Review Summary: You become one of the band and 1969 America in this album, which is why they were the giants of music revolution.
Sly & The Family Stone, what can I say? From the years 1967 to 1974, they were one of the biggest black groups in the world, protesting their lyrics to the great American festivals and creating a joining of minorities with their political and social words, fused with their funky vibes. Between 1975 onwards, either they got lazy or time just moved on without them. And folks, that’s how the music industry is structured. Not every artist will live forever, but some albums will, and “Stand!” is what I consider, the “protocol” album that should be on every household music shelf.
It’s not every day that one comes across an almost perfectly composed vinyl or CD that has barely any fault and this is one of them rare purchases. This album features a revolutionary sound that contains lyrics to boost the listener’s esteem on the street, at home and on the dance floor. The signature first track “Stand!” is a short and sweet piece that has philosophical lyrics, a fine collaboration of a funk orchestra and a great sing-along vibe to every verse and chorus. And just when you think the song is all happy-do-da and full of preaching...all of a sudden, Graham on the bass brings it all out, fusing with the brass instruments to make a funky transition to “Don’t Call Me ******, Whitey”.
This song, of course, is neither biased or racist, as one might say when they read the title. In fact, it’s a piece to shut the scene of racism that was storming through the United States at the time. With the reversing of “Don’t Call Me ******, Whitey” to “Don’t Call Me Whitey, ******” is a political and musical technique that allowed a black-funk band to capture and enrapture both races in the nation into their wah-wah electric guitar effects and chants during the build up of the chorus. What sounds like a song in disarray with so much going on, almost being unable to conjoin all instruments and vocals together, it ‘s certainly a challenging yet uplifting track of this iconic LP.
Next in the queue is “I Want To Take You Higher”, which is a constant roll of delicious bass-lines and guitar riffs with the occasional famous chant “Boom shaka-laka-laka Boom shaka-laka-laka”. Having had the first three tracks belonging to the artistic versions of Sly funk, it is undoubtedly even more artistic that they can pull off “Somebody’s Watching You” straight after.
“Somebody’s Watching You” is a very preachy tune with a continuous strum of the rhythm guitar in the middle-foreground of the track. Though simple, it has elements happiness, assurance and pleasure to the ears of the listener. With an easy-listen, there’s a thumbs-up for the change of octaves in the brass instruments at the commencement of each verse, and the solo-like guitar riff at the initiation of the third and final verse where the vocals begin to vary and add the spice to the finishing of this up-beat song.
After a soft soul anthem, funk just waltzes right back in the door with “Sing A Simple Song” with fresh organs, thrilling and bangin’ bass-lines, tasty rhythm guitar and funky chants. What I admire about this whole album, which is most notable in this piece, is that Sly & The Family Stone are perfectionists when it comes to fusing and synchronizing beautiful harmonies and varying voices to and fro, throughout a song. The album is also in its most celestial beauty when we refer to short and sweet sectors of the album, which is most applauded on their hit song “Everybody People”.
Having listened attentively to this track, the most powerful line that comes to mind is “Different strokes for different folks”, and I believe that is the message for, not just the song, but for the whole collection of these funky and soulful songs.
“Sex Machine” – what a piece, but why so long and why is it the second last track? A thirteen minute song, based on what sounds like a Miles Davis fusion piece from the mid-1970’s – improvised, not structured and without a doubt nothing like the rest of the music on this classic album. Saying so, it sounds great! By showing that they could do this piece on “Stand!”, it meant that they were better than The Meters, Mandrill, and the likes who brought out funky instrumentals, but couldn’t meet the standard of commercial funk and soul. Sly & The Family Stone could, especially to finish off with the up-lifting and groovy “You Can Make It If You Try”.
If you’re looking for an energy release, some assuring words about life and happiness, “Stand!” is the ideal album for you.
Album Rating: 9.3/10
