Connected

The Family Stand: V. Jeffrey Smith (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, saxophone, organ, synthesizer, programming); Peter Lord (vocals, acoustic guitar, Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer, clavinet); Jacci McGhee (vocals).
Additional personnel includes: Joe Mardin (conductor); T-Bone Wolk (acoustic guitar, mandolin); Gary Poulson (guitar); Larry Smith (trumpet); Tyrone Cox (trombone); Norman "Keys" Hurt (Hammond B-3 organ); Tom Hammer (synthesizer); Leslie Lemon, Tracy Wormworth (bass); Leslie Ming, Jeremy Gaddie (drums); Bashiri Johnson (percussion).
Recorded at Electric Lady, Neptune Factor Studios and Sony Studios, New York, New York.
Personnel: The Family Stand (background vocals); V. Jeffrey Smith (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, saxophone, organ, bass synthesizer, drum programming); Peter Lord (vocals, acoustic guitar, Fender Rhodes piano, Wurlitzer organ); Jacci McGhee (vocals, background vocals); Gary Poulson (guitar); T-Bone Wolk (acoustic guitar, mandolin); Tom Hammer (synthesizer); Leslie Ming, Jeremy Gaddie (drums); Bashiri Johnson (percussion).
Audio Mixers: Jay Mark; Peter Moshay; V. Jeffrey Smith.
Recording information: Electric Lady, New York, NY; Neptune Factor Studios, NY; Sony Studios New York City, NY.
Photographer: John Falls.
Years after attempting to take the urban R&B world by storm, the Family Stand returned in 1998 with Connected. Peter Lord and Jeffrey Smith have added a new vocalist, Jacci McGhee, who fits right into the group's retro-soul. The band excels at classy soul and funk, sounding like a hybrid of Sly Stone, Prince, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. When they try to push their limits a bit too far, they collapse under their own ambition, be it lyrical or musical, but at its best, Connected is well-constructed contemporary soul that shows more craft and heart than many efforts in a similar vein. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine