The Family Stand is an American soul and R&B group based in New York City, active since the late 1980s, consisting of Sandra St. Victor, Peter Lord Moreland, and Vernon Jeffrey Smith.
Early career Chain brought them their international hit "Ghetto Heaven", which was remixed by Nellee Hooper & Jazzy B of Soul II Soul in 1990. The group's single "Ghetto Heaven" also reached #10 in the UK Singles Chart in April 1990. At the same time The Family Stand members were largely responsible for creating the songs on Paula Abdul's album Spellbound.
Moon in Scorpio, the album that became their swan song, was released in 1991. Lord labeled the album The Family Stand's "greatest artistic achievement."
Connected After discussion between the three, and disappointment with the lack of record company support, the group decided not to record again for the label. Lead vocalist St. Victor began to launch her solo career, and was replaced with Keith Sweat's former background vocalist Jacci McGhee in 1995. The reformed group came out with Connected.
2000s The original trio reunited in 2006 for a concert at New York City Central Park's Summerstage, which inspired a reunion tour and new album, 2007's Super Sol Nova. Their latest release in 2010 was a single, "Story", chronicling the madness of the American justice system where an innocent boy can easily be lost. The follow-up full length project is entitled, In A Thousand Years.
In 2011, The Family Stand member V. Jeffrey Smith played bass on the song "Black Hand Side" on rapper Pharoahe Monch's 2011 album W.A.R. (We Are Renegades).
In 2013, The Family Stand contributed a track to a benefit album to raise funds for Donovan Drayton's release from prison.
Discography Albums Year Album Label 1987 Chapters: A Novel by Evon Geffries and the Stand Atlantic Records 1990 Chain Atlantic Records 1991 Moon in Scorpio East West America/Atlantic Records 1997 Connected East West America/Atlantic Records 2007 Super Sol Nova Rounder Europe/Go! Entertainment 2010 In A 1,000 Years Digital-only release via Bandcamp
Singles Year Title Artist Label 1988 "Sex W/O Love" Evon Geffries & The Stand Atlantic Records 1988 "Why Does It Hurt When We Kiss?" Evon Geffries & The Stand Atlantic Records 1990 "Ghetto Heaven" The Family Stand Atlantic Records 1990 "In Summer I Fall" The Family Stand Atlantic Records 1990 "Sweet Liberation" The Family Stand Atlantic Records 1992 "Shades of Blue" The Family Stand East West America/Atlantic Records 1997 "You Don't Have to Worry" The Family Stand East West America/Atlantic Records 2010 "Story" The Family Stand Strategic Soul Ventures
References
External links The Family Stand website Sandra St.Victor website [ The Family Stand] at Allmusic The Family Stand at Discogs