"Life and Death in G&A" aka "Life and Death in G & A" is a song written by Sylvester Stewart, also known as "Sly Stone". It has been recorded by Joe Hicks, Abaco Dream and Love Childs Afro Cuban Blues Band. Both Abaco Dream's and Love Childs Afro Cuban Blues Band's versions charted, performing best on the R&B/Soul-oriented charts, with critics praising both songs as well. Abaco Deam version
Reception According to Money Music in the August 9, 1969 issue of Record World, radio station WMCA was all out on the Abaco Dream single.Record World, August 9, 1969 - Page 24 Money Music (Continued from page 18), WMCA all out on Abaco Dream on A&M The magazine also later wrote that the flip, "Cat Woman" was "groovy" and performed with "style", giving it a four-star rating. Billboard described it as a "Driving rocker with far out lyric line aimed right at the underground and Top 40 outlets," adding that it was "Loaded with sales appeal and chart activity." Charts The single eventually peaked at No. 74 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at No. 25 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart in 1969.MusicVF.com - Life and Death in G&A : Abaco Dream "Life and Death in G&A" was ranked higher on the Record World charts, reaching No. 61 on the 100 Top Pops and at No. 23 on the Top 50 R&B chart. The single also managed to climb to No. 58 on the Cashbox Top 100 Singles during a seven-week run on it. "Life and Death in G & A" reached No. 34 in Canada and the b-side "Cat Woman" was No. 66.
Joe Hicks version
Background Joe Hicks recorded "Life and Death In G&A". It was released as a single on Stone Flower 45-9003 with "Life and Death in G&A-Part II" as the A side. The B side was "Life and Death in G&A-Part I".45Cat - Joe Hicks - 7" Singles Discography, Life And Death In G&A-Part II
According to Ed Ward in his article "Sly Stone: The Early Days In The East Bay" which was published on NPR on 18 August 2011, Joe Hicks' version of "Life and Death in G and A" was one of the most disturbing records he'd ever heard.NPR, August 18, 2011 - Sly Stone: The Early Days In The East Bay By Ed Ward Hicks' version of the song is included on the I'm Just Like You: Sly's Stone Flower 1969–70 album. According to Sly Stone Music, "Life And Death In G&A" is "one of the bleakest moments Sly Stone ever created on disc".Sly Stone Music, October 21, 2014 - ‘I’m Just Like You: Sly’s Stone Flower 1969-70’ Available Now, I’m Just Like You: Sly’s Stone Flower 1969-1970:, 6. Joe Hicks – Life & Death in G & A
Love Childs Afro Cuban Blues Band version
Background Love Childs Afro Cuban Blues Band worked with producers Jerry Love and Michael Zager, and recorded their version of "Life And Death In G&A". Backed with "Bang Bang", it was released on Roulette R-7172 in 1975 as the band's debut single.Discogs - Love Childs Afro Cuban Blues Band – Life And Death In G&A / Bang Bang
Reception The single received a positive critical reception upon its release. Record World believed that the single is "already making it a renewed staple of the dance floor and soon to see it through to its charttoppin' due." Cashbox magazine stated that it had a "meaty rhythm section," with a "vibrant brass arrangement." They also noted that "The song is set into motion with strong vocals which come through to perk up the mostly instrumental track." Blues & Soul wrote that the "Heavy bass lines are cleverly accentuated by some excellent brass parts," adding that the song "Builds into a strong disco item as the girl chorus steps in to add a new dimension." Charts "Life and Death in G&A" debuted at No. 103 on the Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100 chart for the week of 5 July 1975,Billboard, July 5, 1975 - Page 20 Bubbling Under The HOT 100, 103 -LIFE AND DEATH IN G &A, Love Childs Afro Cuban Blues Band, Roulette 7172 climbing to No. 48 on the Hot 100. It also debuted at No. 100 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart that same week,Billboard, July 5, 1975 - Page 30 Billboard Hot Soul Singles, This Week 100, NEW ENTRY >, LIFE AND DEATH IN G&A (Love Childs Afro) - Cuban Blues Band peaking at No. 90 during its three-week total run on it.
Other versions The song was also recorded by Chairmen of the Board.REBEAT Magazine - The Unhooked Generation: Holland-Dozier-Holland After Motown – Part 4 Part 4: Invictus Records, 1974-1977, “Life and Death”
Further reading Head Heritage, Dec 7, 2000 - The Book of Seth, Abaco Dream Life And Death In G&A/Cat Woman
References
External links Discogs - Abaco Dream – Life And Death In G & A sirc73 channel, Sep 24, 2011 - Abaco Dream "Life & death in G & A" (audio) Discogs - Joe Hicks – Life And Death In G&A Patrick Marchal channel, - Joe Hicks - Life & Death In G & A (Pts 1 & 2) (a Sly Stone production) (audio) Discogs - Love Childs Afro Cuban Blues Band – Life And Death In G&A / Bang Bang First of All 70's Funk & Soul channel, Oct 15, 2023 - Love Childs Afro Cuban Blues Band - Life And Death In G & A (audio)