A bit of a letdown after the greatness of
Higgs' Triumph,
Family is a more laid-back record. It's also a bit off-putting; with its bright pastel colors and
Higgs' beaming countenance on the cover, you might think that this is a reggae LP for the Sesame Street crowd. But with songs like "Free Africa" and "There's a Reward," you'll quickly realize that more mature listeners are who he had in mind.
Higgs' vocals are strong, but the backing band doesn't have the punch of the "Chinna" Smith-led band of Triumph. Still,
Family is a fine, if low-key, record. ~ John Dougan