The Music Band 2
Encyclopedia
The Music Band 2 is an album by War
, the second in their "Music Band" series, released on MCA Records
in 1979.
War had more personnel changes since the previous album in the series, earlier in 1979. Charles Miller
(saxophone) left after recording one song, replaced by Pat Rizzo
(ex Sly and the Family Stone) who is credited with playing "horns". The following year, Miller became the victim of an unsolved murder. Another new member was Ron Hammon on drums; the group now had three drummers, the others being Harold Brown and Papa Dee Allen (on congas). Alice Tweed Smith, who was credited as Tweed Smith on the previous album, is Alice Tweed Smyth on this one; she is included in the composer credits for the first time (with spelling of Smith), but only on one track. Songwriter credits can be used to determine who played on which tracks (producer Jerry Goldstein is often credited as well), although Smith may be singing background vocals on tracks for which she is not credited, Rizzo and Luther Rabb are not included in the credits for one song (and possibly doesn't play on it), and one track is a new version of an old song with its original songwriting credits. The song "I'll take care of you" is used in film Youngblood as an instrumental and isnt on soundtrack.
The cover was printed using elaborate methods as used on the previous album in the series: a background painted solid green (instead of using a four-colour printing press), with metallic gold print (plus black print on the back), and embossing. An innersleeve has colour photos of the group, two from the same photo shoot session, each with eight of nine group members: Papa Dee Allen is absent from one, and Alice Tweed Smith from the other. As was the case in the previous album, the back cover shows songs in a different order from their actual appearance. The plain but elaborate cover art concept continued with the next album in the series, The Music Band Live (1980) which has a black cover.
Two singles were issued from the album: "Don't Take It Away" in 1979, and "I'll Be Around" in 1980. Both have the same B-side, "The Music Band 2 (We are the Music Band)".
War (band)
War is an American funk band from California, known for the hit songs "Low Rider", "Spill the Wine", "The Cisco Kid" and "Why Can't We Be Friends?". Formed in 1969, War was a musical crossover band which fused elements of rock, funk, jazz, Latin, rhythm and blues, and reggae...
, the second in their "Music Band" series, released on MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
in 1979.
War had more personnel changes since the previous album in the series, earlier in 1979. Charles Miller
Charles Miller (musician)
Charles Miller was an American musician best known as the saxophonist and flutist for multicultural Californian funk band War.-Biography:...
(saxophone) left after recording one song, replaced by Pat Rizzo
Pat Rizzo
Pat Rizzo is an American saxophonist and flautist, best known for his work with funk band Sly and the Family Stone from 1972 to 1975.During this period Rizzo also performed with Tito Puente and Frank Sinatra. He started performing in the sixties with The Cufflinks...
(ex Sly and the Family Stone) who is credited with playing "horns". The following year, Miller became the victim of an unsolved murder. Another new member was Ron Hammon on drums; the group now had three drummers, the others being Harold Brown and Papa Dee Allen (on congas). Alice Tweed Smith, who was credited as Tweed Smith on the previous album, is Alice Tweed Smyth on this one; she is included in the composer credits for the first time (with spelling of Smith), but only on one track. Songwriter credits can be used to determine who played on which tracks (producer Jerry Goldstein is often credited as well), although Smith may be singing background vocals on tracks for which she is not credited, Rizzo and Luther Rabb are not included in the credits for one song (and possibly doesn't play on it), and one track is a new version of an old song with its original songwriting credits. The song "I'll take care of you" is used in film Youngblood as an instrumental and isnt on soundtrack.
The cover was printed using elaborate methods as used on the previous album in the series: a background painted solid green (instead of using a four-colour printing press), with metallic gold print (plus black print on the back), and embossing. An innersleeve has colour photos of the group, two from the same photo shoot session, each with eight of nine group members: Papa Dee Allen is absent from one, and Alice Tweed Smith from the other. As was the case in the previous album, the back cover shows songs in a different order from their actual appearance. The plain but elaborate cover art concept continued with the next album in the series, The Music Band Live (1980) which has a black cover.
Two singles were issued from the album: "Don't Take It Away" in 1979, and "I'll Be Around" in 1980. Both have the same B-side, "The Music Band 2 (We are the Music Band)".
Side one
- "Don't Take It Away" (Papa Dee Allen, Harold Brown, Jerry Goldstein, Ron Hammon, Lonnie JordanLonnie JordanLeroy "Lonnie" Jordan was a founding member of War, an American funk band in the 1970s and 1980s. Jordan had a number of roles over the years, acting as vocalist and playing guitar, piano, synthesizer, and percussion...
, Lee OskarLee OskarLee Oskar is a Danish harmonica player, notable for his contributions to the sound of the rock-funk fusion group War, which he formed with Eric Burdon, his solo work, and as a harmonica manufacturer...
, Luther Rabb, Pat RizzoPat RizzoPat Rizzo is an American saxophonist and flautist, best known for his work with funk band Sly and the Family Stone from 1972 to 1975.During this period Rizzo also performed with Tito Puente and Frank Sinatra. He started performing in the sixties with The Cufflinks...
, Howard E. ScottHoward E. ScottHoward E. Scott is an American funk/rock guitarist and founding member of the successful 1970s funk band War.-Biography:...
, Alice Tweed Smith) – 6:45 - "I'll Be Around" (Allen, Brown, Hammon, Jordan, Oskar, Rabb, Rizzo, Scott) – 6:34
- "I'll Take Care of You" (Allen, Brown, Jordan, Charles MillerCharles Miller (musician)Charles Miller was an American musician best known as the saxophonist and flutist for multicultural Californian funk band War.-Biography:...
, Oskar, Scott) – 8:48
Side two
- "Night People" (Allen, Brown, Goldstein, Hammon, Jordan, Oskar, Rabb, Rizzo, Scott) – 6:30
- "The World is a Ghetto (special all new instrumental version)" (Allen, Brown, B.B. DickersonB.B. DickersonMorris "B.B." Dickerson was the bass player for the 1970s Latin–funk group War, and before that The Creators....
, Jordan, Miller, Oskar, Scott) – 13:47 - "The Music Band 2 (We are the Music Band)" (Allen, Brown, Hammon, Jordan, Oskar, Rabb, Rizzo, Scott) – 3:10
Personnel
- Papa Dee Allen – percussion, vocals
- Harold Brown – drums, percussion, vocals
- Ron Hammon – drums, vocals
- Lonnie JordanLonnie JordanLeroy "Lonnie" Jordan was a founding member of War, an American funk band in the 1970s and 1980s. Jordan had a number of roles over the years, acting as vocalist and playing guitar, piano, synthesizer, and percussion...
– organ, piano, synthesizer, guitar, percussion, vocals - Lee OskarLee OskarLee Oskar is a Danish harmonica player, notable for his contributions to the sound of the rock-funk fusion group War, which he formed with Eric Burdon, his solo work, and as a harmonica manufacturer...
– harmonicas, vocals - Luther Rabb – bass, vocals
- Pat RizzoPat RizzoPat Rizzo is an American saxophonist and flautist, best known for his work with funk band Sly and the Family Stone from 1972 to 1975.During this period Rizzo also performed with Tito Puente and Frank Sinatra. He started performing in the sixties with The Cufflinks...
– horns, vocals - Howard ScottHoward E. ScottHoward E. Scott is an American funk/rock guitarist and founding member of the successful 1970s funk band War.-Biography:...
– guitar, vocals - Alice Tweed Smyth – percussion, vocals
- Charles MillerCharles Miller (musician)Charles Miller was an American musician best known as the saxophonist and flutist for multicultural Californian funk band War.-Biography:...
– saxophone on "I'll Take Care of You"
Technical personnel
- Jerry Goldstein with Lonnie Jordon in association with Howard Scott – producers
- Chris Huston – recording and remix engineer
- Jeff Eccles, Russell Schmitt, Doug Pakes, Don Smith – second engineers
- Wally Traugett – mastering
- Richard Gibbs – synthesizer programs
- George Osaki, Lee Oskar – art direction
- Alan Bergman – photography