Xpectation

As an NPGMusicClub only release I was Xcited to see new music being released xclusively for the fans.. But what I had hoped for and what was initially delivered didn’t match up.

Xhalation with Vanessa Mae on violin kicked off the album and it soon became apparent that this totally instrumental album would focus on more of a relaxed jazz feel than the harder funk edge we had hoped for. A short piece it is sadly forgettable and by the time it finishes you can’t even recall any specific aspect of it.

Xcogitate didn’t improve things. Sadly it feels like run of the mill jazz from seasoned players who are just going through the motions.

Xemplify brings a bit of fun to the party but in limited supply. This upbeat new-orleans feel track gives you a moments reprieve from the “oh we’re so serious” musicianship that was evident in other tracks.

Xpectation drew me in most mainly because of John Blackwell’s drumming and the sense that it had direction to it, and for the first time on the album you get a sense of Prince’s presence.

Xotica feels like a ballad in search of a lyric and you can almost imagine Prince seducing a new love with sweet vocals throughout the track, but sadly it isn’t to be.

Xogenous gives perhaps a bit more of a hint of what was to come with N.E.W.S. It had a few more moments of intrigue musically that kept me listening longer than most of the tracks on here.

Xpand has a touch of the Rainbow Children about it, and is anchored in a funk groove and presents a harder edge. Possibly the most listenable track on here for me, and the one that feels 80% Prince.

Xosphere returns to the more chilled out feel of the album and almost reinforced that this felt more like a collection of jams recorded in soundchecks rather than a focused effort to create a cohesive album.

Sadly on reflection my Xpectation is still not met, and it ultimately felt like an album that Prince put out more to satisfy the obligations of the NPGMC rather than wanting to excite the fans.

[Edited 10/14/10 19:55pm]

If that's you celebrating I'd hate to see you denigrating!

mikeyaddict said:

If that's you celebrating I'd hate to see you denigrating!

True Dat.

The celebration threads are a review of all of Prince's work (one album a day) - from his best work to his ok to his less than stellar releases. Each one can't be glowing, and it's fair as a long time fan to say when you love the work and when you don't.

They aren't the be all and end all of the discussion though, just my point of view. If your's differs then post your thoughts as I would love to see what others hear. It might help me reappreciate the music that I wasn't feeling.

So how does eveyone else feel about Xpectation?

' Xpectation : A Celebration ' an essay by a music critic !!!

Good job Missta knowitall !!!

bring abck oldfriends4sale

this dudes "celebrations" suck

I remember when this came out on New Years Day, I was like "Sweet! New Prince CD! For free??"

Then I played it... after about the third song, I shut it off and went to eat some pork.

The most confusing thing about it is that we all knew he had an instrumental song at this time called Xenophobia, yet he leaves it off his "all X-titles" album??? A strange choice indeed.

This is filed under "one listen is enough".

This is when Prince started to try my patience - with a coma-inducing live album, NEWS, Xpectation, then C-Note, and the sleepy One Night Alone piano CD, he was definitely getting a little too laid back for my own tastes.

P.S., I love the "Celebrations", haters gonna hate.

I would much prefer an album like this or N.E.W.S to the likes of 20TEN.

A new instrumental project and tour would be sweet.

jonylawson said:

bring abck oldfriends4sale

this dudes "celebrations" suck

You stay classy San Diego.....

haven't checked this album
will do though

This album is one of my best friends, & I love Vanessa Mae....& her work on the first track...really beautiful & full of Xpression .

Xpectation is one of my favorite albums.

seaofeverything said:

This album is one of my best friends, & I love Vanessa Mae....& her work on the first track...really beautiful & full of Xpression .

Thank you! I'm glad to see Xpectation getting a little bit of love. imho, it's prince's best jazz-fusion album.

Xogenous has brilliant, understated guitar flourishes.

Blackwell's drumming on Xpedition is ridiculous! He is just going off, and it sounds great.

Vanessa Mae adds great touches throughout.

And imagine if he did an album next year this brilliant musically with decent lyrics and good singing on top of it. Wow.

controversy99 said:

seaofeverything said:

This album is one of my best friends, & I love Vanessa Mae....& her work on the first track...really beautiful & full of Xpression .

Thank you! I'm glad to see Xpectation getting a little bit of love. imho, it's prince's best jazz-fusion album.

Xogenous has brilliant, understated guitar flourishes.

Blackwell's drumming on Xpedition is ridiculous! He is just going off, and it sounds great.

Vanessa Mae adds great touches throughout.

And imagine if he did an album next year this brilliant musically with decent lyrics and good singing on top of it. Wow.

Yes! And Xemplify is the perfect mix of jazz and the classical violin. Makes me feel great when I hear it.

fambam93 said:

Yes! And Xemplify is the perfect mix of jazz and the classical violin. Makes me feel great when I hear it.

I just checked out Xemplify again. Very nice. The ending has some really interesting dark, classical overtones. Great mix with the laid back funky jazz sections!

Some 'fans' of Prince debate that this album is not TRUE Jazz and I say I do not care, I love it. When I look for some instrumental Jazz 'influenced' music this is one of the albums I grab or play along with N.E.W.S. and the Madhouse sessions ...

4 1/2 out of 5 album ...