Both were quality bands from the late '60s/early '70s.
Both challenged & crossed barriers of Pop music.
Sly & The Family Stone excelled at mixing Rock-Funk-Soul; they even played the Newport Jazz Festival(IIRC). Personally, I would start with
Stand!...contains the classics, "I Wanna Take You Higher", Everyday People", & "Sing A Simple Song".
Dance To The Music &
Life are also very, very good.
Anthology, too if you all the hits.
Rare Earth was a 'white' Motown act on "Rare Earth" records(subsidiary of Motown Records). They played in a Rock/R&B vibe; they even covered some Motown classic tunes such as "Get Ready" & "I Know I'm Losing You". To say they stretched these covers out in a LIVE situation would be an understatement.
They also covered The Beatles("Elanor Rigby").
I have
Ecology & a double-LP LIVE set. IMO, they're a cool band; I really like "I Just Wanna Celebrate".
I wouldn't have minded playing in a band like Rare Earth.
Check
www.allmusic.com for more detailed analysis.
