June 27th, 2025 - Everybody Is A Star, And Everyone Is Welcome Here

 

Happy funky Friday everyday people! The Meista here today getting funky and soulful with a pairing dedicated to the late, great Sly Stone who passed away earlier this month (June 9th).  I'm pairing the wonderful "Greatest Hits" of Sly And The Family Stone and a deliciously dangerous Everyone Is Welcome Here Mango & Blood Orange Saison from SaltFire Brewing Company!

Album Info:

• Artist: Sly And The Family Stone
• Title: "Greatest Hits"
• Recorded: 1967 through 1969
• Release date: November 21st, 1970 (1st 
• Record company: Epic Records
• Production: Sly Stone
• Album cover art: Teresa Alfieri (design) and Stephen Paley (photography)
• Personnel: Greg Errico (drums), Larry Graham (bass guitar and vocals), Jerry Martini (saxophone), Cynthia Robinson (trumpet and vocals), Freddie Stone (guitar and vocals), Rose Stone (piano, keyboards, and vocals), and Sly Stone (organ, guitar, piano, harmonica, and vocals)
• Additional musicians: Little Sister (backing vocals)
• Musical style: Proto funk, funk rock, soul, R&B, fusion, psychedelic soul rock
• Sound: Upbeat, up-tempo, soulful, funky, jazzy, and totally engaging, the music of Sly And The Family Stone is some of the best and most important grooves to come out of the 1960s!  These tracks will get your heart racing and your feet movin'! 
• Major themes: Life, love, peace, hope, freedom, self-esteem, beauty, togetherness, soul, rock, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "I Want To Take You Higher"
2. "Everybody Is A Star"
3. "Stand!"
4. "Life"
5. "Fun"
6. "You Can Make It If You Try"
7. "Dance To The Music"
8. "Everyday People"
9. "Hot Fun In The Summertime"
10. "M'Lady"
11. "Sing A Simple Song"
12. "Thank You (Faletinme Be Mice Elf Agin"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: SaltFire Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: https://www.saltfirebrewing.com/
• Brew: Everyone Is Welcome Here Mango & Blood Orange Saison
• Style: Saison / Farmhouse Ale 
• Serving: 16 ounce can 
• ABV: 6.3%
• Pour: The Everyone Is Welcome Here pours a somewhat hazy, bright orange yellow hue with a frothy, 1+ finger, bright white head that dissipates very quickly leaving virtually no lacing.
• Nose: The nose is characterized by fruity, floral, earthy, and spicy aromas.  There are big fruit esters notes of orange zest, mango, banana, pear juice, dried apricot, and lemon zest along with cloves, nutmeg, pink bubblegum, wet leather, and a splash of raw honey.
• Taste: The taste of the Everyone Is Welcome Here is a delicious blend of fruity, sweet, and slightly funky flavors.  There are notes of blood orange, fresh mango, pear juice, ripe banana, stone fruit, lemon zest, cloves, nutmeg, Chardonnay, very light pink bubblegum, a hint of barnyard funk, and light honey.
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and well carbonated, the mouthfeel is crisp, fizzy, and frothy with a very dry, slightly sweet finish.

Overall pairing: The crisp, fruity, complex, and very refreshing Everyone Is Welcome Here from the fine folks SaltFire Brewing Company is perfect for the upbeat funky grooves of some of the greatest songs by the amazingly talented Sly And The Family Stone!  'Nuff said!

Cheers!!  Keep it funky!