Search - Family Stand :: Connected

The Most Underrated R&B/Soul Album Of 1998, Hands Down

08/18/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Sometimes, I honestly believe that a great deal of these young artists today still don't get it. What made this kind of music thrive back in the day (I consider the late-60's to mid-70's period the "golden age" for that matter) was not solely on account of strong songwriting or experimenting with various styles and ideas, but LIVE INSTRUMENTATION AND ACTUAL SINGING ABILITY AS WELL. In this case, there are really only a handful of albums that were released this past decade which truly lived up to those standards. Not surprisingly, a good number of them were done by artists outside this country.That brings us to this finely crafted album by the NY-based Family Stand. Connected serves as a painful example of how far the music industry has gone off the deep end in terms of not promoting legitimate musical talent on a more consistent basis, especially when the timing couldn't have been more perfect for this particular group. Compared to other albums in its genre that were released the very same year, NONE of them in my honest opinion could truly compete with Connected in terms of overall content. There is an abundance of solid, at-times brilliant, songwriting, live instrumentation (a band laying out killer grooves on all but ONE track), and well-honed singing chops found here which easily places it a notch or two above its peers. Only the one track in question (You Don't Have To Worry) has any hint of the kind of electronic programming that would normally be found on more mainstream releases. Fortunately, it was wisely done in a manner so as to not deviate from the song's main intent of telling an emotional story of racism and single parenting in today's society.It's quite unfortunate to find Connected out of print now, but there should be some copies lying around in used cd bins if one knows where to look. Call it "retro" or "dated" or whatever (I'm 21 so that really says a lot about what I find acceptable in music these days), I sincerely believe that good music is good music no matter what way, shape, or form it is done in. And Connected remains an album loaded with GOOD MUSIC. What more is there to say???Highlights: When Heaven Calls (shades of the Isley Brothers, circa early to mid-70's) Title track (wonderfully orchestrated soul number; goes to prove the old school sounds of yesteryear will never truly die)It Should've Been Me That Loved You (eat your heart out, Stevie!) What Must I Do Now? (two-part song that remains the album's centerpiece; check out the latter half devoted to the late Tupac Shakur) You Don't Have To Worry (eat your heart out, Sly!) Fienin' (should've gotten some radio play at the time because it seems funk like this just isn't done anymore; vocalist Jacci McGhee really turns it out on this cut)More and More (sexy, late-night soul number that probably would've made even Rufus & Chaka Khan take notice)"

U Don't Have to Worry..this is a great CD

saniel jackson | washingon, DC United States | 11/25/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I absolutly loved this album..i heard the single on the radio when it first came out and searched and searched til I found this cd. you know when u purchase a cd and go straight to the song that is on the radio..with this cd u did not have to do that all the tracks before and after "You don't have to worry" were hittin it. I just wish more artists could sound the way they do on record as they do live. Hope u enjoy!"

The Family Stand Triumphs with their best album yet!

saniel jackson | 04/19/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I love this album! I believe that it is one of the best albums to come out of 1998. With their new female lead vocalist (Jacci McGhee of Keith Sweat's "Make it Last Forever" fame), the Family Stand have matured into a band to be reckoned with. There is not a song on this album that I do not enjoy, and I am hard pressed to say which songs are my favorites. I feel that in "Connected", a perfect chord has been struck between R & B, Rock, and Funk, mixing together into a big ball of great music. If you enjoy N'Dea Davenport, Sly and the Family Stone, or Dionne Farris (Where is she, anyway?) I think that you will definitely enjoy the Family Stand's most recent release, "Connected"."