Sly & the Family Stone

The difference between R&B and rock 'n' roll, according to Charlie Gillett, is that the
former was made by black people for black people while the latter was made by black
people for everyone. And as the black artist found himself playing for an expanded
audience his music grew and evolved, taking in a wide assortment of new influences, so
that fundamental musical differences between between R&B and rock 'n' roll w... More >

As someone who was converted to Sly over the radio rather than at the Fillmore, I still have my doubts about his albums--even Stand! falters during "Sex Machine." But this is among the greatest rock and roll LPs of all time. The rhythms, the arrangements, the singing, the playing, the production, and--can't forget this one--the rhythms are inspirational, good-humored, and trenchant throughout, and on only one cut ("Fun") are the lyrics merely competent. Sly Stone's gift for irresistible dance songs is a matter of world acclaim, but his gift for political anthems that are uplifting but never simplistic or sentimental is a gas. And oh yeah--his rhythms are amazing. (Grade: A+)