Different Strokes by Different Folks

by

Sly & The Family Stone

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Do not allow the negative critiques of this cd deter you. Sly's music is great no matter who is doing it. If you are a die-hard Sly Stone fan and have been wishing for a new album from this very reclusive star, then jump on this one. It's a complete re-working of his masterpieces and the great thing is that they have incorporated Sly's original music and vocals into the mix. I have EVERY Sly Stone cd in his discography and it was interesting to hear different twists on his compositions. Just listen to Buddy Guy on You Can Make It If You Try or Scar/Cee-lo/Big Boi & DJ Swiff on You Caught Me Smilin' and you'll know what I mean. Of course they aren't as great as the originals, but, we've heard them all before.

This is one of the most intriguing recordings I've heard. It's fresh, new, and very innovative. And most importantly, it was not only PRODUCED by SLY STONE... but, he had much input in the final product.

Let's get this out of the way first - Sly and the Family Stone are one of the greatest bands of all time. A band that, sadly, I didn't "discover" by myself, but more through getting into Prince, who it was written in a few books was inspired by them.

So, Curious George that I am, I went out and bought a few Sly Stone records, not really expecting much. From the opening bars of "I Want to Take You Higher" I was hooked, with "Everybody is a Star" I was floored by its simple, understated beauty, and by "Stand" I was damn-near having a heart attack. If everyone could discover this band in that way, the world would be a better place.

Because, tragically, some people will "discover" Sly & The Family Stone through this wretched record. Similar to the earlier Michael Jackson abomination, where two ton pop turds like Will.I.Am and Fergie helped destroy the Thriller album with a bunch of updated (read: ruined) versions of MJ's songs.

But, wait, maybe I'm being too quick to judge. After all, Prince is an obvious Sly fan, maybe guys like him and Stevie Wonder and MJ could help bring the music to a new audience? Oh, wait, better idea - let's get Moby, Joss Stone, Maroon 5 and (surprise surprise) Will.I.Am instead. Awesome.

While it would be unfair to not mention the welcome appearance of the likes of Steven Tyler, Chuck D and Isaac Hayes, they are outweighed by the sheer number of "what the hell are they even DOING here?" guest vocals. Wait till you hear Will.I.Am rapping over "Dance to the Music" - if you haven't ripped a chunk of your hair out after 20 seconds, you may want to ponder if you actually have a soul.

I refuse to believe, especially in today's climate where music has never BEEN more accessible, that this is the best way to get a new audience into a band. I just don't buy that. I read about this group, walked into a store, bought the record and it blew my mind. That's how it works. I didn't read about a band, walk into a store and look for watered down production line "tributes" that sound like any other sampled piece of MTV garbage out there.

The REAL music is out there, and more to the point, its remastered and repackaged to look and sound better than ever before. In short - no-one needs this record. But everyone needs to own at least one Sly Stone record. Sly Stone is a recluse now, but in his day he was a funny, passionate, defiant (check out "Don't Call Me Ni**er, Whitey" - that's still powerful stuff) - and as mad as a bag full of Hatters. And he made some of the greatest music of all time.

Discover that. Forget this.