Old-school R&B group The O’Jays get into a political groove

NEW YORK >> The iconic R&B group The O’Jays has always made music for the heart. Now the group is going for the jugular on what it says is its last album.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees known for the classic song “Love Train” on Friday released the politically charged single “Above the Law ,” which explores racial and class inequality. The lyrics include: “Game is fixed/ Pure parlor tricks.”

The single will be part of The O’Jays’ final studio album, the socially conscious “The Last Word,” their first original material in almost 20 years, which is set for release Feb. 22 from S-Curve Records.

Group co-founders Eddie Levert Sr. and Walter Williams Sr. told The Associated Press this week that the group didn’t intend to make new music as it looks toward retirement but felt compelled by what it has seen over the past few years.

“You almost have to say something. You almost have to get involved. You know, it’s bad. I’ve never seen it this bad,” said Williams, 75. “You have to say something. You have to do something. People have to get out and vote to change things if they want change.”

“Above the Law” was composed by Betty Wright and Angelo Morris, and produced by Steve Greenberg, Wright, Mike Mangini and Sam Hollander. More of its lyrics include the lines “Re-invent slavery/ Erase the war on poverty/ Separate primarily/ By class.”

“As soon as I heard it, I told Mr. Greenberg, ‘We are all going to jail,’” Williams said, laughing. “He said, ‘Don’t worry about it. I’ll be the guy that gives you the cake with the file in it.’”

The cover, by artist Christa Cassan, shows businessmen with briefcases riding flying pigs over the Capitol. A lyric video for “Above the Law” begins with a $100 bill being burned, before showing photos of black men manhandled by the police, scary