Sly Stone : Final Recordings

Whilst best remembered for his musical output in the late 60's/early 70's, Sly Stone's later recordings (following the initial break-up of Sly & the Family Stone) went somewhat under the mainstream radar. 1975's High on You, (Stone's first and last solo album) followed on from the criminally under-rated Small Talk (1974). Its reception was mixed, albeit favourable when compared to those which met what was to follow. 1976 saw the 'reformation' of Sly & the Family Stone, although Cynthia Robinson happened to be the only original member in Stone's otherwise new line-up. The unfortunately titled Heard Ya Missed Me, Well I'm Back (1976) was a commercial and critical failure, with reviewers complaining of Stone's failure to develop the group's sound. The album's lack of success led to Stone being dropped from his label, Epic recordings.
Two more albums followed, 1979's Back on the Right Track, and finally Ain't But The One Way (1982), with Warner Bros soon becoming the latest label to drop the act.

Certainly these final recordings are nowhere near the brilliance of earlier works such as 1973's There's a Riot Goin' On, however they are peppered with some great tracks which provide an at times, fleeting glimpse of Stone's genius as a songwriter and musician.

High on You is certainly the most consistent of this set of albums, with its follow up Heard Ya Missed Me, Well I'm Back, suffering from over-production and perhaps a case of Stone trying too hard to regain his now diminishing popularity. Back on the Right Track is a considerable improvement, and I feel that reviews at the time were unfair in their dismissal of its merits. The Sly & the Family Stone brand had begun to be a curse, with the memory of previous successes over-shadowing any subsequent output. Ain't But the One Way, Stone's final output is a ramshackle and mostly uninspiring affair. What began as a collaboration between Stone and George Clinton, ended with a feud between the two, Clinton's disbandment, Stone's departure into self-imposed seclusion, and only producer Stewart Levine to pick up the pieces.

Here are some highlights from these recordings:



That's Lovin' You
from High on You (1975)






Blessing In Disguise
from Heard Ya Missed Me, Well I'm Back (1976)






Remember Who You Are
from Back On The Right Track (1979)






Ha Ha, Hee Hee
from Ain't But The One Way (1982)