On this day August 19 1985, The Family released their self titled debut album. Created under the guidance of Prince, the project was one of the earliest releases on his Paisley Park label and featured a mix of funk, pop, and jazz influences. Though the band only released this one album, it made a lasting impression, particularly with the original version of Nothing Compares 2 U, later made famous by Sinéad O’Connor.
The Family included former members of The Time along with Susannah Melvoin, creating a blend of talents that carried Prince’s experimental Minneapolis sound forward. While it didn’t achieve massive commercial success at the time, the record developed a cult following and is now considered an important piece of the Paisley Park story.
80s insight: Prince’s side projects in the 80s showcased his ability to reinvent and spread his influence across genres, making The Family an album that resonated beyond its initial release.
The Family included former members of The Time along with Susannah Melvoin, creating a blend of talents that carried Prince’s experimental Minneapolis sound forward. While it didn’t achieve massive commercial success at the time, the record developed a cult following and is now considered an important piece of the Paisley Park story.
80s insight: Prince’s side projects in the 80s showcased his ability to reinvent and spread his influence across genres, making The Family an album that resonated beyond its initial release.
