The Family (August 19,1985) – The Family Album Release US

The Family’s self‑titled debut album was released in the US on August 19 1985. Conceived and produced by Prince, the project introduced a new Minneapolis‑based group featuring St. Paul Peterson, Susannah Melvoin, Jerome Benton, Jellybean Johnson, and Eric Leeds. Although Prince was officially credited only for writing Nothing Compares 2 U, he composed seven of the eight tracks and played nearly all instruments.

The record marked the first Prince‑related release to feature Eric Leeds on saxophone and Clare Fischer’s orchestral arrangements, and was the second album issued on Paisley Park Records after Around the World in a Day. Recording sessions took place between June and August 1984 at Flying Cloud Drive Warehouse, with mixing completed in April–May 1985. The album blends funk, soul, jazz, and new‑wave influences, foreshadowing Prince’s later Parade era.

Despite limited promotion, The Family reached No. 62 on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums chart and No. 17 on the Top Black Albums chart.

Album Details

Released: 12 August 1985 (UK) | 19 August 1985 (USA) Recorded: June–August 1984 Studios: Flying Cloud Drive Warehouse, Minneapolis Genre: Funk / Soul / Jazz / New Wave Length: Labels: Paisley Park / Warner Bros. Producer: Prince (credited to David Z. Rivkin & The Family)

Track Listing

Side One  

• High Fashion — Prince (credited to Jerome Benton & St. Paul Peterson) — 5:06

• Mutiny — Prince (credited to Jerome Benton) — 3:57

• The Screams of Passion — Prince (credited to St. Paul Peterson & Susannah Melvoin) — 5:26

• Yes — Prince & Eric Leeds (credited to Jellybean Johnson & Jerome Benton) — 4:27

Side Two  

• River Run Dry — Bobby Z. — 3:31

• Nothing Compares 2 U — Prince — 4:31 • Susannah’s Pajamas — Prince & Eric Leeds (credited to Eric Leeds) — 3:58

• Desire — Prince (credited to St. Paul Peterson) — 4:58

Total length: 36:01

Chronology: Around the World in a Day (1985) → The Family (1985) → Parade (1986)

Packaging

Issued on vinyl LP, cassette, and compact disc (reissue). The original LP featured minimalist Paisley Park design elements and a monochrome cover photograph of the band.

Reception

Although critically praised for its lush arrangements and sophisticated production, the album’s commercial performance was modest due to minimal promotion.

The group performed live just once, at First Avenue in Minneapolis on August 13 1985.

LP Catalogue Numbers

UK release: Paisley Park / Warner Bros. Warner Bros. Records – 925 322-1,

US release: Paisley Park / Warner Bros. Paisley Park – 9 25322-1, Warner Bros. Records – 9 25322-1.

CD (reissue) — Paisley Park / Warner Bros. — Germany — 7599-25322-2

Full Track‑Specific Credits

The Family   St. Paul Peterson — lead vocals

Susannah Melvoin — co‑lead vocals on The Screams of Passion; background vocals on High Fashion, River Run Dry, Nothing Compares 2 U, Desire  

Prince — all instruments (except where noted); background vocals (uncredited) Eric Leeds — saxophone on High Fashion, Mutiny, Yes, Nothing Compares 2 U, Susannah’s Pajamas, Desire  

Clare Fischer — string orchestration on High Fashion, The Screams of Passion, River Run Dry, Nothing Compares 2 U, Desire  

Wendy Melvoin — rhythm guitar on Yes

Additional Personnel

Jellybean Johnson — credited but did not perform

Jerome Benton — credited but did not perform

Miko Weaver — credited but did not perform

Technical

David Z. Rivkin — engineer Susan Rogers — engineer Bernie Grundman — mastering

Charts

USA Billboard Top Black Albums Chart (1985) — No. 17 USA Billboard Top Pop Albums Chart (1985) — No. 62

Singles from The Family

The Screams of Passion — Released 1985 (b/w Yes)

High Fashion — Released 1985 (b/w Susannah’s Pajamas)

SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts, Prince Vault, Sleeveographia2

All magazine scans, photographs, and original text excerpts referenced in this entry remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This Chronicle entry is a transformative, non‑commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference. No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.

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