Prince - 3121
Prince
3121
2006 NPG/Universal
I was looking forward to what Prince would follow up the successful return to a form closer to what should be expected of him. And while there are some juicy cuts to be had, it would seem he has stalled at where Musicology left off, and certainly lacks compared to his 85-92 material.
It opens with an old skool NPG style loping funk excursion, complete with assertive Michael Bland 4/4 drumming, multitracked vocals, and bursts of support from the brass line. From there, it suffers the same inconsistency that Musicology did. Tracks like the lead off single Te Amo Corazon and Fury seem to be catering to the middle of the road AC/MOR radio set; people who don't realize such tracks are neither edgy or nostalgic. The album, like Musicology, is recorded with a somewhat obfuscating concentration in the midrange, that while performed with precision and swagger, often seems to lack the convincing sass.
The religious overtones (Prince is a Jehovah Witness) are better integrated than they were on say, Rainbow Children, and Beautiful, Loved and Blessed should probably win a Dove Award, but it also comes off as more mechanical calculation than natural conviction.
The James Brown-esque electro-acoustic funk of Get On The Boat, Isley style R&B of Incense And Candles are highlights, but there is one track here that actually is worth the price of the whole album: Black Sweat. A sordid, slinky, dirty piece of funk that is a perfect marriage of Erotic City and Kiss. Absolute, guaranteed, 100% perfect audio confection.
If his Purpleness could get his head in check, he would be smart and fully assemble a Wendy & Lisa led backing band (as he did for this years Brits, which also scored Sheila E.). He desperately needs band contributors that can give him arranging and compositional skills to balance Prince's limits and indulgences. I am by no means asking him to fully go retro, but to work with collaborators that reinforce his strengths and help cut out the fluff. Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman did that. I am under the impression Levi Searcer did as well.
Truth be told Mr. Nelson, here is my suggestion for a new band:
Wendy Melvoin, Lisa Coleman, Genji Sirasi, Me'Shell Ndegeocello, Itaal Shuur or Amp Fiddler, Sheila E. Professionals who know how to meld with the music and have flexible musical personas to accomodate all of Prince's many moods.
This album is good by anyone else's standard, but as Prince material, goes, it is far from A-game.
3121
2006 NPG/Universal
I was looking forward to what Prince would follow up the successful return to a form closer to what should be expected of him. And while there are some juicy cuts to be had, it would seem he has stalled at where Musicology left off, and certainly lacks compared to his 85-92 material.
It opens with an old skool NPG style loping funk excursion, complete with assertive Michael Bland 4/4 drumming, multitracked vocals, and bursts of support from the brass line. From there, it suffers the same inconsistency that Musicology did. Tracks like the lead off single Te Amo Corazon and Fury seem to be catering to the middle of the road AC/MOR radio set; people who don't realize such tracks are neither edgy or nostalgic. The album, like Musicology, is recorded with a somewhat obfuscating concentration in the midrange, that while performed with precision and swagger, often seems to lack the convincing sass.
The religious overtones (Prince is a Jehovah Witness) are better integrated than they were on say, Rainbow Children, and Beautiful, Loved and Blessed should probably win a Dove Award, but it also comes off as more mechanical calculation than natural conviction.
The James Brown-esque electro-acoustic funk of Get On The Boat, Isley style R&B of Incense And Candles are highlights, but there is one track here that actually is worth the price of the whole album: Black Sweat. A sordid, slinky, dirty piece of funk that is a perfect marriage of Erotic City and Kiss. Absolute, guaranteed, 100% perfect audio confection.
If his Purpleness could get his head in check, he would be smart and fully assemble a Wendy & Lisa led backing band (as he did for this years Brits, which also scored Sheila E.). He desperately needs band contributors that can give him arranging and compositional skills to balance Prince's limits and indulgences. I am by no means asking him to fully go retro, but to work with collaborators that reinforce his strengths and help cut out the fluff. Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman did that. I am under the impression Levi Searcer did as well.
Truth be told Mr. Nelson, here is my suggestion for a new band:
Wendy Melvoin, Lisa Coleman, Genji Sirasi, Me'Shell Ndegeocello, Itaal Shuur or Amp Fiddler, Sheila E. Professionals who know how to meld with the music and have flexible musical personas to accomodate all of Prince's many moods.
This album is good by anyone else's standard, but as Prince material, goes, it is far from A-game.
posted by theloniusfunk at 8:09 PM
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