Stand!

Fun and funky! Love Stand! and Everyday People.

Lot more rock n roll than I imagined. Standouts were: Sex Machine (12 min instrumental beast) , i want to take you higher, don’t call me nigger, Whitey. I feel like parts of album don’t have much variation, the songs sound the same. Also it’s such a short album, two of the songs repeat. The building up of the music it the songs was very cool. Such a funky sounds

I’ve heard better Sly and The family stone album, but it’s allright

“Stand!” is a powerful and vibrant album that evokes aspects of social consciousness often associated with Marvin Gaye or Curtis Mayfield. This feels like a real ensemble piece, with a wide range of numerous vocalists mixed with thumping bass lines, punctuating keyboards, joyful sax and horns, reverberating guitar solos, and some Latin inspired percussion, all wrapped up in (a mostly controlled) psychedelic chaos. The more structured tracks are exceptional, including "Stand!", "You Can Make It If You Try", and the classic "Everyday People". In contrast, some of the less structured pieces resemble jam sessions, and for the most part, mix in well with the rest of the album. However, "Sex Machine" is overly lengthy and chaotic to the point of self-indulgence, which detracts from the album's quality. Overall, this album is a highly enjoyable, brimming with energy.

Listened: 24/02/2025 Album no: 24 % rating: 69% Fave Song: Sex Machine Not my first Sly and the family stone experience and it won’t be my last. Lots of funky bangers on this one which is a nice welcome change. I can also imagine that this band were quite controversial back in the day, but love that for them. The instrument on Sex Machine sounded like someone scatting which was super cool. Yeah, enjoyed!

irritating funk

Not bad

funky soul

Pretty pretty alright

I was not very familiar with Sly & The Family Stone, like I had heard of them but I never heard their music. Well this album is a great jumping off point cause it’s super funky and powerful. There’s some songs in this album with VERY powerful lyrics and topics. But the thing that grabbed my attention the most was the music. The music is so good I would’ve been cool with the second half of the album being instrumental versions of all the songs on the album. Even though it wasn’t like a perfect 5, I’d still recommend this album to someone unfamiliar with it.

Good

Yeah excellent. Would never listen normally. Sound is superb and the instrumentation fantastic, classic funk but with without the need for chic-esque guitar attack, still lots of energy through the rhythm and the horns. Loved the overall vibe, huge influences from RnB and psychadelia. The only downside for me is the show-tuneyness, it was predictable in a sense that the sound is so familiar, but often melodies would follow a more musical, show-tune-esque path that the psychadelia I was expecting. This kid of reduced the cool factor that's brimming in the funk and soul elements but still very highly rated album if not totally fitting with what I was expecting. 'You can make it if you try' probably the standout track for me.

Sounds like a more fancy Jackson 5 at times, with much better instruments and guitar solos especially, but altogether it was a pretty boring album. Maybe the woodstock performance was better, but the recording was just average.

I thought it was interesting but didn’t really connect with.

This one was alright!

This was good. Some of the language hasn't aged well... Of it's time!

War mir etwas zu stressig.

I understand the cultural significance of this band and album, but in my opinion the majority of the music doesn’t resonate with me. There are some great songs and great funky grooves. A solid album.

Excellent production, great musicianship, boring bollocks.

It’s ok

Good album, I imagine at the time some of this would have been pretty groundbreaking. Hard to ding it for anything but not sure how often I'll be coming back

***An ok album

Good funk sound. Some great songs.

3, 4

Great but my word the jams drag on

Normally I love some soul but some songs were a little too much for me. Still there were enough highlights (everyday people) for me to give it a 3/5

this was kinda boring to me, not nearly as engaging as the other sly stone music i’ve listened to…a bit too easy on the ear…

This album turned out to be way more upbeat and exciting than I was expecting. I’ve never really had a chance to dive deep into old funk albums, but this one definitely had a huge influence on where music is today. I recognized so many elements that have been sampled in more modern music. This album also highlights just how influential music from the 60s was, showcasing the creativity and originality that defined that era

rock psicodélico maneiro demais. 3,5

Great musicianship and dig the funk and political lyrics. The hits are classics, of course, but Sex Machine is a slog and half the album.

A good album to chuck on in the morning. Interesting fusion of blues, rock, funk, r&b with some psychedelic influences which didn't ascend past being merely interesting for myself personally. Favourite songs - Sex Machine, I want to take you higher

Effortlessly cool and jammy, influential on so much of what was to come. There are some sounds on it I don’t particularly enjoy (like production-wise) but obviously you can’t help but groove along. Made me want to rewatch the documentary ‘Summer of Soul’.

This is a pretty good soul/proto-funk album. There are some well-known tracks, like Everyday People and I Want To Take You Higher. Some of the lyrics are a miss for me (track 2), but overall it's a good album. I would listen to it again.

Haunted and persecuted by the second track('s name) It's fine

Good

Would be better live

I love the songs Family Affair and If You Want Me To Stay, so it was cool to hear some more of their work. Stand and Everyday People were real highlights of this album and ones that I'll listen to in the future. However, Don't Call Me Nigger, Whitey was a pretty full on listen and not only for the lyrics! The repetition was grating quite quickly and a few other songs on the album went in that general direction too. Overall it was a good listen and I picked up a couple of great tracks to add to my knowledge of what was a very cool band

Racy and thought provokin

very nice, funky style

Classic but not really for me right now

This album was a surprise. I was expecting something more soul-y but it had a lot more funk. “Don’t call me ****** whitey” was a revelation and I have tried to look at o see if there was a story behind it because it seems powerful but I found nothing yet. A fun album.

my legs got tired

Shagadelic baby

3 out of 5 stars. Overall, an uneven album. Stand out classic tracks, Stand!, I Want To Take You Higher, and Everyday People help prop the album up, around what I feel was a lot of filler. You Can Make It If You Try was a decent stand out as well.

Listened to whilst driving so no track by track. I expected this album to click straight away and to enjoy it from the get go but for me the first 3 tracks just didn’t really connect. I can’t really put my finger on why at the moment but will definitely be revisiting this to try and get a better understanding of them. That being said after the first 3 tracks, the album starts to find its feet and each song continues to improve on its predecessor. For me the peak of the album and as far as I can tell the climax and centre point is Sex Machine. What an incredibly funk filled sprawling epic! A hypnotic instrumental masterpiece that borders on prog rock in the best way possible. The album ends on a great note with You can make it if you try being short (by comparison) and sweet. Overall enjoyed this album will definitely be coming back for future listens, unsure if the first handful of songs will click. 3.5/5

Album is good but not spectacular it's 3,5/5 for me. Customary joke was censored by me because phonetic simillarity of slay and slave doesn't look good in writing.

Favourite songs: Stand!, somebody’s watching you, sex machine, you can make it if you try and my brain (zig zig). The albums alright, there’s some catchy stuff but not the best overall. 3 stars

Funk soul album the guitar has a unique sound that feels alive

i want to take you higher is nice you can make it if you try is a classic overall nice and groovy, not my usual genre but got some bangers!

Well made and innovative. Varied and provocative. Still not what I want to listen to regularly.

There’s something so hilarious about the soulful way words are sung which would be uncomfortable today. Overall not what I expected, and a great example of this project expanding not just my musical knowledge but also my socio-historical awareness.

опять незапоминающийся фанк) с большим уважением

Good 60s music

I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Definitely a historically significant album, and they were definitely jamming for a lot of those songs. Wouldn't really be my first choice for anything, but not unpleasant.

Decent but I don't see myself revisiting it. It's OK. Everyday people is good though. 2.75/5

Velvet rich

Not exactly one's thing – too much going on, too loud, somewhat simplistic in sentiment and man is the production bad, but definitely funky as hell and rock-y and hard not to admire what Sly accomplished and few have a stronger pedigree of influencees (Miles, George Clinton, Prince). "Sex Machine" is epic. "Everyday People" a little too cute to love as fully as the groove and its heart being in the right place might seem to merit otherwise.

Tämä paranee joka kuuntelulla, enkä ole varma, onko oikea päätös jättää arvosana kolmoseen. Toisaalta tiedän, että avausbiisin psykedeeliset vivahteet eivät tule koskaan toimimaan minuun, ja että levyllä on yli 13 minuutin wah wah -jami. Mutta noin muuten: kovaa kamaa. Erityisesti I Want to Take You Higher ja Everyday People. 3,5

Not bad, I was kind of hoping for a funkier sound.

In the car, had to choose between an Archers wartime special or a 14 minute track called Sex Machine. Guess which one won. Pretty good album.

Undeniably funky - goes on a bit in places, but a good listen generally. Not much to say here - if you like 70s funk, you'll like this. If you don't, I don't think this is the album to convince you otherwise. Faves: Everyday People; Stand

some bangers on there like Sex Machine, Somebody's Watching You, and You Can Make It If You Try. enjoyed the funky sound (apparently this was a big inspiration for that genre going forward). the instrumental number Sex Machine was by far my favourite track. the wacka-wacka sounds of the guitar and the drum outro both incredible. didn't really connect on a lyrical level but that's probably also why Sex Machine made it to the top for me

It's not my usual genre, nor something I see myself casually listening to but I can recognize the weight this album must've carried with it when it first came out. I feel like I'm pretty desensitized to 'novel' music based on the way I'm inundated with media at all hours of the day, but listening under the context of its 1969 release date reveals some pretty profound statements and revolutionary sounds.

Sly was fly. 3.5/5

Mid

A funky, uplifting album with great songs like "Everyday People." It’s a classic.

Sly and the Family Stone are integral to the history of Funk, and this album cooks. (I think I'm using the term right). The back-line is amazing, and honestly I'd find it hard to not bop along to anything they'd come up with. The lyrics are great too, hopeful but not too preachy. That being said, the overuse of talk box gets a bit silly. I think it works on 'Don't call me...'; it's arguably the key element of the song along with the groove. But it's EVERYWHERE. Also, while it doesn't drag for me, the balance of length is a bit off. Snipping off a minute off most of the songs wouldn't have hurt, and could've given us another one. Even so, this is a really good album and a good barometer for whether you'll like funk. Tangent: I'm not even going to go into the politics of 'Don't Call Me...'. Nor should I, being a white dude. Go ask someone in the correct lane! Strong Bad Demerit Count 4 (At least, some of them are borderline).

Good, raw tunes

Cool album. Liked it but didn’t love it. Funky. 3/5.

Not bad

if i have to listen to another album of which the cover is a washed out, bad arrangement of even worse lit musicians on stages with different colored lights, i think i'll go insane music wise its ok and definetly better than the usual album of which the cover is a washed out, bad arrangement of even worse lit musicians on stages with different colored lights because there is at least some excitement and variation in there.

There's nothing wrong with this album. I understand the appreciation, and it was fun to listen to, but it's not particularly my style of music and doesn't have enough hooks that makes me feel like I'll come back to it. However, I have a lot of respect for these artists making what was revolutionary music in an "easy to swallow" package for a large audience, especially for that time.

Not my favorite. I really like Everyday People. 3/5

Well funky!

Its okay not bad. not big fan. dosent really hype me up. give it 3 out 5 i like the beat.

Great atmospheric funk with soul vocals.

3.5☆/5 11.18.2024

Brassy. Groovy. Funky.

Slap da funk and rock out of you

A pioneering blend of funk, soul, and rock; featuring socially conscious lyrics and energetic production. Strong performance but lacks constant replay value for me.

Interesting

Everyday People is an absolute all-timer. The rest fits, but not remotely as noteworthy

I enjoyed this album quite a bit. It's very similar to Sly's other record on the list. It also happens to be just as good. "Sex Machine" went on for a bit too long. That's all for today. 3 stars for "Stand!".

Pretty fun album here.

Went on a bit

6/10

Good solid album.

A lotta fun but I didn't get much out of it other than that. Maybe needs a relisten as well. Trumpet Count: Yes mate. Well used too. 6 / 10 Best track/s: Sex Machine, I Want To Take You Higher

Really liked the instruments! Hit and miss with songs being my vibe. Definitely will save a few though.

Funky

Good. Again not necessarily my thing.

Cool album but now it feels that it didnt held up. Very time specific although great as an album with great funk and flow from begining to end. You can tell it influenced a lot of the 80s artists.

Not bad. Enjoyed a couple of the songs. Slightly repetitive.

Good funky album that still slaps today. Would have on rotation at a party, but if track #2 came on… would definitely have some explaining to do

One of the best funk albums of all time. Growing up, my brother bought a guitar. Since he got to that first, I decided to buy a bass. I quickly learned the name Sly Stone. This rocks, but I probably won’t return to it often.

Funky soul with long instrumental sections. Stand-out: Sing a Simple Song

🎧There’s a midget standing tall

No idea where this one will go, so a hop right into er. So far, I am emitting Honk shoo honk shoo’s with a cap and a candle holder next to my curtained bed. This is so syrupy. Midgets mentioned. I mean the lyrics seem good, which I imagine is a big part of why this album is. WHOA. Breakdown. HELL YEAH. Whole song worth it for that. What’d you call me??? Uhhhh. Well. That sounds like a reasonable request, Sly. You can count on me. I have to be pretty wasted to enjoy this kind of jam band stuff. It’s not coming together for me. I mean I am enjoying the modulated talking guitar but overall kind of fades away. Again, just a jam song. Can be heard in any high school nowadays. Here is an actual song. It’s fine. Way too repetitive and overly happy. Oh my god. Is funk finally happening? First time since the end of track 1. The dual vocals, the soul, the HUHs. This is sick. Not as commercially friendly as the rest of the “songs” Oh boy. Happy sunshine friends holding hands and circling this big ol marble as one united friendship squadron. Snooze. The song itself is ok, but the forced unity stuff is a bore. While it would be great, this messaging always comes off as preachy and dismissive. A 14 minute song called “sex machine.” Ugh. Yup. It’s a jam song. Extended Modulated guitar/vocal solos ALWAYS set the mood. The instruments are good and while this isn’t necessarily a song, this jam is better than some of the other ones. It actually keeps getting better. Raw, stripped back guitar solos beat the messy horn based ensemble tracks for me. Man this thing turned into a classic. Mesmerizing, soulful, musically brilliant. THAT is a good jam. Aaaaand back to the radio. I don’t think I’m a big horn fan. The bass is good, the funk is present. Simmering. Not at a boil. Vocals are good. I am always initially skeptical of things that are popular/reviewed well (this website is a great place for me to be hey?) but this thing came through when it mattered. A little preachy but that was overtaken by funky instrumentation, excellent vocals and a lot of passion. Not a classic for me, but a damn fine listen. 3-3.5 HIGHLIGHTS: Sing a Simple Song, Sex Machine

Experimental funk is pretty cool

Although I love everything that is funky, this one doesn't have the spark I expect from bands like that. Maybe because it's early funk. I'll take that album as a one that led funk to its adult form. 3.5/5.

This album swings wildly between great songs and tedious overblown guitar solos. Without the tracks that go nowhere it might have scored a 4, the good songs are really good.

A good soul/funk album, that came at an important (and appropriate) time in American cultural history. There is no shortage of energy here, and there is a clear and purposeful social message. The forays in to psychedelia on some of the tracks are an interesting take on the genre. It does tend to get a bit repetitive as the album goes on, particularly the reliance on the simple bass lines to carry the music along. It's hard to expect more from an album that relies so heavily on its energy, and it is enjoyable when it works. Would listen again. Highlights: Stand I Want to Take You Higher Everyday People

Another classic. I remember my older brothers playing this

the singles from this album are so synonymous with 'funk' in pop culture that i get little out of this besides the recognition factor. that being said, the record isn't iconic without reason - it's well-crafted, hooky, and there are no bad songs

Everyday People is great, the rest is ok. Its no Earth Wind and Fire

Big late 60s vibes Enjoyable

Experimental funk; pretty cool but a bit too repetitive at times... And sometimes went into pretty weird directions which didn't work in my opinion. 2.5 stars, rounding up to 3

I liked it for the listen. Will I listen to again: 20%

1st Track Impression: Feels like this is about to be smooth and a bit funky (the afro is a hint too). Seems like a good-mood album. End of Album Impression: Good overall. Not really my style per-se but it's smooth, funky, and feel-good. 'Everyday People' feels a bit corny to me. Good message but feels like a kids' show jingle. Probably needs to be taken in context that this is a defining album, and the sound has since been refined and redone in other ways that make it feel redundant. Notable Tracks: Stand!, Sex Machine Rate: 3.5/5

Didn't think I'd really heard anything from the album before but definitely have. Some classic movie tracks over time. Everyday people has been used a LOT. I enjoyed it overall, though the two big songs I've heard so much their impact was much less.

Soul, Funk. Interesting feel and lyrics.

Fun enough, nothing crazy.

Rather enjoyed it! Actually would give it a 3.5 or 3.7 star

Like a more Sesame Streety version of Parliament

-Everydays people Upbeat film background music

This album had its fair share of highs and lows. I liked how it started with their first song (Stand!) but that second track kinda halted the momentum for me. They could've at least switched up the lyrics at bit more instead saying the same shit for like 3 mins, maybe give it something with more substance. But luckily they pick it back up with the third track. I liked a majority of the tracks on here. Sex Machine was a bit too long for my liking but at least it was tolerable. Overall it was a good album but it definitely could've been better. Top 3 Fav: Sing A Simple Song, Everyday People, and Stand! Top 3 Worst: Don't Call Me Nigger, Whitey, Sex Machine and that's it fr 3.25-3.50/5

I can appreciate this one, but I wasn't really into any of the songs. It sounds like generic 60s soul with pop and psych influence.

As a whole, this album didn't leave much of a good impression on me, but "You Can Make It If You Try" made the whole thing worth listening to for me.

It was decent, quite a lot of the songs were a jam but some were overly long and a bit steange

Mixing funk with universal politics. Right on.

3.375

Some really fun tracks and some filler.

Enjoyable soul album.

First track is awful but after that it’s some pretty fun funk

- Everyday People habe ich schon mal gehört - ansonsten sehr politisch und textlich progressives Album. Musikalisch nicht ganz so ikonisch wie andere Werke der Jahre und des gleichen Genres - Gesang ist nicht mein Fall* 2,75/5

This was okay. I usually really like funk music but for some reason this didn’t really do it for me.

I loved the few popular and well-known songs on the album, but thought the rest were ok. I was disappointed that I didn't unearth some rare gems that I hadn't heard before, but some albums have only a couple of good tracks and a lot of filler. Would listen again, but probably not for a while.

3.5

Pretty good but forgettable

Noteworthy songs - 808080808 Magical Dream - Kinda catchy synth, but the rest is bland. Ancodia - Good background noise. Cobra Bora - Actually kind of cool, reminds me of Bomberman Hero. Pacific 202 - N64 vibes, but melody isn't great. Donkey Doctor - Nothing too special, weird ending. 808080808 - Really cool beginning. A little slow in the middle but stays interesting enough. Sunrise - Nothing remarkable. The Fat Shadow - Eerie. Very short.

Average 1970s funk/soul.

A couple of great songs. This is a good record.

No private Spotify session needed. The second track made me uncomfortable, despite the guitar work. Once I got past the second track, I enjoyed the album and new several of the songs, but was the enthused by it.

this is fine 3/5

Groovy album, some powerful songs in there and more than enough to keep me interested throughout. 3.5

pretty chill album with soothing Motown, RnB, funk, and soul sounds. Sort of zoned out listening to it, but i didn't mind the vibe.

Cool funk soul

funkiger sound aus den 60ern - abwechslung, und doch nichts was mir ewig bleibt.

awesome giving alien in star wars jabba's palace. scary drums at the end of sex machine

Really like Everyday People. Really don’t like the rest of this album.

I can get behind this. The songs all have a different feel so it didn't feel monotonous.

Fedt nok 3-3.5/5

The title track "Stand!" opens the album with a blatant call for listeners to stand up for themselves. Followed up by Don't Call Me Nigger, Whitey, which doesn't mince words. Interesting use of voice box; however, I found myself wishing the tempo was pushed up a bit to match the angst of the (minimal) lyrics -- it felt like they were playing this through molasses. Everyday People is an all time classic. Sex Machine is a great soulful jam -- straight groove all the way through. This was fine, but by no means something that changed my world. The hits largely capture the best points here, with Sex Machine being an added favorite of mine for the jamminess of it all. Otherwise, not really much here to get me too excited. This falls middle of the pack for me.

Some really good funky tracks

What a fun soul/funk/blues fusion album. It doesn't always work for me, but when it does I like it quite a bit. Energy is high and in songs like Sex Machine they are clearly having so much fun. It's almost a four but I'm leaving it in 3 Fav songs: - Stand! - Everyday People - Sex Machine - You Can Make it if You Try

Never heard before. Not exactly what I was expecting. Okay, but I probably won't listen again. "The nicer the nice, the higher the price"

Interesting. Again, not one that I'll listen to again, but some interesting tunes in there and it wasn't unenjoyable.

Enjoyed adding a little funk to my workday...

this is ok.

I enjoyed this far more than I thought I was going to.

bem groovado, som gostoso de se ouvir

Funk is fun. Sex Machine ranges from weird to groovy.

Good

Enjoyed this very much.

Very nice funky music. Some of the songs are very different, not in a bad way. Interesting long instrumental in the middle of the album. I'm sure I will listen to this again sometime.

Sky and the gang are having fun, but there’s not a lot of relisten value for me.

I like Sly. This shit grooves ands slaps, but suffers from what most late 60's funk and soul music suffers from; some of the tracks are just boring or sound too similar to the other tracks.

Stand is enjoyable for the most part, some proper slick 60s soul and jazz grooves, peaking with the wonderful Everyday People. It just hit that quality throughout and, like so many albums from this era, loses itself up its own arse. Side One is good but could've been stronger, side two is one quality song then they clearly got bored and decided to stop and fuck to a 14-minute song. Fair play if that's what they wanna do, but it stops it being any more than a 3, but a good 3 that was quite influential in places.

This was good fun (in the most part), nice upbeat music. It's notable that Everyday People is the best song on the album and also the shortest (and Sex Machine is the worst song and the longest!) - they probably could've done a bit more with a bit less (and definitely removing Sex Machine). A good listen, not one I'll return to, but glad that it was on the list. 3/5.

solid groovy album, nice listen

I like the 60s feel and the hammond organ

This album wasn't exactly what I expected going in to it. I thought it was, but in a good way. I was expecting more disco but prefer the soulful funkiness. This album also appeared on a weird string of ones containing the N word....so that wasn't great. Hopefully that ends soon. However, the rest was pretty good and fun. Favorite track "Everyday people" 3/5

Very good

I like Sly and the Family Stone but this album sounds more angry than others.

It’s Ok. Not my favorite. Funny that Stand was supposed to be the hit, but Everyday People snuck in to take the prize.

I know this was hugely popular at the time but it just never really jumped out at me.

Some good ones on this album! A couple of weirder ones too but overall good!

Super funky, I really enjoyed this!!

No one does funk better than Sly. This album isn't my favorite, but it's still fun.

It's alright. I did not like it at the start, but it gradually grew onto me

Interesting to explore a genre I haven't looked into much, and I enjoyed the chill vibes whilst the songs still retain many upbeat and funky moments. Some great singing and instrumental work. However, some songs were quite repetitive and long. I appreciate it but am not sure if I would listen to the entire album again. There are a few songs I would listen to again individually though. Highlights: Everyday People You Can Make It If You Try Stand!

Cool album that I enjoyed right off the bat. Dragged on a bit long for me due to the lack of diversity in sounds.

Surprisingly, my favorite song was the shortest one. I don’t know if that’s indicative of these songs not having enough steam to carry their run times or my shortening attention span… I’ll go with the former.

Not bad, but I probably won't listen again.

Makes me happy. And I nod along, doin mini boogie. Thos band made it grooveable and positive.

When I think of 70s rnb/funk, this is what I hear. Many of the songs sound like improvisational jam sessions in a room full of people who are ready to have some fun. With so many voices contributing it is hard to discern which is Sly. This album would be great at a party playing in the background. It’s fun….entertainjng….funky as can be…..a Sly is an original.

eh

The second half of this album is the stronger half imo. I didn't really enjoy this flavor of funk where you have 1 syncopated instrument/line with the rest being on the beat. I can tell that this album takes more after the Early James Brown-esque side of Funk and while some tracks are good, I didn't find it that engaging of a listen

Damn, there's a lot of talk box on here. A strong showing, and I could never truly hate a Sly record, but I was hoping to come away more impressed. Anyone who likes funk and soul should still give this a spin. Highlights: Sing a Simple Song, Everyday People, You Can Make It If You Try

I've tried to get into Sly & The Family Stone a few times now. While I enjoyed this listen more than previous attempts there is still something holding me back from saying it's great. Everything on here is fine, but it is missing something that would take this to the next level.

yes, old and great

it's soul, it's funk, it's rock, it's got some psychadellica in there ... it's fun! I haven't quite heard a fusion like this before so it was refreshing. I Want to Take You Higher, Everyday People, and Sex Machine are standouts. Sex Machine ... what a song 13.5 minutes of experience. You can see where he they got some of their inspirations from on this particular track.

Decent blend of funk, soul, and rock, reflecting the social changes of the late 1960s, but its experimental nature sometimes results in uneven execution. Overall, it's a significant but inconsistent record that still manages to capture the spirit of its time.

Good but not hitting for me

I feel how the guy in the bottom left looks when I listen to this.

Pretty fun!

I think sometimes it’s obvious that I play bass guitar, because even though I’m not the biggest fan of ‘60s funk/soul, this shit can still get to me. I just love a groove, and Drake’s uncle can really groove. My thing with Sly & The Family Stone is that, for every pure soul track they do, they have just as many psychedelic funk songs, and I *really* hate that sound, because I’m not a fan of psychedelic anything, and Sly Stone *always* takes it too fucking far. I get that this was an important advancement in musical history, but my modern ears can’t take it. No matter how much groove, no matter how much important socio-political messaging, no matter how much artistry, it’s just always done in a way where my ears beg, “Please talk to me once you’ve come down from your trip!!” Unfortunately, I think Stand! leans too much of its weight on the psychedelic, and while that might make it crucial and appealing to some, it takes me out, and ruins some otherwise great soul tracks. I would much prefer this on a track-by-track basis. Overall, the parts are greater than the sum of this album, and while that sum is not bad, it’s not something I want to revisit often as a full listen. But throw the singles and “Somebody’s Watching You,” and maybe even “Whitey,” on a playlist? I’m fully endorsing the songs themselves. It’s closer to a 3.5, but still not enough to want to give this a full listen again any time soon.

funky

Nice groovy album with good guitars and drums Reckon the quality but not very much my style. Probably won´t listen again 3/5

Funky passion and powerful lyrics. The composition is great. The singing is stellar. The horns and guitar are solid. Not an everyday listen, but enjoyable nonetheless.

Interesting.

The more conventional songs, like Stand!, are nice; the jams are less appealing.

Great!

There are a few moments on this album that I dig, like Sing a Simple Song, Sex Machine, and My Brain (Zig Zag). The rest isn't bad, but it doesn't speak to me. 2.5 gets rounded to a three.

Not my jam, but this was fine. 2.6

Ok. Pretty funky. But laboured in parts. Nothing really great but nothing that poor either. Can see why it made the list.

I don’t mind being called Whitey

Some great tracks on this but didn’t find it as good as some of their other records.

Good but not so remarkable for me

Not bad

It was good. Some songs were a little long for me liking. I liked the sound

Not a bad album i jus remember hearing the second tune on a run a couple months back and it threw me the fuck off for the entire rest of the run

half the songs on here were fantastic, the other half were forgettable. Sex Machine is the standout on the album. Everyday People is short and sweet. Stand! was a solid opener. I wanna take you higher was also a good one. I do not see myself revisiting this album or any of the songs. I listened to this years ago and felt the same way I do now. I understand its importance and can appreciate the musicianship but the songs just don’t do it for me.

Sounds very of its time. Not sure if that's good or not

This is a great album but not their single best. The singing and musical skills are strong but the energy is how it really shines.

Some of these tracks are so good like Everyday People. But there are some stinkers also. Gonna go.3!

Very Huggy Bear. How do you open the door to happiness? You find the funky :D

Everyday People is the only track I had heard before listening to the album, good song. Title track is good and the funky jams are cool but not something I would listen to much.

Never heard of this one before, groovy though and enjoyed having it on when writing my essay. Would give a 4* but I think that I will like most of the 1001 so will be harsh :)

Funky soul, can’t go wrong. Favourite track - I Want To Take You Higher

Highlight was somebody’s watching you

It was...fine. i do feel like this is an album you need to listen to in a right mood and for a second time

Liked this one better than the last Sly album.

Very funky, not really my taste but was quite a fun listen

Really liked Stand! and Sex Machine

Every song starts off with a cool groove, which makes me feel like I’m going to enjoy it. But then, for some reason or other, I get really bored of almost every song after 1 minute. None of the songs have that super catchy chorus or special something that makes me want to revisit them. And the second and 7th track are outright bad! And I’ve tried! I’ve listened to the album in its entirety twice, and the best songs (Stand, Somebody’s Watching You, You Can Make it If You Try) at least thrice. But it just didn’t click for me. Barely 3 stars

Groovy enough. Second track bangs

70’s soul funk

Great funk/pop record. Track 2 is something lol

Was slightly not looking forward to this as I have heard the other big album riot the last time I tried this 1001 albums and I really didn't enjoy but that was years ago. Maybe I am more open minded or this album is just more my thing but I quite enjoyed it. They were still able to get some great points across along with some really nice songs I would listen to, especially every day people which I think I did recognise. I think my only nitpick is that some of the non standard songs went on too long. Especially the 13 minute instrumental which is unnecessary but not bad because it still sounds good just pretty pointless. Still much better but not a go to genre still for me so although I know lots of people love it and it is important music it is only a 3 because it didn't blow me away. Not that it ruins their point but I couldn't believe how good the quality was I was expecting a rougher record. Stand out songs: Stand! Sing a simple song Everyday People

Adequate album

3.5

I would like to love Sly, but for whatever reason I wasn’t too excited of this

Starts strong and energetic, then peters out. The opening track is okay. I enjoyed I Want to Take You Higher and Everyday People a lot more.

It was alright, I think I much rather prefer family affair to this

Ok

Funky, very old school, fun, but also kinda forgetable... middle of the road (for me).

There's a lot to like about this album, the soul/funk is strong with this record. That being said, it didn't absolutely blow me away like other soul/funk albums have and so I can't, in good faith, give this a higher score.

This album feels ahead of it's time, which for an album that came out in 1969 means it feels about mid 70s. It's got some groove and some soul that I can get down with.

Groovy little album. Half of the songs hit, while the others are just meh.

Pretty good album. Great Instrumentations and backing vocals. Though it would be funkier though. Harmonica on track 2 is great so are the female vocals. Favorite Songs: Stand! Somebody's watching you Sex Machine

Classic Sly and the Family Stone funk. Decent if it's what you're looking for. 60's sound.

YOU CAN MAKE IF YOU TRYYYY

Listened to about half of it. It was fine but I prefer Quincy Jones and other similar albums.

Everyday people

I had gone off Sly Stone since Spotify incessantly suggests 'There's a riot going on'. But it never once suggested this, so much for algorithms as this is a treat. Knew more of these songs than I realised and I have to say it sounds ahead of it's time fo 69, definitely kicking the door open for all the funk and soul of the 70s. Very punchy and energetic and full of catchy songs. Nice.

Pretty groovy and happy with righteous and motivational lyrics. The instrumental breaks show off their great talent, both the small fills and the 14 minute one in the middle. Sex machine might be my favorite alone but it doesn't really belong on this album.

One thing I can appreciate about Sly and The Family Stone is that they were clearly were an influence for music that sprang up in the following decades. You can hear the guitar and bass licks that would later come to define the sound of disco in the 70s. Their sound also draws on a wide variety of musical influences, which I can appreciate. I found myself most drawn to the moments on this album that were more funk inspired. Ultimately, I think I prefer the music that influenced them and the the music that would be influenced by them, but this Whitey did have a good time listening to this album. Solid 3 Fav songs: I Want To Take You Higher, Sing a Simple Song, Everyday People,

3/5 stjärnor Favoritlåt från albumet var: I Want To Take You Higher

Not my favorite work from the era but there's lots of tunes on this album that were later (and better) covered by others. To me this album is memorable for introducing me to Larry Graham, one of the pioneering e-bass players.

Several hit singles on here that I’m familiar with, I thought “sex machine” a huge waste of time.

Sly is such a cool name

I wish I lived in the 60s so I could have a nuanced take on this

A good funky throwback - sex machine really rips

Funky and groovy, which im never gonna rate poorly, however just a tad dated i think

Funk, soul. "You can make it if you try" it is cool.

Not bad

Do you think there’s someone out there who listened to the 2nd song and then decided to stop saying the n-word once and for all?

Think I get the gist

Some good stuff here, but also some stuff that really needs the psychedelic drugs of the late 60s to be appreciated

p178. 1969. 3.5 stars. So this is where Prince stole his sound from! Quality late 60s soul-funk-rock hybrid. Still sounds fresh today. Points docked for the usual late 60s wankage on some tracks - no-one needs a 13 minutes+ guitar workout on "Sex Machine".

Nice stuff

I Want To Take You Higher Everyday People

Iconic clearly, not sure I’d pull it up to listen to again though

Very Woodstock. Felt like I needed to be high as a kite to get the full effect.

Funky af, track 2 is....tough, enjoyable but there's funkier stuff I'd prefer to listen to

Overall enjoyable but I likely won’t return.

Half of this is dissonant and annoying. The rest is alright

Yeah fun

There's a lot here. Definitely some good material, and it's interesting to hear what are effectively signatures of the time–lots of wah-wah guitar, talk box, and other staples of the era. I had heard this before a few times over the years, but never all in one sitting. I was mostly familiar with "Stand" and "I Want to Take You Higher" from a ridiculous cover-medley from an electric violinist named Mark Wood. And of course the big hit, "Everyday People", was well known to me because it's everywhere. Certainly in lots of commercials in the 80s and 90s. Not something I will put on regularly, but interesting and I understand why it made such an impact when it did. There's a lot here.

pretty good

No big standouts but no bad tunes either. A perfectly alright listening experience.

I love the historical context of this album and enjoyed it's varied sound. Shout out to Sex Machine for reminding me of Splatoon so much. Favourite Track: Sing A Simple Song.

Very good, but very dated funk. My ideal listening environment for this album is a bar.

I like Everyday people

has it's moments, certainly some good grooves

1960s turmoil and revolution!

You’d think this would be up my alley. But I’ve always hated Everyday People. Sing a Simple Song isn’t my fave either. I do enjoy a long-ass instrumental funk jam, so that saved it for me. Songs added to Spotify: 0

Sex Machine is a preety good title since it’s essentially 13 minutes of fucking around

First song absolutely ripped. Do not listen to song number 2 on a crowded inner city bus. Pretty groovy for the rest. nothing stood out tho

A couple of soul classics here that I had no idea were originally by Sly & The Family Stone

The production always irked me on Sly's music, I think a remaster would be nice. That being said, I kind of dig how slightly muddy this album sounds, in a strange way. It's ooey, dare I say even a tad gooey. I was a big fan of the title track and that one song I can't say the name of. "Sex Machine" kind of overstayed its welcome though. I've been meaning to return to "There's a Riot Goin' On" because I gave it a 2/5 pretty unfairly (wasn't feeling very funky that day, what can I say). Definitely will now. Strong 3/5.

Kinda funky

I had high expectations for this one as a fan of funk and soul, but the album didn't quite work all the way through for me. Some of the songs just felt weirdly boring, which doesn't happen to me often with this genre of music.

Very funky. Lots of toe tapping songs.

Love some classic funk, although I think I prefer other Sly albums I've heard. When this album is on its really on, and Stand! It's a great way to start. It does get pretty unfocused at points and kind of meanders. Also a lot of not PC lyrics, but hey it was the 60s.

3 stars

Solid. Sounds like the music of the time. Maybe it was first. Not my style.

Talented and speaks for its era

Funky effort from an undeniable legend of the genre. It’s just missing that special spice that I get from George Clinton. There’s something that’s just not quite there. Hint: It’s not the drugs.

It was fine enough, enjoy other Sly albums more.

Had some interesting moments, but wasn't very memorable

Doesn't 100% bring the "wow" out of me, but damn if it ain't some good-ass funk n' soul.

Good ass funk.

Some decent songs on this, but also some pretty bad ones. I like this type of music, but this album just didn't contain the most exciting songs.

I enjoyed it when listening but it didn’t leave a mark. I honestly expected to like it more than I did. [0127/1001]

3/5. Started out as a 2/5, then straight to 4/5 with 'Sing a Simple Song' and 'Everyday People', but mellowed to a 3/5. Good for vibing out on the town in the mid-to-late afternoon.

Guter Beat

Strong beginning, experimental ending

I knew “Everyday People”. I don’t know if it’s just the sound quality, but this album is not grabbing me. Ok. The “sex machine” jam has my attention. I’m digging this.

good vibes

Está muy bien

Everyday People - I finally figured out the song my mom used to sing when I was child with the “Scooby-Dooby-Dooby” part. Overall, this is a fun album and I know it was a huge influence for so many musicians to come.

I really love funk, and got my hopes up for this. And it is not bad, just a bit boring.

Disco divertido y muy interesante teniendo en cuenta la época en la que salió. Admito que no es mi estilo.

Nice funky music!

Eh

I already had this album

An OK listen

An amazingly rockin' album. The weakest points are the jams; 13mins on "sex machine" is particularly belabored. Otherwise, a fantastic album.