Sly And Family Stone : Different Strokes By Different Folks

  Adam Levine - Guitar, Vocals
  Andy Newmark - Drums
  Babi Floyd - Drums, Vocals (Background)
  Bernie Worrell - Clavinet, Mini Moog
  Brian Warfield - Horn
  Buddy Guy - Guitar, Vocals
  Corey Hogan - Horn
  Cynthia Robinson - Trumpet, Vocals
  Daniel Crawford - Keyboards
  David Whild - Guitar
  Debra Killings - Bass
  Devin Lima - Vocals
  Freddie Stone - Guitar, Vocals
  Greg Errico - Drums
  Isaac Hayes - Vocals
  Ishmael Ferguson - Drums
  Jerry Freeman - Horn
  Jerry Martini - Saxophone
  Jesse Carmichael - Keyboards
  John Legend - Keyboards, Vocals
  Joss Stone - Vocals
  Kevin Kendricks - Keyboards
  Larry Graham - Bass, Vocals
  Lenesha Randolph - Vocals (Background)
  Mickey Madden - Bass
  Nikka Costa - Vocals (Background)
  Pat Rizzo - Saxophone
  Randy Jackson - Organ, Bass
  Rob 'Fonksta' Bacon - Guitar
  Rose Stone - Clarinet, Keyboards, Vocals
  Rusty Allen - Bass
  Ryan Dusick - Drums
  Steve Jordan - Bass, Guitar, Drums, Vocals (Background)
  Steven Tyler - Harp, Vocals
  Sylvester 'Sly Stone' Stewart - Organ, Vocals
  T.M. Stevens - Vocals (Background)
  Van Hunt - Vocals (Background)
  Vernon R. Heard - Bass

Different Strokes by Different Folks is a tribute album to Sly & the Family Stone, but it has strong elements of a remix album, as well. All 14 tracks here -- 12 tracks comprise the album proper, with two bonus tracks -- find the featured artists (sometimes duets or groups of artists) using the original Sly & the Family Stone recording as a basis for a new version, which is a blend of samples, drum loops, newly overdubbed instruments, and vocals. Often, these involve new, freestyle raps, but sometimes -- as when Maroon 5 or Buddy Guy and John Mayer team up -- it's just a newly sung song, albeit one sung over samples. There's an impressive, rather diverse roster here -- everybody from Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Moby to Chuck D, OutKast's Big Boi, D'Angelo, Isaac Hayes, Joss Stone, and Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am are here -- yet the sound of Different Strokes by Different Folks is rather consistent, due as much to the through-line of Sly Stone's original material as it is to the shared aesthetic of all the artists. This keeps things groove-oriented -- thanks to the predominant loops and drum machines, it's never as loose and funky as the original recordings, but its beats are infectious, and even if some of the added flair of the performances is a little labored or silly (most notably will.i.am on 'Dance to the Music,' which unfortunately kicks off the album, and Tyler's jive on 'I Want to Take You Higher' ), Stone's songs are so strong they shine through any missteps or cluttered production. This may not be a knock-out, but Different Strokes does serve as a potent reminder of just how vital Sly & the Family Stone's best music could be. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Different Strokes By Different Folks is the long awaited re-imagining of the music of Sly & the Family Stone, uniting a team of fiery all-star innovation in a revolutionary reversal that turns the notion of'sampling' on its head. Feeaturing an amazing and diverse selection of stars including John Legend, Joss Stone, Steven Tyler, Maroon 5, will.i.am, Big Boi, Janet Jackson, John Mayer and more, this much anticipated album marries old school traditions and new school attitude, creating brand new music. Original Sly & the Family Stone master tapes were given to an array of top artists and producers who then recorded their own contributions onto the masters to create new interpretations of these timeless classics, each with the approval of the reclusive Sly Stone. Columbia. 2006.