NEW YORK, NY (Epic/Legacy Recordings) - In an unprecedented gathering of musical talent, Maroon 5, will.i.am of The
Black Eyed Peas, John Legend,
Steven Tyler and
Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Joss Stone, Robert Randolph, and singer Devin Lima will join together at this year's 48th GRAMMY Awards to pay tribute to one of the 20th Century's true musical innovators and icons: Sly And The Family Stone, it was announced yesterday by The Recording Academy. This special Grammy salute to Sly And The Family Stone comes on the heels of the announcement of the release of Different
Strokes By Different Folks, an album of timeless hits of Sly And The Family Stone covered and remixed by the artists performing the Grammy tribute.
Different Strokes By Different Folks is due in stores February 7th on Epic/Legacy Recordings, one day before the 48th Grammy Awards on Wednesday, February 8th at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, airing on CBS Television Network. Also featured on the CD are Outkast's Big Boi, Janet Jackson, the Roots, Wylde Bunch, and Moby, among others.
Reflecting the impact of Sly Stone, Different Strokes By Different Folks marries the legendary sound of Sly and the Family Stone classics to an assorted mix of modern hit makers. Highlights include "Thank You Rhythm Nation 1814" with Janet Jackson, "I Want to Take You Higher" with Steven Tyler, will.i.am on "Dance to the Music," John Legend, Joss Stone and Van Hunt on "Family Affair," and Maroon 5 doing "Everyday People."
In what is a true sign of Sly's personal belief in this project, he gave his full approval to the artists and producers on Different Strokes by Different Folks to use the original Sly And The Family Stone master tapes for their new recordings, augmenting and altering them in a kind of reverse sampling. Though the last time the world saw Sly Stone was when he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.
Each track on the record takes a fresh look at some of the 20th Century's most revered genre-defying classics by one of rock's first truly integrated groups. The artists on Different Strokes by Different Folks, alone or in singular pairings (Chuck D., Isaac Hayes, and D'Angelo on the same track) take wildly varying approaches to their somewhat intimidating source material: everything from reverence to complete reinterpretation. Whatever the sound, each song reenergizes the groundbreaking hits of Sly and the Family Stone for the new millennium. Featured producers include Randy Jackson, Nile Rodgers and Steve Jordan.
The GRAMMY Awards will air on CBS Television Network on Wednesday, February 8th, at 8 PM.
A complete track list of Different Strokes By Different Folks:
01. Dance To The Music- will.i.am
02. Everyday People- Maroon 5
03. Star- Roots
04. Runnin' Away- Big Boi (featuring Sleepy Brown & Killer Mike)
05. Family Affair- John Legend & Joss Stone w/Van Hunt
06. (You Caught Me) Smilin'- Scar, Ceelo, Big Boi & DJ Swiff
07. If You Want Me To Stay- Devin Lima
08. I get High On You- The Wylde Bunch
09. Love City- Moby
10. You Can Make It If You Try- Buddy Guy & John Mayer
11. Sing A Simple Song- Chuck D, D'Angelo, Isaac Hayes
12. I Want To Take You Higher- Steven Tyler w/ Robert Randolph
13. Don't Call Me Nigger, Whitey- Nappy Roots & Martin Luther
14. Thank You Rhythm Nation 1814- Janet Jackson & DJ Reset
