Sly Stone (1975) Mother is a Hippie - LOST70SGEMS

Sly Stone was always an original artist, his group practically would define the funk sound of the whole 70s from heavy groups of the Commodores, Kool and the Gang and smoother soul like EWF; and they all ripped off his deep milquetoasted 'jive' vocal style. But it was his melodies and musical arrangements that continue to sound so fresh, an old school soul style with quirky circus freak vibes, funkified syncopation and gravelly yet smooth contrasts.
Well into the 70s despite his personal demons, Sly Stone kept up the quality even if the groups who nicked his sound began to soar, Sly still had the edgiest sound but remaining melodic.
From a tight horn into to waves of wah wahed out, squeaky duck funkadelic synths wiggling away, the tight drumming rustles under the spacey chorus and then the rock steady turnarounds bring you back to the moment. But the incredible ascending 'staircase 'verses are phenomenal in terms of arrangement with Sly and backing singers singing in bright toned unison following the beat and so in the pocket it is irresistible. Their group vocals were also direct, fierce and so galvanised it was unreal even when the lyrics prettified here such as the second verse about 'Mother Beauty', the melody is direct yet rolls down the scale so effortlessly.