Along with James Brown and Parliament-Funkadelic, Sly & the Family Stone virtually invented 1970's funk. Their fusion of R&B; rhythms, infectious melodies, and psychedelia created a new pop/soul/rock hybrid. The impact of Sly's music has proven widespread and long-lasting. For instance, Motown producer Norman Whitfield patterned the label's forays into harder- driving, socially relevant material (such as The Temptations' "Runaway Child" and "Ball of Confusion") based on their sound. The pioneering precedent of Stone's racial, sexual, and stylistic mix, had a major influence in the 1980's on artists such as Prince and Rick James. Legions of artists from the 1990's forward - including Public Enemy, Fatboy Slim, Arrested Devellopment, Beck and many others - mined Stone's back catalog for samples. This 20 track compilation covers all the hits & fan favourites from the 1968-1974 period. For those not familiar with Sly this 2LP set on 180 grams audiophile vinyl is a great introduction and an invitation to dig deeper into Sly & The Family Stone's catalogue.