Sly

Sly & The Family Stone were true pioneers on so many levels: black/white, male/female, rock/soul, the act shattered all preconceptions of what popular music could be, and would go on to become one of the most groundbreaking and influential artists the world has ever witnessed. The First Family: Live at Winchester Cathedral 1967 is an unprecedented live performance by the original Family Stone line-up, recorded just prior to their signing to Epic Records, and a full year before their chart breakthrough with 'Dance To The Music.' This fascinating recording explicates Sly Stone’s genius on a tremendously exciting and atmospheric set of vintage soul covers, peppered with the arrangements, motifs and intoxicating energy that would soon become familiar during the group’s ascent. Interest in Sly is high with the forthcoming documentary directed by Questlove, but to experience the full impact of the Family Stone’s legendary abilities from the start, this historic document is required listening.

As Rameau wrote in his treatise on harmony, “A good musician should surrender himself to all the characters he wishes to portray, and like a skillful actor, put himself in the speaker’s shoes.” Regardless of the means used to achieve this, the composer uses music and the interplay of harmony to convey feeling. This album on the Analekta label features bass-baritone Philippe Sly and soprano Hélène Guimette accompanied by musicians from Clavecin en concert under the direction of Luc Beauséjour.

A new bass player and drummer signaled a toned-down Sly & the Family Stone sound. Partially in keeping with changes in much of popular music in the early '70s, and maybe the result of marriage and a child, Sly became more introspective, quieter, and calmer, even employing a string section on various cuts…

Sly & the Family Stone's debut album is more restrained and not nearly as funky or psychedelic as their subsequent efforts, owing far more to traditional soul arrangements. These aren't that traditional, though; Sly is already using goofier and/or more thoughtful lyrics than the soul norm, and taking some cues from rock in his adventurous and unexpected song construction…

When Sly & the Family Stone seized Manhattan's Fillmore East for a two-night, four-set stand in October 1968, the sonically and socially advanced band was just starting to cook. Earlier in the year, "Dance to the Music" became their first charting single, a Top 10 pop hit…

Sly & Robbie - Dub Sessions 1978-1985 (2016) {Jamaican Recordings JRCD062}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 331 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 128 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 40 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1978-85, 2016 Jamaican Recordings | JRCD062
Reggae / Dub

Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare are simply known all around the world as Sly & Robbie, the Rhythm Twins. Providing the drum and bass backbone for reggae since the early 1970’s (Dunbar on Dave and Ansell Collins album 'Double Barrel', Shakespeare as a member of the Hippy Boys), the pair have played on more records than any other set of Jamaican musicians. Needless to say, as this is a Jamaican Recordings release, the name Bunny ’Striker’ Lee can't be far away, and it turns out that the duo first worked together in Lee's house band the Aggrovators.