Reviews (page 5 of 8)
Not bad but not great, I like funk I just don't think this every quite hit the mark for me. I bet I'd like another Sly & The Family Stone album if it came up. I want to hear the album with "Thank You."
good stuff
It's okayy, groovy, bet galėtų būti įdomiau.
Decent
Old school funk
A few classics but the first two songs left me bewildered.
Solid funk-disco. Gotta say I’m a bit disappointed though considering its reputation as an all timer. Fine, but not inspired to come back for more.
139/1089 a nice, funky album. could see myself returning to this on the odd occasion as reading/working music. Also fun to recognise “thank you for lettin’ me be myself…” from watching the Scooby Doo movie as a kid faves: Africa Talks To You, Thank You for Talkin’ to Me, Africa, Runnin’ Away 63/100
This album feels very muddy, very distorted, when funk should feel a little cleaner than this. This is not party forward PFunk. Full of loops and primitive drum machines. It's an alright album, but there's nothing for me to come back to. I was kind of bored listening to it. It's not offiensive or bad, just not sticky.
When this came up I was quite excited to actually listen to a Family Stone album all the way through. Obviously know “ it’s a family affair”. Turns out that’s the best track and the rest is a little bland and boring, which is a surprise and a shame.
Very cool but bit long and samey. I did enjoy it but it faded into the background and melded into one long, continuous funkathon. I guess you could do a lot worse.
More polished than "Stand", which made me a little lower on this record than that one. The group benefits more from the gusto, which was lacking more here.
Not that great
Groovy, didn't expect low key yodeling
Not bad, but also not super interesting. The bass and vocals were the strongest part.
3/5
I maybe should’ve tempered my expectations for this one a bit. The last Sly album we got was “Stand”, which was super imaginative and creative in all the right ways. Retrospectively, that album and the stuff that Funkadelic was doing around the time of this records release set the bar super high. So There’s A Riot Goin On didn’t quite leap over that bar, but it’s not bad. “Africa Talks To You” is my pick from this album, it’s very colorful. I also liked “Runnin Away”. I think some of the music on here is great for vibes listening, but not as great for intensive, active listening. 3/5
Did a quick listen, liked it a lot more than I imagined.
Early 70's hip message of freedom, rights, love & integration. Music is solid but the message is the star.
Listened to front half. Groovy.
Sly is one of the first bands I listened to for this project, and I distinctly remember not being impressed with them. So maybe that made me a bit biased going in, but it's really just not my jam, even though I can hear the talent in it.
Dark for funk/soul. Good album, interesting.
Only listened to a few songs but sounded ok funky
Got to 10000 trophies in clash whilst listening to this
Pretty chill
Mehta. Never got interesting or grabbed me. Decent funk soul.
Having read some of the reviews here, before listening to the album, I steeled myself for the much-derided yodelling on Spaced Cowboy. I was going to like it no matter what and everyone else could suck it. Well, it is certainly the most daring and animated vocal performance by Stone on the record. Indeed, the mumbled, lysergic drawl that comprises the rest of song makes the yodel an even greater relief. As an aside here, I just looked up lysergic to make sure I was using it correctly and Merriam-Webster offered this example: "In large measure, Sly and the Family Stone bridged the gap between the choreographed cool of soul music and the lysergic abandon of white psychedelic rock." —Rolling Stone Maybe I’m wrong, as abandon doesn’t sound quite right for this record. Neither does “choreographed cool.” Rather, there is druggy sludginess on the part of Sly’s apathetic delivery. There is doom bass. Neatly syncopated guitars that go round and round, seeing no way out. It’s pretty heavy, man. And, when Sly spends the last seven minutes of this LP repeating a vocal hook from a previous hit, suggests he is not looking forward. Of course, that song, Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin), also references previous Stone hits, but the mood on There’s a Riot Goin’ On is so dark that is the callback suggests exhaustion rather than playfulness. Despite a few a bright moments - I prefer Brave & Strong and Runnin’ Away to Family Affair - this is a slog. 2.5 There isn’t much songwriting going on here; to my ears the top line when there was one often sounded like ad libs by a man who is stoned to his toes. So the record relies mainly on shifting textures and atmosphere and they don’t quite support it over 45 minutes. The satisfyingly farty bass playing is the best thing here. The drums are sporadically interesting in texture even if there isn’t a pattern or fill worth remembering. The most memorable moment for me was 3 1/2 minutes into Africa Talks to You when I glanced over at the display and registered the shock that there was 5 minutes left to go. I do like the bit where they go ‘Timmmbeeeeeeeeeeeeer’ but 9 minutes? Put the pipe away. 2.5/5
I was listening to Snow Strippers before this which is like indie sleaze on speed so throwing this on was quite the vibe change. Pretty chill album
Okay album, kinda forgettable 3/5
01) Luv n' Haight - 6,5 02) Just Like a Baby - 7,5 03) Poet - 7,0 04) Family Affair - 9,0 05) Africa Talks to You 'The Asphalt Jungle' - 7,0 06) There's a Riot Goin' On - / 07) Brave & Strong - 7,0 08) (You Caught Me) Smilin' - 7,0 09) Time - 7,0 10) Spaced Cowboy - 7,5 11) Runnin' Away - 7,0 12) Thank You for Talkin' to Me Africa - 7,0 TOTAL: 7,23 (72/100) Current ranking: 357/700
This is #day436 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… here's to my second and final Sly & The Family Stone record. The funny thing is, when it comes to albums of this kind, my musical vocabulary shrinks to words like "funky," "groovy," and "trippy." This one's a bit bluesy, too. I'm sure it's an important record, both sonically and historically, given the times and all that. Still, I'm probably a little less impressed than I was with Stand!. This is a 3 out of 5. Looking forward to #day437.
funk!!! i really liked "Luv N'Haight" and "Runnin' Away"! this was a fun first one to listen to. obviously "Thank You For Talkin' to Me, Africa" is so iconic, it was nice listening to the full album for the first time.
Funk is not normally a genre I’m a huge fan of but this was groovy. Felt like a nice album to have on in the background but not too many standout songs. My favourite was the closing “Thank You for Talkin’ To Me, Africa”. Strong 3.
I was really missing lyrics. These were some good jams that I felt deeper than just fun to dance to. But I feel like these songs could have been so much more if they were backed with more lyrics.
I’m surprised by how much this feels like background music. I expected to be punched in the gut with wild experimentation and timeless anthems but that didn’t really happen. The funk is strong and the vibe is truly great. I loved Just Like A Baby and Family Affair. Good album but I won’t come back to it.
chill funk. I enjoyed the vibe and appreciate this addition to the list.
A little more boring than I had expected but fine driving music.
this is mostly enjoyable but maybe a little to homogenous after an entire album.
By no means bad but just cant get to the highs that some of the earlier stuff reaches. Still love "Family Affair" tho
The song Family Affair is so great. To hear that often on the radio when I was 16 was a gas. It was a #1 hit. Slinky, funky, with snazzy musical flourishes and vocals that were fun to try and sing along to. My only other Sly album was their Greatest Hits (Family Affair came later) with a slew of great tracks. So outside of Family Affair I did not know this album at all. It was pretty decent all around, but I suspect it’s in the 1,001 because it was Sly’s “political album”.
A little disappointed in this one. Just ok
It was ok. Funky, but not really attention holding. I am having a hard time remembering much of it.
Cool funk n soul. Didn't do too much for me but appreciated the groove
This felt like a close miss. I can have no real complaints with it, generally good funk/soul but it never quite kicked up a notch. Snippets of strong riffing/solo elements but didn’t sustain the more interesting sections. Reckon they could have put on a good show though.
Decent soul / funk in general. Not for my personal taste however and dont typically like this genre. Ultimately too many wierd songs like "runnin away". The voice is annoying. Secondly the album just goes on and on. Base funk is comendable. Playing the base guitair like that is something! E.g. "Do you know what"
I enjoyed this. It's light and airy sounding funk with some soulful vocals. I loved the gritty edge to the recording but the production was clear and well presented. I was surprised at how early this record was and can see how it was probably quite influential. Another one where I am caught between scores. This isn't an album with which I felt a profound connection but I can appreciate it's a good album. On revisiting I don't think this quite makes it into my top marks.
Cool album. Enjoyed it Standout songs: Family Affair Thank you for talking to me Africa
Middle of the road funk for me.
From what I can remember this is better than the other Sly Stone album was, but that was almost 2 years ago at this point so idk
The album is really well done but feels a bit inconsistent. Could have been the day and I didn't give it enough focus but when it came up I thought initially I'd rate it higher.
Family Affair is an obvious hit. Okay yodeling, nice. I don't understand the context of this album. Could be my copy or could be on purpose but the music was a bit flat sounding for what was going on. The bass playing is the star of the show.
I vibed to this quite a bit, it's not bad. I would even call it considerably funky! Great music for strutting.
I can see how it was labelled as challenging. Gone are the "fun" and lighthearted pop tunes. Now we have jazzier, darker songs that speak for the disillusionment and pessimism. It really isn't in my wheelhouse but I understand it.
The funkiness doesn't stop. Interesting and quirky. Enjoyable, but I didn't love it tremendously. 3.
This was a good listen, kind of what I expected
Good, but a bit long winded
Their fifth album. Rock / Soul / Funk. Cynical lyrics reflecting the disillusionment of the times. So much going on with Vietnam, Political assassinations and Watergate about to explode. Musically very good too. I love the bass. Really a good album.
I always want to like Funk albums, but they just never stick for me. I wish I knew what it was.
1. Luv N' Haight (Single Version) - 9 Great track of funk. The guitars sound so good and the background vocals were definitely of the era. But this kind of gospel inspired music, whether rock or funk or house or disco, I am very weak for. It is some of my favourite and it's all throughout the track. 2. Just Like a Baby - 5 Budget James Brown of a track. It's much slower but the vocals are very unappealing on it. You're ready for it to be over well before it is. Pass over of a track. 3. Poet - 7 It took me a few times to see what I should rate this but overall it's not a bad track. Overall it's not bad and is a decent vibe/funk. 4. Family Affair (Single Version) - 3 Lyrically this is dreadful. Instrumentally it's not strong enough to get past the vocals, which unlike other tracks, dominate the sound of what is on this piece. 5. Africa Talks to You ("The Asphalt Jungle") - 8 Great jam session with some awesome sounds. Vocals are very of the era with the way they will sound like a disco track. Overall, enjoyable. 6. There's a Riot Goin' On (silent) - N/A It's 4 seconds of dead air. 7. Brave & Strong (Single Version) - 6 Not a bad track. The signing can be overbearing at times but it's nothing too bad. It sounds like your standard James Brown like track. 8. (You Caught Me) Smilin' (Single Version) - 4 There's not enough on this track to really say it's anything significant in quality. Lyrically it's boring. Instrumentally it's too cookie cutter. 9. Time - 6 Decent sound. Another one that comes and goes in enjoyment but not anything overly to dislike about the track. 10. Spaced Cowboy - 4 I could do without the yodeling. Everything else about the track is great, especially the harmonica solo in the bridge and the bass in the intro. 11. Runnin' Away (Single Version) - 2 Lyrically the weakest track on the album. Really dull track. 12. Thank You for Talkin' to Me, Africa - 7 Good song with some decent jams to end the album. This is the kind of stuff I wish was on more of the album overall, especially given the juxtaposition of this against the track before it. Still, good funk track. Average Rating: 5.55 Adjusted to 5-Point Scale: 2.77 Rounded Up: 3 Stars
The perfect soundtrack for when you're too disillusioned to dance but still want your existential crisis to have a funky bassline. 3.0/5.0: Good
Favorite Track: Africa Talks to You
This is my first time listening to Sly & The Family Stone. I will say that out of the songs that played so far, which is 4 songs, « Just Like A Baby » is still in my head. I appreciate the soulfulness in Sly’s voice, but this appears to be a heavier and political album. That makes sense given the time it was written, which was around the Civil Rights Movement . “Africa Talks to You” is unfortunately lost on me as it feels far too long and I’m not sure if it’s intentional that there are few words and mostly instrumental. Perhaps symbolic of Africans being taken from different tribes and thus, unable to communicate. But honestly, after this song, the album felt like a drag. I am finishing it in order, but I think this wasn’t the best Sly album to start on as I prefer funky/ disco music. At the same time, art isn’t always about feeling good, upbeat and happy. Sometimes, it’s thought provoking, darker, sad, depressing, heavier. It’s meant to make you stop and think. It’s meant to be introspective and reflective of the world around you. I lts just okay for me as it’s not a bad album per se, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to listen to this particular album again and I’m not sure I’ll pursue more music from Sly and The Family Stone. I am excited to take on this exploration in music though because now Just Like A Baby is in my music library.
„There’s A Riot Goin’ On“ von Sly and the Family Stone erschien 1971 und markiert einen deutlichen Bruch mit dem optimistischen Funk-Soul-Sound, für den die Band zuvor bekannt war. Statt der farbenfrohen, energiegeladenen Hymnen wie „Dance to the Music“ oder „Everyday People“ dominiert hier eine dunklere, introspektivere Atmosphäre. Die Aufnahmen fanden größtenteils in Heimstudios statt, vor allem in Slys eigenem Haus in Kalifornien, wo er mit Overdubs, Drum-Machines und stark gedämpften Arrangements arbeitete. Musikalisch bewegt sich das Album zwischen Funk, Soul und Rock, allerdings deutlich reduzierter und rauer als auf den Vorgängern. Songs wie „Family Affair“ gehören zu den bekanntesten Stücken, während andere Tracks eher fragmentarisch wirken und die innere Zerrissenheit spiegeln. Auch die Band selbst, eine gemischte Gruppe aus afroamerikanischen und weißen Musiker:innen, zeigt sich hier weniger geschlossen, was sich in der Stimmung der Platte widerspiegelt. Insgesamt ist das Album kein leicht zugängliches Werk, sondern ein dokumentarisches Zeugnis einer Umbruchzeit in den USA Anfang der 1970er. Es prägt bis heute die Entwicklung von Funk und Soul in Richtung eines introspektiven, urbanen Sounds.
In a word , GROOVY! Highly influential mellow funk. There are some forward looking sounds on here: oscillating guitar lines, keyboards of unknown origin, bass lines that rock you and roll you. Sly’s voice is amazing too. Really entertaining album.
It’s pretty good. I’m sure if I had more context of the music I’d have more of an appreciation. 3 of 5 since I know it had to influence a lot of artists
Influential, of course. But I’m not sure the years have done Riot any favors. There’s a lot of more energetic, soulful funk to find now (again, thanks in part to the influence of Sly & The Family Stone). I appreciate the socially conscious lyrics.
It’s pretty cool, but I get a little tired of it after a while.
ok
I think yodeling is more fun to sing than listen to. Otherwise, nice funky beat.
legal
Fonky
Spaced Cowboy just comes out of nowhere. A fun album despite what was going on with the band and the world at the time.
Interesting and funky? but not my kind of music haha
Fun, groovy, but I don't remember much about it, unfortunately.
Never heard of this group or album. Patriotism! Luv N' Haight: Two of my favorite things, which are the adorable misspelling of love as "luv" and SF Hippie culture. The Haight is a little wacky but I like perusing Amoeba Records when I get the chance. It's a nice, warm, funky sound so far. No intelligible lyrics but that's okay I'm sure they're saying something cool. Just Like a Baby: Wow, a really wonderful plucky instrumental here at the beginning. Very nice, very cozy. These songs are sort of blending into mush at the end. Maybe that's how funk is? I've never really listened to a funk album, I guess. This seems like mostly moaning and riffing and whatnot. Which is cool but not blowing my mind. Poet: This is sort of Mariokart music or something. Idk. Family Affair: I like how this is vocals-forward. The instrumental is nice and calm, too. I like the Ha-HAAAA-how! I like the female and male voices. Africa Talks To You ("The Asphalt Jungle"): It's fine, I guess. Really long and a little boring. Definitely not made for me. I don't think Africa has much to say to a random wasian chick from the Bay Area, but I can see why this'd be valuable for other people. The instrumentation is cool, I guess. There's a Riot Goin' On: You know, I gotta ask why the title track is 3 seconds of silence. A little underwhelming, but maybe there's some reason to it. Brave & Strong: Pretty groovy. Similar to the other songs. Just nice. (You Caught Me) Smilin': Easily my favorite song thus far. Very sweet, positive. Beautiful, endearing music. Love it. Time: Kinda boring. Don't care much for it. Spaced Cowboy: Lives up to its name! Very silly. Good energy. Flouncy, groovy little track. I can imagine the cowboy with all that yodeling and hollering. Wow, if you read these lyrics they're kinda crazy. Runnin' Away: Very nice and light, like a lovely little slice of cake. The hee hee hee is a little creepy and Elfontheshelf for my tastes but whatever. It's still pretty nice :-) Thank You for Talkin' to Me, Africa: Well, this sure is an interesting little album. A very affectionate and cute title here. I like it. It's a seven minute song, though, and that's the kind of length that I can only allow from a remarkably good song (not really. But this is so repetitive that it's actually kinda pissing me off). It's very psychedelic and I guess this group was pretty influential in the hippie era. I like hippies, 60s counterculture as a vibe and a part of history (not that I've ever done real research on it for myself, but I'm just sort of distantly and maybe musically into it) but that's what makes it really appalling that I've never heard of this band. According to Apple Music, they were one of a handful of black performers at Woodstock which is a cool piece of history. Apparently they were quite political but I haven't really been locked in or astute enough to digest the politics in this music, so maybe I'll look into that later. Thank you for lettin' me be myself again is really sweet, I guess if they're talking about getting to express themselves in a less eurocentric way. cool. I just don't love that this album is essentially them repeating stuff and repeating beats. As an album, i'd say this was pretty cool, pretty nice to listen to most of the time. I was never like "this sucks!" although I don't think that much about music. There were definitely lulls, times where it felt like there was too much plain instrumental, but that's more a personal preference thing since I didn't think the rest of the song was quite good enough to make up for it. It was good, though. I especially liked the more typically catchy/pleasant and accessible songs, like Caught me smilin' and Spaced Cowboy and Runnin' Away. Anyways, maybe I'll give this group another listen or at least listen to some more black counterculture music since I know hippies were a pretty white, privileged group. I'd like to familiarize myself with other stuff, I guess. I could see this as a 4 but right now it's a 3.6.
5.5/10
Man, this was disappointing. Because Family Affair is an absolute belter. And the rest didn’t live up to it. Too much rambling and not enough funky tunes for my liking
Seems like Sly could be a tough hang at the time and what he surfaced wasn’t always an easy listen, but then there are the gems that only he could do.
I enjoyed this. I tend to enjoy the type of music where you could tell they were heavily abusing drugs while making it. Overall good sound.
Netter Beatnachmittag mit viel Luft nach oben 😊
country
i don’t like spaced cowboy. i do like the rest of the record though it’s pretty groovy
3.3 Pretty good, though the fidelity really lets it down. For some reason the second half in particular sounds extremely grainy, could do with a remaster. Not my usual thing but easy to appreciate.
Sounds like Steve Harley
5/10
Great vibes, although it does sound a bit dated at times
Introspective and chill. Very pleasant listen.
Good funk.
I'd never heard of these. A fun listen, kinda long.
70s funk soul. Very cool to listen! 🕴🕴🕴🕺🕺🕺🎼🎵🎤🎸🥁🪕
Neat, funky, chill
I had higggh expectations from this, was slightly disappointed but still had fun listening! 3.5/5
Another PE pretty decent offering for the 1001. 3.5 stars
fun rhythms, thoughtful lyrics.
Good but a little too long.
Rock, Soul, 1971 -> 3
Funky pero no de mi estilo
One of the better funk/soul albums on this list, but still just not my thing.
There were some bits that I really did quiet like, but I think I tend to prefer funk a bit more energetic
Nice, chill album. Loved “Spaced Cowboy.”
Enjoyed it. Was ready for it to be over in the last few tracks
Very funky but just didn't quite do it for me like I expected it to.
I'd listen to it again, and I'd definitely listen to other Sly albums again, but didn't pull me in as much as I expected.
This was one of the most forgettable albums so far, but it did end well
Fav songs: Just Like a Baby; Time; Spaced Cowboy I wanted to like this more. Maybe it's the day I'm having.
I feel like this would be enhanced by a lazy autumn day (though it is actually raining as I type this) and some substances being passed around while it plays on speaker.
Funky.
Yoooooo! Funky yet mellow, enjoyed this as something to twiddle away in the background for sure! I imagine it caused quite a stir back in the day!
I love Sly & the Family Stone, but this one just didn't hold my attention
Score: 5/10 Favorite Track: Family Affair There’s a Riot Goin’ On by Sly and the Family Stone is an album that’s clearly aiming for a deeper, moodier atmosphere than the band’s earlier, more vibrant work—but to me, it ends up feeling a bit too hazy and hard to grasp. The funk grooves are still there, but they’re often buried under murky production and loose structures that make the tracks run together. There’s a lethargic quality to the whole thing, which might be the point given the sociopolitical climate it was responding to, but as a listener, I found it hard to stay engaged all the way through. That said, “Family Affair” really stands out as the emotional and sonic centerpiece. It’s smoother, more focused, and its sparse, drum machine-led groove gives it a cool, hypnotic charm that’s lacking elsewhere on the album. While I can appreciate the influence this record had on later funk, soul, and hip-hop, it didn’t quite click for me on a personal level. It’s an interesting piece of history, but not something I’d be rushing to revisit.
didn't listen to much of it, i kinda liked it;
Chill, Funk, Gesang nicht so geil
Definitely not their best music, but it still has that Sly vibe to it. Favorite Track: "Family Affair".
Grooves
Like it 3/5
It’s perfectly fine, but not really my lane.
Listens: 3 Standout tracks: Spaced Cowboy The yodeling in Spaced Cowboy is positively absurd, otherwise this album is just okay. There are some good hooks and bass lines. That's about all I've got. 3
Funky I like sly
Heard a few off this album before. Ok album but not a favourite
Kinda fun but also kinda boring Will I listen to again: 4%
I hadn't really listened to Sky and the Family Stone much beyond "A Family Affair." I enjoyed the extended jams and sinewy grooves though, on some songs, it grew a bit tedious. Not as politically charged as I thought it would be. Still, I can see how this influenced so many others and the legacy of Sly, along with Brian Wilson, is huge
I liked this, but honestly thought it would be more interesting. Family affair is a great tune, love some of the instrumentals like the bass line on brave & strong, enjoyed the experimental funk country of spaced cowboy, but a good few of these songs kind of meander to nowhere rather than build into something special. Does get better in the second half, maybe needs more listens for better appreciation
It was alright
Sly Stone died the day before yesterday, so this is spooky. It's like he's come along to say Hey! It's time you listened to me properly, young lady. Happy to comply. More laid-back than I expected (I was expecting a bit more Dance to the Music or I Wanna Take You Higher-style) but when It's A Family Affair kicked in, the vibe of the album all made sense. Loose-sounding, but actually the band are so tight. Some tracks meander somewhat, but I suspect this would grow on me a lot, given time. I liked it anyway, even though the yodelling was unexpected. I hope he's still grooving away, up there. RIP, Mr Stone.
The music is okay but few of the songs are memorable at all. 3 stars or C-.
I dont know if it is coincidence or pushed by the site, but I got this album on the day that was announced the singer of Sly & The Family Stone has passed away. I love the vibe of the album, very groovy. Songs like Family Affair and Thank you for talkin to me Afrika are wonderful songs. The rest of the album was often more of the same, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Funk
Expected more
Don't know what I expected, definitely not something this funky. I think it requires several listens to understand. 3*
It is not my kind of music. I will listen to it again one day because I think there is some good music here.
Turns out I prefer the more interesting Funkadelic/Parliament style of funk.
Decent funk album. They music is fairly good and the singing is well done. Just missing a few real standout songs. 3.5/5 Might listen again
This is a fine album, solidly in the Funk/Soul lane, but nothing on it really grabbed me. For a group as iconic as Sly & The Family Stone, I was expecting something a bit more engaging or distinct. Instead, it felt like a fairly generic funk album, with grooves that are enjoyable but not especially memorable. Did I enjoy it while it played? Sure. But it never gave me a reason to want to come back. It floats by nicely enough, just without leaving much of a mark.
Funky, but not really up my alley. It wasn't too long though, and on a different day I might've been more into it
Funky funky funk album. Certainly cool. Certainly too long. I don't know why this has become a regular complaint by me, but I've really come to appreciate albums that can be magnificent without seemingly dragging on.
I liked the funky instrumentation, but the songs mostly felt like a lot of noodling that didn't really go anywhere.
If weed had a sound.
Not my jam, but I didn’t hate it.
Joo okei, Stand! on oikeasti (ainakin) nelonen. Luotan siihen, että tämäkin on kolmonen (ainakin..?). Levy himmailee ja jammailee kontrolloimattomasti, mutta en pääse yli sen rytmisestä ambianssista. Jäisiköhän jotain soimaan päähänkin?
ziemlich high quality, aber is ma nit soo hängen geblieben
Overall a pretty middpenof the road album. Nothing really jumps out as great or exceptional. The really interesting part is Sly's use of the drum machine. This has to be one of the first examples of an artist commercially exploring the "instrument"
Pretty chill funk. I like this as background noise or would be playing in my elevator.
3.4 Would have easily been near a 5/5 if it'd kept up the tone of the first song faves: luv n' haight, brave and strong
Classic
Not a huge fan of funk but this was good
I liked this for the most part but the production drove me nuts. Rounding down to 3 for the production.
Ok, so this album feels simultaneously like a demo, a blueprint for what Parliament/Funkadelic was going to be doing later in the '70s AND why you shouldn't do drugs. It has its own groove, but it's not "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" at all. I don't think it's Sly's best work, but I can see where some of it is going. Let's call it 2.5 rounded up to 3.
A whole lot of funk brother
Interesting look at proto funk. Very clear to see its influence on the Funk that was to come. That being said It was a bit too tame for me. More like background studying music than that type of funk you just need to move to. Some strange tracks took me out of it at times too. One track featured yodeling of all things, lol. Overall solid but not exceptional.
Peak 70s music. Funky and catchy. A couple of songs were more easy listening but I liked the funky ones better.
Family Affair is sooo fire. Rest of it was fine too
Nothing crazy. Didn’t love some of the weird bits
Ok
Okay, a bit weirder than the previous Sly and the Family Stone album. I like it, actually, but it's kind of a tough listen. Parts are a bit unpleasant, and parts overall are a bit more of the generic cliche style of the previous album, but there's a lot to love here. Solid
Really don’t remember even listening to this one. R&B. Sounds good enough.
Ich kenn mich mit Soul/RnB 0,0 aus. Ich genieße die Musik aber ich kann nicht viel mitnehmen. Tracks wie Runnin Away hat mir besonders gefallen. Den Jodelsong fand ich nervig.
Liking the psychedelic funk albums. Fun to see where they go with songs and how they make them sound different.
Probably my least favourite Sly Stone album but I can respect it
Not quite as good a stand! But still pretty good. Doesn’t help that yesterday’s album was Superfly by Curtis Mayfield
3.5/5
Feels like this was groundbreaking at some point but doesn’t quite hold up imo - little boring
Jo, ganz ok. Konnte man sich anhören
Mid, hab nicht viel zu zu sagen
Unfortunately I just don’t like this album as much as a couple other Sly & TFS albums
Not bad but not for me
I did not give this album its due attention - just listened to it while working once through This album was perfect for that setting tho. Super groovy, and not a lot of contrast in the album so it wasn’t distracting. I did note that I liked how melodies get passed around from band member to band member. They’re probably having a blast recording this I really enjoyed my listen, but nothing stuck out to me enough to go back for a re-listen. Very hard for me to choose between 3 and 4
It’s alright. An enjoyable listen but monotonous at times. I’m sure lyrically and stylistically this was amazing in the 70’s but it doesn’t still stand on its own as a paragon of the genre. Especially with maggot brain coming out the same year before this.
Nothing really stood out for me on this album. It was an easy listen, but it's hard for me to give this anything above a 3. It felt like a normal funky, jazzy, jam band. I think the absence of lyrics in most songs probably impacted how I feel about it, but it definitely wasn't bad by any means, just underwhelming. Good background music though. My favorite songs were Runnin' Away and Thank you for Talkin to Me, Africa. Mid 3. There are better bands that do this better.
More like there's some mediocre funk goin' on.
самое милое в альбоме - что его назвали в честь Марвина Гея. в остальном фанки соул всё ещё не для меня
This was funky, strange at times, and overall an interesting listen but did not have many songs I would be eager to revisit. 6/10
its funky, its cool, and its long. You know the phrase too much of a goosd thing? Thats this, it overstays its welcome, they're funky as hell but nothing really stands out that makes me wanna stick around for more. Maybe Poet, but thats it.
Sly & the Family Stone are a band I want to like. They’ve got all the ingredients and make funky music that I should enjoy. I just find them boring. I don’t know what they’re missing! This album was fine. But again… mostly boring
Funky stuff by legendary Sly Stone and his family of funksters. There are some great cuts on the record, including “Family Affair”, but I find myself struggling to really pay attention. It’s good for playing in the background but I’m not really that invested. Best track? “There’s A Riot Goin’ On”
preddy sweet
Struggled with this one
This was OK though I doubt I'd ever want to revisit it.
Три дня я его пытался послушать и вот наконец-то дослушал. Это всё, конечно, грувово и вайбово, но что-то как-то фанк мне пока на душу не лёг, видимо надо отрастить афро и купить крутую рубашку и педаль квакушку. А так, это реально обычный фанк, прикольный такой.
Very homebrewed sound. Notes of funk, gospel
Pretty good funk, would be great for a night with friends. Probably not gonna listen by myself though.
It’s a fun album. Not my thing but…
Some interesting sounds! I dont know that i’d ever listen to this again, though. It is interesting, historically, though: feels like you can easily hear the parliament connection. TPAB, too. Lots of this album is very deep funk, not necessarily super pop funk. Which is cool- although seems, to me, a little inaccessible. But i also felt this way about MUSIC, recently, too, so maybe i’m just not trained enough in funk to appreciate it. (The carti connection in what im saying is obvious) JUMPIN OFF DRUGS
En realidad se merecería un 3,75 pero tenemos que ceñirnos a un mundo en el que solo se pueden dar entre 1-5 estrellitas. Culpa del capitalismo
3 estrelas
Ok, not my thing but easy to listen to
Didn't really interest me. Can't fault it in any way, but this style of music doesn't appeal to me.
I judged the book by its cover.
Though not my preferred genre, I did dig this. Funky, I like. Gospel and R&B, not so much. But it's too slow overall, even if I'm seeking a groove.
This is another album that works better if you imagine it as a film score than if you're expecting a pop album. The album is filled with long, often repetitive instrumental jams, some songs feel like all they are is a hook, and you can easily imagine the music alongside images of a gritty city drama. I like it all but it's kind of tough to listen through it because it feels like it's missing that visual component.
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 feel like with a title/cover like that there should be a more call to arms type of moment, but it seems more like a personal mantra then any sort of external force. The album starts to pick it's groove by the second side and I see bands like air clearly got their sound from this. Or stole it wholesale. It's a steady feeling but nothing I would jump out of my seat for like say funkadelic. Solid 3
I always think I should like Sly and the Family Stone more than I do, but they just never seem to click with me. I think the problems are that the singles are kind of cheesy and then that one singer does those high-pitched screams that I find off-putting. Put those together and it makes for a band that has just never done it for me. This album is okay and I like that it is less poppy than Stand! but it did not turn me around on the band.
Not bad
An alright album, I liked Brave & Strong and Runnin' Away.
I did not enjoy this as much as I did the previous album of their I listened to it. It was okay, but nothing that blew my hair back.
Found this one a little complex. Thought it was very, very good but was hoping for catchier tunes but I understand the context behind the album and the cultural impact it left. 6/10.
I get the darker instrumentation, but it just doesn't fit well with what I think Sly & The Family Stone is. I think of "the album "Stand!" and that really defined them for me as a band. This is just kinda... meh. Of their albums, not the one I would have picked right away. However, if you listened to this right after "Stand!" there is a definite change and progression between the two. But not necessarily the best of things. Top tracks: "Luv & Haight," "Family Affair"
Meh. I appreciate the edgier lyrics and sounds but overall it didn't really grab me. If the edge hadn't come from Sly & the Family Stone, who was previously more fun, would we have noticed as much? Maybe, and maybe I don't appreciate how instrumental these guys or this album was in pushing a new narrative in the 70's. But I'm ready to move on. Before I do, I'll give a shout out to some high marks - Luv N Haight, Poet, Brave & Strong, and Thank You (but was this just a redo if their earlier version?). Also, Running Away - WTF was that? Ugh.
Everything I read about this album says it represents the shift from the optimistic 60s to the malaise of the 70s. I definitely hear that in the music, and as a result it's sometimes uncomfortable to listen to. There's nothing wrong with challenging music, but you can almost hear the dysfunction overtaking the band (as a result of Sly Stone's drug use and isolation from the rest of the band - apparently they all recorded separately). There were definitely tracks I liked (Just Like a Baby, Poet, Time, and Thank You for Talkin' to Me Africa), but overall I don't think I want to revisit.
3/5
This is an enjoyable funk album, although not my favorite of all time. I didn't find it incredibly consistent, unfortunately. I could potentially see myself enjoying this more on repeat listens. Favorite track: "Runnin' Away"
Very cruisey album with amazing instrumentation and amazing sound from the 70’s. Perfect music to drive to
The bassist is insane, just entertaining and choppy soul music. Some sophisticated stuff which is neat. Good vibes.
2.5 Cleaning up a few older albums that I have missed or ignored or listened to and didn't write a review. The only thing I can remember about this is the Cover Art, it came out on day with Trump, Tarriffs,DEI in the news. I don't know if its been a fluke or what but we have had a few albums released on not-so-coincidental dates. Kendrick Lamar a day after his super bowl halftime show, Phil Spector's Christmas on xmas eve,
I don't know about this, which might reflect the reception of the album itself. It's interesting, has a bona fide classic song on it and the use of a drum machine is pioneering and fascinating (to this drummer). But it's also a bit lifeless at times. I think it's an album that needs time, and immersement.
Pretty good
3.0 - Ok
Definitely a lot of funky beats on this one, but it pretty much does sound all the same. Absolutely nothing wrong with it though for sure.
It was ok.
Yeah, this is good, but I think my expectations were way higher than this. Basically, they're less cool than the band name and the image, once you get down to the brass tacks of the music. There's a decent bit of funk, especially from the bass, but often it's a little straightforward. It's also possible that Family Affair has suffered a lot from over-playing, which I guess isn't their fault. Anyway, an enjoyable if strangely unmoving experience.
Pretty good funk album. Some of the songs were a bit too slow and plodding for me though and overall it was a bit of a mixed bag. Luv N' Haight was great though, and I thought the funky yodeling on Spaced Cowboy was a fun surprise.
Very good for its time but sounds dated now
Funky indeed. It's hard to understand the influence of an album like this but I guess that's why it's on the list. Faves: Runnin' Away, Spaced Cowboy
Still funky, yet not as happy as Stand!
Average funk album, decent but not standing out
If you're into some Old School Funk, this one is for you. I'm not, so this isn't. 3/5
Yeah this is mostly a vibe. I liked Family Affair. Not something I’m dying to listen to again but would be happy to have it on in the background. High 3.
Not the same upbeat funk as Stand!, the album from a few years before. This feels like some of that energy had disipated.
Not to shabbbbbby
Undeniably funky, and a good mix of tracks. Seems worth another listen with more focus as there's a lot to enjoy here. It's just not doing much for me.
It was a pretty easy listen during my commute. Not memorable, I didn’t realize when it had stopped playing to be honest.
I was Certainly not expecting to find Yodelling within all that funk! Quite original, even though not something I would choose to listen to. 6/10
This is the second S&TFS album to pop up. "Stand!" is their banner album loaded with many of their main hits. I'd never listened to "There's A Riot Goin' On" prior to this. 1971 feels like a LONG time ago. This is a groovy album that reflects the times & has the big hit "Family Affair" which still gets airplay and is inserted into ads all the time. I don't feel the album has the same freedom, funkiness, presence and spirit as "Stand!" does. The energy isn't there, but the message is. It's not a get up and dance vibe on this one but it's funky. "Spaced Cowboy" was a fun track I wasn't familiar with. I don't think this is Top1001 worthy. Only one hit, not an album people instantly refer to or remember when talking about the band, but it's well listened to with over a million listens to almost every song on the disc. I'd give it 3 stars.
Some real headbobbers in this album. I can tell why it’s often sampled. Feels like more of a mood-setting background album than something I’d put on in the car.
Soul and folk infused
Love a bit of R&B/Soul, I did enjoy this indeed
Funky - I'm in
There is something missing here. I don’t know if it’s the mix or what but it feels unfinished.
This is one that I’ve seen and heard people rave about for years and years. And for the A side I totally get it, but side B seems to falter for me. Songs like Spaced Cowboy don’t really work for me. The bass playing is really good especially on songs like Africa Talks To You and Brave & Strong. Highlights here were Luv N’ Haight, Family Affair, Africa Talks To You, and Brave & Strong.
Decent - some really good tunes and some not so
Pretty decent without ever really grabbing me. Not a band I’d ever listened to knowingly before, although at least I’d heard of them unlike my wife who claimed to not know the name at all. She recognised one of the tunes though, which is more than I did.
It was okay! Relentlessly funky.
I was quite hopeful coming into this, as I do like a bit of soul and funk. I knew the name 'Sly & The Family Stone', but didn't really know much of their stuff, so I was excited to finally learn more. On listening though, it's way slower and more stripped back than I was expecting. It's not really bringing much oomph. Some tracks are kind of not even there. It's just ok. However I did leave it running after the fact, and Spotify served up an awesome selection of funk and soul for the next few hours, and that worked spectacularly for the rest of my work afternoon - so this album was a good gateway! 2.5 rounded up.
A good album, but falls off a bit on the b-side.
First full Sly album, but I've always loved his stuff--definitely proto Prince. A lot to like on this album, but again the repetition with some of these older jam bands is not enough for me. Probably a 3.5, but going with
Net niet allemaal. Te weinig groove, te weinig rare funk
very interesting. apparently mostly sly in a drug haze sometimes even singing from bed. It sounds like it too, the production is dense, but far from energetic. It's got it's own sound, and was influential just by my naive listen, but i prefer their positive funkier stuff.
Previously rated: Stand! (4/5) ********************* Funky, but much more low-key and subdued than Stand!
Enjoyed this darker funk album. Some great parts of songs but no one song that will get stuck in your head. Highlights are Brave & Strong, africa Talks to You ("The Asphalt Jungle") & (You Caught Me) Smilin' - the bass on this track is so good, but then again, the whole album is covered in great bass parts. Assuming there are other Sly albums on this list so will look forward to them coming up.
Groovy
Tämä kuullostaa sellaiselta vanhan ajan musikilta!
Funky, Futuristic (for 1971) and Fab :)
Culturally significant politically and as early funk but tbh I find it washes over me a bit.
3.4.
2/11/24 It was of the time, it wasn't a bad album.
Tiene un buen groove, entre batería, bajo y algunas porciones de guitarra con algunos ocasionales efectos interesantes. Aunque a veces se torna medio aburrido o monótono, en especial la batería en ciertas canciones se vuelve insoportable porque nunca cambia, por ejemplo en My Gorilla My Butler la batería es constante, con el volumen recostado del lado izquierdo que termina cansando hacia el final de la canción. Hay más ejemplo, pasa en la mayoría de las canciones.
3.5
C'est bon!
Musically, I have no complaints about this album. Sly is a bona fide genius, and he surrounded himself with great musicians. Unfortunately, I have little sense for funk, which needs to be admitted up front. The album simply doesn't go anywhere, and I suspect that maybe that's the point of the genre. Maybe it's not about the album taking us somewhere. Maybe it's about the album being there with us as we do nothing but vibe with it (preferably, I suspect, with the assistance of a healthy dose of THC). I own this album, and it's probably my fifth or sixth listen, yet somehow It's a Family Affair is the only track that he stuck with me. It's hard to knock this album; I like Sly and I want to like the record. But it's a 2.5/5 for me.
Funky aber nicht so funky wie anderes diese Woche
Nice funk album. Not my typical style of music but I can appreciate it, although after a few songs everything just kind of sounded the same to me. Good for background music.
Easy listen, dated
Buena música negra. Pero no soy tan funki
After years of revering this album, I've come to feel it's the kind of music I enjoy more in person and less on record.
This was fairly enjoyable. I think that there is something specific about the time and their sound, but it's held up pretty well.
Chill groovin in the early 70's
I liked it well enough. Nothing particularly stood out though.
Nothing amiss with this at all. A lot of the songs seem to establish a mid-paced groove and ride that to the end. It certainly establishes a certain mood and tenor to the album. 'Family Affair' remains a minor masterpiece.
Hm, I feel like I am missing some sociopolitical context here. I visited the Wikipedia page for this album and read through the entire thing but I feel like I am still missing something in order to enjoy this album as much as possible. I think that I had the watered-down listening experience due to lack of historical context. The only songs that stood out for me were "Family Affair" and "Thank You For Talkin' To Me, Africa". Other than that, great sound but really not my cup of tea. 3.1/5, kinda meh.
Another long album, not my bag really
I liked this pretty good album. The early use of drum machines is a bonus. "Family Affair" is the best song there. Some of the album tracks were forgettable but not bad. The title track lasts 4 seconds and is silent. 3 stars for "There's a Riot Goin' On".
It's good, but it doesn't feel essential to me. Favorite song: you caught me smiling.
So many people give this a 5! I remember buying this and being disappointed with it, after seeing them play back in the day. And revisiting it today ... still tough for me to get through. Family Affair - great, but the rest? I give it a 3, but I don't need to come back to it.
Good band from the 70’s. Another band you hear, that you immediately think of the 70’s. Good songs.
This recording was not as good as I thought it would be. The cording quality seemed off l, especially the vocals. Still, a good soul/funk album.
A lot of funk but not much substance
These guys were supposed to be the shit and this album was just so meh
Slow burning deep groove funk with a dark minor key feel to it. Angry, uplifting, sensual, it's a whirlwind of feelings. The guitar is riding the wah wah pedal like a madman, the bass is powerfully in the pocket, the organs give an extra bit of energy and texture. It's a loose freeform band, but all working in support of Sly's lead vocals, but the album gets kind of unfocused and sprawling.
Fine. Sounds the same.
I like funk but this was pretty mid
Brilliant moments mixed with plodding, crappily produced funk. Was expecting to love this based on my deep affinity for “family affair”, but this was kind of a let down.
Decent album. The one track I really liked was "Runnin' Away". It has the kind of vibe I like, somewhat reminiscent of Air. The rest of the album was OK background music but nothing stood out, including the song "Family Affair", which I guess was the big hit.
Aside from a few noteworthy track, this feels more like raw material for future hip hop samples than it does fully constructed songs.
No one can do a "Wee-AAAWWW" like Sly Stone. But this ultimately feels like him and the Family Stone mostly noodling and grooving - like we're listening to a jam session vs structured music (except maybe 'Family Affair' and 'You Caught Me Smilin'). While it's possibly a great example of funk, doesn't ultimately stick in a memorable way.
Original 70's funk. Good album
Funky and cool
Slightly disappointing album. I was hoping for an usual great funk, akin to early Stevie Wonder, so more like FUNk, with some good lyrics and theme. Instead, only the latter part was there, musically it was quite underwhelming. Average record.
Familly affaire style
Good vibes Music was enjoyable, but every song sounded the same. Became a bit repetitive and too long sadly 3 ⭐️
Dobre, z funkiem i SB nie miałem dużo do czynienia. Czasami wrócę do pojedynczych utworów. Dobry album na spokojny poranek
Funky listen that kinda blended into the background. Not in a bad way but none of the songs really stood out to me.
Curiosamente, esta banda fue con la que empecé éste reto a fines de 2023. ¿Es todo circular? ¿O la busca de causalidades es algo propio de todo ser humano para darle más sentido a su existencia? Sly & The Family Stone. Banda woodstockera por excelencia que en éste disco tiene una vibra más baja pero siempre sexi y con un sonido igual de sólido que sus anteriores trabajos. No sorprendió pero gustó.
★★★½
Definitely a different album than Sly & The Family Stone’s classic “Stand,” which is more pop-oriented. The songs on this album are looser and funkier and the production feels less polished. The mix sounds muddled. It’s still enjoyable but not as immediately accessible as their previous album. Great album cover. Simple and classic.
This style of funk has always been really interesting to me. It's great music, but there's this strategy that feels like "throwing a few too many different sounds together and hoping that it gels" that doesn't always gel with me. take "Family Affair" for example, I hear: drumset percussion toys main vocals harmony vocals wah-wah guitar plucky rhythmic guitar solo slightly overdriven guitar electric piano bass guitar Eight instruments isn't a lot, but for the most part they are each doing a distinctly different thing; they aren't all riffing on the same riff, they aren't all listening and talking to eachother. It definitely helps the replayability, like I assume you can't hear this song and get sick of it until you listen to it like over a dozen times, because there's so many voices and things going on. This was a good listen and a good time, but I was a little bit underwhelmed. It's a funk dynasty and an impressive lineage but I can't help but leave some songs wanting more. There's a lot of jamming that doesn't really go anywhere- specifically in the second half where I feel like the last 3 instrumental tracks leave a bad lasting impression. "My Gorilla Is My Butler - Instrumental" is a full 3 minutes of 8th note digital snare drum hits with a funk keyboard riffs behind it and refuses to go anywhere. Maybe this one should have kept the vocals?
5.5/10
Great instrumentation but some songs overstay their welcome a bit.
Not bad. Not great. I'd say this is a pretty average listen. Some cool riffs. Some not so cool vocals. I hate those random screams in this type of movie. It always sounds like someone getting their nuts slowly twisted. Next.
pessimism
Listened to a lot of Sly over the year - mostly Hits collections as they have put out some bangers. Heard this one a fews. I like it but it's not something I would revisit much over an Essentials playlist.
Pretty good, not one I would have heard without taking on this list. Family affair and spaced cowboy were my favourites. Did not enjoy the instrumental/alternate versions as much 4 🌟 for the original version, but only 3 🌟 for the expanded version!
Slapping the bass. Funky tunes. Not quite magic ball of funk level but enjoyable.
I did this album no favors by listening while working on a project; it didn’t have my full attention, and this is probably the sort of album that deserves a closer listen. I’ll try to revisit it in the future. I enjoyed it well enough in the background, but it didn’t jump out at me (aside from the yodeling on “Spaced Cowboy,” which I appreciated).
3/5 - just not my thing
Good
krunk
Not my favorite Sly Album. Felt like it never really got going and was mostly a collection of songs that were almost there.
I liked a lot of this; especially the last track, a slowed down version of "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)". Disliked Space Cowboy a lot, but overall here more to like than not. A strong 3
This is my second album from Sly & The Family Stone. I didn't enjoy this quite as much as the first, but I'm struggling to put my finger on why that is.