There's A Riot Goin' On

WE MAKIN' IT OUT THE RIOT WITH THIS ONE 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️❗❗❗❗❗

“There’s a Riot Goin’ On” by Sly and the Family Stone (1971) Never heard this album, but very familiar with SFS through radio airplay and their “Greatest Hits” album of 1970. This album is very good music qua music. Listen to the LYRICS. Deeply introspective personal reflection plus insightful social commentary without being hortatory. This album represents a development from the popular funk of the early SFS. Excellent, beautiful, soulful funk, executed by extraordinarily talented musicians and vocalists, but much more serious than their previous work (although there’s some great comic relief in “Spaced Cowboy “, where we’re treated to a funked-up country piece complete with Sly Stone yodeling the chorus. Yodeling. I shit you not). Experimental musical sounds and recording technique—very well crafted (although there’s an annoying level of tape hiss due to overdubbing—one of the shortcomings of analog). This is a good demonstration of the art of the studio album. Meant to be listened to without distractions. Not party music. Bass bends and guitar wah unsurpassed. Especially on “Africa Talks to You”. Trumpet and sax understated, but effective coloring. The title track “There’s a Riot Goin’ On” is four seconds of silence. This is so profound for 1971. There were many riots in America 1966-1970. But in May 1970, National Guard troops fired on demonstrators at Kent State University, killing four. Fewer riots after that. The years 1971-1976 were a relatively quiet time for civil unrest in America. Not that there wasn’t anything to riot over. It’s hard to imagine a Daft Punk without SFS funk (listen to “Family Affair” and compare to “Get Lucky”). But SFS is heavier and more evocative. Elaborate vocal stylings, but lacking the endearing ‘silliness’ of their earlier work. “Thank You for Talking to Me, Africa” is a dark reset of their earlier hit “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)", which itself features a pastiche of titles of their previous hits. Sort of an SFS diary entry that reviews previous entries, with a more mature perspective. Africa begins to talk to SFS, and they (and we) are listening. Throughout the album, the lyrics reflect deep levels of meaning, expressing the emerging self awareness of Black America. I’m no expert on this, but it seems that this album should have been a huge influence on young urban artists who would go on to produce the hip hop genre. Here SFS grows into an assertive voice, instead of a merely entertaining voice. Sorry I didn’t listen to this when I was young. Very glad I listened to it before I die. 4/5

Oh man, I think I just fell in love... It's funny cause I've listened to this album before and enjoyed it and everything, but for some reason, listening to it tonight, this album just absolutely knocked me out. Maybe it's because we're now two years into a global pandemic, in a time of increased social unrest/polarization, and quite possibly on the brink of World War III, but this album is really speaking to me right now (in a way it didn't a few years ago when I listened to it last). There is so much I love about this album but the thing that impresses me most is probably its casualness and playfulness. It's so loose and laid back that it somehow comes back around to coming across as cocky and confident to me. Like the genius just rolls out of him so naturally and effortlessly regardless of his mood. He doesn't have to be "on" to express the truth. Some real honesty here. And that's the other thing I really appreciate about this album: that it captures these states of mind that are not often put into songs, especially at the time it came out. Really shows you that funk isn't all just feel good party jams and I appreciate that. Another thing that I appreciate is the incorporation of the drum machines. Not only is this album an absolute pillar of funk, but it's the album that pretty much single handedly legitimized the use of drum machines in popular music - so I have to give my thanks for that. All that and the mysteriously murky mix give the album a very distinct sound which, to my ear, keeps it a surprisingly fresh and intriguing listen after all these years.

Funky, dark, and ahead of its time. It’s at once dense and really loose and free. I feel like I need to go back andre-listen a few more times to really be able to assess it — but I’m sure I will. Favourite track: Family Affair

Do like the darker, grittier funk aspect of this album, just wish it was more consistent. Especially when you consider Funkadelic's Maggot Brain was released a few months before this, and is vastly superior. 3.5 for me.

I was excited to listen to this album, and was a little disappointed. Almost seemed improvisational at times with both the music arrangement and vocals. Still enjoy the heck out of it. It was one of the first really nice days of spring and I had the top down, listening to fly belt out some tunes …

I found this one to be incredibly creative throughout, as it clearly is quite original... Maybe the drugs that Sly was doing during this period really opened him up to some innovative ways of thinking about music... Can't say there was a single track that I thought was exceptional - though my fav was probably the last track - "Thank You For Talkin' To Me, Africa" which is sort of a derivative of a track of Sly's from an earlier album... Kind of a nice hypnotic vibe throughout... Based on the originality and uniqueness of the album, combined with the fact that all of the songs contained some goodness (i.e. AKA none of them truly sucked...) I'm gonna give this a solid 3...

Tough one to rate. I can appreciate how good the funk parts of this are, and some of the bass lines were really great. But I really didn't like it. Had a hard time finishing it.

Marvin Gaye had asked "What's Goin' On"; a few months later, he had his answer. With a few exceptions, this is perhaps the murkiest, most drug-addled, most fucked up form of pop music in the 70s. No depth of hell would or could equate to whatever hell Sly Stone had conjured up from thin air (or whatever air that involved drugs). A defining statement that also became the beginning of the end, There's a Riot Goin' On is Sly's masterpiece.

I don't think I have the full context of musical history to appreciate what was new and exciting about this group or album, however I did enjoy it.

My younger self wouldn't have taken the time to listen to this album in it's entirety, but as I get older my musical tastes have expanded and I try to appreciate more musical styles. With that being said, on this record, Sly & The Family Stone have a lot of energy and the funky beats can't be ignored. It's an interesting listen and the songs seem to have a darker edge and not such a "happy go-lucky" sound. A solid album with a lot going on and I'm glad I took the time to listen to.

You had me at 60's funky psychedelic soul from San Francisco. I don't listen to a lot of SFS but I always enjoy it when I do. I really need to check out the rest of the catalog. The bass playing really does it for me. 5 stars all day.

The day after Sly Stone passed, this album hit—and somehow it feels more relevant than ever. Disillusioned, murky, and slow-burning, There’s a Riot Goin’ On is funk turned inward: political, paranoid, and deeply personal. In 2025, with real riots and performative politics all around, this record feels like a mirror.

Ein anspruchsvolles Funk-Album durfte ich anhören. Ging nicht leicht ins Ohr, aber beim mehrmaligem Hören erkannte ich die Größe der Kompositionen. Sehr stark und toll eingespielt.Family affair ist nicht unbedingt der stärkste Song. Unbedingt anhören.

As of today, Thanksgiving 2023, I’ve completed 500 records in this project. Accordingly, a short listing of records I’ve reviewed from the list thus far that I am especially thankful for: The Avalanches - Since I Left You Milton Nascimeto & Lo Borges - Clube Da Esquina Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson - Winter in America Brian Eno - Another Green World Neil Young - On the Beach MC5 - Kick Out the Jams Parliament - Mothership Connection Belle & Sebastian - Tigermilk David Bowie - Station to Station Air - The Virgin Suicides Sonic Youth - Dirty Funkadelic - Maggot Brain As for this record, you can add it right to that list. There’s a Riot Goin’ On is a stone cold classic, start to finish: a document of the dream of the 60’s as it crashes and burns in the early 70’s - a comedown in the literal and metaphorical sense. It’s dense and dark and druggy, funky but downtrodden with an experimental, home recorded/DIY feel. “Riot” should be considered among the greatest albums of all time.

Sly Stone captures the darkness, disillusionment and exhaustion of his era and funnels it all into one truly profound work that has aged beautifully. Funky and gritty and warped, with cryptic and cynical lyrics. But the album never loses its soul in the process, delivering a sound that's equal parts thought provoking and entertaining. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): Family Affair, Luv N' Haight, Just Like a Baby, Poet, Runnin' Away, Thank You for Talkin' to Me Africa, Africa Talks to You 'The Asphalt Jungle, Brave & Strong, Spaced Cowboy, (You Caught Me) Smilin', Time, There's a Riot Goin' On

I was a bit surprised to have enjoyed this album today a bit more than Stand! (which still has my favorite Sly and the Family Stone songs on it). I suppose this one felt more like an album listening experience, and despite some long tracks, I found them compelling rather than boring and I grooved with it.

A little bit of a darker turn for Sly & the Family Stone, but I really liked it and it suited the subject matter.

The best Sly & TFS album. Probably the best album on this list even.

10/10 HOLY SHIT THAT WAS FUCKING AMAZING!

Dark but the yodeling seals it for me. The quietest and probably the best funk/soul project I've heard. Not get-up-and-dance music, but mandatory-relisten music.

So I know I've listened to this before but not recently, maybe the other times I wasn't paying real close attention because I never noticed that the "title track" was just four seconds of silence. I was prepared to go on here and warn other Spotify listeners in the U.S. about the track being missing. I'm glad I did a little research because that would have been embarrassing. Anyway, great druggy funk album, one of the best I've heard, five stars.

Una vergüenza que no haya escuchado esto antes.

This album is one of the absolute greatest albums of all time, maybe top 50 material. This album changed my life before I ever listened to it. Virtually everything I love about music has some Sly in it in some way or another. Timeless. TIMELESS. Groove. Sex appeal. Funk. Slap bass. VOCALS. Guitars. Melody. Harmony. This album has everything I want in an album.

not bad, interesting choice to use electronic drums on some tracks. pretty relaxed and groovy funk

Excellent album! Dark, political lyrics layered on top of some the funkiest beats, with a dash of psychedelic sounds. Really surprised by this one.

Without the historical context of this album I don't think I can fully appreciate its lyrical content and so am left to judge it on it's musical content which is good and notable for the pioneering sound of the early seventies. I'm not someone who buys physical music but if I was I think this would be one to add to a collection as the digital format doesn't seem to do it justice.

Cool and laid back funk.

3.5/5

Nowhere near as good an album as I expected, given the bands reputation. I really only "particularly liked" Love 'n' Haight. For the rest of the album, I'd listen to it in the background. A mediocre 3

Heard that song Family Affair before loads - no idea it was them, a classic. Rest of album was ok, didn't grab me though

Sly & The Family Stone were one of the more formative bands for me as a bassplayer. I used to pick apart their basslines along with Parliment Funkadelic, Graham Central Station, Mandrill, War and more. They were instrumental in me understanding the idea of "the pocket" as a player. That said, this is NOT Sly's best album by a long shot. It's rough and unfocused. While the great musicianship that one would expect is still on display, the vocals show the strain of a completely drug-addled frontman. The result is a chaotic, fragmented mess of an album. Great band, not such a great album, sadly.

Background music. Couldn't get into it - probably something to listen to again when I'm in a funkier mood. Also, I hate talking about "production and mixing" because it makes me look like this emoji -> 🤓, but the production on the Spotify version is kind of outdated I think - a remaster would be nice!

I couldn’t get into it, first song was very energetic but after that I’m not sure why the songs felt like background music nothing really grabbed my attention. On to the next one!

“We didn’t land on Plymouth Rock, Plymouth Rock landed on us.” — Malcolm X In the early spring of 1971 Marven Gaye asked, 'What's Going On?' in late 1971 Sly Stone replied with, 'There's A Riot Goin' On.' a dark album informed by drugs, paranoia, pessimism and the harsh reality that the counterculture of the 1960s had failed to make any real changes, that hope was scarce and that things were about to get worse. 'There's A Riot Goin' on' is a great record but it's often not a fun listen - anyone expecting the sunshine funk of 'Everyday People' and/or 'I Want to Take You Higher' were sure to be disappointed and either had to adjust to the New Sly or return the album & stick with past works. Some albums simply don't float. It's all or nothing. Sink or swim. Sink? What do you mean sink? Swim to where? I mean c'mon man the summer of love was a troll move by college bros to sleep with underaged girls- get on board or get off not that the Sly Stone of 'Riot' likely cared even a little bit about what you did or didn't do. People were too quick to betray you, and his drugs made better, more loyal company than any family ever did. The clear-cut stuff from the son of the banker is the most honest motherfucker. You know? The few songs that lack the pessimism that is all over 'Riot' feel almost forced and performative done to appease Clive Davis and not as a shout of uncontainable joy, love and happiness. Regardless 'Riot' was and continues to be an essential album of dark psychedelic soul/rock music and the more tense sober funk has little interest in moving your ass, Stand! Pt 2 this is not-it doesn't exist because of people but rather in spite of people. Maybe the unrest is all in your head? The riot that is going on is not going on in the streets? People talk shit and the Molotov cocktail ignites and after midnight who can even tell the difference, anyways, right? While nowhere as embraceable as Stand! (1969) or even Life (from 1968) Riot is essential listening for anyone interested in black music, the political climate in black neighborhoods or the citizens that felt a little more fleeced, a little more knocked about than they had just a few short years before. Against all odds There's A Riot Goin' On is Sly Stone's magnum opus quite the feat considering that it was almost never made. For better or for worse this is no family affair.

World-weary, jazzy funk. One of the greatest albums.

paranoid, filled with dread and suspicion, mumbles and whispers. Prince obviously drew on this, as did Massive Attack and many others.

FUNKY

Loved the album. Has groove

A landmark record in the genre of funk, mixing with soul, rock, R&B etc. into a blend that inspired countless acts after it. It's defining characteristic is its moodiness, a kind of '60's peace and love dance party is over' vibe - still groovy but with an edge. It sounds robust and thick. Sometimes when the primary artistic force in a group starts doing hard drugs, you get a home run or a strikeout...This one is out of the park.

++*: Luv n' Haight, Just Like a Baby, There's a Riot Goin' On, Brave & Strong, Spaced Cowboy ++: Poet, Family Affair, Africa Talks to You 'The Asphalt Jungle, (You Caught Me) Smilin', Time, Runnin' Away, Thank You for Talkin' to Me Africa 10/10

Essential proto-funk album, sweet.

Sly & the Family Stone were so far ahead of their time. Not only with being an integrated band but just with the sounds they came up with. I loved every instrument, chord and note on this album. Only real music is gonna last, all that other bullshit is here today and gone tomorrow!

As a non north american person, this is probably the most beautiful USA flag I've ever put my eyes on it. If we put this album on a capsule to mars, the aliens will show us a better way to land in there. 5 stars

Funk a delic

I was grooving my ass off to this, very good album, thoroughly enjoyed it

Funky but furious. Dark yet playful. Messy and yet somehow coherent at the same time. Just amazing.

This is the two hundred thirteenth album I’m rating. I think my brother likes this band but I'm not a fan. Adding to my Playlist - Luv N' Haight, Just Like a Baby, Poet, Family Affair, Africa Talks to You 'The Asphalt Jungle, Brave & Strong, (You Caught Me) Smilin', Time, Spaced Cowboy, Runnin' Away, and Thank You for Talkin' to Me Africa. Not Adding to my Playlist - There's a Riot Goin' On. All in all I liked 11/12 songs. I changed my mind.

Dark, groovy, super smooth in parts and then howling nihilism. Early experimentation with electronica visible here. This is so bumpy and just cool as fuck. Socially conscious, depressing then moments of brightness. It’s not glossing over anger and struggle

Another essential funk classic

(sly & the family) stone cold classic

So funky, so good. Great memories of my dad with this jam. This is the music of progress and change, and it's so groovy! I'm shocked by the low average rating here.

This album starts off with a funk tribute to Haight Ashbury, then gets onto a slow burn soul groove in Just Like a Baby. More deep funk in Africa Talks to You. A Family Affair is classic, obviously. A solid groove all the way through--consistent in a way that Sly wasn't always in his career, which is remarkable considering all the drugs he was on during recording, apparently. Rounds up to 5

For when you want to have a bad time, but also a funky time

Mature Sly Stone. At his absolute best

What can I say? This is a funk masterpiece from beginning to end. Not as optimistic as his previous work but essential nonetheless. Standouts are family Affair, Thank You For Talking To Me Africa and Runnin' Away.

Yodeling, bass slaps, experimental tape effects, and 8-minute vamps? What more could you ask for?

I believe this is a much stronger Stone album than the one I reviewed previously. Musically arranged in a way that kept me engaged from start to finish, I found myself wondering why I hadn’t listened to it sooner…creative, slightly innovative, and carries a message connected to a pivotal point in modern America.

Love this album from top to bottom.

Essential. Needs to be heard.

BWAOWP BWAOWP. Layin down that groove. funky as hell. That "TIMBAA" in Africa talks to you! I am not super familiar with this genre but the wiki has a lot of great info on the album+band's context. I didn't realize I knew some of the songs just through pop culture growing up. I like the context of the earlier 60s stuff being more positive and this album being a shift into a disillusioned 70s. The final track is a slowed down version of the original "Thank you for lettin me be myself," the effect is like. A descent into dark funky madness.

Wish he had made more records. RIP

The last of the great Sly & The Family Stone Albums. Great songs with plenty of variations. Brought back great memories.

This was a fascinating album to get right after War's The World is a Ghetto. Two funk albums that are generally considered a darker turn after the collapse of 1960s Summer of Love optimism. Consider me fully emersed in the time.

YES YES YES YES YES YES

Straight up goated with the sauce. Extremely formative album for what was to come of funk. Sly shows his serious multi instrumental talent along with his dark powerful songwriting. The bass work and recording are the highlights for me.The psych influence is written on its sleeve in the dopest way possible. Extremely nostalgic for me in the mid summer of 2018 when I was spinning this plate on the table constantly. Fav track- Spaced Cowboy

Right in the face of Marvin Gaye

I loved this one, big fan of the last song being a callback to one of their most popular songs.

Excellent

So good. No notes.

One of the greatest LA bands and just timeless and cool.

A very cool and smooth funk record with some good messages. Really nice to listen to while the sun is out.

Man, I love some good Funk.

Funk hasn't fared too well until now, but this is greasy, sleazy, fucked up, sexy and wild. What can I say, 5 stars.

>>>>>>>>>The Beatles

So much to love here. Prince? A descendant. RHCP? Descendants. And so many others. Great listen.

Track 6...4 seconds of silence. Track 12...7 minutes of tasty funks.

Dark, funky, awesome. First time listening to this one but loved almost all of it. The songs flow into each other so well that it will take me some more listens to really get a grasp on this one. I'm torn between a four and five star out of enjoyment but think I'm gonna go to five as this feels like one that gets better the more you listen. Then adding the context of the album and its impact makes it seem like an easier decision. Rating: 4.6

This was a great surprise listen for me. Kinda proggy, funky as hell and I haven't even listened to the lyrical content properly yet.

Dette er en fremragende og dyster skildring av det amerikanske samfunnet i kjølvannet av 60-tallets naive optimisme. I tillegg er det også noe av den kuleste fønken jeg har hørt. Produksjonen har en varm klarhet som jeg elsker. Feite og gode basslinjer brummer imens keyboardene plinker og plonker som bare det. Absolutt alt som skjer i lydbilder slår seg perfekt sammen i en nydelig dis. Der er også noe fengslende i den kyniske og paranoide atmosfæren disse dyktige musikerene befant seg i. Og uansett hvor trøtt, sliten og ruset Sly høres ut, så forblir han en fenomenal vokalist, musiker, produsent, og kreativ visjonær gjennom hele denne platen.

Love it. Always a great listen. Love the lazy, hazy atmosphere. Never lets me down with it's whacked out weirdness. Great Cover Art.

This album is great. What a groove. This is one of those albums that starts strong and then each track gets stronger. This is so great. It’s hard to sit still. I want to get up and dance. “Africa talks to you” is such a killer song. “Spaced cowboy” is the coolest yodeling I’ve ever heard. This is so great!! Even the closer is a killer song. Albums like this amaze me. How can there be so many great songs on a single album?!?

A staple of funk and progressive soul, with great conscious lyrics which can get dark at times contrasting with the mostly mellow instrumentation. No real flaws to this one. 5.

- 5 for "Spaced Cowboy" ..... I didn't realize he used drum machines on this one .... -

A textbook on Funk, Riot exemplifies how this genre can utilize retrospection on topical and timely ideas and go well beyond dance clubs and beats that would be responsible for a million samples.

This manifesto's measured yet meandering soundscape pulls you into Stone's darkness while your body responds to its revolutionary funk, illustrating Questlove's observation about how we often celebrate Black artistic suffering without acknowledging its human cost.

Great album by Sly and the family stone, but my favorite is Fresh.

This is one of those classic albums of the comedown from the 60s. The account on Wikipedia of the circumstances are quite telling, and it's remarkable that it worked out so well. I'd advise omitting the additional tracks on some re-releases though.

Good!

Remember Woodstock!

I have been needing some more funk in my life. I have not gotten nearly enough albums from this genre, especially in comparison to other genres. But now, it's finally time for me to listen to an album from one of the most highly praised funk groups of all time, Sly & The Family Stone. This is their highly acclaimed 1971 album, There's a Riot Goin' On. Dude. 1971 was such a stacked year for album releases. So many phenomenal albums released that year and—wouldn't you know it?— There's a Riot Goin' On might be one of the best. I love this album. It definitely reminds me of another one of those amazing 1971 albums, Funkadelic's Maggot Brain. This is definitely still a funk album at its core, albeit one with strong psychedelic and soul elements. However, this is definitely darker than something like a James Brown album or even earlier Sly and the Family Stone albums (or so I'm told). Honestly, I think it works really well. The darker atmosphere of this album makes it stand out. The instrumentation is fantastic. Again, it's a bit on the darker side, but there's still great basslines and spectacular rhythms to listen for. The mixing (at least on Spotify) could be a bit better, but the core of the album is still great. I really like Sly Stone's singing, as well as the other singing that appears on the album. The writing is pretty strong too. There's songs about things like personal turmoil and drug use, the latter of which appears to have been a significant factor in the making of this album. All of the songs are great though. Well, the title track doesn't really have much to talk about considering it's 4 seconds of silence, but even that appears to have a purpose in the album's messaging. I don't know what to say. This album makes a very strong first exposure to the music of Sly & The Family Stone. I'm very glad to have listened to this album, and I'm just as excited to listen to its predecessor, Stand!, sometime in the future. 5/5.

Very good, really loved a lot of different aspects of this album. One thing I particularly enjoyed, for some reason, was the contrast in microphone quality between the instruments and vocals. Great jams on here. Wow

It’s funk with a deep social twist, which is about the best way I could put this. So far most of the funk I’ve gotten on this list has been get up and groove. This one is still a grooving, but makes you really pay attention more as it’s kind of gritty. It makes it stand out in a very intriguing way. 4.5 / 5

This is the kind of album that deserves its place in the pantheon of great recordings. Unique, interesting, relevant, influential and inspiring. It’s both experimental and complete. The band knew exactly who they were and what they wanted. There’s no searching, only quality and delivery.

Great music comes out of dark times. This album, just like Marvin Gaye's "What's Goin' On," is the soundtrack to a murky, confusing era in American history that Sly captured perfectly in a haze of hard drug use. A masterpiece.

This is so gooooooood.

5/5. This has been on repeat for me for years, you already know this is getting a 5. Instrumentals in each song are so unique plus Sly with his backing vocalists create so much emotion. The lyrics are vague and yet still heartbreaking and personal. I saw an article somewhere this album was the end of the summer of love and into the violence and direct nature of the people tired of the situation in America. And even today, this album feels relevant and anthemic to the plight of issues that are still present today as they were when it was released. Additionally, this is one that needs to be listened to front to back, not one that you take a song here and there, the whole thing is the art. Best Song: Thank You For Talkin' To Me Africa, Family Affair, Poet

Jeg blev en lille smule skuffet over den første vi havde fra Sly & The Family Stone (første album vi overhovedet havde!), fordi jeg forventede, at den ville være mere som den her. Mega funky og let at lytte til, men der er en understrøm af vrede som er meget tydelig. Virkelig virkelig godt album, et af de bedste, jeg har hørt første gang pga listen

Recently finished Sly's memoir "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" which is highly recommended. In a Keith Richards-esque defying of life principals, he's still alive and kicking at 81. His memoir gave me a new appreciation for the man and his legend. If you're looking for the studio album that features the most classic hits, Stand is your choice. If you're looking for quinnessential Sly in all of his psychedelic funkiness, There's A Riot Goin' On is the place to be. It has several memorable standouts, like "Family Affair", "Runnin' Away" and "(You Caught Me) Smilin'" so you get the full effect of Sly & The Family Stone at the height (Haight?) of their powers.

Pure funk excellence, this thing grooves so hard and has hooks for days