Brief Background: Stand! was recorded throughout ’68 and ’69 and was released in May of 1969.
What I think: I really love these Sly and the Family Stone songs. Most of them really only have one or two lines and an intense Psychedelic Soul and Funk track is built around that. The title track “Stand!” is a great example of this as well as the anti-racism song “Don’t Call Me Nigger, Whitey”.
The highlight of the album for me is the second side which starts with the exceptionally short, but catchy and important “Everyday People”, followed by the almost fourteen minute mostly instrumental track “Sex Machine” which is one of the best instrumental tracks I’ve ever heard. I love the way it ends with a drum solo that slows in tempo as it progresses. I also call it almost instrumental, because Sly is singing intelligible gibberish into a vocoder. The side ends with the very upbeat and more traditional “You Can Make it if You Try”
Do I agree or disagree with the writers as to this being an album you must listen to? Yes this should be here. It’s a great album and shows how good the group could be before the rapid descent of Sly.
Rating (Out of 5): 4.5
Amazon Review (Out of 5): 4.5
Is this my first time hearing this album? Yes (127/168)
Percentage of Albums that are new to me: 76%
1001 Albums You Must Hear (and Blog about) Before You Die 
I like that Sly Stone had his own horn section and backing singers as part of the band. It makes a big difference from bringing in session players. The music is very cohesive, and rich with interesting sounds. The musicianship on “Sex Machine” is impressive. Larry Graham and Greg Errico are on Rolling Stone’s lists of greatest bass players and drummers.