As far as record release parties go, you really can't beat the one that ushered in the Neville Brothers' Family Groove: the 360,000-attendee, media-saturated shindig that was the 1992 Jazz and Heritage Festival.

Family Groove landed in stores two days after the close of the Festival. The Nevilles, their management, and their record label made the most of the events that focused so much attention on the music of New Orleans.

The band's grueling schedule included two wee...