DEEP DIVES – Prince, conclusion

Well, I’ve managed to listen to and review every album from Prince’s prolific career.  I enjoyed the experience although I can’t say have any particular insights to offer.  Prince was clearly one of the most innovative and talented performers in the world for the first 15 years of his career.  That he couldn’t match that later in life is no shame. I had hoped to find a hidden gem in the albums I hadn’t listened to before, but as Prince warred with Warner Bros. and even as he gained control over his own releases in the 90s and 00s, there seemed to be an emphasis of releasing Prince music in bulk rather than quality.  One review I read noted that Prince made the work of selecting and sequencing songs for his albums to the fans.  Still, in the last decade of his life Prince accepted his place as a legacy artist and found ways to use his fame to continue to challenge his audiences.  This was reflected mostly in his dynamic concert performances more than his recordings, but I think in his final albums there were signs of a Prince revival that was cut short by his death.

As I went through the albums, I made a playlist of all my favorite Prince songs.  You can listen to the 135 tracks on Tidal.

Here also is the full list with links to album reviews, including posthumous releases I reviewed before this project began.  I’ve marked my ten favorite albums in bold.

For You	1978		***
Prince	1979		***1/2
Dirty Mind	1980		****
Controversy	1981		****
1999	1982	Prince and the Revolution	*****
Purple Rain	1984	Prince and the Revolution	*****
Around the World in a Day	1985	Prince and the Revolution	****
Parade	1986	Prince and the Revolution	****
Sign “☮︎” the Times	1987		****1/2
8	1987	Madhouse	***
16	1987	Madhouse	***1/2
Lovesexy	1988		***1/2
Batman	1989		***
Graffiti  Bridge	1990		***1/2
Diamonds and Pearls	1991	Prince and the New Power Generation	***1/2
[Love Symbol]	1992	Prince and the New Power Generation	***1/2
Goldnigga	1993	The New Power Generation	**1/2
Come	1994		**1/2
The Black Album	1994		***1/2
The Gold Experience	1995		**1/2
Exodus	1995	The New Power Generation	***
Chaos and Disorder	1996		**1/2
Emancipation	1996		***
Kamasutra	1997	The NPG Orchestra	***
Crystal Ball	1998		***1/2
The Truth	1998		***
Newpower Soul	1998	The New Power Generation	**
The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale	1999		**
Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic	1999		***
The Rainbow Children	2001		**1/2
One Nite Alone…	2002		**
One Nite Alone… Live!	2002	Prince and the New Power Generation	***1/2
Xpectation	2003		***1/2
N-E-W-S	2003		**1/2
Musicology	2004		***
The Chocolate Invasion	2004		***1/2
The Slaughterhouse	2004		***1/2
C-Note	2004		**1/2
3121	2006		**1/2
Planet Earth	2007		**
Indigo Nights	2008		****
LOtUSFLOW3R/MPLSoUND	2009		***1/2
20Ten	2010		*1/2
Plectrumelectrum	2014	with 3rdeyegirl	****
Art Official Age	2014		****
HITnRun Phase One	2015		***1/2
HITnRun Phase Two	2015		***
Piano and a Microphone, 1983	2018	Posthumous release	***1/2
Originals	2019	Posthumous release	***1/2
Welcome 2 America	2021	Posthumous release	***

DEEP DIVES – Album Review: HITnRun Phase One and HITnRun Phase Two by Prince

I am doing a deep dive into the work of the musical artist Prince.  Each week until December I will post my thoughts on albums released by Prince (and his bands and side projects) focusing on one year of his career. 

In the final year of his life, Prince once again released two albums, HITnRun Phase One and HITnRun Phase Two.

Album: HITnRun Phase One
Artist: Prince
Release Date: September 7, 2015
Label: NPG | Universal
Favorite Tracks:

• Shut This Down
• Ain’t About 2 Stop (featuring Rita Ora)
• Like a Mack (featuring Curly Fryz)
• Fallinlove2nite

Thoughts: Continuing from Art Official Age, Prince experiments with electronic music and contemporary R&B.  The production by Joshua Welton, and guest appearances from Judith Hill, Rita Ora, and Lianne La Havas, makes the album sound unlike any of Prince’s earlier releases. Your appreciation for EDM will probably determine how much you like this album.  The critics seemed to hate it, but I really liked it, especially the party jams that kick off the album
Rating: ***1/2

---

 

 

Album: HITnRun Phase Two
Artist: Prince
Release Date: December 12, 2015
Label: NPG | Universal
Favorite Tracks:

• Baltimore
• Rocknroll Love Affair
• Xtraloveable
• When She Comes
• Big City

Thoughts: Prince’s final album kicks off with what is probably his best ever protest song, “Baltimore,” a tribute to Freddie Gray.  Booker T. Jones engineered the album and it features a large brass section.  Musically this is more of a pop-friendly funk sound than the electronic dance sound of its predecessor. The mostly downtempo songs are less appealing to me than the dance tracks of Phase One, but it’s a good example of a craftsman at work.
Rating: ***

For You	1978		***
Prince	1979		***1/2
Dirty Mind	1980		****
Controversy	1981		****
1999	1982	Prince and the Revolution	*****
Purple Rain	1984	Prince and the Revolution	*****
Around the World in a Day	1985	Prince and the Revolution	****
Parade	1986	Prince and the Revolution	****
Sign “☮︎” the Times	1987		****1/2
8	1987	Madhouse	***
16	1987	Madhouse	***1/2
Lovesexy	1988		***1/2
Batman	1989		***
Graffiti  Bridge	1990		***1/2
Diamonds and Pearls	1991	Prince and the New Power Generation	***1/2
[Love Symbol]	1992	Prince and the New Power Generation	***1/2
Goldnigga	1993	The New Power Generation	**1/2
Come	1994		**1/2
The Black Album	1994		***1/2
The Gold Experience	1995		**1/2
Exodus	1995	The New Power Generation	***
Chaos and Disorder	1996		**1/2
Emancipation	1996		***
Kamasutra	1997	The NPG Orchestra	***
Crystal Ball	1998		***1/2
The Truth	1998		***
Newpower Soul	1998	The New Power Generation	**
The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale	1999		**
Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic	1999		***
The Rainbow Children	2001		**1/2
One Nite Alone…	2002		**
One Nite Alone… Live!	2002	Prince and the New Power Generation	***1/2
Xpectation	2003		***1/2
N-E-W-S	2003		**1/2
Musicology	2004		***
The Chocolate Invasion	2004		***1/2
The Slaughterhouse	2004		***1/2
C-Note	2004		**1/2
3121	2006		**1/2
Planet Earth	2007		**
Indigo Nights	2008		****
LOtUSFLOW3R/MPLSoUND	2009		***1/2
20Ten	2010		*1/2
Plectrumelectrum	2014	with 3rdeyegirl	****
Art Official Age	2014		****
HITnRun Phase One	2015		***1/2
HITnRun Phase Two	2015		***

DEEP DIVES – Album Review: Plectrumelectrum by Prince and 3RDEYEGIRL and Art Official Age by Prince

I am doing a deep dive into the work of the musical artist Prince.  Each week until December I will post my thoughts on albums released by Prince (and his bands and side projects) focusing on one year of his career. 

After a 4 year absence, the longest gap between albums in Prince’s career, he returned in 2014 with the simultaneous release of two albums: Plectrumelectrum (with his all-woman touring band 3RDEYEGIRL) and Art Official Age.

Album: Plectrumelectrum
Artist: Prince and 3RDEYEGIRL
Release Date: September 26, 2014
Label: NPG | Warner Bros.
Favorite Tracks:

• Pretzelbodylogic
• Plectrumelectrum
• Anotherlove
• Marz
• Funknroll

Thoughts: In his final years, Prince toured with 3RDEYEGIRL, a trio consisting of  drummer Hannah Welton, guitarist Donna Grantis and bassist Ida Kristine Nielsen. Working with a small combo seems to have reinvigorated Prince and gives his music more of a hard rock edge than has been heard before.  A pre-fame Lizzo also appears on the track “Boytrouble.”  If it isn’t quite a return to Prince’s golden era, it definitely has the fun and creativity to make it among the best of his late era albums.
Rating: ****

 

---

Album: Art Official Age
Artist: Prince
Release Date: September 26, 2014
Label: NPG | Warner Bros.
Favorite Tracks:

• Art Official Cage
• The Gold Standard
• Breakfast Can Wait
• What It Feels Like
• Funknroll
• Time
• affirmation III

Thoughts: On his solo outing (which features several supporting artists, including 3RDEYEGIRL), Prince ventures into contemporary sounds in electronic dance music and R&B.  While Prince is always best when he’s the innovator rather than the imitator, nevertheless this album feels fresh as he incorporates the new sounds into his template.
Rating: ****

 

 

For You	1978		***
Prince	1979		***1/2
Dirty Mind	1980		****
Controversy	1981		****
1999	1982	Prince and the Revolution	*****
Purple Rain	1984	Prince and the Revolution	*****
Around the World in a Day	1985	Prince and the Revolution	****
Parade	1986	Prince and the Revolution	****
Sign “☮︎” the Times	1987		****1/2
8	1987	Madhouse	***
16	1987	Madhouse	***1/2
Lovesexy	1988		***1/2
Batman	1989		***
Graffiti  Bridge	1990		***1/2
Diamonds and Pearls	1991	Prince and the New Power Generation	***1/2
[Love Symbol]	1992	Prince and the New Power Generation	***1/2
Goldnigga	1993	The New Power Generation	**1/2
Come	1994		**1/2
The Black Album	1994		***1/2
The Gold Experience	1995		**1/2
Exodus	1995	The New Power Generation	***
Chaos and Disorder	1996		**1/2
Emancipation	1996		***
Kamasutra	1997	The NPG Orchestra	***
Crystal Ball	1998		***1/2
The Truth	1998		***
Newpower Soul	1998	The New Power Generation	**
The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale	1999		**
Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic	1999		***
The Rainbow Children	2001		**1/2
One Nite Alone…	2002		**
One Nite Alone… Live!	2002	Prince and the New Power Generation	***1/2
Xpectation	2003		***1/2
N-E-W-S	2003		**1/2
Musicology	2004		***
The Chocolate Invasion	2004		***1/2
The Slaughterhouse	2004		***1/2
C-Note	2004		**1/2
3121	2006		**1/2
Planet Earth	2007		**
Indigo Nights	2008		****
LOtUSFLOW3R/MPLSoUND	2009		***1/2
20Ten	2010		*1/2
Plectrumelectrum	2014	with 3rdeyegirl	****
Art Official Age	2014		****
HITnRun Phase One	2015
HITnRun Phase Two	2015

DEEP DIVES – Album Review: 20Ten by Prince

I am doing a deep dive into the work of the musical artist Prince.  Each week until December I will post my thoughts on albums released by Prince (and his bands and side projects) focusing on one year of his career. 

This week I’m reviewing Prince’s 2010 album, uh, 20Ten.

 

Album: 20Ten
Artist: Prince
Release Date: July 10, 2010
Label: NPG
Favorite Tracks:

• Laydown

Thoughts:

Bizarrely, and not for the first time, Prince released this album as an insert in British and German newspapers.  Like U2’s direct-to-iTunes release of Songs of Innocence a few years later, it was a gift few people were happy to receive.  Prince had been mining his own past for sometime, but unlike LOtUSFLOW3R/MPLSoUND, this album has no bite.  It’s like listening to a facsimile of a facsimile. The fact that Prince released only one album this year should have been a positive, but then again, Prince recorded Welcome 2 America that same year but held it from release.  I think he chose poorly of which album to release, although both albums suffer from lyrics that comment on current events with no subtlety.

Rating:  *1/2

 

 

For You	1978		***
Prince	1979		***1/2
Dirty Mind	1980		****
Controversy	1981		****
1999	1982	Prince and the Revolution	*****
Purple Rain	1984	Prince and the Revolution	*****
Around the World in a Day	1985	Prince and the Revolution	****
Parade	1986	Prince and the Revolution	****
Sign “☮︎” the Times	1987		****1/2
8	1987	Madhouse	***
16	1987	Madhouse	***1/2
Lovesexy	1988		***1/2
Batman	1989		***
Graffiti  Bridge	1990		***1/2
Diamonds and Pearls	1991	Prince and the New Power Generation	***1/2
[Love Symbol]	1992	Prince and the New Power Generation	***1/2
Goldnigga	1993	The New Power Generation	**1/2
Come	1994		**1/2
The Black Album	1994		***1/2
The Gold Experience	1995		**1/2
Exodus	1995	The New Power Generation	***
Chaos and Disorder	1996		**1/2
Emancipation	1996		***
Kamasutra	1997	The NPG Orchestra	***
Crystal Ball	1998		***1/2
The Truth	1998		***
Newpower Soul	1998	The New Power Generation	**
The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale	1999		**
Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic	1999		***
The Rainbow Children	2001		**1/2
One Nite Alone…	2002		**
One Nite Alone… Live!	2002	Prince and the New Power Generation	***1/2
Xpectation	2003		***1/2
N-E-W-S	2003		**1/2
Musicology	2004		***
The Chocolate Invasion	2004		***1/2
The Slaughterhouse	2004		***1/2
C-Note	2004		**1/2
3121	2006		**1/2
Planet Earth	2007		**
Indigo Nights	2008		****
LOtUSFLOW3R/MPLSoUND	2009		***1/2
20Ten	2010		*1/2
Plectrumelectrum	2014	with 3rdeyegirl
Art Official Age	2014	with 3rdeyegirl
HITnRun Phase One	2015
HITnRun Phase Two	2015

DEEP DIVES – Album Review: LOtUSFLOW3R/MPLSoUND by Prince

I am doing a deep dive into the work of the musical artist Prince.  Each week until December I will post my thoughts on albums released by Prince (and his bands and side projects) focusing on one year of his career. 

This week we’re revisiting 2009 when Prince released his multi-disc set containing LOtUSFLOW3R and MPLSoUND (originally released exclusively at Target!!!). I will not be reviewing the third album in the set, Elixer, the debut studio album by Bria Valente.

Album: LOtUSFLOW3R
Artist: Prince
Release Date: March 24, 2009
Label: NPG
Favorite Tracks:

• Crimson and Clover
• Colonized Mind
• Love Like Jazz
• Wall of Berlin
• Dreamer

Thoughts:  Prince continues to embrace his status as a legacy artist with this throwback album that channels classic rock (particularly Jimi Hendrix-style psychedelic rock), baroque pop, and soul. Prince’s guitar virtuosity is on display on many of the tracks. It’s a really strong return to form for Prince.  Or maybe I just like classic rock too much.
Rating: ****

Album: MPLSoUND
Artist: Prince
Release Date: March 24, 2009
Label: NPG
Favorite Tracks:

• Chocolate Box (feat. Q-Tip)
• Dance 4 Me
• Ol’ Skool Company
• No More Candy 4 U

Thoughts: This albums focuses more on a funk and soul sound with touches of neo-soul and hip hop. Or as the title says, the Minneapolis Sound that Prince invented and shepherded over the decades.  I didn’t like this one as much as LOtUSFLOW3R but it is still more consistent than most of Prince’s releases of the Oughts. That being said, if Prince had spliced together the best tracks of these two albums into one release, it would’ve been much stronger overall.
Rating: ***

 

 

For You	1978		***
Prince	1979		***1/2
Dirty Mind	1980		****
Controversy	1981		****
1999	1982	Prince and the Revolution	*****
Purple Rain	1984	Prince and the Revolution	*****
Around the World in a Day	1985	Prince and the Revolution	****
Parade	1986	Prince and the Revolution	****
Sign “☮︎” the Times	1987		****1/2
8	1987	Madhouse	***
16	1987	Madhouse	***1/2
Lovesexy	1988		***1/2
Batman	1989		***
Graffiti  Bridge	1990		***1/2
Diamonds and Pearls	1991	Prince and the New Power Generation	***1/2
[Love Symbol]	1992	Prince and the New Power Generation	***1/2
Goldnigga	1993	The New Power Generation	**1/2
Come	1994		**1/2
The Black Album	1994		***1/2
The Gold Experience	1995		**1/2
Exodus	1995	The New Power Generation	***
Chaos and Disorder	1996		**1/2
Emancipation	1996		***
Kamasutra	1997	The NPG Orchestra	***
Crystal Ball	1998		***1/2
The Truth	1998		***
Newpower Soul	1998	The New Power Generation	**
The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale	1999		**
Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic	1999		***
The Rainbow Children	2001		**1/2
One Nite Alone…	2002		**
One Nite Alone… Live!	2002	Prince and the New Power Generation	***1/2
Xpectation	2003		***1/2
N-E-W-S	2003		**1/2
Musicology	2004		***
The Chocolate Invasion	2004		***1/2
The Slaughterhouse	2004		***1/2
C-Note	2004		**1/2
3121	2006		**1/2
Planet Earth	2007		**
Indigo Nights	2008		****
LOtUSFLOW3R/MPLSoUND	2009		***1/2
20Ten	2010
Plectrumelectrum	2014	with 3rdeyegirl
Art Official Age	2014	with 3rdeyegirl
HITnRun Phase One	2015
HITnRun Phase Two	2015

DEEP DIVES – Album Review: Indigo Nights by Prince

I am doing a deep dive into the work of the musical artist Prince.  Each week until December I will post my thoughts on albums released by Prince (and his bands and side projects) focusing on one year of his career. 

Today I will review Prince’s 2008 live album Indigo Nights.

Album: Indigo Nights
Artist: Prince
Release Date: September 30, 2008
Label: NPG
Favorite Tracks:

• 3121
• Beggin’ Woman Blues
• Rock Steady (featuring Beverley Knight)
• “Baby Love” (featuring Shelby J.)

Thoughts:

If Prince’s studio output in the 2000s felt uninspired, his live show was only growing more legendary.  Indigo Nights documents Prince’s 21 night residency at the indigO2 night club in London in 2007 and was originally released as an extra with a coffee table book about the same series.  Of course, the advantages of live performances is that Prince has his entire back catalog to pull from plus covers of songs by the likes of Aretha Franklin, Led Zeppelin, and Mother’s Finest.  In addition to the songs there are intense jam sessions with Prince’s talented band and intriguing monologues from Prince himself.  Guest vocalists Beverly Knight and Shelby J. add to the fun.  This whole album definitely makes me regret not being in London in 2007. Sadly this was Prince’s last live album release during his lifetime.

Rating: ****

For You	1978		***
Prince	1979		***1/2
Dirty Mind	1980		****
Controversy	1981		****
1999	1982	Prince and the Revolution	*****
Purple Rain	1984	Prince and the Revolution	*****
Around the World in a Day	1985	Prince and the Revolution	****
Parade	1986	Prince and the Revolution	****
Sign “☮︎” the Times	1987		****1/2
8	1987	Madhouse	***
16	1987	Madhouse	***1/2
Lovesexy	1988		***1/2
Batman	1989		***
Graffiti  Bridge	1990		***1/2
Diamonds and Pearls	1991	Prince and the New Power Generation	***1/2
[Love Symbol]	1992	Prince and the New Power Generation	***1/2
Goldnigga	1993	The New Power Generation	**1/2
Come	1994		**1/2
The Black Album	1994		***1/2
The Gold Experience	1995		**1/2
Exodus	1995	The New Power Generation	***
Chaos and Disorder	1996		**1/2
Emancipation	1996		***
Kamasutra	1997	The NPG Orchestra	***
Crystal Ball	1998		***1/2
The Truth	1998		***
Newpower Soul	1998	The New Power Generation	**
The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale	1999		**
Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic	1999		***
The Rainbow Children	2001		**1/2
One Nite Alone…	2002		**
One Nite Alone… Live!	2002	Prince and the New Power Generation	***1/2
Xpectation	2003		***1/2
N-E-W-S	2003		**1/2
Musicology	2004		***
The Chocolate Invasion	2004		***1/2
The Slaughterhouse	2004		***1/2
C-Note	2004		**1/2
3121	2006		**1/2
Planet Earth	2007		**
Indigo Nights	2008		****
Lotusflow3r/MPLSound	2009
20Ten	2010
Plectrumelectrum	2014	with 3rdeyegirl
Art Official Age	2014	with 3rdeyegirl
HITnRun Phase One	2015
HITnRun Phase Two	2015

DEEP DIVES – Album Review: Planet Earth by Prince

I am doing a deep dive into the work of the musical artist Prince.  Each week until December I will post my thoughts on albums released by Prince (and his bands and side projects) focusing on one year of his career. 

This week I’ll be reviewing Prince’s 2007 album Planet Earth.

Album: Planet Earth
Artist: Prince
Release Date: July 15, 2007
Label: NPG | Columbia
Favorite Tracks:

• The One U Wanna C
• Chelsea Rodgers

Thoughts: This album feels like more of the same.  Prince, perhaps self-consciously, is trying to create a great Prince album.  But what made is great albums great is that he was always trying something new.  Now it’s a watered-down sound with the lyrics that have to much of the preachiness that has been his wont since the turn of the century.  Anyone who got excited by seeing Prince perform his transcendent halftime show at the Super Bowl earlier in 2007 would only find a shadow of that greatness on this album.
Rating: **

For You	1978		***
Prince	1979		***1/2
Dirty Mind	1980		****
Controversy	1981		****
1999	1982	Prince and the Revolution	*****
Purple Rain	1984	Prince and the Revolution	*****
Around the World in a Day	1985	Prince and the Revolution	****
Parade	1986	Prince and the Revolution	****
Sign “☮︎” the Times	1987		****1/2
8	1987	Madhouse	***
16	1987	Madhouse	***1/2
Lovesexy	1988		***1/2
Batman	1989		***
Graffiti  Bridge	1990		***1/2
Diamonds and Pearls	1991	Prince and the New Power Generation	***1/2
[Love Symbol]	1992	Prince and the New Power Generation	***1/2
Goldnigga	1993	The New Power Generation	**1/2
Come	1994		**1/2
The Black Album	1994		***1/2
The Gold Experience	1995		**1/2
Exodus	1995	The New Power Generation	***
Chaos and Disorder	1996		**1/2
Emancipation	1996		***
Kamasutra	1997	The NPG Orchestra	***
Crystal Ball	1998		***1/2
The Truth	1998		***
Newpower Soul	1998	The New Power Generation	**
The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale	1999		**
Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic	1999		***
The Rainbow Children	2001		**1/2
One Nite Alone…	2002		**
One Nite Alone… Live!	2002	Prince and the New Power Generation	***1/2
Xpectation	2003		***1/2
N-E-W-S	2003		**1/2
Musicology	2004		***
The Chocolate Invasion	2004		***1/2
The Slaughterhouse	2004		***1/2
C-Note	2004		**1/2
3121	2006		**1/2
Planet Earth	2007
Indigo Nights	2008
Lotusflow3r/MPLSound	2009
20Ten	2010
Plectrumelectrum	2014	with 3rdeyegirl
Art Official Age	2014	with 3rdeyegirl
HITnRun Phase One	2015
HITnRun Phase Two	2015

DEEP DIVES – Album Review: 3121 by Prince

I am doing a deep dive into the work of the musical artist Prince.  Each week until December I will post my thoughts on albums released by Prince (and his bands and side projects) focusing on one year of his career. 

We skip past 2005 and into 2006, a year in which Prince released just one album, 3121.

Album: 3121
Artist:  Prince
Release Date: March 21, 2006
Label: NPG, Universal
Favorite Tracks:

• 3121
• Love
• Satisfied
• The World
• Get on the Boat

Thoughts:

Musicology was a bit of a return to form for Prince, but only in the sense that it contained music that reminded the listener of his music – and the works of others – from decades earlier.  But some as talented and creative as Prince never really makes sense as a legacy act, and so 3121 features Prince trying to incorporate contemporary sounds into his music.  And it doesn’t really work.  Some of the tracks have a Latin sound that’s just a bit boring while on “Incense and Candles,” Prince modifies his voice with Autotune, something that would’ve been painful to hear even in the Autotune-happy Oughts).  Oddly, once the album gets past the opening tracks – that were also released as singles – it gets better with more tracks of dancable funk in the Musicology vein.  3121 was Prince’s first commercially-successful album in a long time – debuting at Number One on the album charts – but it feels short of being as good as it could’ve been.

Rating: **1/2

For You	1978		***
Prince	1979		***1/2
Dirty Mind	1980		****
Controversy	1981		****
1999	1982	Prince and the Revolution	*****
Purple Rain	1984	Prince and the Revolution	*****
Around the World in a Day	1985	Prince and the Revolution	****
Parade	1986	Prince and the Revolution	****
Sign “☮︎” the Times	1987		****1/2
8	1987	Madhouse	***
16	1987	Madhouse	***1/2
Lovesexy	1988		***1/2
Batman	1989		***
Graffiti  Bridge	1990		***1/2
Diamonds and Pearls	1991	Prince and the New Power Generation	***1/2
[Love Symbol]	1992	Prince and the New Power Generation	***1/2
Goldnigga	1993	The New Power Generation	**1/2
Come	1994		**1/2
The Black Album	1994		***1/2
The Gold Experience	1995		**1/2
Exodus	1995	The New Power Generation	***
Chaos and Disorder	1996		**1/2
Emancipation	1996		***
Kamasutra	1997	The NPG Orchestra	***
Crystal Ball	1998		***1/2
The Truth	1998		***
Newpower Soul	1998	The New Power Generation	**
The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale	1999		**
Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic	1999		***
The Rainbow Children	2001		**1/2
One Nite Alone…	2002		**
One Nite Alone… Live!	2002	Prince and the New Power Generation	***1/2
Xpectation	2003		***1/2
N-E-W-S	2003		**1/2
Musicology	2004		***
The Chocolate Invasion	2004		***1/2
The Slaughterhouse	2004		***1/2
C-Note	2004		**1/2
3121	2006		**1/2
Planet Earth	2007
Indigo Nights	2008
Lotusflow3r/MPLSound	2009
20Ten	2010
Plectrumelectrum	2014	with 3rdeyegirl
Art Official Age	2014	with 3rdeyegirl
HITnRun Phase One	2015
HITnRun Phase Two	2015

DEEP DIVES – Album Reviews: Musicology, The Chocolate Invasion, The Slaughterhouse, and C-Note by Prince

I am doing a deep dive into the work of the musical artist Prince.  Each week until December I will post my thoughts on albums released by Prince (and his bands and side projects) focusing on one year of his career. 

Today I’m visiting 2004 when Prince released four albums simultaneously!

Album: Musicology
Artist: Prince
Release Date: March 29, 2004
Label: NPG, Columbia
Favorite Tracks:

• Musicology
• A Million Days
• Call My Name

Thoughts: I’ve been looking forward to Musicology since it is considered a comeback album for Prince, at least among critics and on the charts.  Musically, Prince is paying tribute to music history, including his own.  This may be Prince’s best major release album since Love Symbol, but that probably says more about how hit and miss he’d been over the previous decade than a true return to form.
Rating: ***

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Album: The Chocolate Invasion (Trax from the NPG Music Club Volume One)
Artist: Prince
Release Date: March 29, 2004
Label: NPG
Favorite Tracks:

• Judas Smile
• Supercute
• My Medallion
• Vavoom
• Sexmesexmenot
• U Make My Sun Shine (feat. Angie Stone)

Thoughts: Prince pioneered using the internet to distribute music, and this compilation collects downloads that had been previously made available on his NPG Music Club website.  As a compilation, it shouldn’t work as an album, but I like it more than Musicology which is weighed down by slow jams and ballads that don’t work for me.  The Chocolate Invasion is much funkier and sexier and Prince at his most danceable. The album ends with a terrific gospel-style romantic duet with Angie Stone.
Rating: ***1/2

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Album: The Slaughterhouse (Trax from the NPG Music Club Volume 2)
Artist: Prince
Release Date: March 29, 2004
Label: NPG
Favorite Tracks:

• S&M Groove
• Y Should Eye Do That When Eye Can Do This?
• Hypnoparadise
• Northside
• The Daisy Chain

Thoughts: Very much a partner with The Chocolate Invasion, this compilation is possibly an even more danceable compilation of grooves.  “Hypnoparadise” even flirts with house music beats.
Rating: ***1/2

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Album: C-Note
Artist: Prince
Release Date: March 29, 2004
Label: NPG
Favorite Tracks:

• Nagoya
• Empty Room

Thoughts: The fun couldn’t last.  C-Note is a live album primarily of instrumental jazz and jazz-fusion tracks and thus more in line with Prince’s releases from 2003 (and indeed the individual tracks were available for download in 2003).  The title is an acronym based on the first letter of the albums five song titles.
Rating: **1/2

For You	1978		***
Prince	1979		***1/2
Dirty Mind	1980		****
Controversy	1981		****
1999	1982	Prince and the Revolution	*****
Purple Rain	1984	Prince and the Revolution	*****
Around the World in a Day	1985	Prince and the Revolution	****
Parade	1986	Prince and the Revolution	****
Sign “☮︎” the Times	1987		****1/2
8	1987	Madhouse	***
16	1987	Madhouse	***1/2
Lovesexy	1988		***1/2
Batman	1989		***
Graffiti  Bridge	1990		***1/2
Diamonds and Pearls	1991	Prince and the New Power Generation	***1/2
[Love Symbol]	1992	Prince and the New Power Generation	***1/2
Goldnigga	1993	The New Power Generation	**1/2
Come	1994		**1/2
The Black Album	1994		***1/2
The Gold Experience	1995		**1/2
Exodus	1995	The New Power Generation	***
Chaos and Disorder	1996		**1/2
Emancipation	1996		***
Kamasutra	1997	The NPG Orchestra	***
Crystal Ball	1998		***1/2
The Truth	1998		***
Newpower Soul	1998	The New Power Generation	**
The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale	1999		**
Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic	1999		***
The Rainbow Children	2001		**1/2
One Nite Alone…	2002		**
One Nite Alone… Live!	2002	Prince and the New Power Generation	***1/2
Xpectation	2003		***1/2
N-E-W-S	2003		**1/2
Musicology	2004		***
The Chocolate Invasion	2004		***1/2
The Slaughterhouse	2004		***1/2
C-Note	2004		**1/2
3121	2006
Planet Earth	2007
Indigo Nights	2008
Lotusflow3r/MPLSound	2009
20Ten	2010
Plectrumelectrum	2014	with 3rdeyegirl
Art Official Age	2014	with 3rdeyegirl
HITnRun Phase One	2015
HITnRun Phase Two	2015

DEEP DIVES – Album Review: The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale and Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic by Prince

I am doing a deep dive into the work of the musical artist Prince.  Each week until December I will post my thoughts on albums released by Prince (and his bands and side projects) focusing on one year of his career. 

In the year 1999, a Prince song was in high-rotation, but it was not one from one of his releases that year, The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale and Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic.

Album: The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale
Artist: Prince
Release Date: August 24, 1999
Label: Warner Bros.
Favorite Tracks:

• The Rest of My Life
• She Spoke 2 Me

Thoughts:

I don’t really understand the terms of Prince’s Warner Bros. contract, but three years after Emancipation, Warner Bros. released the last of his contractual-obligation albums.  This short album features tracks Prince recorded from 1985 to 1994 in the jazz fusion style, lending the album a musical unity unusual in Prince’s late-90’s output.  It displays Prince’s versatile talent in yet another musical style, but mostly it’s a curiosity rather than something one would want to revisit.

Rating: **1/2

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Album: Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic
Artist:
Release Date: November 9, 1999
Label: NPG | Arista
Favorite Tracks:

• Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic
• Undisputed (feat. Chuck D)
• So Far, So Pleased (feat. Gwen Stefani)
• Everyday is a Winding Road
• Prettyman

Thoughts:

For the first time in about a decade, Prince is deliberately trying to appeal to the pop market.  Appropriately, many of the songs on this album were originally written in the late 80s.  To broaden the appeal of this album it includes several guest artists including Maceo Parker, Ani Difranco, Chuck D, Eve, Gwen Stefania, and Sheryl Crow (and a cover of Crow’s hit “Every Day is a Winding Road”). While several tracks are entertaining, it nevertheless feels like Prince’s artistic growth is stagnating (understandably since these are reworked older songs), and the guest artists only go so far towards keeping things fresh.

Rating: ***

 

For You	1978		***
Prince	1979		***1/2
Dirty Mind	1980		****
Controversy	1981		****
1999	1982	Prince and the Revolution	*****
Purple Rain	1984	Prince and the Revolution	*****
Around the World in a Day	1985	Prince and the Revolution	****
Parade	1986	Prince and the Revolution	****
Sign “☮︎” the Times	1987		****1/2
8	1987	Madhouse	***
16	1987	Madhouse	***1/2
Lovesexy	1988		***1/2
Batman	1989		***
Graffiti  Bridge	1990		***1/2
Diamonds and Pearls	1991	Prince and the New Power Generation	***1/2
[Love Symbol]	1992	Prince and the New Power Generation	***1/2
Goldnigga	1993	The New Power Generation	**1/2
Come	1994		**1/2
The Black Album	1994		***1/2
The Gold Experience	1995		**1/2
Exodus	1995	The New Power Generation	***
Chaos and Disorder	1996		**1/2
Emancipation	1996		***
Kamasutra	1997	The NPG Orchestra	***
Crystal Ball	1998		***1/2
The Truth	1998		***
Newpower Soul	1998	The New Power Generation	**
The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale	1999		**
Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic	1999		***
The Rainbow Children	2001
One Nite Alone…	2002
One Nite Alone… Live!	2002
Xpectation	2003
N-E-W-S	2003
Musicology	2004
The Chocolate Invasion	2004
The Slaughterhouse	2004
C-Note	2004
3121	2006
Planet Earth	2007
Indigo Nights	2008
Lotusflow3r/MPLSound	2009
20Ten	2010
Plectrumelectrum	2014	with 3rdeyegirl
Art Official Age	2014	with 3rdeyegirl
HITnRun Phase One	2015
HITnRun Phase Two	2015