Sly & the Family Stone

There’s a Riot Goin’ On

First released1971

There's a Riot Goin' On was recorded primarily at Record Plant Studios in Los Angeles between 1970 and 1971, with Sly Stone serving as the primary producer and creative force behind the album. The recording process was notably unconventional, featuring heavy use of multitrack recording and innovative studio techniques including extensive overdubbing and layering of instruments and vocals. Sly Stone utilized the studio as an instrument itself, employing techniques such as varispeeding and tape manipulation to create the album's distinctive sound, which departed from the live, energetic approach of the group's previous work. The production reflected the socio-political turbulence of the era and Sly's personal struggles, resulting in a darker, more introspective aesthetic compared to the group's earlier funk output. The album's sparse arrangement and emphasis on rhythm and production elements over traditional song structures marked a significant evolution in funk and soul music production.