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

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

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...

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.

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.

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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.

Una vergüenza que no haya escuchado esto antes.

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.

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.

10/10 HOLY SHIT THAT WAS FUCKING AMAZING!

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

3.5/5

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!

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!

Up there with Parliament/Funkadelic as the best funk.

Super funky, amazing

Inspired. Should be the first Sly album people are allowed to hear.

A great funk album and it reflects the times.

some rock vibes with yacht type

Funky

A post-Summer of Love wake up call, I can hear so much of 90's hip-hop in Sly's funky beats. A dark detour from what I normally associate with the band's sound, I really need to listen to this one more.

A great album that showcases the creativity of Sly

Excellent funky shit

Cynicism, defeat, despair and excessive drug taking never sounded so soulfully funky and appealing.

Excellent

Such a great record. As someone like me who isn't well versed in many of the classics, it's a treat to hear some many of the original sounds that are so we'll sampled in today's music. Obviously Sly & Co. have had such an impactful effect on so many of my favorite artists.

Cool

I never knew how much I'd love funk until 1001 albums so I'm grateful for that. I really dig how comparatively dark and contemplative this album is to the other funk I've heard too. Adding it to the "need on vinyl" list.

So amazing

Already know this 5/5

5/5. Holy smokes, it doesn’t get funkier.

Funky as hell and I really liked it. Got me into the genre and I am digging the fuck out of it.

Absolutely tremendous! Love, love, LOVE it!

Laid-back, slow, druggy groove, tired-vocal sounding but also very funky. Heavy bass mix, crawling, sketchy guitar. One album where you hear its influence on a lot of later 70's funk. Some legendary musicians- Billy Preston, Bobby Womack, Ike Turner. There was a lot of the recording of this album on The Apple TV 1971 music documentary: heavy drug use - Sly unbelievably would record over previously recorded songs, The Dick Cavett interview. Regardless, some incredible music - "Family Affair", "Runnin' Away."

Great funky album. Family affair. Love sly.

An absolute favorite that grooves the entire album. It’s funky and soulful and has inspired so much of the music that I love listening to today. Had multiple songs I liked for future listening.

It's amazing that such an album exists. Darkly cynical, the grooves a hynpotic and yet you rarely feel at ease.

Made for a fun, funky time getting ready and cleaning up the house. I forgot how much I missed this kind of funk until I heard it again.

What a hot mess! How can someone come up with such brilliance while being totally fucked up? Spaced Cowboy is now my new favourite song of all time. Country funk is even more fun than country rap. This was already a five star album, but the last three songs belong in the stratosphere. I always thought that Parliament/Funkadelic had released the weirdest, and best, funk. But this is next level greatness. I could happily listen to the bass by itself.

This is arguably the strongest lineup the Family Stone has featured, including but not limited to such big names as Bobby Womack, Ike Turner and Larry Graham. The sound of this album hangs in the air, like a cloud of weed smoke on a hot, humid evening. It oozes soul. It massages your nerve endings. It'll sweep you away into it's abstract vision of a concrete jungle, down alleyways filled with stoners, mothers with infants, children playing, couples making out, hustlers hustling, and all the while demand nothing but a slight bop of your head along the journey.

First 5/5, whole album was lovely and has infinite replayability i feel

Very good, funky and real. Female vocals are outstanding.

The greatest weakness of this album is that the tracks cut too short. Doesn't matter how long the tracks are: 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 9 minutes... I wish they would go longer. After a 20 month break from their masterpiece Stand, they come back this dark, murky funk sound in the followup of the socially conscious What's Going On by Marvin Gaye. It's not a very accessible sound, with unconventional song structures that leave the audience wondering where the payoff is. That's partly why I feel all the songs are too short; even though that's not the case, you know there could be more to it. But it's one of those albums where it's about the journey and not the destination, and you start seeing the insanity behind the music. They're all talented musicians, and Sly gives a performance that I argue even beats James Brown. It makes for a great psychedelic experience. It's deep and complex, with instruments (and vocalists) controlled yet also seemingly doing their own thing. They abuse the overdubs and mixing so much that it can be a very fun and entrancing experience, fitting the genre so well that I wish more psychedelic funk bands existed and followed in their example. There are so many parts of the music to focus on. The intro track "Luv N Haight" is probably the best example of this, with the music almost feeling surreal how chaotic it sounds, instruments overlapping each other and the vocalists randomly coming in and out as if they think they're the spotlight. "Just Like a Baby" is one of the groovier tracks with such a pleasing, dark controlled sound to it. Everyone knows the pop hit "Family Affair", has some great solos and engages with the audience to sing along. By "Africa Talks to You", you're comfortable enough to can sit back and experience the music and pick out something new and strange every time. All the tracks are amazing, but it doesn't feel that way until you pay attention to each of them and see how uniquely strange they all are. We all have our personal favorites, like "You Caught Me Smilin" or "Runnin Away" (love the horns and cymbals!), but deep cuts like "Space Cowboy" and "Time" place me in different surreal settings, like a country yodeler in a sea of funkiness. The high vocal compression and rhythmic bass slapping and drum machine certainly contribute to the psychedelic trance. It's a really fitting closer to end with an extended darker version of their hit "Thank You."

Classic album

5.0 + I don't know exactly how, but this record seems to just slink into a groove that grips you for its entire 47 minute run. I get an uncanny feeling in my chest that I'm listening to a band that somehow plugged into a transcendent higher power. The only other record in memory that gives me a similar impression is "Astral Weeks." As an aside, while I was listening my two small boys (2 and 4) came into the room at around the midway point and proceeded to dance through the album's entire second half.

A masterpiece c’mon now

Had no idea who the band was so based on the cover thought it would be rap(again). I was pleasantly surprised by very funky soul album. Loved it. I don’t think there’s any misses here! Favourite songs: Just Like A Baby, Family Affair, Thank You For Talkin’ To Me Africa

Utterly essential funk rock. Amazing. Sly Stone in his prime. There's just no competition, there's no equal at all. Whereas a lot of funk is groove-oriented, Sly was always song-oriented. So much heart; so much feeling.

This album was a riot, loved it

Amazing record. Dark, moody, political, and psychedelic. AFAIK the band was pretty much dissolved at this point. This is basically a Sly Stone solo record. He isolated in his house and had many drug-fueled recording sessions. This band should’ve been way bigger in the 70s than they were.

Fett!! Mye mer spennende enn jeg hadde trodd

This is for Funk what Velvet Underground first 2 albums were for alternative music, one of favorite albums of all time. Vetter wordt het niet.

Funky stuff.

Pure class

cool

Hazy woozy soulful mellow funk with lots of jammy instrumentals and wah wah. For lovers of Prince & Happy Mondays. Thought this was interesting - The band was the first major American rock group to have a racially integrated, mixed-gender lineup. Read a quote somewhere that James Brown invented funk but Sly moved it to another level, I’d agree with that. It’s a loose baggy LP with fantastic musicianship, the bass in particular is quite something. Lots of jamming the song structures are loose.

LP

Trop bon, après avoir eu Stand! dans la dernière semaine que j'avais partiellement aimé, malgré que c'est un très bon album, celui-ci est carrémenet un step above. Je recommande pour le funk, guitare, musicalité etc.5

F U N K

Nice it does not need to be longer just perfect

Superb album!

Simply stunning

I love this album's cozy funk; so cozy it sounds like it was recorded in a closet. Almost every track is a banger, but today I had a delicious laugh at the wonderful ludicrousness of Sly's yodeling on "Spaced Cowboy." I mean, come on. S&TFS, like Kate Bush, Donovan, Prince, Fishbone, Outkast, Wu-Tang, MF DOOM, Sun Ra, etc., don't just make great music. They have a fully developed world with its own rules, ethos, and mythology. Listening to their albums is like visiting another planet. S&TFS were hugely popular and influential, so it's hard to say they are in any sense underrated, but still, I'm going there. If you dig this one, their follow-up, Fresh, is similar and perhaps even better. (If nothing else, just check out track number one, which is one of the most beguiling songs I've ever heard.) But don't sleep on the two previous releases, either, Life and Stand, both of which are awesome from beginning to end. I wish Sly could've kept his shit together to give us more, but I'm thankful for what we got.

This is an excellent album. Groovy, funky, but also dark and political. Extraordinarily talented musicians, fantastic production, good song writing, a powerful message. Literally, what else can you ask for? I listened to this four or five times before moving on, and I'll definitely be coming back to this one.

Powerful, soulful, influential and funky, Sly can party, Sly can riot, Sly can make music to move you to dance and Sly can make music to move you to action. Easy five stars. Music like nobody else could make.

I really love this record. Such a unique and influential sound. The combination of the feel, the textures, the tension, the production is so cool to me. I love Sly’s voice and phrasing and how the grooves feel so organic over the drum machine. Really cool that he did the remake of Thank you ( falettinme be mice elf) was only a year later, with such a different vibe. Sometimes the music doesn’t really go anywhere but to me it feels so good it doesn’t need to and doesn’t want to- I could listen all day.

Great album, funky, full of soul, with deep lyrics. Will definitely listen again Saved tracks: Luv N’ Haight, Just Like A Baby, Family Affair, Thank You For Talkin’ To Me Africa, Do You Know What?

Dark, edgy, somewhat menacing, even a touch nihilistic. Yet it's brilliant funk that captures the mood of the early 70s which was chaotic and frightening. Sly was on so many drugs and it shows in the production which you can hear a hiss throughout. Yet it actually adds to the mystique and tone of the album. Damn good!

A lot less catchy than I expected but still a great and compelling album.

Not an album or really even sound of Sly & The Family Stone with which I am familiar, so there wasn’t an immediate groove for me on all the tracks…but it felt special nonetheless. I look forward to more listens.

"It's a family affaaai-iiir... It's a family affa-ai-ir..." Damn. What a moody album. The first time I lstened to it, a few years ago, I didn't know what to make of it. With its drum machines, subdued grooves and quite despondent atmosphere, *There's A Riot Going On* is so different from *Stand*... Yet this LP grew on me after several listens. It has a bold mix of sleaze, tenderness and paranoia that makes it one-of-a-kind, and listening to the end result today is probably as intriguing and fascinating as it was in 1971. 31. This here is not my grade for the album, it's me counting the "suns" on that flag. (what an iconic cover). But hey, you already know how many stars I gave to this thing... Next please. Number of albums left to review: 535 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 224 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 108 Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more essential to me): 135

My third funk album in a row on this list and my favourite of the picks. I lost count of how many songs and sounds on this album I have heard sampled or inspiring other artists. Played on repeat of course

Great album!!!

Excellent

The end of two years of deeply rooting in himself, his thoughts and his addictions. An answer to Marvin Gaye. A complicated messy album that still resonates today.

Groundbreaking, fresh as ever

Perhaps the greatest funk album that there ever was. Starkly political and groovy as all hell. It's a frankly dense album that I feel unequipped to properly articulate how damn good this album is.

Super bien. Autant j'avais pas aimé le précédent album proposé de Sly & the family Stone, autant celui-ci passe impec. Excellent funk, j'ai beaucoup aimé Family Affair.

I LOVE this, so smooth and just like... a good time

i love Sly and his Sister favorite song Everyday people

Such brilliance. Man (and the band) are a cultural touchstone and a musical force. 5 stars.

Kinda makes me want to fight the power...funkily

A really nice, funky album. It’s quite lofi and quirky sounding, sometimes the rhythms feel like they’ll fall apart but they fall into interesting patterns. That makes no sense but I can’t be bothered to rewrite it.