S l y & T h e F a m i l y S t o n e
THEREīS A RIOT GOINī ON
(1971)
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If you listen to Sly Stoneīs most acclaimed record today, it will, in the first place, have your ears glued to its funky rhythms, outstanding basslines and the entirety of its irresistable groove. From a contemporary point of view, it is easy to remain oblivious of what this monster of a funk record really was in 1971 and enjoy the weird yodeling on "Spaced Cowboy" or the - deceptively - warm vocals on "(You Caught Me) Smilinī" instead
At a close look, "Thereīs a Riot Goinī on" is something different. Far from the optimistic and joyful "Stand!" the band had released two years earlier, their probably most interesting effort turns out to be their darkest one. There was a riot going on in 1971 America and the country was in turmoil. Hippie culture was on the brink of failure and so was a hideous war overseas that kept taking lives and stirring up anger in the nation. All this might never have been captured as simply and concisely in music as did this album.
Before that background, the yodeling reflected insanity and the smile seemed meretricious and mirthless. The American flag on the cover was strangely distorted and had been weirdly re-designed. On the whole album, the band walked a thin line between its funky sound and the often rather unconspicuous darkness all over it. Even the stand-out track and commercial hit "Family Affair" is eerily haunting and seems guarded despite the catchy groove caressing the listenerīs ears.
Along with the social background came Sly Stoneīs personal problems, which undoubtedly contributed to effecting a change in the bandīs sound, too. The life the band leader led became increasingly infested with drugs and chaotic. "Thereīs a Riot Goinī on" sounds almost like another "Stand" gone completely wrong in a musically intriguing way. The civil rights anthems turned into disillusioned retrospective, the joyful lyrics about the pleasures of life made way for a cold portrait of its dark side, with a worn-out and morose Sly making muddled and dismal music and playing repetitive riffs while once in a while a pessimistic line reaches the listener. Yet, "Thereīs a Riot Goinī on" is arguably his best and most impressive album. While "Stand" might be a better introduction to Sly Stone funk, this one is certainly just as essential. There is probably no other funk album as violently sad.
All falls down, watch out how summer turns cold
Bonus: Stand! (1968)
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