Who would have thought six years ago when bounce music first hit the local rap scene that it would still be around today? Sure it was catchy and easy to dance to—repetitive chants over “Triggerman” beats and numerous other funky tracks—but did it have lasting appeal? If you check record sales at stores like Odyssey Records, Peaches and Groove City, the answer is yes. One of the latest bounce albums to climb local sales charts is the compilation CD DJ Mouche—No Bounce, No Party on Ya Boy ‘Nem Records. The CD features some of the city’s hottest rap and R&B artists—Ice Mike, Lady Red, Fullpack, McKeldo Cheous, Da Rangaz, Voice featuring Pamela Boyd, Ms. Sabrina, Thaddeus the Legend and many more—as well as local comedians Big Shed and The Byrdman. It was produced by DJ Mouche, Ice Mike, Fullpack and Don Bartholomew. Kelwynn Napoleon (CEO and part owner of Ya Boy ‘Nem Records along with Che Muse and Carl Carmouche) explains why this album and bounce music in general are so popular. “It’s a fact that no matter what the venue may be—a concert, wedding reception or just a party—even those people who say they don’t like bounce music find themselves on the dance floor having a good time before they even realize that the music they are vibin’ to is considered bounce,” says Napoleon.

Ya Boy ‘Nem Records is expanding its roster and is currently accepting demo tapes of all music formats. Tapes can be mailed to: 6816 Edgewater Lane, Suite K, New Orleans, U 70126, Attn: Kelwynn Napoleon.

One of the greatest thrills for me as a music writer is to meet and interview some of the R&B/funk bands of the 1970s and 1980s. I grew up listening to that music, and it’s all coming back again thanks to rappers like Snoop Doggy Dogg and Dr. Dre who sample classic songs from that era in their music. In November, I had the pleasure of interviewing War—one of the greatest R&B bands of all time—when they stopped by Odyssey Records during a promotional tour. Original member Lonnie Jordan and new member Rae Valentine talked to me about the “new” War, their upcoming album and a future project with Coolio.

What kind of new energy or vibe do the new members bring to the group? (Jordan is the only original member left in the group.)

Lonnie Jordan: Well, basically everything that the new guys are bringing in today is the same as it was before. The attitude is there…I don’t think that I would be able to be as creative as I am now if it wasn’t for the fact that Rae [Valentine, son of original War drummer Harold Brown] is there to remind me of the way I was before…He was there. He watched us grow…so that’s why he’s able to create the songs, create ideas and still keep the energy of the old War and blend it in with the new.

I understand you have a new album coming out this year. What can you tell us about it?

Rae Valentine: We’re actually in the studio right now working on the album. We’ve cut two tracks that are pretty incredible. One is “Remember Tomorrow” which we’re currently working on, and the other one is “Teresa” which is a song dedicated to Lonnie Jordan’s beautiful wife Teresa.

Is the album titled at this time?

Jordan: No, but there’s a reference track “Messages and Grooves” or “Grooves and Messages.” That’s the tentative title for now, but that’s subject to change.

Will this album be similar to the original War sound?

Jordan: What we (the original War) did in the past…we seemed to cater toward just playing what we felt like playing…so basically we’re doing the same thing now. We’re just playing whatever it is—if it’s love songs, if it’s something bizarre…whatever comes natural, we just run the tape.

Besides the new album, what other projects are you working on?

Jordan: We’re working on a movie score right now and we’re also doing some stuff with a couple of rappers on the scene back in L.A. We’re doing a rendition of “Why Can’t We Be Friends” with Coolio. He wanted to do a remake of it to keep peace in the community.

War’s show at the House of Blues November 23 was great. Jordan’s voice was just as strong and powerful as ever, and the new members threw down. The fans were pumped—singing and dancing along to every song and reminiscing where they were and what they were doing when songs like “Cisco Kid” and “Lowrider” first came out. War’s new album is due out in the spring. ”I’m so happy about this album,” says jordan. ”I’m happy as a rat in a cheese factory”

(Ed.—The Original Lowriders, which features some of the original members of War, are in a legal dispute with the current War and producer Jerry Goldstein over the name. The suit is pending.)