Dead stock find! The Family is the only album from the Prince side project of the same name. The short-lived group was formed out of the ashes of The Time after both Morris Day and guitarist Jesse Johnson left to pursue solo careers. The remaining members were joined by Susannah Melvoin and Eric Leeds, and were one of the first band to sign to Prince's newly formed Paisley Park imprint. The majority of the band's material was composed and performed by Prince with Paul Peterson's and Melvoin's vocals being overdubbed. Leeds would add saxophone and flute to the recordings, as well. The Family marked the beginning of Prince's long-term collaboration with Leeds and was his first collaboration with composer and arranger Clare Fischer. The album allowed him to try on many different musical concepts, from unconventional soul ballads like "Nothing Compares 2 U" and "Desire," to the jazz fusion instrumentals "Yes" and "Susannah's Pajamas." Eight tracks in all. Released by Prince's Paisley Park housed in a gatefold sleeve.

• gatefold sleeve
• music label: Paisley Park 1985

reviewed by Ask Scott 05/2016