10 Forgotten 70s Singles You Need To Hear
3. Sly And The Family Stone - Family Affair (1971)
During the late '60s, Sly and The Family Stone had emerged as a leading pioneer of funk. They released Everyday People in '68 - it was the kind of feel-good soul music you could bust a move to, no matter your ability on the dance floor.
As the '60s merged into the '70s, Sly stared becoming alienated from his group. Paranoia brought on by excessive cocaine use saw him withdraw into self-imposed isolation. The group experienced a lull in creative output for several years, and Sly would often miss scheduled concerts.
This dark period informed the direction of group's sound on their next album, which eventually dropped in '71. Gone were the light-hearted and carefree funk grooves of the late '60s. The music was more laidback, it wasn't necessarily oppressive, but it was representative of the political climate. Indeed, the album title, There's a Riot Goin' On, was chosen in response to Marvin Gaye's latest record, What's Goin' On? - a project that tackled the social unrest brought on by the Vietnam War and the struggle for civil rights.
The lead single was a stark contrast to the group's earlier releases. Sly's vocals were smoother, and more reflective; his guitar playing was far more restrained, but far more soulful.