Higher!

I was hesitant about purchasing this, since I already have his major albums and a couple of his lackluster later ones. Sound-bytes are by nature deceptive, but I took the plunge anyway. So what happened? This was a rediscovery of Sly. I realized I had no idea that his really early material would be so exciting -- sometimes Zappa-like, sometime James Brown-ish, and many more influences (big time zany horns, harmonies, and organ), but always top notch songs. The ultimate craftsman, a man born to do this only. I'm not sure what the concept is behind this anthology, but I found many gems that left me floored. Sure, not all will please you, but you get a powerful sense of his musicality and his changing visions. There's deep commitment and often high inspiration in each song. Highly recommended.