Political Soul

The Bitter & The Sweet POW Anything Everything Records

Soul music in the late 60's and 70's reflected the changing political environment for African Americans in the USA.

Kent Records have issued a new CD to "Change Is Gonna Come" to celebrate the voice of Black America from 1963 to 1973. The CD comes after Kent issued two CDs "A Soldier's Sad Story" and "Does Anybody Know I'm Here? documenting the various different responses African Americans had to the Vietnam War. "Change Is Gonna Come" follows on from these 2 CDs and highlights the struggle for civil and human rights which went on in the USA while the Vietnam War was raging.

I have chosen a song by the Bitter & The Sweet not featured on any of the Kent albums. "POW" reflects the aftermath of the Vietnam War and the political disillusionment felt that US prisoners of war still remained in Vietnam after the war was finished. "POW" as as song links the Vietnam War and political upheaval of the period. The Vietnam War was such an important backdrop for many African Americans who fought in the war, lost loved ones or refused to participate because of their opposition to a war conducted by a regime which did not address fully their civil rights.

All three of Kent's CDs are essential to understand soul music's part in reflecting the strife in the USA during the 60's and 70's.