War - Youngblood OST (1978/1996)

War got decent mileage from the soundtrack for this B-movie, which premiered near the end of the first blaxploitation era. They ended with two R&B hits, and while they were perturbed that United Artists, the label they had left, reaped the benefits, it at least kept them active and in the R&B hunt. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide

Soundtrack to the blaxploitation film. Even though this was a flop compared to the band's last few records, it's actually respectable. There are a lot of atmospheric experiments ("Searching For Youngblood & Rommel") and skeletal jams flavored with snippets of movie dialogue ("Junk Yard"). However, the band does pull out three quality tunes in their characteristically upbeat style: the hypnotic, ten-minute title track; the goofy "Sing A Happy Song"; and the appropriately self-referential "This Funky Music Makes You Feel Good," a groovy six-minute dance mantra that's so enthusiastic you hardly notice its utter aimlessness. And some of the instrumental stuff is interesting: the kinetic salsa number "Flying Machine (The Chase)" has impressive flute and piano solos, and there's a remarkably authentic-sounding snippet of jazz ("Superdude," with Dickerson's bass walking like crazy) and a mellow synth-plus-electric piano number that's strongly reminiscent of Stevie Wonder ("Youngblood & Sybil"). Far from a key record, but it's pleasant background music and has some personality. Produced by Goldstein, Jordan and Scott. --James Alroy, WARR.org