Moon in Scorpio (The Family Stand album)

Moon in Scorpio is an album by the American band the Family Stand, released in 1991.[1][2] The album was a commercial disappointment, with the band receiving more attention for its contributions to Paula Abdul's Spellbound.[3]

Moon in Scorpio
Studio album by
Released1991
GenreRock, R&B, funk
LabelEast West
ProducerThe Family Stand
The Family Stand chronology
Chain
(1990)
Moon in Scorpio
(1991)
Connected
(1998)

Production

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The album was produced by the Family Stand.[4] Vernon Reid contributed some guitar parts.[5] "Plantation Radio" is about the needless segregation found in radio programming playlists.[6] "The Education of Jamie" is about the omnipresence of white culture.[7]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [8]
Boston HeraldA[9]
Robert Christgau [10]
Los Angeles Times    [6]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide     [11]

Billboard declared that Sandra St. Victor "has the sassiness of Tina Turner and the range of Chaka Khan."[4] The New York Times called Moon in Scorpio a "full-bodied meltdown of soul, hip-hop and corrosive psychedelia," writing that "the Family Stand is fighting for musical and polemic freedom in a pop world where black artists are supposed to submit to cosmetic surgeons and let their whizbang producers do the talking."[12] The Washington Post considered it "a potent hard-rock-and-funk concoction that rings with blood-sweat-and-tears intensity."[13]

AllMusic wrote that the album's "meaty blend of R&B and rock was a creative triumph," and called it "an underexposed gem that's well worth searching for."[8] The Rolling Stone Album Guide deemed it "a tripped out explosion of talent."[11]

Track listing

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No.TitleLength
1."New World Order"3:38
2."Shades of Blue"5:04
3."You'll Never Be"4:36
4."Plantation Radio"4:58
5."Sky Is Falling"4:57
6."Shelter"4:23
7."Winter in My Heart"5:12
8."Free Spirit"5:09
9."Moon in Scorpio"7:15
10."Quiet Desperation"4:58
11."Chakra Love"5:05
12."In the Midst of Revolution"1:41
13."The Education of Jamie"7:06
14."Where Does Mommy Live?"5:08
15."Say Love"4:46
16."Boom Shock"1:19

Personnel

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  • Peter Lord - keyboards, vocals
  • V. Jeffrey Smith - multiple instruments
  • Sandra St. Victor - vocals

References

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  1. ^ "The Family Stand | Biography & History". AllMusic.
  2. ^ Maultsby, Portia K.; Burnim, Mellonee V. (October 26, 2016). Issues in African American Music: Power, Gender, Race, Representation. Taylor & Francis – via Google Books.
  3. ^ "Family Stand's Lord Is Also Pop-Song Standout". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. June 27, 1992 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ a b "Album Reviews". Billboard. Vol. 103, no. 48. Nov 30, 1991. p. 51.
  5. ^ Gore, Joe (February 1992). "Reviews". Guitar Player. Vol. 26, no. 2. p. 142.
  6. ^ a b Rosenbluth, Jean (3 Nov 1991). "Family Stand Leaves No Stone Unturned". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 61.
  7. ^ Johnson, Martin (10 Nov 1991). "Black Rock Rising". Fanfare. Newsday. p. 15.
  8. ^ a b "Moon in Scorpio - The Family Stand | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  9. ^ Romandetta, Julie (December 13, 1991). "The Family Stand Moon in Scorpio". Boston Herald. p. S15.
  10. ^ "Robert Christgau: CG: Artist 2854". www.robertchristgau.com.
  11. ^ a b The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. pp. 240–241.
  12. ^ Tate, Greg (24 Nov 1991). "The Family Stand's Brave New World". The New York Times. p. H30.
  13. ^ Griffin, Gil (1 Jan 1992). "Recordings: Multifaceted `Moon': The Family Stand's Top-Notch 2nd Effort". The Washington Post. p. B7.