Apple Music, looks really cool with the driving back and forth. I NEED to eat at Joe Burgers, I just know it's gas. 3.5/5

good but not for me

Nicht meine Richtung

Niceee

Bassist: "So, lads, I'm gonna lay down some bumbly rhythms." Dummer: "Coolcoolcool. I can tiddly-bop on the top of that." Bassist: "Nice. Now, Sax?" Sax, presently cutting his toenails: "Huh?" Bassist: "We'll need you in a few minutes. Cool?" Sax: "Yeah, I guess. Kinda busy. But anyways..." Bassist: "Ay-right. Guitar dudes, you're up!" Guitar dudes: "On it, big man. We'll doodly-dop on top of your bumbly-bips." They play. Minutes pass. Bassist: "Sax, now!" Sax, baking a cake, in a flour-covered apron: "Aw crap. Now?!" Bassist: "Yes! Now!" Sax wipes flour off his nose and starts to honk-hunk. Bassist: "That's some nice hunk-honking, Sax!" Sax looks at Bassist witheringly. And so it goes for minutes at a time until the oven dings, the cake is ready, the group loses interest in each other, and the music fades out through lack of any other plan or intention.

rich smooth funk with enough grit and spice to really get things grooving

2 - I got kinda bored over the course of the album, but it isn't bad or anything.

Wow! To me was an introduction to the genre, and i can happily say that I was surprised. Even tough there are moments that I did not enjoy much, the highs on this record are really satisfying to listen to! 8/10

Class Album with some great grooves. 4 stars all day.

Really didn’t like it, the songs were also way too long

great album, war is good the songwriters war, not the actual thing

war makes video game hub area music

love love love

What is it good for? If you have to ask it ain’t for you

That was pretty good. Lots of good funky stuff. Some of the songs were a bit long, but they didn't get boring. Pretty sure Fleetwood Mac ripped off Beetles in the Bog when they wrote Tusk.

Haven’t heard of this. R&B/Soul from 1972. Nice vibes right away. Not anything special though so a 3.

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

5/10 I listened to it. It was nice. 3-11-2024

Never heard of this band before, wasn't my usual thing but still enjoyable. Opening track was especially good but I was starting to be a bit sick of it towards the end.

Old Wihout ideas

Funky, jazzy, 70s

Its got a Stevie Wonder cover with a Stevie Wonder title in a Stevie Wonder era and its starts like a Steve Wonder mid-seventies kind of song. And it does sound like Innervisions with a harder edge, which isn't a bad thing. Throw in a bit of hendrix and a bit of Santana influence then you get a thoroughly satisfactory record which I won't have issue listening to again. Its jut a pity that cover doesn't remind me so much of Wonder's 'Living in the City'. I wonder which came first?

Love the funky 70’s!

Interesting album, a bit of a mix of genres, or at least I can't pin it down. Quite funky, with sort of a mantra of repetition. Enjoyable.

I actually found this powerful and moving. There is depth to the composition and repetition.

This is a good album....I was beginning to thinks I would never listen to a good album again on this journey. I remember this album as a youngster, but did not realize how good the harmonica player is.

Short, enjoyable bit of latin funk. As soon as it finished, I listened to Low Rider though.

The instrumentals slightly outstayed their welcome and dragged on a bit too much for me personally, but the rest of this album was great.

Well worth a listen

One of my favorites

More like a high 2 The world is in fact a ghetto

I don’t enjoy it. But low rider is goated by War

First two tracks are forgettable but the longer pieces are much more interesting. City, Country, City is soulful and jazzy with enough melody to keep me engaged, over some tribal sounding drumming. Four Cornered Room brings the tempo down and goes in a bluesy direction, although, for me, the vocals detract from it. Title track is much better, more soul and saxophone over a steady beat.

These were not the War songs that I was familiar. It was an a-okay listen.

not my vibe really

It's a great funk album, strong opener and closer but slightly unmemorable in the middle.

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

Loved it!

Interesting album, I liked the tone and style for some settings. I do prefer the bands earlier work with the powerhouse blues vocals of Eric Burdon. I have been known to appreciate extensively long album side length tracks, but a couple of these play a little long for even me. It is unique. Interesting liner note that the final live performance of the great Jimi Hendrix was with this band the day before his death. 2/5

Pleasant 70s street funk record - makes you want to drive a low rider with a pimp outfit and talk jive in a blaxploitation movie.

Songs were fun for the first two minutes and then felt like they never ended. My dog died the day I started this, so dnf.

Before this listen, my only exposure to War was, Why Don't We Be Friends, Low Rider and their association with Eric Burden. Glad I listened to an actual album, because those songs, though a good gateway to War, doesn't reveal the full sound of the band, as they were a legit good fusion funk, soul, jazz, blues band, that didn't need radio hits to showcase how good they sounded. Their sound and musicianship is solid and though things blurred together too much for me towards the end, it was a satisfying listen. Who needs Eric Burden anyways?

Good album. No t familiar at all but would like to listen more

Not my favorite genre. I had to skip a bit bc the songs went on too long for me. 3/5

Couple of good songs 2 stars

1972? I thought this came out in the late 80s, god damn this sounds good. Funk and R&B are certifiably not my thing™ but this is a really fun, jammy album with a lot of great moments. Doesn't drag on too long and I didn't find it repetitive, like I do with a lot of other albums in this genre. Cool find, 4/5.

I dug this music and would like to hear more from War!

Seems funky from the album cover, I feel like every song is gonna sound the same, but I like the vibe of funk and soul. I want there to be something more than just basic funkyness, but not sure there'll be. First song, I don't like his voice. The sound is fun, I feel like the headphones would be more enjoyable since I hear sound coming from both sides differently. One line is being repeated twice, soo not much lyrics. Ohh the rock part came in, this is the most listened song, so objectively this is the best song. I can hear the jazz, there was rock, reggae is low-key in the game too, I love the genre bending, but it's too permanent wave. Second song, this is a much better sound sonically. The voice is much better and the delivery too. More dancey. Ooooh church vibes with that repeating in group, gospel I mean. The instruments are too good. There better be better songs than this, cause this was amazing, plus the beat is a walk-beat and I love those. Third song, 13 fucking minutes, and there's no lyrics? Just the day before yesterday I was searching for a long jazzy vibed song like Shakey Jake, and this is it. OOOOH THE PROGRESSION, it's more fastbeat, but also mellow, looove that. It's getting more upbeat by each second. It's mostly jazzy, though I can feel the funk with the backup instruments. Half the song passed and another instrument came, jazz is gone and it's fully funk, I think it's keyboard. It was an interlude vibe after that, no dominant instruments. There was little drum noise and a random whistle. At the very end it's very slow, almost intimate. It's an electric guitar I think. It's getting progressive, but stayed sad. This was funn, but I need tha lyrics. Fourth song, country vibes already. Weird fucking instrument played a little and scratched my brain. It's down tempo for now. Gospel came in with the ooo or is it zoom, nope only now they said zoom. Kinda funny delivery. Everyone is singing not sure tho. This is not as good as the others, because it's slow and, wait he's talking I like that voice, well what was I saying was that after the last song I'm in no mood of slowness, plus sonically it's basic. Vocals of that one guy are giving. It's a solo singing now, like his voice, those vocals I mentioned might be his. Basically not amazed, and honestly didn't like it as much. Fifth song, also sad vibed. Nevermind jazz came in and it's upbeat now, though the beat isn't suggesting that. He was singing and the adlibs came way too well, their delivery is great. Ohhh nah I gotta repeat the delivery of the lyrics is tooo good. While sonically it's not what I want, otherwise it's worth being added to my playlist. I can't express the lyrical goodness of this, this is the second best song here, because the second song was too good music wise. Sixth song, gospel start. Instrumentally it's only funk for now. Don't really like it, however, it's danceable. Keyboard is satisfyingly playing. It got progressively at the end, but overall not a big deal, as the song before for example. All and all I think 4 stars is the right choice, I would give 5 if all the songs had the catchyness and both lyrical and sonical goodness. I expected way less than this, though I'm not surprised that I like a funky album.

Es la música favorita de Jaime.

It was a very interesting album. Did you know that 9 * 4 is 36? Well, 36 is the number of albums I have now rated. Thank you for your three.

Funky but a bit repetitive

v good

Really liked the album

Good stuff.

I appreciate the importance of this fusion of musical styles but it felt a little tedious to me - like one long 44-minute song.

This would be the soundtrack to my life if I lived in the dessert

A Mix of Jazz and progressive Soul. Good enough to relisten.

Some good songs but too much filler

Songs were pretty long but had great groove. Easy listening, would definitely return to it

Too much going on for my liking. Title track was alright.

Pretty funky, laid-back, enjoyable music. One of my very first records was War’s greatest hits, got it for free from some older folks giving away some old records. Actually the same place where I re-met Taylor the summer of 2013. Back to the music though, I recognize a few songs here from that album but most enjoyed the instrumentals. Good music, well done! 3 stars.

This was decent. Nothing exciting but passable funk. Pretty good to listen to in the background but no songs stood out to me. 3 stars

I liked the shorter songs, but the long songs I would tend to tune in and out. I liked that the album was short, but the long songs made it the same length as a normal album time wise

Thought I wasn't going to like this - and then I did! Fun surprise!

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.

4/5 Best Track: The Cisco Kid

Not entirely sure what genre this album falls into but it has a funk feel laced with latin(?) rhythms, great sax, and Hammond organ. Throw in Lee Osker on harmonica and you have a cool combination that I spent many hours listening to in my youth.

Funk jam. Keys/organ go off. City, country, city highlight jam.

Pretty funky album. Knew the first song; the rest were good too. 6/10.

Sweet album art. Love how its blue-tones with the broken down Rolls Royce (or similar) taking focus. We're immediately in the funk of it. Meaty bass with some tapped percussion and keys / guitar playing counterpoint. Album centers around City, Country, City that, true to its name, bounces back and forth between more lazy, bucolic sections and driven saxophone heavy jazz sections. I actually like Four Cornered Room the most so far. Just a tense, atmospheric song with soulful vocals, some gospel choir elements, and punchy drums to groove against. Kinda just let The World Is a Ghetto and Beetles in the Bog wash over me in the background. I enjoyed both just fine. All said, this is a solid enough album. Certainly not what I was expecting based on "Low Rider," but I was not disappointed. This is a 3.5 in my mind that leans right into a 4.

This shit is good! Funky fun jazzy feel. Super easy listening and I turned this up a lot. Never listened to the album but I have heard Cisco Kid before. Vaguely have heard of War (low rider) but never listened to full albums. I will need to check out of of there other stuff. World is a ghetto is a jam of a song also. Overall soft 4.5 stars for me.

I was expecting this to be a really heavy, blunt rap album similar to Hypocrisy is the Greatest Luxury. City, Country, City was a bop. Good album 👍

That was a super laid back nice album that had some great instrumentals. Would definitely like to smoke a cigar and play dominoes with this on

Only know Low Rider by War, and I like that song so needless to say I'm pumped for some psychedelic soul, jazz, and progressive soul (thanks wiki). This is a fun listen! I'm in City, Country, City and it's a whirlwind. Reminds me of some old skool Santana. Four Cornered Room would be sick on psychedelics - honestly this entire album would be a vibe. High 4

Very refreshing. Solid, honest music. Mucho enjoyo.

Some fairly funky easy listening. Might need to focus more on the lyrics next time around.

i was 6 years old when this came out

I came in suspicious of some of these song lengths. However, I don’t feel like this album was self indulgent like so many albums of this time. This album was simply locked into a groove. The music was a tight mix of funk and Latin music wrapped in a progressive soul package. The musicianship was phenomenal and the album was a lot of fun to listen to.

It’s very cool to hear music so vibrant and exciting while simultaneously knowing that it influenced a list of artists so awful that it should be framed and put on public display in The Hague.

Yeah

I had no idea this group sang both Low Rider and Why Can't We Be Friends! Such diffefent songs. And they sound very different from this album too. My favorite here was probably The World Is A Ghetto, but it was all actually pretty good.

Nice to listen to but doesn't really connect with me

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

A rhythmically rich and textured melange of influences, including blues, jazz, afro-Caribbean, and Latin. Powerful grooves, long jams interspersed by Delphic declarations. Incredible bass work and tasteful harmonica solos from Lee Oskar. can’t believe I had never listened to this. Wondering if this is a “missing link” album tying together blues and disco.

bastante cool war fandom is dying, repost if you are a true war supporter

Interesante, arriba los álbumes cortos y el funk inspired music

It’s funky and soulful, a snapshot of the struggle in the streets. It’s crazy an album like this went to #1. It’s not exactly the poppiest or the most accessible with its themes of social inequity, poverty and day to day strife. And multiple lengthy jams. But hey I guess this is what the people were feeling in 1973. An interesting moment in pop history for sure. In terms of its merits, while it is well crafted, even methodical at points, it lacks a certain memorable punch. I’m torn between a 3 and 4, but don't think I can get to the high end.

# 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.

Fun to listen to!

It was ok I guess. Recognised the last tune from the Fleetwood Mac sample on Tusk?

It was OK, nothing special. Don't think it will get another spin any time soon, even though i am beginning to rekindle an interest in 70's funk because of doing this. Good enough for a low 2.

Great, just great!

Terrible. Songs were too long, too instrumental, just not enjoyable for me.

Old school cool. 2/5

Interesting but not really enjoyable.

Half of War had more style than most entire bands, and I was very happy to see one of their albums pop up. I don't listen to them frequently or anything, but I love their electric funk. When you read that most of their songs they just recorded a ton of jamming and then picked a section to clip really is clear. Several went on a bit long, but it didn't drag the album down. Highlight Tracks - The Cisco Kid, Where Was You At, Four Cornered Room, The World is a Ghetto.

This was easy to listen to and just had a nice funk and vibe to it. It had an extremely specific 70s sound to it that a lot of more modern artists try to emulate in 'nostalgia' music. Some tracks were extremely long, but that is the style of both the time and the genre, so no points deducted there. At times just felt like an unbridled jam session.

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

4 stars.... cool flow

Blissfully short

An album that doesn't quite commit to jazz, but nor does it come anywhere near the pop/rock that was typically popular at the time of release. I'm very surprised this sold as well as it did, because the individual tracks aren't particularly memorable. Some really solid guitar, bass, percussion, and overall instrumentation, though. "Four Cornered Room", with its dreamy hypnotic atmosphere, is probably the best track on the album, and the only lengthy track that justifies its runtime.

OK. Better when there were no vocals.

Good

This is just a neat, relaxing album. It plays in the background well, which is not the highest possible complement for an album that has a social consciousness baked into the lyrics, but it is a good album overall. Lots of cool funky and afrobeat stuff 4/5

This album was number one on Billboard. Funky and bluesey. Might listen to it again. Did not move to my playlist.

I was absolutely jamming to this. Right place right time

Tandon Scale Rating: 3.25 Standouts: The Cisco Kid, Where Was You At Foot Notes: 1 this is real funky Would I Listen Again: Album Cover Rating: (1-5) 4.5 Album Name Rating: (1-5) 4

4.25

Stunning, beautifully crafted deep soul grooves and cuts, War were a cut above the rest and this album showcases an ambitious and luscious production style.

Really good album. I think the track City Country city is my favorite.

Der her forstår jeg ikke.. Det var et behageligt lyt, men ikke nogen større oplevelse. Artworket er ret fedt.

Den får på alle tangenter af afro-amerikansk musikhistoriske referencer: Afro-beat trommer, blues guitar, gospel og soul vokal, endda batist church messende resitation. Desværre lyder de 3 tracks fra nr. 3 til 5 som var Fela Cuti, BB King og Aretha Franklin synkront blev ramt af depression og indspillede et album sammen i en tom, grå lagerhal. Og de tre numre er så 3/4 af hele albummet.

First track was groovy as hell. Second track I dont care for harmonica. There was a lot of jamming in the record and at parts I liked it, but at parts it got a bit stale. Four cornered room was a great spiritual/gospel switch up from the new agey/disco tracks that preceded it and sported some excellent vocals. The musicianship is pretty good, if not great, but at times predictable. Jam bands are for some people, but not so much for me and that is subjective. I will say the percussion work was excellent as well as the bass lines. The melodic musicianship left a little to be desired at times, but I did like some of the ambient sounds they played around with. The band shines when it finds a groove and can get a bit darker in my opinion and for God sake turn off the fucking harmonica. I loved the gong. The record picks back up the last two tracks with the World is a Ghetto and Beatles in the Bag. If it weren't for those two jam tracks this would be a really great record. Even so it still hits some key points.

4.5 This album fuckin slaaaaps, the world really do be a ghetto

The Cisco Kid is great. Everything else is not for me.

liked this alot 4.5/5

Nice album. It could have been a little bit more funky.

Meh

Something for almost everybody on this, really solid blend of genres and style

War might be the band whose body of work is most unfairly eclipsed by their famous singles. "Low Rider" and "Why Can't We Be Friends" are great pop songs, but their first few albums are so rich and varied, and this is probably the best of them (and certainly the best album they made after Eric Burdon left). Like The Temps' All Directions, can be paired with Curtis Mayfield's Curtis for an excellent evening of listening.

Heard War songs here and there of course but never listened to a full album. For some reason I thought they were way dubbier than this? Really enjoyed it though. Enjoyed the meandering, jazzier parts especially on tracks like "The World Is a Ghetto" more than I thought I would.

Listened to a mono, which had nice separation of instruments across the L-R channels. been listening to a lot of War since I was a kid, but not some of the deep cuts on here. The harmonica differentiates from their other soul-funk contemporaries. Heavy emphasis on rhythm and groove. Delves a bit into jazz funk.

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

"The World Is a Ghetto" by War, released in 1972, is a landmark album that seamlessly blends various genres like funk, soul, jazz, and Latin rhythms. The title track, a standout, combines intricate instrumentation with socially conscious lyrics. This album showcases War's ability to create a musical tapestry that resonates with both intellect and emotion. Tracks like "The Cisco Kid" and "City, Country, City" further illustrate the band's versatility and storytelling prowess. Earning a solid 4/5, "The World Is a Ghetto" is celebrated for its musical innovation and cultural impact. It remains a testament to War's ability to create socially relevant music that stands the test of time.

Vähän reggae henkistä psykedeelistä skate musiikkia :D Parhaat: The Cisco Kid, City Country City

Meh….nothing blew me away. I didn’t hate it, but it wasn’t exciting either. The title track was pretty good.

Ihan hyvää hämyilyä, suht vaihtelevia biisejä, odotin funkimpaa menoa

Great album, could definitely listen to more like this

very different from what i was expecting e.g. cisco kid and low rider. overall a very funky ride and some calmer bits, almost bluesy?

listened 2x - 2.8

Classic stuff

This is a very 1972 record. Beyond the obvious standout opener “The Cisco Kid,” the record is a meditation on urban themes with an eye for social criticism and an ear for Latin-tinged, Soul-based Funk Rock. The groove is up front and personal, but there are three tunes over 8 minutes, so War isn’t afraid to stretch out and take their time. That album cover tells a dozen stories, as the cartoon-theme belies the stronger message of what it means to be a working class, inner city person of color. As the title track suggest, it isn’t just your neighborhood that’s struggling, this music is a global outreach.

Funky but kind of boring

Quite a short album that I had on in the background doing work. Probably not the best way to listen as I’m not sure how much I absorbed, and I don’t feel overly motivated to listen to it again.

It was pretty good.

Has some excellent moments, but overall is long and meandering. Several times while listening to this album, I forgot I was listening to music

Fantastic grooves, loved my walk to this album. Lyrically sparse but that made it feel more powerful. This record made me crave making music with a group and being really locked in.

War is another classic group. I've heard a couple songs but not the whole album. Well worth a listen.

6.5/10

Cisco Kid is a great track. 4/5 Funky, Jazzy and deep. A great listening experience

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

Funky, fun, unique.

Soul psicodélico progresivo. Ni fu ni fa.

The Cisco Kid - 8/10 Where Was You At - 7/10 City, Country, City - 7/10 Four Cornered Room - 8.5/10 The World is a Ghetto - 9/10 Beetles In The Bog - 8.5/10

Pretty good stuff

Good Relaxing Music

I liked it.

I knew the radio hits by War but had never listened to a full album. I’m not sure I would have pegged them as a band that might have a 12+ minute track on one of their albums. But I s’pose that was the way of the time. I enjoyed the listen - a really cool fusion of styles on this album. 3.5/5

This album is a reminder that psychedelic funk is one of my favorite genres of music. I think I’ve listened to this one time before, but this was a very enjoyable album to revisit. Low Rider is a song I’ve loved for a long time, but I didn’t know much about War otherwise.

it really is just not for me Significant 36/109 Liked 17/109 Added 4/109 NNN

An extra star for the horns on the title track❤️

Funky and enjoyable. A bit like, not me.

Short, funky. I suspect substances were taken.

Funky! Nice! I quite liked it. The Cisco Kid and The World Is A Ghetto were highlights. I quite liked Beetles In The Bog too. The other couple of track seemed a bit meandering. This is one I would return to and listen to some more. Though, again, it doesn't have the groups famous tunes on it and I am a bit confused why this is on the list and can only assume the one with "Low Rider" is on it too?

No strong feelings either way

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

I wasn't really feeling it. Didn't catch my ear

I had trouble getting through this one. And while I was familiar with earlier hits like “Spill the Wine” when Eric Burdon from The Animals was involved, I’m mystified at how this album was Billboard’s top seller that year.

Get the funk outta my face. I must be missing something with this one, as apparently it was album of the year and the years best selling album, but to me it’s just boring. They definitely know how to find a groove and hang on it for several minutes, I guess that’s something.

Actually thought this was pretty good. Some nice grooves and jams with a variety of instruments. Not something I’d typically listen to and thought it was interesting. In the end though, not sure it’s something I’d go back to.

I thought I was going to like this album. I did not like this album. I’m shocked it was the best selling album of 1973 and appeared on the original Rolling Stone 500 best albums of all time list. There’s other albums on the 1001 albums list I don’t like, but get why they’re there (influence on the music landscape, other artists, etc). I don’t get that here. Most songs sound like the theme music of a sitcom. Not a fan of jam bands and 12 minute songs. I did enjoy The Cisco Kid. This is a shrug emoji album to me. 1.75/5

I kind of like Where Was You At and City Country City

Bit too much of a jam album. Got bored at times. Overall good but would only go back for a few tracks

Funky, but definitely more chill than other funk I've heard.

My only issue is that it’s so short—listened through twice. You can hear its influence on everything that came after it, and for me blues/funk elements are always a hit, so I feel like I personally owe this album a lot.

Enjoyed hearing a bit more from War beyond the usual singles. Title track was a highlight but other than that, songs kind of blended together.

Loved this!

It's funky. I dig it.

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

Really enjoyed and would like to get on vinyl. So funky. Feels a bit like being at a live Jazz in June type event.

Pretty good. Some very long songs though

Very talent musicians. Personally I wasn't really into this one as much as others.

Me encanta la portada del disco

Very funky, not my jam but not bad either.

Pretty decent

Fantastic listen.

(4) Classic soul/funk album. Really enjoyed this one. Will definitely be listening to more by War.

Lightly listened too. Jam chill music

This album sounds like sample heaven. I bet they have been used in tons of hip hop, including obviously “Slow Ride”. I like the album cover too.

The Cisco Kid is probably a top 50 song for me. The rest of the album goes a little sideways. Seems very South American drum beat heavy, which I don't mind, but their sound just didn't hold my interest. Album art is on point. Solid 3.5⭐

Was good, great backroom music for passive listening. Not something I would actively jam to

Sweeeet

Great bass lines and rhythms. Lyrics not so much.

Not my jam.

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

Favorite track: The Cisco Kid

Really fun album to listen to. Interesting that it came out in 1972 because it felt like Pink Floyd took some elements from this album whether it was consciously or unconsciously. Glad this one was recommended.

Interview at end is fascinating

Really not my thing.

Un descubrimiento maravilloso.

Way cooler than their big hit. I'm probably gonna keep this in rotation for a a little while. I like the upbeat funk and the solos during their instrumentals were interesting, especially to someone who doesn't know music theory very well. 4/5

This started brightly and was something counter to expectations. However as it moved on it got stuck in a groove and failed to shift out of it.

Good jazzy and funky jams. Very lively album.

Pretty funky album, but a little too zany to really resonate with me.

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

I actually remembered the first song on this album; it reached #2 in April May 1973.

Pretty decent all around. I think I prefer Sly & the Family Stone for this genre, but overall a good listen

The opening tracks varied quite a bit from each other, I feel like the music took a hard left turn. Neither in a bad way, just flipped the script on me unexpectedly. The overall album has an uplifting chorus vibe with some nice instrumentation. Would listen again.