#82 Sly and the Family Stone, 'There’s a Riot Goin’ On' (1971)
Previously #99
In mid 1971 Marvin Gaye asked the question ‘What’s Going On?,’ and Sly and the Family Stone answered ‘There’s A Riot Goin’ On.’ This release was a darker, more political and militant record than their previous works such as ‘Stand!’ (#119). It was marked by Sly Stone’s increased drug use and his growing involvement with the Black Panther Party, which drove a wedge between him and his band members. There was social disillusionment due to the decline of the Civil Rights Movement and the death of the ‘60s. Stone would often record by himself, which was a change from the full band recordings on previous releases. He even brought in outsiders such as Billy Preston, Ike Turner and Bobby Womack to play on some songs instead of his band members, with whom his relationships were deteriorating one by one.
First single, ‘Family Affair,’ was a duet between Stone and his sister, Rose. It was one of the first instances of a drum machine being used in recorded music. This album is so different to the previous entries we’ve heard by the band. A lot of self-indulgent jams over often incoherent singing by Sly Stone. I absolutely love the bass on ‘Africa Talks To You (“Asphalt Jungle”)’ and its sister track, ‘Thank You For Talkin’ To Me, Africa.’ Larry Graham is just incredible. I hear so much of early Red Hot Chili Peppers on this album. It would go on to inspire artists such as George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic, Ohio Players and so many other funk innovators of the ‘70s. As we know, a lot of that music, including Sly and the Family Stone, would play a major part in Hip Hop in the ‘80s and onwards. You might recognise the opening keyboards of ‘Just Like A Baby’ from John Legend’s ‘She Don’t Have To Know.’ Other artists to have covered or sampled songs on this record are as far and wide as Iggy Pop, Beastie Boys, De La Soul and Lalah Hathaway. Even though this release was so delayed and frought with problems within the band, it’s a highly enjoyable listen and hugely influential.
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