Jan wondered:

what machine was used on [Sly & The Family Stone's US#1 "A Family Affair"?]

Some type of rhythm machine (think: Hammond beat box with preset rhythms) sounding somewhat similar - if not identical - to the ones used on "Kraftwerk 2" & "Tago Mago". The original version of this track is well worth a listen. Sly actually used that rhythm machine on an earlier release: Little Sister's remake of his "Somebody's Watching You", said to be the first significant pop hit to use 'programmed' rhythms. A short-lived R&B trio assembled by Sly with his kid sister as a principal member (hence the name), Little Sister charted with their version of the track (US#32) in early '71. Lech -- The world needs trees, not Bushes.