Sly & the Family Stone

Sly Stone didn't just pop out of nowhere in the late 1960s. He had a long musical apprenticeship, studying music composition and theory and the trumpet in college, had logged lots of hours as a San Francisco DJ, and was a producer at Autumn Records. He spent a lot of time in recording studies working on his own projects, as well, and some of that is collected here in this wonderful look at the musical roots that would later all come together as Sly & the Family Stone. Tracked in 1965 and 1966, a year or so before Sly would burst on the national music scene with his mature sound, these recordings have a delightful diversity as Sly tries on all kinds of musical hats. Among the highlights are a bustling, R&B-laced version of Jimmy Reed's "Ain't That Lovin' You Baby," a crisp, professional "Seventh Son," and the joyous doo wop of "You're My Only Love" and "Oh What a Night." Although nothing here has the sheer power and energy of Sly's later work, it's still revealing and fun and completely delightful on its own terms. ~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide