The Family Stand spearheaded the current classic-soul and funk revival way back in 1990 with their hot-buttered platter Chain. Their new Connected is just as archivally minded, featuring strings so silky, guitars so velvety and bass lines so greasy you can almost hear the crackle of well-used vinyl. The trio relies on age-old malefemale dynamics for material, including steamy desire ("Fienin'"),...

Always wanting quick returns on artist advances, the music business often behaves like the banking business. In this commercial atmosphere, it's rare for a label to promote an album after more than a year if it isn't massive. Yet that's exactly what East West is doing with Chain, the second effort by the Family Stand.

Chain pairs postmodern thrust with retro detailing, goofy lyrics with serious...