Back on the Right Track
Studio album by
Sly and the Family Stone
ReleasedOctober 9, 1979[1]
Recorded1979
GenreFunk, soul
Length26:07
LabelWarner Bros. (BSK 3303)
ProducerMark Davis
Sly and the Family Stone chronology
Heard Ya Missed Me, Well I'm Back
(1976) 		Back on the Right Track
(1979) 		Ain't But the One Way
(1982)

Back on the Right Track is a studio album by Sly and the Family Stone, released by Warner Bros. Records in 1979.[2] The album was, as its title alludes to, an overt comeback attempt for Sly Stone. However, the album and its singles, "Remember Who You Are" and "The Same Thing (Makes You Laugh, Makes You Cry)", failed to live up to expectations.

Some of the original Family Stone members, including Cynthia Robinson, Pat Rizzo, Freddie Stone, and Rose Stone, make contributions to this album. Back on the Right Track was produced by Mark Davis.[3]

Back on the Right Track and the following studio release, Ain't But the One Way, were combined by Rhino Records into a compilation called Who in the Funk Do You Think You Are: The Warner Bros. Recordings in 2001.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[4]
Christgau's Record GuideB[5]
Record Mirror[6]
Smash Hits2/10[7]
The Virgin Encyclopedia of R&B and Soul[8]

The Buffalo News called Back on the Right Track "a joyous, buoyant breakthrough album ... the music is as punchy as ever."[9]

Track listing

All songs credit Sly Stone as songwriter; except "Remember Who You Are", written by Sly Stone and Hamp Banks

Side A

  1. "Remember Who You Are" - 3:16
  2. "Back on the Right Track" - 3:20
  3. "If It's Not Addin' Up...." - 2:41
  4. "The Same Thing (Makes You Laugh, Makes You Cry)" - 2:40

Side B

  1. "Shine It On" - 4:51
  2. "It Takes All Kinds" - 2:57
  3. "Who's to Say" - 2:49
  4. "Sheer Energy" - 3:33

Personnel

Technical

References

  1. ^ Who in the Funk Do You Think You Are: The Warner Bros. Recordings (CD liner notes). Sly and the Family Stone. Rhino Records. 2001. p. 19.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. ^ Freedom du Lac, Josh (27 Jan 2006). "Sly Stone's Surprise". The Washington Post. p. C1.
  3. ^ Beck, Marilyn (3 Oct 1979). "Sly Stone Ready to Go on Tour?". Democrat and Chronicle. p. 3C.
  4. ^ Back on the Right Track at AllMusic
  5. ^ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: S". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved March 9, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
  6. ^ Coyne, Peter (5 January 1980). "Sly And The Family Stone: Back On The Right Track". Record Mirror. p. 15.
  7. ^ Starr, Red. "Albums". Smash Hits (December 13–26, 1979): 29.
  8. ^ Larkin, Colin (1998). The Virgin Encyclopedia of R&B and Soul. Virgin. p. 305.
  9. ^ Herbeck, Dan (23 Nov 1979). "Records: Soul". Gusto. The Buffalo News. p. 33.
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