Following yesterday's We The People by A Tribe Called Quest, an earlier, and even more influential message of racial unity from the funk pioneers of the late 60s and early 70s. These songs are well known of course, but what's particularly striking is how much Sly and co influenced The Jacksons, Sly's sister Rose's style emulated to a certain extent by a young Michael, and the entire style was undoubtedly a huge inspiration for Prince.
The first two, from 1968 and '69, were often performed in a medley together, with footage here from showing sheer joy and exuberance of the band (in front of a very conservative audience), and at the time, the real rarity of a band composed of black and white, as well as male and female performers, including of course Sly's brother Freddie on guitar, Rose on piano, Cynthia Robinson on trumpet, Jerry Martini on saxophone and Gregg Errico on drums. If You Want Me to Stay, from 1973's There's a Riot Goin' On, is a slower number of wonderful funk, exemplifying the supreme bass lines that other key member, Larry Graham, and of course Sly's distinctive deep voice and sheer presence.
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