Family Brown
Family Brown was a soul group from Detroit, Michigan, active primarily in the 1970s and 1980s, originally known as The Compacts. Limited detailed records exist on this obscure act, as it did not achieve widespread commercial success or extensive documentation.
Six brothers and one sister from the Brown family delivered a smooth vocal style, not unlike The Delfonics, that was so popular in the early 70s.
The group started as The Compacts in Detroit's vibrant soul scene during the late 1960s or early 1970s. They transitioned to Family Brown, reflecting the familial or collective spirit common in Motown-influenced ensembles. No major label deals or national hits are prominently documented for them.
Family Brown produced soul music typical of Detroit's post-Motown era, blending harmonies, funk rhythms, and emotional ballads. Their activity peaked amid the 1970s disco-soul wave and faded into the 1980s amid industry shifts.
The group were signed to United Artists Records in the mid-seventies releasing an album entitled Imaginary World (1978) and a ballad single from it "I Can't Get Used To Being Alone." They released one more single entitled "I'm Gonna Getcha" in 1984 on the Buzz Records label before disbanding.
As a local act, Family Brown contributed to Detroit's underground soul circuit but left scant discography or member bios publicly available.
Imaginary World
Written-By – M. Dollison 3:03
A2 Happy In Love
Written-By – G. Daly, M. Dollison, Z. Prather 3:59
A3 I Can't Get Used To Being Alone
Written-By – M. Dollison 3:03
A4 Crossing Over
Written-By – A. Brown, A. Lewis, G. Brown, J. Brown, R. Brown 3:28
B1 Imaginary World
Written-By – A. Brown 3:40
B2 When I Need You
Written-By – A. Hammond, C. B. Sager 3:33
B3 Never Had A Love
Written-By – G. Brown 2:59
B4 Listen
Written-By – G. Brown 3:04
B5 When Your Love's Not There
Written-By – L. Dollison, M. Dollison 3:27
Label: United Artists Records – UA-LA828-G
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1978
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Funk, Disco
The 1978 album Imaginary World by the funk/soul group Family Brown is a sought-after record known for its specific musical style rather than extensive critical reviews. It is primarily recognized as a collectors' item within the soul, funk, and disco genres.
It's their only album, making it a collector's item, particularly for rare groove enthusiasts. The group, originally known as Carla And The Compacts, featured members like Joseph Brown (who played with Side Effect/Starguard) and Tracey Brown, who later found solo success.
The album is considered a "sought after rare groove" item by collectors, with specific tracks like "Never Had a Love" and the title track being popular.
On music database sites like Discogs, the album generally holds a high average user rating (e.g., 4.66/5 from 38 ratings), indicating strong appreciation among those who own and rate it.
Descriptions from sellers and music snippets suggest a sound rich in "waves of rhythmic downtempo" and "funky grooves". The tracks are characterized as having a "mystic, noir quality" with "plenty of room for exploration".
Imaginary World is an album that is more of a hidden gem for fans of vintage funk and soul, appreciated for its deep grooves and production, rather than one that received widespread mainstream critical analysis at the time of its release. You can find more details and user ratings on its Discogs entry.