I’m Just Like You: Sly’s Stone Flower 1969-70

Sly Stone's short-lived Stone Flower imprint began as an outlet for kindred acts: his sibling Vet Stewart's band Little Sister, Family Stone doppelgangers 6ix, California soul man Joe Hicks. But flush with Sly's songwriting, arranging, production and playing, these rare tracks essentially constitute a lost solo set from the pioneering star's peak. Another remarkable co-star here is the Maestro Rhythm King MRK-2 drum machine: See Little Sister's 1970 "Somebody's Watching You," likely the first electro- beat-powered hit single, and "Life & Death in G & A (Parts 1 & 2)," all lascivious wah-wah guitar stank-funk, with Hicks yelling, "If it feels good, it's all right!" Right on.