War announces ‘The Collection 1977-1994’ box set

Five remastered albums will be available on Black Friday

War announces two new box sets, each capturing SoCal’s legendary street band at the height of their most dynamic era. Arriving for Black Friday on November 29th, The Vinyl 1977-1994 and The CD Collection 1977-1994 feature five definitive albums. With newly remastered audio by award-winning engineer Bernie Grundman, 1977’s Platinum Funk and Galaxy, 1979’s The Music Band, 1982’s Outlaw, and 1994’s Peace Sign all come together in one beautiful package, right as War prepares to celebrate its 55th anniversary next year – and receive its official star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, among numerous other milestones.

The Vinyl: 1977-1994 is the first time since their original pressings that these five albums are being released on vinyl, and each LP has been pressed in a rainbow of spinning colors – Platinum Funk in silver, galaxy in yellow, The Music Band in red, Outlaw in purple, Peace Sign in orange, nestled in a boss slipcase illustrated by Grammy-winning artist Dave Van Patten. War’s The Vinyl: 1977-1994 and The CD Collection 1977-1994 are the next installments in a series of special edition releases. Building on the band’s previous five-LP, decade-spanning compilation, The Vinyl: 1971-1975, this next compendium arrives on the heels of 2023’s The World Is a Ghetto: 50th Anniversary Collector’s Edition.

All of the records included in the 1977-1994 collection continue to highlight War’s career-long perfection of universal street music, delivered by way of the band’s innovative arrangements and seamless blend of diverse styles, as well as their master musicianship, and the sheer quantity, quality, depth and breadth of grooves, melodies and messages. Produced by Jerry Goldstein, in association with Lonnie Jordan, Howard Scott and Jeremy Levine for Avenue Records/Far Out Productions, The Vinyl 1977-1994 and The CD Collection 1977-1994 share the same tracklist of songs, and while each album is wildly different, they all contain War’s signature sound and soul.

War is currently performing across California and beyond this fall, as part of The World Is a Ghetto 50th Anniversary Tour.

Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn