Reviews (page 4 of 12)
Solid funk and soul. I’ll admit I’m generally more of a greatest hits guy when it comes to Sly, but I enjoyed this today.
Very funky Standout songs: Stand I want to take you higher Everyday people
Funky and great, would listen again
Strong, soulful, and diverse, 'Stand!' features some rocking ballads and mellow numbers. This is funky fun. Top tracks: "I Want to Take You Higher," "Everyday People," "Stand!," "You Can Make It If You Try"
--Stand!...head-bopping groove. oh ya --Don't Call Me Nigger, Whitey...love the guitar sound. otherwise it's plodding --I Want to Take You Higher...funky fresh, then they add the sick horns on top. hell yes --Somebody's Watching You...like the bass walk but this is a little cheesy --Sing a Simple Song...another funky number. this rocks a little, too --Everyday People...ooooh sha sha. lovely --Sex Machine...some interesting things happening but it's a skip --You Can Make It If You Try...funk/soul classic
Highlights: Stand, I want To Take You Higher, Everyday People and Sing A Simple Song.
Everyday People is such a killer track, but I Want To Lift You Higher is really /the jam/ from this record for me. That intro with the descending lead guitar part... so good. The rest of this record is just alright but MAN does it have a good vibe.
Loved this album, was suck a good vibe and some great classic songs, gave a lot of good recommendations
Upbeat and jazzy to the top
Everyday People has been a commercials song for so long that it took listening to it four times to rewire my brain. the sha shas are musical perfection
Legendary band, this album is a banger. Funky, but also very chill. Effortlessly cool but also technically great.
So this may not count as Krautrock. Me getting lost in thought, cruising along on a long-haul funk freight liner. Social commentary that, to this day, still too hot to handle.
Muss man nochmal reinkommen
I loved this record so much. Sly wrote such good songs. Just knew how to compose songs that would get stuck in your head. Stand! Everyday People sing a Simple Song are Perfect. The rest are just as good.
Great songs! Some a little longer than they needed to be, but really fun and full of iconic riffs.
1001 vibes. A faixa I want to take your higher me confundiu pq ela tem um instrumento que parece muito um celular vibrando.
Excellent musicianship and production on this album. I thought that "Sex Machine" was going to be a cover of the James Brown song but I was wrong! Also contains the all-time classic "Everyday People", a two and a half minute gem.
super funky, very fun to listen to on a friday. loved
Some awesome jams.
groovy - nice to work with this on in the background.
Funky soul
Sly Stone had a way of crafting some of the most uplifting protest music imaginable. If you don't listen to the lyrics, I would be surprised if most people even know just how deeply rooted in protest Stand! is. I took a class about Black protest music in university which largely overlooked Sly & The Family Stone, one of the many issues I had with that course. This album, released just before their legendary performance at Woodstock, is among the most influential Funk albums ever both musically and politically. Even if you don't care for the protest messaging, Stand! remains a force of pure funk and expands the genre in a way that certainly influenced George Clinton and other Funk greats to come the following decade. While it doesn't quite groove as hard as something like Maggot Brain, Stand!'s ability to put a smile on your face while challenging a predatory climate of racism and discrimination is unheard of. Everyday People belongs in every Civil Rights museum in America.
Groovy, baby.
Came for the psychedelia, stayed for the bass lines.
Not usually my thing (psychedelic/funk/soul) but this album was a really fun listen. Feels fresh, with some genuinely good tracks in there. Track 2 is something else, haha
Fucked with it, a classic rock type vibe.
groovy - nice to work with this on in the background.
Really liked the middle of the album and last song.
Really interesting
Intense grooves that move the body
Not my favourite soul album but quite good
The funk albums are the ones that are the biggest surprise. This one keeps on going and doesn't divert from the path.
Gezellige funk. Besteedde Don Leo laatst geen aandacht aan deze knakker? Hoe dan ook, de familie Stone gaat er lekker tegenaan en het is geen straf ernaar te luisteren. Ik kon er verder niks bijzonders aan ontdekken maar vrolijk word je er wel van.
Sly en de Stones geven mij nu meer het gevoel dat ze leuke muziek willen maken dan op het latere album dat we al gehad hebben. Ik ervaarde bij dat album de funk niet. Dat blijken ze een paar jaar eerder wel te hebben. Het swingt soms als of het nog voor de jaren '60 gemaakt is. Niet dat ze hun eigen decennium verborgen houden. Zoals misschien het beste te horen is bij Don't call me Nigger, Whitey. Dat nummer lijkt muzikaal wel de basis te zijn voor digitale groepen van een paar decennia later, zoals Lo Fidelity Allstars. Het nummer toont natuurlijk ook duidelijk dat ze graag een boodschap overbrengen. Maar dat had de albumtitel ook al wel verklapt. Naast de funk, is de creativiteit ook niet te ontkennen. In die zin, zijn dit wel de albums die zich nog weten te onderscheiden van de 870 die we inmiddels voorgeschoteld hebben gekregen. Af en toe stoort het me ook wel weer. Zoals met de hit van dit album. zonde dat die boven is blijven drijven. "IIIIIIIIIII-IIIIIIII (zucht) am everyday people" biedt een vrij saaie basis, wat dan doorbroken moet worden de opzettelijk kinderlijk gebrachte coupletten. Misschien ook omdat ik het al veel te vaak heb moeten horen, maar dan wil ik het album toch even graag afzetten. Daarna volgt Sex Machine, waarin ze aan stukje scratchen. Fijn vind ik dat soort speelse elementen vaak niet, maar wederom kan ik niet ontkennen dat ze hier vooruitlopen. Een aantal sterren vind ik maar lastig. Laat ik er 3,5 noteren.
This is happy music… mostly. It always makes me feel good to hear these guys.
I only knew Sly & The Family Stone by name, so this album was a great discovery for me. With an amazingly diverse register, they mix so many styles together that it's hard to know what you're listening to exactly - is it soul, funk, disco, blues, psychedelic rock ?... I don't think I've ever heard such an organic melting pot of influence ; but thanks to incredible guitars, it never feels artificial or disjointed. Themes and lyrics are quite varied too, with a fun mix of sexy vibes, drug-fueled trance and political statements. The combination of moaning guitars and vocoder effects is insane, and blends perfectly with the groovy rythms. Some tracks are a bit too disco for my taste (like Somebody's Watching You), but apart from that I really enjoyed it. I was going for a 3* at first, but Sex Machine absolutely blew my mind, so I can't give it less than a 4*. I'm pretty sure I will play it again. 8/10
I don't love it all, but how groovy! the funk foundations
Jamais entendu parler de cette famille mais quelle belle surprise ! On ressent un vrai mélange de plusieurs influences et ça donne un objet sonore étonnant de modernité, un peu classique aujourd'hui, mais qu'est ce que ça devait être en 1969 !! Le morceau "Sex Machine" de 13 min est vraiment très sympa Peut être que je réécouterai cet album et ça lui donnerait une bonne raison d'avoir un 4 étoiles
Soul, blues, sometimes drifting into rock, all carried by a really grounded groove. This is classic territory for the genre. There’s honestly not much more to add. This still comes from that era where people went to the front with songs. Feels kind of lost now.
By the way people talk, and from all the reviews and commentary I've ever read, I had always thought that Sly & The Family Stone was a straight funk band. A la The Ohio Players, or Parliament, or Funkadelic. However, they are much more rock oriented than my assumptions led me to believe. It's definitely funk rock, but they have that influence nonetheless. It can even be psychedelic-ish at times. None of this is a bad thing of course, and it's a brilliant album. The social commentary is very pointed, the music is well composed, the funky jams are grooving... this album is the whole package, and it isn't hard to see why it is so hardly regarded. I can see where it was groundbreaking on many levels in 1969.
From a band whose name I know, who has a couple songs I can sing along with, but have never listened to a whole album to an album I'll be adding to my personal collection and doing a deeper dive on.
4.8
this one is charged but great
An essential soul-funk album, aside from the 13-minute “Sex Machine”. Why is there always one like this on every late-60s/early 70s album? Well, TV hadn’t reached its peak so people needed something to do. Anyway, what a monster album. So many grooves with staying power.
Geht gut rein und hat Spaß gemacht.
Högsta högst men många låtar känns lite yxigt gjorda. Skulle behöva en producent som Quincy Jones. Märkligt att Sly själv var producent innan han startade bandet.
I enjoyed this but I felt it wasn’t super memorable
8 - GOOD
Häftig funk, några låtar riktigt bra
Two all time great songs in "Stand!" And "Everyday People" but a lot of filler too. Two songs really hold it back, "Don't Call Me N...., Whitey" and"Sex Machine." Both songs go on way too long. But, overall, the messages are more relevant than ever. Sly was a great bandleader and these calls for peace, love, and justice are timeless.
Good vibes, liked most of the album, but the 13-minute instumental was too long for my taste. "Everyday people" was great.
────୨ৎ──── 𝜗ৎ initial thoughts 𝜗ৎ thoroughly enjoyed this album- heavy rock-infused funk with soul vocals and psychedelic touches. the deep driving bass, complex vocal layers and experimental effects are styles that i absolutely vibe with. from a short talk with my mum, i’ve learnt that this record was released in response to the civil rights movement, vietnam war protests and other countercultural shifts shaping the albums themes of unity, empowerment and much needed social change. 𝜗ৎ stand! 𝜗ৎ ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ the opening song is confident and self-asserting. the message about finding inner strength and standing firm in beliefs is completely relatable to me. musically, the combination of a gospel-esque chorus with a catchy funk jam outro really itches a part of my brain where i just want to loop that particular part of the song over and over again. 𝜗ৎ don’t call me n*****, whitney 𝜗ৎ ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ very confrontational title, near-six-minute funk statement. the and delivery are designed to provoke thought and challenge racial slurs by flipping them back and forth in a nearly hypnotic groove. this song is a very bold reputation of racism; challenging both racial epithets and the power that they hold. sonically it’s sparse yet intense- distorted instrumentation and voice effects that express modern funk explorations. 𝜗ৎ i want to take you higher 𝜗ৎ ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ an explosive party anthem- who doesn’t like a party? it’s less of a literal message and more of an invitation- to groove, to feel, to unite through music. my mum told me that this song was performed at woodstock, which got her and her brothers into their music. after some research, this song was a defining moment of the festival- makes sense as to why my mum came to love their sound. 𝜗ৎ somebody’s watching you 𝜗ৎ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ now. this track carries a subtle eerie vibe- an upbeat funk rhythm undercut by paranoia in the lyrics. it’s more of a commentary on self-consciousness or societal surveillance. balancing fun with slight introspection. this is emphasised through the overly sweet vocals with underlying tension. a very interesting listen. 𝜗ৎ sing a simple song 𝜗ৎ ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ from what i know, this song is heavily sampled and has become musically famous (temptations-2pac, they don’t care about us-michael jackson). however despite the title, the rhythms and arrangements are complex, featuring layered vocals, syncopated funk grooves, and powerful instrumental interplay. 𝜗ৎ everyday people 𝜗ৎ ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ now i know and love this song. a family favourite track whenever we all get together. this track is a celebration of equality, diversity and shared humanity- highlighted by the phrase “different strokes for different folks”. Very melodic and uplifting- a message of unity in an era of division 𝜗ৎ sex machine 𝜗ৎ ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ totally vibe with the improv energy throughout the song. loose jam and with heavy instrumental skills- almost 14 minutes of bluesy-funk grooves filled with solos, laughter and expressive play. 𝜗ৎ you can make it if you try 𝜗ৎ ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ as the last track, the closer sends out an optimistic message over a playful backdrop, encouraging listeners that persistence and belief can help them to succeed. the lingering emotions of endurance are hopeful and uplifting- especially in 2026. yikes. 𝜗ৎ final thoughts 𝜗ৎ ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ overall there are heavy themes of unity and equality, political and social commentary, danceable human music. the album implores the listeners to look past differences- social, racial or cultural. it questions the present complex societal issues through simple, memorable hooks- making the heavy message accessible. its grooves makes this album a unifying force on dance floors and festivals- showing that serious ideas and pure joy can coexist in the same music. i can tell that this album has defined a new way of making socially conscious music that doesn’t feel preachy. instead inviting listeners to feel, move and think at the same time. ────୨ৎ────
A druggy and funky album, I think in that order. Everyday People is a banger of course. DCMN,W is a shocking opener to listen to. Sex Machine is far out.
Solid 4
A case where the streaming service almost ruined the experience for me, but on reflection actually a really good album, the original album only has 8 songs and looking at only them the album is really groovy and a fun listening experience. Spotify adds An extra 5 songs. Try and do the original track listing and it’ll be a much better experience
*chef's kiss*
Dare I say it, we're on a roll now. Sir Sly brings the FUNK Influence 5. Hits 4. Quality 4. Intangibles 4. Oh I can dig it, baby 4.
Lovely album. The funky soulful psychedelic genius of Sly takes us on a journey especially evident on the 13+ minute track on side B. Wonderful stuff.
Loved the energy and the opening song.
Wow, finally getting into Sly, too little too late I suppose. I'm pretty unfamiliar with funk as a whole outside of some song-based examples but finally hearing a whole record in the style like this is great.
Own It. Love it!
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnkkkkkkkkk. Just such great music and so uplifting. The concepts that they touch on, from social justice to social spirit, it's simply a joy to listen to Sly and his crew. Forever a legend in music and fostering the true representation of FUNK.
When Sly Stone passed away last year I took it upon myself to listen to his greatest hits, since I was unfamiliar with his music. Seeing the track list of this album made me realize I should've just listen to this instead since a bunch of songs on this album are on the greatest hits. The songs in between the hits were a bit of a mixed bag, but it doesn't take away from the overall experience. Easy 4/5
I like this one more than the previous Sly. Some nice jams and grooves and the songs, while still repetitive, are better. Still a 3.5, but bumping this time.
Yea I like it. Always been a fan of psychedelic music and this is no exception. It's groovy, its weird, its overall just a fun listen. The vocals and the bass work are what stood out to me in particular. Notable tracks for me are the title track, Sex Machine, and Everyday People. 7.1/10
Great instrumentals. Corny at times, but that doesn't mean it's not great. 4.0/5.0: Great
Really enjoyed this little beauty 🔥
Interesting take they have here adding Harmonica to the funkyness on some tunes. Everyday people is a classic.
Funky fun.
Pretty good
Funky.
Oh to hear this live - I can just tell this music shines when you can feel it in person… Funky, groovy, and good - I don’t listen to enough funk/soul but boy do I like it! I see why this record has such an impact on culture, it’s got something special in it.
An equally deep and enjoyable album.
It's hard to hear this with fresh ears given how insanely influential it is, but the groove is undeniable. Not what I reach for, but I respect the technique and the stature.
3.5
Oh my God that's some funky shit
I've never listened to this band before and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Apart from a couple of duds, this is a masterpiece.
It's always a joyous little romp to listen to Sly & The Family. Do yourself a favor and watch any of their live shows on your preferred streaming channel. It's guaranteed to get you moving!
Legend of the game. Lots of voice effect. Movement music.
This album is very powerful, with lyrics that give a clear message of empowerment, acceptance, and encouragement. It’s paired with fun, funky, and groovy music that makes it really enjoyable to listen to. I had a great time with it and liked how meaningful and energetic it felt at the same time. It’s uplifting, strong, and easy to appreciate.
Overall: 8/10 Man, this is funky as hell. Sly had a lot to say about the world and I'm so glad he used music to say it. His band had a lot of talented musicians and he had a good ear for funky pop music. I can't wait to explore this one further. Fav Song: Everyday People
This didn't funk me up nearly as much as those two Funkadelic albums in three days a few months back. I may never recover from that cataclintonsm. I wasn't sold on this album until it hit me with the combination of Sing a Simple Song - Every Day People - Sex Machine. That is about as strong a three song stretch as you are ever likely to come across (including Thriller).
We watched the documentary on Sly & The Family Stone, and I thoroughly enjoyed it - even without being super familiar with all their songs and albums. It was a great watch for a music lover. Funky riffs, smooth grooves, a defining sound for the 60's in to the 70s.
When I saw this, I thought, “why did Rocky’s brother’s album make this list?” That is one of the dumbest things I’ve ever thought. I’m glad it wasn’t that and was this fun, funky album.
Solid album. Funky, Jammy, and an all around good listen. Other than a drum solo that lingered a bit too long, this album is fantastic. 4.5⭐️
This is cool...I didn't know Sly Stone got THIS psychedelic. 'Sex Machine' got a little nuts. Fun listen overall.
Listens: 2 Standout Tracks: Don't Call Me Nigger, Whitey, Everyday People, Sex Machine Absolutely no complaints about this album. Love the funky beats on Sex Machine. The second track (I am really not going to get in the habit of dropping the N-bomb more than once) being just the two statements over and over for four stanzas, with a single stanza woven in with just four lines of... well its not exactly political; I can't really say much of what it's supposed to mean is... its still great, the scatting the false build up. All great. And the you've got the classic Everyday People which is instantly recognizable from radio play, TV, movies and all other forms of media.
Great classic album .
4.0 stars This is what I can only assume funk was like back in it's heyday. I probably would have given this album a higher score but a few of the singles have been overcommercialized to death, so...shouldn't hold that against the band but it did impact my enjoyment of the album. Favorite songs: Sex Machine & I Want To Take You Higher
Not a big soul person usually so this was fun!
Слай це клас, дуже, як зараз заведено казати, вайбова музика. В мене є їхній концертний альбом на вінілі, де майже всі хіті зі Stand! зіграні ще з більшою енергією. Тому власне давно люблю і поважаю.
Super groovy I was into it!
I rated this a while ago, with something bigger, but it didn't go through. It's good!
Funk/soul album my one of the founding bands with a really unique sound. I first downloaded this album after watching the Summer of Soul documentary which had video of Sly & The Family Stone on stage in Harlem. The whole band brought such a presence and some of the artists looked like superheroes.
6/10 groovy
Funky. A great prelude to 70s disco. 7/10. I would listen again.
Funky!
Yet another perfectly enjoyable album whilst it was on, but another one that I can't see myself being in any hurry to put on again. The cool, funky, varied guitar licks and the ever-important, defiantly optimistic social commentary really should dictate otherwise, so this is perhaps just a case of not being in the right mood for it to fully envelop me today. [that day came just over a month later on 23rd February. A mate encouraged me to relisten and it worked a lot better for me in a different headspace. Duly upgraded to 4 stars.]
I like this 1 waaaaayayayayayayayay better than the other sly. Pairs well with sparkling red in beacon. FOUR!
A bit all over the place but mostly in a funky vein. Song #2 reminds me of the old Richard Pryor/Chevy Chase SNL Sketch. No subtext there, and none needed.
First time I've listened to an entire album from these lads, having been aware of a few songs, and it's pretty excellent. Stand! opens up with more traditional soul, albeit with a psychedelic tinge, then I Want To Take You Higher, You Can Make It If You Try and the evergreen Everyday People are optimistic uplifting tracks, whilst Sex Machine is 13 minutes of instrumental funk. I could have probably done without "Don't Call Me Nigger, Whitey" particularly positioned at Track 2, but there we are. Seems like as a piece of work this may be approaching Best of Genre status, although I believe "There's a Riot Going on" is even more acclaimed, though a lot darker. No doubt that's to come.
Probably a must-hear for a music-based look back to the civil rights movement. Unless you're a racist.
so ahead of its time!!!
This album feels like attending a wedding in a new culture in it just make you wanna move your body so bad you can’t stop it also it tastes like coffee when you need it most
The funk is within me.
Gillade albumet på det stora hela. Gillade mest låten Stand och Everyday people.
221225 10:55 3.5 / highlight: stand!
I love Stand! the song a lot, the rest is a good time
fire
Such a good album. As I expected it would be
I actually really enjoyed this album! I didn't think it would really be my thing but I had a great time listening
Amazing funk and soul album, albeit a bit repetitive at times, but overall still kept me engaged, even throughout the longer tracks.
It has some fantastic and iconic songs, but I think it is just "meh" as an album. The lesser songs drag things down. I was set to rate this a 3 until I got to "Everyday People". From there on, it hits a better stride. But still not great. 3.7
Gospel and funk marriage
Classic
A good, fun album. High quality soul and funk. It didn't blow me away, but I hardly found it lacking. A strong 4/5
Mex Sachine was a really cool song. Love me some wah pedal. Powerful album.
I'm not the biggest fan of funk, but this was pretty good. Easy 4.
Sly was just so cool
Album had a slow start and there were a couple long and repetitive songs (looking at you 14 minute instrumental song) but the second half was really good and carried it. A shame the best song is less than 2 and a half minutes but oh well, still pretty good.
His album has spunk, groove and great songwriting throughout. But is not risky enough for my taste. 3.75/5
I felt that funky goodness
I really enjoyed this album, every song had something enjoyable about it and I could definitely see myself returning to this album again. “Stand!” Is such a good song and it was nice hearing the original song “Everyday People” after hearing so many covers of it. Decent 4/5, would recommend
Great album. Would be a 5 if it hadn't been overplayed
Very groovy and fun listen. I enjoyed it from start to finish. The vocals were great, the arrangements were great, but it's not a 5 star record. It's really close though. Also, track 2. That's it.
It’s funky, it’s political, it’s groundbreaking. It stands the test of time. A few meandering tracks are holding me back from giving it five stars. Although in the place of the music world and its influence, it may deserve them…
Very good
This album was just a groovy good time!
Great uplifting music especially the first 3 tracks. Fell away a bit on side too and Sex Machine was far too long. Overall very good though.
Great album! I've mad respect for Sly. While singing about racial equality, he put his money where is mouth is. His band was a melting pot of terrific musicians. I enjoyed this from start to finish, especially "Sing a Simple Song." Straight up the funkiest groove on the album. The talk box was used a little too much for my liking but that's a quibble. Some iconic hits on this record. This record, and his appearance at Woodstock, helped immortalize him.
One of the greats. Love their funk and soul style. Good album especially because it has one of their best (Sex machine). Let it groove.
I'm not cool enough to give this a 5 sadly.
This was cool and funky. I can't say how inventive or influential this is but I imagine it was both. It still holds up and sounds good and puts one in a good mood.
I kinda expected more from this. It was good yeah, but not great? Maybe I was wrongly expecting it to be more funky than it was. I think my favorite song was Sex Machine precisely because it was mostly funk and didn't feel like 13 minutes at all. There isn't a bad track on here, though, all good stuff.
Really enjoyable funk / soul
A great album! Loved it
Liked it, didn't love it.
Classic!
Pretty funky and fun, has some solid classics throughout. A 13 minute long mostly instrumental track wasn’t too necessary though, in my opinion. Would round this up to a 4/5
This one was kinda weird and funky but in a good way. I loved the struggle pieces but the second track was odd
Very funky.
This seems like an important album in a lot of ways
Good one.
Should have had "Crackers" in the title of the 2nd track.
Caught Alex lip-syncing the second song…. Sly doesn’t get enough of the respect that he deserves when people are talking about great music of the 60s and 70s. Incredibly talented as a musician and songwriter but incredibly flawed as an individual. A classic combo Favorite songs: Everyday People, Sing a Simple Song, Sex Machine
Caught Jim lip-syncing to the second song... Side A is great but I'm here for Sex Machine. What a jam, goddamn. Favorite Songs: I Want To Take You Higher, Everyday People, Sex Machine
Neulich fand ich sie noch kacke. Heute super. Auf dem Weg das neue Fahrrad abzuholen
Genre: Psychedelic Soul It was 1969, about to be the best summer anybody has ever had, and Sly and his funky soul band were making the anthems for that said summer. I Want to Take You Higher and Everyday People alone make this an outstanding record, but the rest of the tracks are classic Sly. I can imagine this really hittin’ back then. 4/5
This was a really fun listen. Obviously some of the lyrics feel really uncomfortable now, but I imagine some of them were intended to feel uncomfortable then. Overall the album has great energy and really sucks you in and makes you groove along to the beat. My biggest complaint is that Sex Machine is a long track and I lost focus on it after a while. Overall good though, would listen again.
Just a great album. I want to listen to it more before I decide on if it's a five star. Love them.
Best Song: Everyday People This is good but sadly, not something I would listen to very often. I can say that I have no experience with Sly and it was a nice change of pace. 4/5.
4 out of 5. Good album that doesn't let up until the end. Loved the instrumental parts.
“Stand!” by Sly & The Family Stone is so very 1969 that it almost hurts. The instrumental production, which seems very simple from today's perspective, the organ sounds, the flower power-esque optimistic vocals with wide-open throats, the way melodies are created with a quick drop-off run at the end, the sudden scat interludes... Apart from these details, which make you smile, the band grooves very well and tightly and has such a positive vibe that it's really contagious – feel-good music that you hardly find anymore today. While the title track “Stand!” sticks well, but is a little too intrusive for me in terms of the clichés mentioned, my personal highlight is the bass groove in “Sing a Simple Song.”
Rolled up my car windows at lightning speed when the second song’s lyrics hit.
Solid groove. Set the prototype for Prince. Funky guitar tones. Great use of stereo to highlight performers. Everyday people is timeless.
Stand is a great funky/groovy album that I’d revisit. I can see how it set the bar for acts that followed.
Only knew everyday people from this album and mostly the funky songs of Sly. This album suprised me, this band has a lot more to offer!
This album exudes the sounds of the late 60s, as counterculture turned from peace and love to guns and riots. As a popular multiracial band, the very existence of Sly & The Family Stone is a progressive statement, and this album very obviously promotes cultural and racial unity in both its lyrics and its blend of black and white musical genres-- soul, funk, and psychedelic rock. This unfortunately dates the album, and I get a bit sad realizing how little we learned from this social movement and how little we've changed as a society since then. But this means the protest songs and messages are still relevant. Unfortunately much of the production is really dated; I'm thinking of "Somebody's Watching You" as an example of a song which is great in ideas but its execution just kind of annoys me. Some tracks drag on too long or a bit sloppy, but overall it's a collection of classic songs with energy and passion.
The earnest delivery of “there's a midget standing tall” was the funniest moment of the 1001 album journey so far
I had a feeling this one would be good and it didn't disappoint. Peak musicianship all round with a clear message being sent, which feels very important and relevant for the time, and somehow still feels relevant today. The title track is great, and I loved the guitar and bass throughout. Pleasantly surprised by the extended instrumental of Sex Machine - that was a whole vibe.
GROOVY, BABY, GROO-VY
Classic album. Social commentary on the times. Unfortunately still same issue today. I liked the album overall with some songs reminding me of my younger days.
Really good music from the era of good music. It takes me back to the good and bad times of the late 60s and early 70s.
Not my favorite Sly album but still good. Dance to the Music is my fav
This is just an entire vibe isn't it!
So much fun, politics never got that groovy. There are a couple of songs that I wouldn’t be able to sing out loud without being attacked
Political Jam Band.
There's some all-time classic songs on this album, including the best one-chord song ever written (IMO), I Want To Take You Higher. Every track has such enthusiastic and positive energy, along with a great groove Wow Joe Walsh's Rocky Mountain Way sounds a lot like Sex Machine, and the drum beat is exactly the same. Liked Songs Added: I Want To Take You Higher Sing A Simple Song Everyday People
Great album and love the grandfathers of funk! Generational bangers and jam packed with sonic ideas. Really enjoyed it.
Slapped
Didn’t really enjoy this album , primarily due to the poor production, even allowing for the fact that it was made in 1969 and the number of songs which had no structure and appeared to a product of a jam session . Appreciate their input to the soul genre and have done some very definitive songs but this does not drag the album past two stars
I’d known the name for a long time, but this was my first time actually listening to the album. I didn’t expect it to be this good — this is real funk. It’s mostly cool and tight, but sometimes you can feel an inner fire coming through the distorted guitar. I’ve always loved string sounds, so the mix of Sly’s funky vocals, the Hendrix-like guitar tone, and the groovy bass lines really hit me.
Interesting.
Funky soul vibes
Funky
I haven't finished this yet, but I'm gonna give it 4. A mixture of 60s cheese and (soon to become) 70s funk. The Jackson 5 and The Osmonds owe a lot to these guys!
Crazy guy. Crazy times. I described it to Bela as sounding 'untamed', which I was quite pleased with.
Mid 4
I slightly prefer the darker energy of There’s a Riot Goin’ On but there’s a reason half the greatest hits album comes from this one. I hadn’t listened to it before and so I’m glad it’s on this list even if it is a bit uneven.
4/5 - This got me moving on a Saturday morning. Hadn't heard it before and could have been higher, but 10+ minute tracks drive me nuts. Everyday People would be on an all-time top singles list for me. Lots of good early funk here that I'm happy to have heard.
Just enough for a low 4 for me, was especially convinced by the 7 minute long jam
Sly was probably the first R & B artist that I knew and liked…great stuff.
I like this a lot more than I remembered. Just feels like the year it was made.
Funky.
Solid funk
Funk, soul, rock... What's not to love
Sing a Simple Song had me jammin'
Cool experimental psych weirdness, and then one absolutely perfect pop song, and so on and so on, scooby-dooby-dooby
4/5
3.5
Dope.
What a great funk album, love it start to finish.
Decent, well recorded, well produced. Musical geniuses for sure. Some classic tracks and solid funk rock sounds, huge soul. 4.
This was an interesting one, and probably the only album I've got on this generator so far where I genuinely didn't know how to rank it. The album was so interesting. From the vocals to the variety in songs to the dynamic musicianship. It's, on one hand, not the type of music I would typically say is my style. On the other, I can't deny that this album was so cool and filled to the brim with artistry from very talented people. The lengthy solos were perhaps a bit too prominent, but they were interesting enough to hold my attention.
Slaps
Pretty dated with the first track (for using a presently offensive term for small people) and the second track (for obvious reasons). The first track, though is pretty darn groovy. I dig it. Lots of bluesy melody, and a few unexpected chords thrown in for good luck. Track 2 is similarly good – that instrumental outro is fire – but I struggled to add it to my Liked playlist, knowing it would be visible for anyone who bothered to look. The reverse is true of Everyday People: sure, it's *fine*, but I almost felt obligated to give it a "like pass" because it's so popular. It's nowhere near as good as the other singles, lacking the catchy, brass section, bluesyness, and general feel-good element. You can hear the influence from late-60s psychedelia in the guitar lines and weird vocal decisions. In some cases, it culminates in utterly genius musical moments like the infectiously upbeat Sing a Simple Song and You Can Make It If You Try. In others, the track is just strange and difficult to understand unless you're on a hallucinogen or three. Somebody's Watching You is a good example of this. It inserts and removes vocals haphazardly, and is way too happy-sounding for the oddly creepy lyrics. (Still a good song, though.) In others, it's somewhere in between. The psychedelia influence is fun enough in the guitars effects on the instrumental Sex Machine, but the main comment I have is more obviously apparent: it's far too long. 14-minute tracks have no place on a commercial album unless it's some kind of progressive – that is, it gives the listener multiple conrtasting sections for the price of one lengthy track. This does not. It's just a bunch of solos of various wah-wah guitars, one after the other. (I still liked it. But I hate that I liked it.) 4/5 Key tracks: Stand!, Sing a Simple Song, You Can Make It If You Try
I only saw about half a dozen 1 star reviewx for this -one or which admitted they hadn't even listened to it.🫣 There were dozens of 5 star.reviews on the other hand, which is as it should be. I found this more accessible than There's a Riot Goin' On as a first listen and it has tons of swagger and signposts where music would head in the 70s. I'm leaning towards a four but with a few more listens I could be persuaded to add to the ranks of the 5 star reviews.
Interesting!
This is a great album, with my only critique being that it probably could have elevated to legendary status or S-tier or whatever we’re calling it now, if the 13-minute jam and maybe another filler track was swapped out for another hit, which we know Sly was capable of.
A great time, a solid groove throughout and a nice inclusive message, definitely captures the Woodstock zeitgeist
Nice sound, and some good songs!
I spent most of this album with a large smile on my face. Very funky and some excellent guitar playing. It all adds up to a well-deserved four stars.
4 or 5
Great example of funk. That deep bass up so high my new earbud was vibrating...need to adjust that down a bit. Horns and harmonies on point. Listened before? N Saved to library? N Favorite track(s): I Want to Take You Higher, Sing a Simple Song, Everyday People, Sex Machine, Stand! ⭐⭐⭐⭐: Really liked it. Saved a bunch of tracks.
a groovy time
What an epic group. Sly Stone was a genius who never got his due. This band and album were a precursor to so much exciting and innovative music to come. Love it!
Cool album. Very funky and catchy all the way through.
Enjoyed it, funky, something new and different.
Ahhh den livsbejakande partyfunken! Det är lössläppt funk, soul och rock, det är politiskt, barnramsor och bara upplyftande i en härlig gumbo. Jag tänker inte bryta ner det mer än så. En handfull låtar här som är totalt omöjliga att argumentera emot. "I want to take you higher" kan vara den ultimata partylåten nånsin. Dessvärre får vi också ett 13 minuters jam som skulle kunna varit med på Hendrixs plattan vi hade för ett tag sen, möjligen lite i svängigaste laget för Jimi bara. "Somebody's is watching you" faller också helt ur ramen och är ganska dålig faktiskt. Men vi väljer väl glädjen trots allt. Fyra stabila till Mr. Steawart
Skönt sväng i gränslandet mellan soul och funk. Sly och hans familj visste vad de gjorde.
88% Best: Stand; I Want to Take You Higher; Sing a Simple Song; Everyday People; Sex Machine; You Can Make It If You Try Must-Hear? Sure
I've got a long day ahead of me. What a great way to start it off! Love the funk. There's even an instrumental song for my deep work playlist. Listened before? N Saved to library? N Favorite track(s): I Want to Take You Higher, Sing a Simple Song, Everyday People, Sex Machine ⭐⭐⭐⭐: Really liked it. Saved a bunch of tracks.
Pretty cool album. Nice and chill driving to.
Groovy and funky as hell. Did not enjoy as much as There's a Riot Goin' On, but still very good.
Fantastic funk! Doesn’t get any better.
Fun funky and uplifting
This was fascinating. really enjoyed. Good balance of soul, R&B, Pop/Rock with beautiful guitar and some fab pop songs too. Would definitely listen again. Sex Machine was the standout standout song
3.5 rounded to 4 stars and the only reason it’s not higher is because I thought it would be better based on the tracks I had already heard. Perhaps that’s a bit unfair but it is also a realistic representation of how good the hits are on this album.
Great album - always forget just how good their version of funk can be.
Some top-notch psychedelic soul from the innovators of that sound. There are classics on this record and some lesser tracks that keep this from being a 5. At their best though, Sly and co. were doing uplifting groove like no one else. Extra warm fuzzies for me that they’re from right here, the fertile SF Bay Area.
This is the seventh album I've had to listen through for this challenge and is fortunately the first that truly feels like essential listening to me! The songs are generally catchy, aren't overly long (outside of "Sex Machine," but even that one doesn't feel like it goes on for nearly 14 minutes) and are loaded with brilliant musicianship/lyrics across the board. Even the bonus tracks from the 2007 reissue are pretty good! There were a couple tracks I wasn't in love with on first listen, but the main thing holding this album back is the mixing – I found myself struggling to hear certain vocal/instrumental passages that I would have loved the mixes to focus on more. Highlights: Stand, I Want to Take You Higher, Somebody's Watching You, Everyday People, Sex Machine
Sly is great. Love it.
Very good
The coolest album I've ever listen to
FUNK!! Love it!
Really cool sound I hadn't really heard before.
Good stuff
Sly is a colossus as far as the development of black music and funk in particular goes! This is of its time but also quite timeless if that makes sense? Anyway it’s a damn fine album.
Sex machine instrumental 13 minutos
Great instrumental layering that create some beautifully thumping funk tunes. Feel like this one will only get better with time for me.
Pretty good but not my cup o tea
Fun but also soulful and emotional. Great sound and message.
A bright and full album from a band just as capable with simple pop songs as they are with long instrumental freak-outs. I liked it! Best song: Everyday People
Sly and the Family Stone shattered so many musical and social constraints — fusing musical forms and cultures to demonstrate what their lyrics say: the forms are not real and all people are real people. Their social and musical influence is immense. The music is often, but not always, great, too. Some of the tracks are among the best pop has to offer. Some are forgettable (not bad, just not as surprising and delightful as the hits). This is a 4.
Really enjoyed this. Nice mix of vocal and extended instrumental solos - I was particularly pleased with the drum solo. Great mix of moods, but I was done with the style by the end of the album - a whole evening would be a bit full on.
Very much enjoyed, a solid 4 star compared to some of the weaker 4 stars so far. Would listen again and enjoyed most of the songs on the album. Particular shout out to the near 14 minute long Sex Machine.
Top,
Shady as a lady in a moustache…somebody’s watching you. The higher the price the nicer the nice. Boy the 60s were groovy. This was a real joy and had me smiling in places. Who doesn’t love the bass backup singer? And anything that repeats “my lady”…well, simpler times for sure. The instrumentals - sex machine and soul clapping - were especially enjoyable. I will be back. 4/5.
Played the Greatest Hits to death (literally, the tape broke) . . . and never heard song #2 until Jane's/Ice-T performed at Lollapalooza. What a weird album, in the best sense.
Excellent soul and funk album with some memorable songs. My favorite track is "Sing a Simple Song". "Everyday People" is a song I remember hearing when I was a child. People need to heed the message these days. Always a classic.
Enjoyed the instrumentals but the falsetto was a little grating
Sly puts the funk in funky and the groove in groovy! This one was a lot of head bobbing fun!!
Gøyalt nok, om enn ikke nokka æ hadde hørt på av mæsjøl, men på ingen måte fornærmanes (kanskje bortsett fra uhorvelig lange «Sex Machine» som heller ikke føltes særlig sexy).
Absolute Fire. I feel like some songs went on too long though. Looking at you Sex Machine.
So many great songs on this album! There are also a couple "meh" ones, which keep it from the 5-star rating. Great overall, though! Protip: Don't choose the second song on the album if you're out doing karaoke night.
I grew up listening to Sly and his cutting edge music. When he first hit the scene there had been nothing like him before. Borrowing from funk, rock and a big band sound, he created a genre all his own. Shaped the future of music in so many ways. I love the album Stand. It rocks until the last two songs which I think via the instrumental moves us away from the rapid pulse and protest of the earlier songs. For this reason, I am rating this one a 4.
4.0
This is mostly a fun, groovy listen. The band has an fun energy and funk rhythms that carry the album, and tracks like “I Want to Take You Higher” and “Everyday People” are clear highlights. That said, some of the lyrics leave a lot to be desired. They can get pretty repetitive and don’t always match the quality of the music itself. Still, the overall vibe makes it an enjoyable listen.
Loud, funky, angry, fun, groovy. All you need really isn’t it 4.5/5 Stand!out Track: You Can Make It If You Try
Pretty bonkers this was 1969, so influential, such an important bit of music. 4.3/5.
SEX MACHINE, STAND, EVERYDAY PEOPLE Funk - e! Listened to (in spirit) by the lake in Bois de Boulogne after a dental visit where basically everything that could have gone wrong did! But who cares! We got the music!
Oli ihan kiva ku kuuntelin jo eilen tai toissapäivänä
Nunca tinha parado pra ouvir direito e me senti um otário perdendo parte da história da black music
First listen. Funky as.
A feel-good listen, high-energy and irresistibly groovy. Momentum dipped slightly in the middle, but vibrant and fun overall.
Sliding in a score for 4
Great soul and funk record. It feels easy to listen to, and it's very enjoyable. Very good.
Best listened to loudly on a turntable
Great album! Love the mix of fun, upbeat, feel good songs AND social commentary. I Want to Take You Higher was a favorite
3.75 grooves baby
made me really happy
Memories baby!
3 or 4. Some bops. Generally like.
I love Sly & The Family Stone, and Sly Stone himself was a true genius and instrumental virtuoso in the true sense of the words. This album is also excellent. I love the opening title track, I did not like “Don’t Call Me N*****, Whitey” I found that it went on too long and was very repetitive. However “I Want To Take You Higher”, “Somebody’s Watching You” and “Sing A Simple Song” were all three excellent. “Everyday People” is one of the most famous songs on the record and is fantastic. “Sex Machine” is cool but goes in far far too long. And I absolutely loved “You Can Make It If You Try” despite its minor faults the record is great.
Stand! by Sly & The Family Stone was a really enjoyable listen. The album strikes a great balance between funk, pop, and psychedelic rock, blending genres in a way that feels both fresh and timeless. The lyrics are thoughtful and purposeful, often carrying a strong social consciousness. I particularly enjoyed Everyday People—a standout track with a powerful message about unity and acceptance. There are so many great songs on this album. From a musical standpoint, tracks like Soul Clappin’ and My Brain showcase the band’s funky instrumental flair. Lyrically, Somebody’s Watching You and Sex Machine stood out for their depth and creativity. Favorite Songs: I Want to Take You Higher and Everyday People are definite highlights. Least Favorite Song: Honestly, there isn’t a bad track on this album. Album Artwork: A cool, vibrant cover that fits the spirit of the music perfectly.
This album was great and put me in a great mood. Would definitely listen to this again. Standout tracks: Stand!, Somebody's Watching You
Loved it while listening in company. Will come back to it
Funky and easy to listen to. Enjoyed it, but didn't transport me to planet funk :(
I really like it!
Dug this. Some great funky/soul rock (and dare I say bluesy at times) that will put some pep into your step.
Pretty nice!
Yes! This is HOT stuff. Favourite tracks: Stand!, I Want to Take You Higher, Everyday People, You Can Make It If You Try.
Pretty good!
Mix of Funk, Soul, R&B, Psychedelic...great album.
A masterclass in soul and funk, this album has a jubilant energy that is infectious. Wails, screeches, and screams pan in the mix over grooving bass lines, and jam tracks manage to sustain the groove. Different strokes maybe for different folks, but everyone can find something to love on this record!
Absolute cracker of an album spoiled by one song. And not because of the title or the lyrics - after all this was the 1960s. No this one song was all-round bilge. Where the hell did it come from? How can a guy write and record such a bunch of good tunes and then shit this one out? I'd have given the album a 5 otherwise.
Incredible funk and soul album. What I like most about this album is how it mixes some great pop tunes with longer funk rock jams like Don't Call Me and Sex Machine. The ending run is especially great, with the 5/5 song Everyday People giving way to the disgusting (in a good way!) extended jam of Sex Machine. Just when you think the album has nothing left to offer besides that guitar and harmonica it hits you with one last solid pop song as a parting gift. Throw in some social commentary and this still holds up as a hard hitting album over 50 years later.
Nice solid album with great songs! Nice extra Homage to Sly Stone today 4/5 #Musicsky #albumsky #musicchallenge
Fuckin banger of an album. These guys cooked. Straight off the bat, the first song Stand! is great. I noticed a lot of their songs go crazy at the end, which I always love. The funk is real. Sorta weird that spotify puts some tracks twice despite being identical, but that's fine. Sex Machine goes crazy (although I think kevin showed me it before so I might be biased), they got the grapefruit method bass and I'm all here for it. I Want To Take You Higher also stood out. I'm only not rating it a 5 because I don't think this is the kind of thing I'll be listening to over and over again like some of my favourite albums. The 5 is reserved for those next-level SSS tier albums that are beyond great.
Really cool, funky album. I actually liked this one a lot more than the last Sly & the Family Stone album I listened to last.
This was exactly the kind of thing I needed to start an overcast Monday. This was fun and an easy listen, while still feeling a little edgy (see track two). Plenty of hits on this one, so I’m sure a lot of white people bought this and got a little bit of a surprise when they dropped the needle. Ya love to see it. This isn’t a genre I spend a lot of time with, but if I had this record, I think I’d play it semi-regularly.
I had an old basketball coach who said he was front row at a Sly and the Family Stone concert and he had a terrible time because he had to hold the stage up so it wouldn’t collapse the entire time. That has nothing to do with this review and that’s 15 seconds you are never getting back. Though I will say, as I listen to this record, I would imagine S&TFS put on a great show, presuming you weren’t stuck holding up a stage the whole time. As for this album, I liked it. Stand is a high energy opener, good tune. The second song? Uhhh yeah, not touching that with a 39.5 foot pole. As this album progressed, I really liked a lot of the sonic elements, with different instruments or singers in different spots, and the overall sound of certain songs bouncing around from ear to ear. Everyday People is a genuinely great song. Short but powerful. Of course, that’s followed by the longest song on the album, Sex Machine, which was an ok jam but it just goes on too long. This is one of the lowlights, though those were few on the record. All in all, a good record and worth the time.
Bra gung
Pretty good mix of pure instrumental songs and more "pop"-y songs. The solos are a bop and the vocals are great. Favourite Song: You Can Make It If You Try
Turns out I really like Funk and Soul! Fun album Fav songs: I want to take you higher, Everyday People, Sex machine
it was a good album W
Muy bueno
Great! Very political and funky
This was very funky and nice. Could be a 3 but I feel happy so it's a 4.
Favored song: "Sex Machine".
From now on, whenever someone brings up the song Sex Machine (which does not happen!), I can be a twit and mansplain how Sly and the Family Stone released a song called Sex Machine *before* James Brown and claim that it's far superior (which it's not!).
so on and so on and scooby dooby dooby
Belongs in the discussion with other top names of the 60s. The longer jam on Sex Machine isn't something I'd usually go for, but it was actually quite fun and I enjoyed all the playing around with talk box & wah pedal. Every song was great! Solid 8/10
At the best this band grooves like a moose, but there are some lazy moments especially on the B-side (the over 13 mins of Sex machine jamming). Solid grooving though...
Awesome mix of funk and motowney r'n'b, good vibes and catchy grooves. The album has some tracks that do not keep me hooked in, especially the slow ballad-ish stuff, but this was how it had to be at the time. Another band I'll need to do a deep dive into at some point.
pretty funky. had to be controversial back in the day
Funk! Denk mn eerste funk album hier. En moet zeggen, tot nu toe niet echt typische funk naar mijn idee, maar vibe zeker! Ik mag het niet meezingen, maar 'Don't call me n****r, whitey' is echt een banger. ''Sing a simple song" is wel echt lekker funky Begin van 'Everyday People' deed mij heel erg denken aan de intro van Islands in the Stream. Licht teleurgesteld dat het geen cover was. Heerlijke solo's wel in 'Sex Machine' Al met al, lekker funky album, waar je gewoon erg blij van wordt. 4 reten.
Hell yeah, rad album! Slightly dated language in a spot or two (and I don't mean the second track)
Muy buen sonido, interesante mezcla de funk con otros estilos.