The Black-Man's Burdon

Following the success of Eric Burdon Declares “War” and its smash hit “Spill the Wine,” Eric Burdon and War expanded their collaboration on The Black-Man’s Burdon, a 90-minute behemoth spread over two LPs when it was released. The album caught the band at its creative peak, and though it didn’t say much for the band’s discipline, its easy-going immensity captured the jam session spirit of the times. One of the great attributes of The Black-Man’s Burdon is the live-at-home feel of the recordings; while many albums of this time were compromised by the sterile atmosphere of the studio, these recordings make listeners feel like they're listening in on the proceedings from a hidden corner. From the funky, cruising “Spirit” to horn-driven rave-up “Bare Back Ride,” the songs resounds with freshness and vitality. The band is as comfortable on the slow-burning blues of “Sun / Moon” as it is the tribal stomp of “Beautiful New Born Child.” And you have to hand to Eric Burdon — few would have thought that the diminutive singer of a British Invasion band would end up leading an ensemble of East L.A. soul musicians, but his bluesy howl is the album’s guiding light from beginning to end.