You’ll find solid Double Plus (A++) grades or BETTER throughout this early Epic Yellow Label pressing of this famously compromised recording – fairly quiet vinyl too
The sound is huge – big, wide, deep, and open, with a punchy bottom end and rhythmic energy to spare, as well as cleaner, smoother, sweeter upper mids and a more extended top
You just don’t see too many clean copies of this one around – DJs and the like tend to snap them up as soon as they hit the bins (what’s a good party without a little “Family Affair”?)
5 stars: “And damn if this music isn’t funk at its deepest and most impenetrable — this is dense music, nearly impenetrable, but not from its deep grooves, but its utter weariness. Sly’s songwriting remains remarkably sharp, but only when he wants to write — the foreboding opener ‘Luv N’ Haight,’ the scarily resigned ‘Family Affair,’ the cracked cynical blues ‘Time,’ and ‘(You Caught Me) Smilin’.’ Ultimately, the music is the message, and while it’s dark music, it’s not alienating — it’s seductive despair, and that’s the scariest thing about it.”
