He was of the elite in percussion players for eons in countless sessions, he had a very distinct style which set him apart. The Creed Taylor catalogue has his mark all over those sessions in addition to countless classics..im heartbroken..Rest Bro Ralph..Grover is waiting on you..

The First Family of Funk, Rock and Soul produced one of the greatest (though criminally underrated) bass players ever..Rest In Paradise MARVIN ISLEY..

here’s a taste of Marvin Isley at his finest…

(yes when you hear that BASSLINE..you are listening to the man himself..)

(the original blueprint..)

The Isley Bros 70′s performances are VERY RARE on You Tube for some odd reason.. The Isley estate dont play man!! ..Enjoy while you can

Happy Birthday!!!

Guess who produced this number?
(proud owner of the 7inch on this jam..)

This next record has haunted me for years. The lead singer is still a mystery to this day..but it is clear as bell that the FAMILY STONE is holding down the rhthym section. Guess who produced this one? (whoever has the 7 inch to this.. you are BEYOND official, not easy to find. I am a proud owner of this and the MIGHTY JOE HICKS version on 7inch).

Guess who was the FIRST to use the talkbox? Which later influenced STEVIE, GUITAR WATSON, FRAMPTON, McCARTNEY, ERNIE ISLEY, TROUTMAN, etc. This was the theme music for the late great FRANKIE CROCKER “The Chief Rocker” (MY HERO!!) in his earlier years whenever he would “rap” on the radio. Stomp down Blues Funk at its finest!!

Update: Thank You Big Time Record Company for making small time moves by not exposing the music to fans on your artist roster..smart move..

Fans: the song is entitled “Sex Machine”…no not the James Brown version..it can be found on their 1969 release “Stand”

RARITIES >

“I Dont Know What The World Is Coming To” (1975) | Bobby Womack Sly provides background vocals. Put headphones on for it to really become clear, can be heard at the end near fade out.

“You Caught Me (Smiling)” (1971) | 7inch version | Sly and The Family Stone
Okay, for my “diggers” out there..you know where im going with this one..This is an alternate mix compared to the standard lp mix. The difference is that during the first bridge before the chorus, Sly lets out a huge JB-ish growl that can be only found on the 7 inch version.

Motown | The Golden Years {Dahl | McDougal III }
The Great Weldon McDougall III,
Musician, Producer, Former Label Exec for Motown/Philadelphia International states in his book that Sly and The Family Stone’s “STAND” lp was used as reference at Motown quality control meetings in search of direction for The Jackson 5 debut Lp “ABC” .

Funk Gets Stronger | Funkadelic | (1979)
Sly on the background vocals/talk box with Roger Troutman on Rhythm Guitar. A really feel good cut!!

Guess who is the proud owner of a skit with Sly + a live perfomance of “Family Affair” on The Tony Orlando Show (1977)?! Super Rare..Not even YOU TUBE can claim that one..

dammit where’s KC Hailey?!!

Barry White has a vamp that is very similiar to this track that he recorded around this same time (78-79). I gotta dig up and post it..I think its on the “Barry White :The Man” lp.
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Had to come with the double shotter for “The Poet”…I was literally RAISED on this next selection..this is a remake of an old ragtime blues classic..This is actually my FAVORITE in all of Bobby’s songs..The sessions with his rhythm section during this period (“PEACE” w/David Hood, Roger Hawkins, etc) were off the chain! Listen to that swing and grit! Priceless! A huge shout out to whoever mixed his sessions during the 70′s period..you always felt “the bottom” on all of Bobby’s tracks (observe how the string section “rises” in on the fade out!!).

PS: Not mad at the lyrics either (as long as the man is doing his part in keeping things together) ..this is actually one of my Mom’s favorite records..