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War ~ Galaxy 1977 Funky Purrfection Version

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200K followers! Just a few short years ago I had just reached 10K...a big thanks and lots of love to all of you, hope you enjoy this funky joint from WAR! Back in 1962 Howard Scott and Harold Brown decided to form a band and set about finding others like Charles Miller, Morris Dickerson, Lonnie Jordan and Papa Dee Allen who all shared the same vision for the band they called The Creators. After a few singles on Dore Records where they collaborated with Tjay Contrelli of 60's band Love they changed their name to Nightshift and added Deacon Jones. That is when they caught the attention of producer Jerry Goldstein who had produced the #1 singles of "My Boyfriend's Back" by The Angels and The McCoys "Hang On Sloopy". He took the band's philosophy of brotherhood and harmony creating an image for them and a new name, War. Refining their sound, Goldstein kept a tight rein on the band and set them up with Eric Burdon (ex-lead singer of the Animals) when Deacon failed to show at a gig. Harmonica player Lee Oskar was also at that gig and the two started jamming a shuffle that lasted for almost an hour. Amazed at the energy they created, the band added both players. Their debut single, "Spill The Wine" peaked at #3 in August of 1970, firmly establishing the R&B funk sound they would ride to greater fame. Burdon left the band after that success and War carried on, bringing the cautionary tale of "Slippin' Into Darkness" to the masses with its #16 peak in 1972. A raft of classic R&B singles followed with "The World Is A Ghetto" (#7, 1973), "Cisco Kid" (#2, 1973), "Gypsy Man" (#8, 1973), Low Rider" (#1 1975), "Why Can't We Be Friends" (#6, 1975) and "Summer" (#7, 1976). Completing their United Artists contract, they signed with MCA Records and started work on their label debut, "Galaxy" in 1977. Using "Star Wars" themes, they recorded "Galaxy" that had a similar message as Earth, Wind & Fire's "Fantasy" that . The song took off eventually peaking at #39 pop and #8 disco due to a remix specially made for the clubs. It was their last great single, and the only standout song from that album. Goldstein remained their producer and managed War under his aegis by copyrighting the name of the band. A 1996 coup attempted to wrest control of the name to four of the original band members who wanted to jump ship, but the legally binding contract and copyright prevents them from even using "War" in their new name at all. Adopting the name "The Lowrider Band" they still play as a live act. Lonnie Jordan stayed with Goldstein and that version of "War" is also touring.
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Funky