War

One of the most popular funk groups of the '70s, WAR was also one of the most eclectic,

freely melding soul, Latin, jazz, blues, reggae, and rock influences into an effortlessly

funky whole. Although WAR’s lyrics were sometimes political in nature (in keeping with

their racially integrated lineup), their music almost always had a sunny, laid-back vibe

emblematic of their Southern California roots. WAR kept the groove loose, and they

were given over to extended jamming -- in fact, many of their studio songs were edited

together out of longer improvisations. Even if the jams sometimes got indulgent, they

demonstrated WAR’S truly group-minded approach: no one soloist or vocalist really

stood above the others (even though all were clearly talented), and their grooving

interplay placed WAR in the top echelon of funk ensembles