Sly & The Family Stone
Few groups have a heyday-to-influence ratio as impressive as Sly & the Family Stone. From their first album in 1967 to their final relevant LP in 1973, the band pioneered and furthered a host of R&B and funk subgenres while incorporating plenty of rock, doo wop, and pop into their mix.
The band’s influential days are easily divided into two parts. There’s what I call the “Flower Power Era” during the late 1960s where the band was truly a band. Sly Stone was always the leader and songwriter, but the bandmates were heavily involved. They typically recorded their songs live in studio giving a spontaneity and freshness that translated onto wax.
And the band was dynamic at every spot.
Larry Graham — bass
Greg Errico — drums
Cynthia Robinson — trumpet
Jerry Martini — saxophone
Freddie Stone — guitar
Rose Stone — keyboards
The Flower Power Era has the Family Stone’s most radio friendly songs: “Dance to the Music”, “Everyday People”, “Stand!”, “Hot Fun in the Summertime”, etc. The lyrics were very often optimistic. Even when the band took a less sunny outlook, their words were more larkish than truly cynical.
Then came 1970. And cocaine.
The Drugged Out Era.
Instead of doing live recording and in-studio collaboration, Sly Stone became more dictatorial and reclusive. He would record his vocals alone. Maybe lay down a bass track. Then maybe do some drums. Rarely would the band assemble to perform as they had in the past. Naturally, this frayed the group and members slowly peeled off over the years.
Initially, this piecemeal recording did lead to yet more musical innovation. 1971’s There’s A Riot Goin’ On has layers upon layers of muddled, paranoid funk that proved just as influential as the more upbeat sonic festival of the band’s late ‘60s material.
However, the drugs took their toll. That initial burst of innovation lasted for one more album (Fresh), before a steady stream of mediocrity and retreads took over the catalog.
Every album from their Flower Power and Drugged Out Eras are worth listening to, even the two I rated a C+. Those two particular albums (Life and Small Talk) don’t merit much relistening to in their entirety, but they contain some real gems.
The other five albums from those years? Worth it. Absolutely worth it as you can hear their impact on artists like the Temptations, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Jamiroquai, Jackson 5, Funkadelic, and Earth, Wind & Fire.
ALBUM REVIEWS
The Flower Power Era (1967-1970)
The Drugged Out Era (1971-1974)
Fresh: A
Small Talk: C+
Horizons Severely Dimmed (1975-1982)