Higher!

New week and already behind so gonna post a few before the holiday here. Starting off this week with some Funk and R&B. During the 60's and 70's there were plenty of Funk bands, but perhaps none quite as funky as the eclectic Sly & The Family Stone. Formed in 67, the band was built around friends and family of Sly Stone. Billed as a multi racial and gender based group, the band was together until 83. The band had a rotating lineup before the band split up. Sly Stone has been somewhat of a recluse over the years. In 87 he was busted for drugs and sent to jail effectively putting him into retirement. In 2011 the band made a few festivals appearances, but it has been reported the Sly Stone is homeless and living out of a van in a rough part of LA. Sad times for a great musician. 'Higher!'  is a best of package that showcases the bands hits from the early days through the mid 70's. Released by Starbucks music in 05, this remains as one of the better best of packages out there for the band.

I remember growing up and hearing Sly & The Family Stone on the radio. I loved the high energy of the music and I just wanted to get up and dance around every time I heard 'Dance To The Music'. To this day I still crank that song whenever I hear it. There's an amusing story about this album and it's partly why I decided to post it. My folks bought this record at a Starbucks on their way out of town. My dad had always been a fan of the band and had recalled stories he had heard about Sly Stone. My mom tells the story as them driving along the California coast with this album at full blast. My father rocking out as only he could and my mother laughing hysterical at the grand nature of it all. I tell that story in honor of the holiday this week. Always give thanks to the folks, no matter what hell they have put you through as a child.

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