There’s a Riot Goin’ On

Sly & the Family Stone are a psychadelic soul/funk band. I have never heard of psychadelic soul/funk so I was unsure what I was in for.

Psychadelic funk carries the sensibilities of funk (music with heavy bass grooves) with a psychadelic writing style, and experimentation.
Sly Stone's voice is teriffic when he actually sings. By times he takes to wailing which it slightly irritating. In one song, Spaced Cowboy, he yodels the chorus, which is very weird, but not necessarily in a bad way. Another interesting note: There's a Riot Goin' On is just 4 seconds of silence. It kind of, in a roundabout way, speaks to the state of things in the late 60's - early 70's, almost offering up a moment of silence for those struggling.

Larry Graham played the shit out of the bass on this record. Interestingly, Larry is credited with inventing the "slapping" technique used on the electric bass (which is showcased in a big way on this record).

Overall, an interesting listen today. Not something I would necessarily gravitate to, but not bad.

Favourite songs: "Thank You For Talkin' To Me, Africa", Love N' Haight, Family Affair

Least favourite songs: Just Like a Baby, Spaced Cowboy, Runnin' Away, (You Caught Me) Smilin'

3/5

The album starts with a lovely mood, and these funky songs sound nice to me. However, while the music kept going in my ears, I was gradually losing interest in what I was listening to. Maybe my mood was decreasing, but I can't rate it with more than three stars.

2nd listen-
Time, Family Affair, the opening & closing tracks, stand out to me.
Wish I didn’t relate as much to the, uh, retreat-into-oneself-in-the-face-of-societal-unrest themes

First time listening to a Sly album, this one is very good, so much funk and grove but also so dark. This album has clearly been sampled a lot and inspired so much of the hip-hop music that was to follow so many years later. A great dark funk album

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

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

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