Back in the 80s, Prince put a little group together called "The Family". They were only together a matter of months before disbanding. Of course, rumors flew as to why the group went their separate ways. And since Prince wrote the material for their record, most of the gossip surrounded him. It's true, "The Family" was a creation of Prince as a vehicle to release even more music to the public, but it's also a collective of musicians and personalities that proved to be much more than just a sideshow.
"The Family" is easily one of my all time favorite releases on Paisley Park Records. I abso-freaking-lutely LOVE it! It blends all of the elements I loved about Prince circa 1986. Wendy & Lisa were playing a bigger roll in his sound, the music still had a funk foundation, but incorporated a European sound that was more sweeping and layered all at the same time. "Parade" is my favorite Prince album and the music surrounding him and his associates during this time is beyond incredible. I adore it. I love finding more of it. It's amazing.
So you can understand my hesitation when I heard The Family was getting back together to record new material. Despite album credits saying otherwise, Prince actually wrote all of the music on "The Family" with the exception of the jazz numbers (co-written by Eric Leeds) and 'River Run Dry'; which is penned by Bobby Z. Aside from Eric Leeds, none of the band members actually contributed to song writing. That fact by itself left me wondering if the group could pull it together and put out something worthy of this legendary record.
I placed my order, waited patiently, and finally the package arrived in the mail.
Right out the gate you know something special has happened. 'Drummers And Healers' kicks in with a driving funk and just like that, St. Paul assumes the role of Family leader as if he'd never left it. It's got the funk, it's got the groove and it's got the jazzy inflection of the original cd all over it. Judging by one song, I suddenly feel like this group of musicians has created something truly spectacular.
'Over The Canyon' blends the jazz and funk elements in a mid-tempo ballad focusing more attention on the duel voices of Susannah and St. Paul. Refreshingly, Susannah plays a more prominent role in this incarnation. She's got a lovely voice and it's been a fixture on many Wendy & Lisa recordings over the years. It's nice to hear her get some dues. 'Gaslight' features Susannah on lead vocals. Even though you still have the band's sound, this song ventures into territory completely new and separate from the original album. I hear Lisa and Wendy all over this song. They actually have some writing credits on the record and they play on it too. Although you almost never really know how much they actually contribute to any given piece of music they work on, this song smacks of their particular brand of deliciousness. They don't have a writing credit on this number, but I'm almost positive they did some arranging and certainly played on it.
'Beautiful You' is a tune that reminds me of 'River Run Dry'. It has a ring to it. A certain sound. St. Paul and Susannah sing this one as a duet with Susannah handling the bulk of the verses. The start of '@8' is very similar to 'River Run Dry' but it devolves into a slow funk workout that scrapes the bottom of the dance floor. This tune is so deep and bumpy... It's my favorite number on the entire disc. I can't get enough of it. Everywhere I go when this song blares, I sing at the top of my lungs. People just stare and stare...
'The Vigil' is the only song written solely by Wendy & Lisa. It's also the most complex track of the bunch. Musically, it sounds like the simplest, but that's a trick the girls like to throw at you. They use a minimalist sound to cover up some serious chords. And this bit is no exception. It's actually more jazz infused than any other song on the record and it reminds me of so many outtakes from 1985 and 86. The lyrics are quite beautiful and meaningful. Susannah and St. Paul once again, trade vocals back and forth on this sensual ballad. I believe this is the track that defines fDeluxe. Older fans will either fall in love with them or they'll decide the group can't hold up. It's the tune that makes or breaks the disc.
The original Family album featured a couple of jazz numbers fronted by Eric Leeds and in keeping step with that formula, 'Leeds Line' delivers an intricate instrumental. It's in danger of devolving into a segue between two songs, but thanks to his fellow band mates, it becomes an enjoyable listen all on its own. 'Lover' is the second tune to feature writing input from Wendy & Lisa. It starts off sounding quite "Family-esque" but once again, branches off into some new territory. Susannah takes over the lead vocals and the song sweeps you along like a waltz. Another wonderful track. "The music speaks to the soul of us"... This one literally does. It reaches out to you from the speakers.
'When You Go' is so delicately fragile it's heartbreaking. The first time I heard this number, it reminded me of a moment in my own life. I listened to it and couldn't help but feel moved. I think the greatest measure of an artist is the ability to touch an audience on a personal level. To create something other people can relate to or see themselves in, that is the true test of art. And fDeluxe achieved it for me with this tune. On a very sad level, but they did it nonetheless. 'Sanctified' feels like gospel on Sunday! It's got all the elements of a praise spiritual and they don't pull their punches here. The funk is present and so is the beat! 'Last House On The Block' closes out the disc. Although there aren't any writing credits listed on the sleeve, rest assured, Wendy & Lisa wrote this one. It's basically an instrumental reprise of 'The Vigil'. It sounds almost like the closing score to a motion picture and in a way, that's what The Family was. A picture of life. fDeluxe just shows you what's happening years later.
Many bands in the past have tried to copy the Prince sound. Some succeed more than others, but nothing ever truly touches his style. But what happens on "Gaslight" isn't even close to this. Instead of copying a sound Prince engineered through his own creativity and the imagination of people around him, fDeluxe take the essence of the music and make it their own. They blend the elements that made the first record special and make music in a direction Prince never would've considered. And all of this without losing that "Family-Sound" we've grown accustom to.
For those of you who have no idea who The Family were, don't fret. You can pick up "Gaslight" by fDeluxe and still feel like you've caught a train going somewhere new and exciting. For those of us who already know where that train has been, we're now looking forward to where it's going. Cause where it is right now is beautiful! My final words: GORGEOUS, NOSTALGIC & FULL OF PROMISE!
FDELUXE - GASLIGHT
01. Drummers And Healers
02. Over The Canyon
03. Gaslight
04. Beautiful You
05. @8
06. The Vigil
07. Leeds Line
08. Lover
09. When You Go
10. Sanctified
11. Last House On The Block
