SLY & THE FAMILY STONE "There's A Riot Goin' On" LP Gatefold 1971 NM/NM Lyric Sh

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AllMusic Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine  [-]

It's easy to write off There's a Riot Goin' On as one of two things -- Sly Stone's disgusted social commentary or the beginning of his slow descent into addiction. It's both of these things, of course, but pigeonholing it as either winds up dismissing the album as a whole, since it is so bloody hard to categorize. What's certain is that Riot is unlike any of Sly & the Family Stone's other albums, stripped of the effervescence that flowed through even such politically aware records as Stand! This is idealism soured, as hope is slowly replaced by cynicism, joy by skepticism, enthusiasm by weariness, sex by pornography, thrills by narcotics. Joy isn't entirely gone -- it creeps through the cracks every once and awhile and, more disturbing, Sly revels in his stoned decadence. What makes Riot so remarkable is that it's hard not to get drawn in with him, as you're seduced by the narcotic grooves, seductive vocals slurs, leering electric pianos, and crawling guitars. As the themes surface, it's hard not to nod in agreement, but it's a junkie nod, induced by the comforting coma of the music. And damn if this music isn't funk at its deepest and most impenetrable -- this is dense music, nearly impenetrable, but not from its deep grooves, but its utter weariness. Sly's songwriting remains remarkably sharp, but only when he wants to write -- the foreboding opener "Luv N' Haight," the scarily resigned "Family Affair," the cracked cynical blues "Time," and "(You Caught Me) Smilin'." Ultimately, the music is the message, and while it's dark music, it's not alienating -- it's seductive despair, and that's the scariest thing about it.

Sly & The Family Stone ?– There's A Riot Goin' On

Label:

Epic ?– KE 30986

Format:

Vinyl, LP, Album, Terre Haute Pressing

Country:

US

Released:

20 Nov 1971

Genre:

Funk / Soul

Style:

Rhythm & Blues, Soul, Funk

Tracklist

A1 Luv N' Haight 4:01

A2 Just Like A Baby 5:12

A3 Poet 3:01

A4 Family Affair 3:06

A5 Africa Talks To You "The Asphalt Jungle" 8:45

A6 There's A Riot Goin' On 0:00

B1 Brave & Strong 3:28

B2 (You Caught Me) Smilin' 2:53

B3 Time 3:03

B4 Spaced Cowboy 3:57

B5 Runnin' Away 2:51

B6 Thank You For Talking To Me Africa 7:14

Companies, etc.

Pressed By – Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Terre Haute

Copyright (c) – Stone Flower Music, Inc.

Published By – Stone Flower Music, Inc.

Credits

Artwork [Collage] – Lynn Ames

Design [Cover] – John Berg

Engineer – Chris Hinshaw, Jack Ashkinazy, James Conniff, James Greene*, Robert Gratts, Willie Greer

Engineer [Engineering Consultant] – Rich Tilles*

Management [Personal Manager] – David R. Kapralik*

Written-By, Arranged By, Producer – Sly Stone, Sylvester Stewart

Notes

A Stone Flower Production

Comes with a lyric insert. Original copies with printed inner featuring "Epic Undercover" newsletter numbered 71/1004.

Gatefold cover

This version is the Terre Haute pressing plant variation and can be identified by the label typesetting and by the pressing plant's information found in the runout grooves.

GOLDMINE GRADING

MINT ---- It should appear to be perfect. No scuffs or scratches, blotches or stains, labels or writing, tears or splits. Mint means perfect.

NEAR MINT ---- Otherwise mint but has one or two tiny inconsequential flaws that do not affect play. Covers should be close to perfect with minor signs of wear or age just becoming evident: slight ring-wear, minor denting to a corner, or writing on the cover should all be noted properly.

VERY GOOD PLUS ---- The record has been handled and played infrequently or very carefully. Not too far from perfect. On a disc, there may be light paper scuffs from sliding in and out of a sleeve or the vinyl or some of the original luster may be lost. A slight scratch that did not affect play would be acceptably VG+ for most collectors.

VERY GOOD ---- Record displays visible signs of handling and playing, such as loss of vinyl luster, light surface scratches, groove wear and spindle trails. Some audible surface noise, but should not overwhelm the musical experience. Usually a cover is VG when one or two of these problems are evident: ring wear, seam splits, bent corners, loss of gloss, stains, etc.

GOOD ---- Well played with little luster and significant surface noise. Despite defects, record should still play all the way through without skipping. Several cover flaws will be apparent, but should not obliterate the artwork.

POOR ---- Any record or cover that does not qualify for the above "Good" grading should be seen as Poor. Several cover flaws.