Moon in Scorpio (The Family Stand album)

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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)

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]

Production[edit]

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[edit]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[8]
Boston HeraldA[9]
Robert Christgau(dud)[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[edit]

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[edit]

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

References[edit]

  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.