Eric Burdon Black-Man's Burdon CD

Despite the somewhat smug album title, which makes it seem as if Eric Burdon wanted to broadcast the newfound credibility he'd gained from playing with black Americans from the L.A. ghettos (plus a Dutch harmonica player), there are some truly hypnotic, jazz-inflected funk grooves here, more soulful than anything found on the comparatively poppy ERIC BURDON DECLARES WAR. THE BLACK-MAN'S BURDON peaks when Burdon lays out and gives War its head.

All of the best elements of this album--and there are many, despite the occasionally self-indulgent jams afforded by its two-disc length--come from War, while Burdon occasionally seems like an intrusive presence. Wisely, War broke with the singer after this album and continued on its own as one of the great funk outfits of the '70s.

Recorded at Wally Heider's Studios, San Fransisco, California. Originally released on MGM (4710). Includes liner notes by Barry Alfonso.

Personnel: Eric Burdon (vocals); Howard Scott (vocals, guitar); B.B. Dickerson (vocals, bass); Lee Oskar (harmonica, background vocals); Charles Miller (flute, alto, tenor & baritone saxophones); Lonnie Jordan (piano, organ, background vocals); Harold Brown (drums); Dee Allen (congas, percussion, background vocals).

Additional personnel: Sharone Scott & The Beautiful New Born Children Of Southern California.

Mojo (Publisher) (12/00, p.51) - "...This is a dopers' and funksters' classic....the appeal derives from the subtle musicianship and interweaving Latin-influenced grooves..."