Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Anthology essentially replicates the previous collection Greatest Hits and adds singles from There's A Riot Goin' On and Fresh to the end of the album. Where Greatest Hits didn't follow chronological order, Anthology presents every single in the order they were released — and, with the exception of the latter-day singles and the inclusion of "Don't Call Me Nigger, Whitey," that is the major difference between the two collections. Anthology goes for a sweeping, definitive overview, while Greatest Hits is a brief blast of 12 of the finest singles of the rock & roll era. Either compilation functions as an excellent introduction, but Anthology is more comprehensive, giving it the edge as a first purchase.

David Cantwell, Amazon.com

For a time, it seemed as if Sly Stone would change the world, and it's only because his music was so ambitious that we forget, sometimes, that he did just that. His integrated band played funk-based jams, but always with touches of soul, blues, rock, and lots and lots of pop, a synthesis that spoke to its time even as it predicted the future. Comprising some of the most accomplished and inspirational music ever created, this 20-song set contains all but the last of his hits as well as a few hard-edged album tracks. Until a proper box set is put together, this will have to do.

Originally released as a 2-LP set. Sylvester Stewart, AKA Sly Stone, was a singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist who fused R&B with rock and roll when Prince was still in purple satin diapers. With the Family Stone, he created a complex, energetic brand of soul/rock that had a profound impact on both musical worlds. Stewart was one of the first pop artists to directly address racial issues (in songs like "Don't Call Me Nigger, Whitey"). Reaching out to people of all races, he also penned one of the funkiest, most memorable "message" songs, "Everyday People." ANTHOLOGY is an excellent introduction to this crucial link in American music; it's also a collection of some of the finest singles ever recorded. "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" is assured its place in funk history by virtue of Larry Graham's thumb-slapping bass riff. Butt-shaking anthems like "Dance To The Music" and "I Want To Take You Higher" display Stone's skills as an arranger, creating a whirlwind of sound incorporating funk rhythms, soul horns and rock guitar, along with the ensemble vocals that were a Family Stone specialty.

© Frank Steven Groen