Sure, everyone is familiar with the songs “Dance To The Music” and “Everyday People”, but the 1967 debut of Sly & The Family Stone is where it’s at. It was released to mixed reviews, poor sales, and seems to have been largely forgotten after the release of Sly & The Family’s poppier albums…but for me personally, A Whole New Thing, is where the true funk and soul lie.
Just from listening to the first 30 seconds of the opening track “Underdog” you will feel the backhand pimpslap of funky greatness deck you right across the face. Serious. It’s that good. I think this would be a good opportunity for you to click that link and crank yo speakers up. Dancing? Dancing yet? If you can tell me that you’re not dancing, then you, my friend, are a LIAR! Feel the funk. It’s good for you. 
Sly & the Family Stone – Underdog
From the horns, to the positive lyrics, to the soulful swagger of Sly himself, this album destroys from track 1 to track 13 (on the original version there are only 12 tracks, but upon the re-release they added the fantastic bonus track “What Would I Do”). Another little tidbit that makes this album that much better is that it was recorded live in studio instead of being overdubbed. Oooh. Vintagey.
Rolling along to song #5 we have “Let Me Hear It From You”, which is full-on in my top 10 list of favorite songs ever. It starts with a grandiose buildup of drums, horns, and a keyboard but then transforms into a scorned Sly busting out a soul-filled ballad over top a smouldering bass line. Damn… that’s smooth.
Sly & The Family Stone – Let Me Hear It From You
I’m sure you will recognize track 8, “Trip to Your Heart”, but that’s not because of Sly & The Family Stone, it’s because L.L. Cool J sampled it on “Mama Said Knock You Out”. Things get pretty funkadellic on this one so I hope you are prepared.
Sly & The Family Stone – Trip To Your Heart
LL Cool J – Mama Said Knock You Out
I really had trouble trying to pick and choose which songs to toss into this write-up because they are ALL so fantastic in different ways. I strongly recommend buying this album and playing the shit out of it on really good speakers. It’s a MUST for house cleaning days and walks around the city.
On a side note, the story of Sly & The Family Stone is very compelling. From a humble and honest beginning to an enormous drug induced fallout, it’s pretty crazy to see how commercial success can destruct a whole “family”.
You see Sly Stone wasn’t just taking a “Trip To Your Heart”. No. He was strutting around with a violin case filled with cocaine and PCP. He was trippin’ all over the place. Sly became one craaaaaazy, erratic, unreliable mess and the band dissolved shortly thereafter. Seriously, this guy has a rap sheet that would put any modern day gangsta to shame. Sly Stone was ODB while the real ODB was still just an infantile, and presumably dirty bastard. I’m certain that when Sly eventually kicks the bucket those two rascals will be playing epic dice games in rock n’ roll hell. The winner plays James Brown. JAMESBROWN! WAAAHW!
Although Sly was an influence to many,many artists and to music as a whole (he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993), he is currently homeless. A legend who once lived in a 5,432-square foot mansion in Beverly Hills is sleeping in a van in residential Los Angeles tonight. Besides living a life of incredible excess, poor ol’ Sly also made some very regrettable business decisions and no longer receives royalty cheques.
I mean come on, the guy is pushing 70! Give a brotha a hand. And that’s why I’m gonna go get him and bring him back to Vancouver with me. He will be my roomie and I will set him on a good path and help get his music career back in order. Sounds like a pretty ace reality show. We’ll call it “Sly & I”. Or maybe “Sly & Me” just to be cheeky.
Regardless of his past, present, or future, this album is a must have for any fan of original funk & soul.
-Jamie Woodward
