this album/era is seriously connected 2 Emancipation
and there is not enough happening from this rel to Emancipation to have a seperat thread. I hope fans of this time contribute. I'm still learning

recently married 2 Mayte his back up dancer, Jam of the Year tour
release from Warner Brothers



rel July 10. 1996
Chaos And Disorder

1.Chaos And Disorder
2.I Like It There
3.Dinner With Delores
4.The Same December
5.Right The Wrong
6.Zannalee
7.I Rock, Therefore I Am
8.Into The Light
9.I Will
10.Dig U Better Dead
11.Had U


0-+>:
Chaos and Disorder, released in 1996 by Prince (his stage name at that time being the love symbol he created), was his final album of new material for [[Warner Bros. Records] and was therefore produced as a collection of leftovers only put on record to fulfill contractual obligations. Chaos and Disorder was one of Prince's least commercially successful releases and met mixed reviews upon release

Prince:Emancipation is a 1996 triple-CD album by Prince (then known by the love symbol he created). The title refers to Prince's freedom from his contract with Warner Bros. Records, with whom he had a contentious relationship. The album was Prince's third to be released that year (along with Chaos and Disorder and Girl 6), making 1996 one of the most prolific years for material released by Prince.



rel November 19, 1996 Emancipation

Disc.1
1.Jam Of The Year
2.Right Back Here In My Arms
3.Somebody's Somebody
4.Get Yo Groove On
5.Courtin Time
6.Betcha By Golly Wow!
7.We Gets Up
8.White Mansion
9.Damned If I Do
10.I Can't Make U Love Me
11. Mr,Happy
12.In This Bed Scream

Disc.2
1.Sex In The Summer
2.One Kiss At A Time
3.Soul Sanctuary
4.Email
5.Curious Child
6.Dreamin' About U
7.Joint 2 Joint
8.The Holy River
9.Let's Have A Baby
10.Saviour
11.The Plan
12.Friend, Lover. Sister,Mother/Wife

Disc.3
1.Slave
2.New World
3.The Human Body
4.Face Down
5.La,La.La Means I Love U
6.Style
7.Sleep Around
8.Da,Da,Da
9.My Computer
10.One Of Us
11.The Love We Make
12.Emancipation


[Edited 4/13/10 12:20pm]

wish Empty Room had made it on. was short-listed for it. it was even rumored at the time to be a b-side. don't remember if it was supposed to be for DWD or TSD.

Rock & Roll Is Alive! would have made a nice addition in place of I Rock, Therefore I Am as well. I know it had just been released as a b-side about 6 months before, but it fits. and it would have been one less song he'd have had to use to fill up his contract.


R&RIA and Empty Room in place of IRT4IA and Dig U Better Dead, respectively, even in that running order would have made this a great, great album. DUBD is a nice number, but I'm not sure it fits here.

Emancipation is somewhat of a concept album, celebrating his release from Warner Bros. as well as his marriage to Mayte Garcia, who became his wife on Valentine's Day earlier that year. With his newfound creative freedom, Prince experimented more openly with varying genres, including house, adult contemporary and blues. Prince also freely commented on his fame and dealings with Warner Bros. ("White Mansion"; "Slave"; "Face Down") while also returning slightly to the "computer" theme he explored a decade earlier ("Emale"; "My Computer".)

Prince wrote several songs and ballads dedicated to his child, most of which appear on the second disc of the album. Unfortunately, the child, born after the album's release, suffered with Pfeiffer syndrome type 2, a rare skull disease, and died shortly after birth. A recording of the child's heartbeat is featured as part of the percussion of "Sex in the Summer".

Emancipation marked the first album in Prince's career to include cover versions of songs written by other songwriters; Prince claimed that he had wanted to cover songs in the past, but was advised against it by Warner Bros. Four such covers appeared on the album: "Betcha by Golly Wow!" (previously a hit for The Stylistics), "I Can't Make You Love Me" (previously a hit for Bonnie Raitt), "La-La (Means I Love You)" (previously a hit for The Delfonics), and "One of Us" (previously a hit for Joan Osborne). Notably, Prince changed the chorus of "One of Us" from "What if God was one of us / Just a slob like one of us" to "...Just a slave like one of us".[1]

The album is notable for its format: it consists of three discs, each containing 12 songs with exacly 60 minutes per disc. Prince insinuated to the press at the time that the number of songs, discs and length of the album had a connection with the Egyptian pyramids.

Response
In the U.S., the album debuted at #11. Though not a major seller, it did sell over 500,000 copies, and being three discs, it was qualified to being certified double platinum (the RIAA certifies based on amount shipped rather than sold). The resulting Jam of the Year Tour was a major success (though ironically very few songs from Emancipation were included in the concerts), resulting in a significant comeback for Prince, after the commercial and critical disappointment of Chaos and Disorder from earlier that year.

Emancipation is the fourth best-selling triple album ever in the United States.

Into The Light

From out of the darkness, before there was time
There came a sound that enters the mind
Through a door that's deep in your soul
Through every pore of your body it goes

And in a light 2 bright 2 behold
Is the truth more shiny than gold
And as sure as this candle burns
Every soul must return

Into the light, into the light

From out of the light there comes a story
Open your mind and feel the glory
What's the hurry 2 die without tryin'?
If U could sell your worries (If U could sell your worries)
Would anyone buy 'em? Oh no

4 every flower that grows (Grow)
Even a baby knows (Know)
That as sure as the candle burns
Every soul must return

Into the light, into the light

© 1996 Controversy Music - ASCAP
[Edited 4/13/10 16:00pm]

I always consider The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale a 1996 album as well, since that's when it was compiled and handed over.

I thought the 'Chaos' tracks pre-datde the Emancipation sessions - the appearance of Rosie Gaines and the 'Power trio' dates C&D to '93-95 (says it somewhere in the sleeve?).

C&D was a clear out of older material that he didn't care much for (he was still contracted to give WB another 2 albums, so he gave them 'vault' tracks. Emancipation was all new fresh stuff - nothing from the vault.

So they are really not connected at all. C&D is closer related to Diamonds & Pearls thru Gold Experience.


.....
[Edited 4/13/10 14:26pm]

errant said:

Speaking of which, is that worth getting? I was considering buying it last week.


As a whole, I don't like Emacipation too much, but it has some really nice songs. I friggin love "Slave" one of my favorite Prince songs now.

lotusflw3r said:

I didn't say they are connected by music [thanks 4 ur insight in timing of recording of a lot of the music] the the 90's and even early 2000's Prince released a lot of music not connected with the time frame]
the era's are connected though:the purpose for C&D the packaging of it the whole Slave thing
and his emancipation the look for promo of both are the same
C&D Disorder connected to Emancipation to me is the same as the Black Album connected to Lovesexy, the music isn't musically for some reason the Black album feels like a flow from SOTT but the projected is connected to Lovesexy,
the same with Chaos & Disorder.

+ It helps to talk about the era's together cause I know Chaos & Disorder doesn't have much to support its own thread
[Edited 4/13/10 16:03pm]

7.9.1996 New York's Rockefeller Plaza

The Today Show
1.Dinner With Delores
2.Zannalee

I actually always preferred C&D to Emancipation quite a bit. Although it's got a couple of weak tracks (I Rock There4I Am and Dig U Better Dead) I enjoyed the tightness of the band he had for that album, The Gold Experience and Exodus. Comparatively, Emancipation felt overall kind of bland. Though it does have quite a few great songs, the overall effect of the 3CD set is underwhelming.

I loved some of the reviews of C&D at the time. Though I can't remember the sources of the two comments that stick in my mind. One stated that while it was a fairly good album it "smelled rather strongly of eu de contractual obligation" and another said that if the album had been released by some newcomer, it would have been the album of the year, but we expect more from (The Artist Formerly Known as)Prince.

lotusflw3r said:

some of the tracks from C&D were from early '96. and he went in and added things to some of the older stuff (Rosie's parts on the title track, etc.). some of it ended up on C&D, some of it ended up on the Vault. some of it ended up on Emancipation.

My fave albums wid Come and the Gold.....luv these albums so many "unheard" classic tracks, Thanks Oldfriends Easy accesible albums that have some of his most catchiest beautiful melodies ever!

Spinzilla said:

I love the Vault. It's my favorite 90's album after Gold, Come and . for being a hodge-podge of leftovers and re-worked stuff, it sounds surprising coherent. it's got a laid-back, jazzy/bluesy thing going on. and the tracks are band performances. with a great band.

lotusflw3r said:

nah dissagree hate diomands and pearls and love symbol..terribly dated albums, infact ive played I Rock, Therefore I Am and Dig U Better Dead 4 my freinds and they digged them yet if i played Gett Off and Push...well they sound cheesey wid that Tony M rapping .....altho love willing and able...even the rap

optimus said:

I prefer the video version of Willing & Able though. After I heard that a few times on the Diamonds & Pearls video collection, the album version seems really flat to me.

Slave

CHORUS:
Everybody keeps tryin' 2 break my heart
Everybody except 4 me
I just want a chance 2 play the part
The part of someone truly free
Like candle slowly burning, I can feel my world unravel
Hemisphere upon hemisphere lie beneath my soul, soul
My enemies kept it turning, but now they pound the gavel
And judging me accordingly, I know, I know

CHORUS

Hey! {x3}
Oh

Burning slowly candle, handle careless they did
Merrily down 3 heartbreak boulevards
Like fashion statements, they lie "U be lookin' so good 2night, kid"
I do my best 2 party, it's just that everybody keeps tryin' 2 break my heart

(CHORUS)
Except 4 me (Except 4 me)
I just want a chance 2 play

(Just wanna be free)

Slowly candle burns, where'd they learn hypnosis?
How'd they keep me under 4 so long?
Break the bread I earn, just keep me far from closest
I need their kind 2 illustrate what's wrong - what's wrong?

Well, I'll tell U they just keep tryin' 2 break my heart (CHORUS)
They just keep tryin' 2 break my heart, ow!

(Everybody) {x2}

CHORUS

But I can't let U break my heart

(Everybody keeps tryin' 2 break my heart)
Slave! (Everybody keeps tryin' 2 break my heart)
Slave! Slave! (Everybody keeps tryin' 2 break my heart)
Slave!

© 1996 Emancipated Music Inc. - ASCAP

[Edited 4/14/10 18:29pm]

Emancipation
Ever since I was a little baby
I had 2 have double everything
When they tell me that's enough
That's when I wanna fill my cup
2 the top, Johnny, hear me sing

CHORUS:
Emancipation - free 2 do what I wanna
Emancipation - see U in the purple rain
Emancipation - free 2 do what I wanna
Emancipation - break the chain, break the chain

Ever since that Eve did unto Adam, alright
What somebody been sho'nuff doin' 2 me (Watch it!)
I've been tryin' 2 break the chain
Get my little ass out the game
I'd rather sing with a bit more harmony, oh

CHORUS

Johnny please, huh, when I was on my knees
My back was broken and my spirit ill at ease
And now it seems just like the autumn leaves
Your money's turned from green 2 brown and now U best believe

CHORUS

(Emancipation) {repeat in BG}
Break the chain, oh yeah
Well, sho'nuff
See U in the purple rain
Emancipation - free 2 do what I wanna
Break the.. break the.. break the chain!

Hey!
Alright!
Hey! {x4}

Emancipation
Free - don't think I ain't!

Emancipation

© 1996 Emancipated Music Inc. - ASCAP

[Edited 4/14/10 18:29pm]

Chaos And Disorder

("Check, check, OK ... cool") {Beavis and Butthead sample}
("Here we go") (Rolling)
(Hey)
Yeah

Carjack used 2 fix flat tires ("Get your ass out here right now!")
Cadillac used 2 be a Benz ("Hey, get out of the street")
Big joint never gotcha higher
Freebase cost U in the end

CHORUS:
I'm just a no-name reporter, I wish had nothin' 2 say
Lookin' through my new camcorder tryin' 2 find a crime that pays
I get hit by mortars, everywhere I go I'm loiterin'
Chaos and disorder rulin' my world 2 day

He's gay used 2 mean he's happy
Nowadays happy ain't allowed ("Forward!")
U're played used 2 mean top 40
("U're listening 2 WNPG and we welcome U 2 Chaos and Dis...")
Now 40 days of bein' played ain't proud

CHORUS

Yeah, woo!
(Yeah, yeah, yeah) {x2}

Safe sex used 2 mean no babies
When intercourse used 2 mean fun
If I had 15 ladies
I would only fuck with one

I get hit by a mortar, everywhere I go I'm loiterin'
Chaos and disorder rulin' my world 2 day

(Escuchame, no se puede está mas joven que antes)

{Listen 2 me, U can't be younger than before}

(Qué es eso que le preocupa al sénor?)

{What are U worried about, sir?}

(Nunca sé la vi yo la señora)

{I never saw her}

Yeah yeah yeah!
(I'm not gonna tolerate U people without a warrant)
Yeah yeah yeah!
(Oh no no!)
Huh!

© 1996 Controversy Music - ASCAP

[Edited 4/14/10 18:31pm]

February 8. 1997
Pasadena Civic Auditorium
28th NAACP Image Awards
1.Emancipation
2.We March



[Edited 4/15/10 5:42am]

June 10. 1996
Los Angeles
Video Shoot
The Same December



The Same December

Once was this ball with a line straight down the middle
One side was black and the other one white
And they both understood so little
That they spent their whole lives tryin' 2 tell each other what time it was
When all along it did not matter what either said because, because

CHORUS:
U only know what U know
U only see what your heart will show
U only love when your soul remembers
We all come from the same December
And in the end, that's where we'll go
So let's go!

Ooh yeah, oh yeah

There once was a golden idol that went 2 the winners
Needless 2 say it didn't make 'em feel any less a sinner
Cuz the very next mornin' the whole damn world was the same
Yes it was
The idol still shinin', but the voice inside it said
"There ain't no winners in this game"

CHORUS

Hey!

There once was an angel who most certainly watched over me
But if it got me through the day, is it crazy?
Yeah, I'll be crazy

Until the demons fall as far as anyone can fall
When they reap what they done sowed, I'll be standin' tall
We spend our whole lives tryin' 2 dog the other man
When what we need 2 do is try 2 give him all we can

But uh.. U only know what U know
And uh.. U only see what your heart'll show
And uh.. U only love when your soul remembers
We all come from the same December
And in the end, that's where we'll go
So let's go!

Let's go

© 1996 Controversy Music - ASCAP

[Edited 4/16/10 9:30am]

errant said:

Yes, it was compiled at the same time than C&D. Both are quite unrelated to "Emancipation" which is the next step musically speaking, and should be associated with "Kamasutra" and "The Truth", while "C&D" & "TVOF4S" are both from 1990-1996 sessions, closer to "Come", "The Gold Experience", "Exodus" and "Child Of The Sun".
[Edited 4/15/10 2:18am]

I Love the album...

I Love, "The Same December," video.

Tame said:

were can i see that sum1 send me a link quick!!!!! b4 luv4u ruins my cunning plan mwah ha ha

1996: The year when Prince truly commited his own artistic suicide...

By that point the mainstream was tired of his changing names antics, the excessive amount of material (albums which received negative to average reviews) and the perception that Warner was somewhat right and Prince was the whinny little princess who just could not accept a "NO".

C&D flopped miserably and Emancipation could (and should) have been a true comeback (I mean, his most popular record since D&P) but instead it was a dud, the kind of record that only the hardcore can learn to love: pseudo-G/Funk production, filler everywhere, awful artwork, and weak, truly weak singles...

This is how Emancipation could have been successful (but of course Prince can do what he wants )

-A tight rock production (Emancipation was a pop album, sort of, and by 1996 neo-rock was truly big in the USA and Europe; it's irritating how C&D, the lesser album of that year, got the right production, while the important LP, Emancipation, received a dated and bland version of the G-Funk rap of the mid-90s... ),
-1 CD only with 14 or 16 strong tracks (we all know which ones)
-A deal with a new company (Mercury, Sony, etc.)

Emancipation could have been HUGE...but we all know what happened; granted the 1997-2000 years were even worse...and I don't like TRC, but it undoubtedly was a necessary musical rebirth for Prince...


Tracks that I still like:

-Jam of the Year
-Get Ya Groove On
-In This Bed I Scream
-Sex in the Summer
-Slave

From C&D:
-Dinner with Delores
-Had U

JoeTyler said:

From a financial point of view, Emancipation was a huge success for Prince who made much more money out of it than out of most of his WB albums.

There WAS a deal with a new company, i.e. EMI. Unfortunately EMI went through huge financial problems in early 1997 and the consequence was that promotion for all their projects, including Emancipation, ceased. That's why Face Down and probable subsequent singles were cancelled.

Now as for the content, what you ask is quite weird IMHO. Prince had always dreamed of doing a triple album since 1986, so it was the logical next step for him as soon as he was freed from WB.
Besides, C&D was much more of a critical failure than Emapcipation when it comes to reviews: many critics considered it to be a sub-Prince album.
I also fail to understand what you mean by "dated version of the G-funk rap of the mid-90's" considering that 1996 WAS the mid-90's

I'd add that i keep reading here that Emancipation should have been a single CD with the "best" 12 songs, but if it had been released as such, the same people who say so are those who shout "open the Vault's gates" and would have been the 1st to buy bootlegs with the outtakes and to claim "it's such a pity that these songs were left out!"

We keep aksing for MORE music and complaining about Prince keeping all this Vault material for himself, so weither we like a release or not, of all things how can we complain about him releasing TOO MUCH material?

I LOVE this era from, PRINCE! It was completely different! I had just moved to Los Angeles right before “Chaos and Disorder” was released. I remember trying to acquainted with the BIG city of LA when I heard a host on the local talk radio station talk about a new Prince album that was about to drop. He said he was blown away by the killer rock sound and guitars of the promo he was able to get and listen to. He played the title track off the album as well as “I Like It There” and just talked up a storm on how kick ass the album was. It was my first taste of the album and of course I found my self at the midnight selling for the cd (as well as Emancipation) at the Virgin Mega Store on Sunset Blvd. Both “Chaos and Disorder” and “Emancipation” bring back fond memories of my 1st year in LA and will always hold a loved place for Prince music in my heart!

[Edited 4/16/10 8:27am]