Josh may be an average producer as some of you say, all I can go with is what I hear, and the Prince/Josh combo has been pleasing to my ears so far.

Hate away....

fnksoul said:

DFUNK said:

Well, Im going to throw in my 20 cents.

The fact of the matter is, some of the material Prince has released in the last 12 months, has been some of his best sounding material in years. His releases with 3rd Eye Girl sound promising, and "The Breakdown" is a really beautiful song.

While it might not be obvious to all of us as to what exactly Josh Weltons imput is, lets just enjoy this resurgence that Prince is displaying. Production wise, I personally thought the 20Ten album was a real low point. It sounds cheap, demo-ish and I cringe everytime I listen to it.

In the last 12 months I have seen some real signs that Prince is refreshed and very much back on top of his game again. And if it just so happens that Josh Welton has a helping hand in this, so be it.

.

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Well said, he's been lacking something for years and like you say over the past 12 months its looked up a little.

The new stuff sounds just as cheap and artificial as 20ten.

I don't think the issue is with Prince working with an outside producer. I think the issue is that he's working with THIS outside producer (i.e. relatively unknown with a bit of nepotism in there).

.

If this was Nile Rodgers producing him, or Quincy Jones, or Pharrel, etc. there would not be as much complaining.

Josh is the best thing to happen to Prince in a long time. He's talented and has a lot of fun with his music. Prince talks a lot about never looking back - and yet for the past 10 years he's been talking about how music used to sound. He was doing it "like back in the day" or he was "bringing it old school". With rare exception Prince has spent the past 15 years trying to sound like Prince in the mid/late 80s and failing. Each failure brought further despiration for a hit song and each subsiquent album couldn't be further from it. At least Josh has made Prince embrace contemporary music again. He's needed a new sound for SO long.

I found this on youtube - http://www.youtube.com/wa...9AO0Ywezjg I'm guessing it's Josh doing a Prince impersonation. His other stuff isn't bad either.

FALLINLUVNIGHT is a great song. Its a simple dance/pop song. You know when people say "oh well if [insert popstar here] had released that single it would have been a hit" - THIS is the type of song they're talking about. If he had given this song to Kelly Roland, Gaga, or even NewGirl (I Forget her name) this song would have been all over the radio. When it's sung by a 55 year old bloke it's a bit wierd and no amount of batting your eyes into the camera lense is going to change that. Prince could be having hit after hit if he would give away songs like this.

Noodled24 said:

Josh is the best thing to happen to Prince in a long time. He's talented and has a lot of fun with his music. Prince talks a lot about never looking back - and yet for the past 10 years he's been talking about how music used to sound. He was doing it "like back in the day" or he was "bringing it old school". With rare exception Prince has spent the past 15 years trying to sound like Prince in the mid/late 80s and failing. Each failure brought further despiration for a hit song and each subsiquent album couldn't be further from it. At least Josh has made Prince embrace contemporary music again. He's needed a new sound for SO long.

I found this on youtube - http://www.youtube.com/wa...9AO0Ywezjg I'm guessing it's Josh doing a Prince impersonation. His other stuff isn't bad either.

FALLINLUVNIGHT is a great song. Its a simple dance/pop song. You know when people say "oh well if [insert popstar here] had released that single it would have been a hit" - THIS is the type of song they're talking about. If he had given this song to Kelly Roland, Gaga, or even NewGirl (I Forget her name) this song would have been all over the radio. When it's sung by a 55 year old bloke it's a bit wierd and no amount of batting your eyes into the camera lense is going to change that. Prince could be having hit after hit if he would give away songs like this.

I agree FallininLUV is a great song, it has a catchy chorus and melody, but imagine this song produced by Calvin Harris, who did Rihanna's song "We Found Love." Then we would have ourselves a #1 Prince single. The song is as good as Rihanna's song, but the production is lacking that production power and buildup that's so popular on dance floors these days. I would love to see what Calvin or someone like him could do with this song.

[Edited 9/22/14 12:31pm]

And Listening to it now, it sounds like NEYO, but lighter, which is kind of out of fashion on the radio now.

He's not really a "producer", more like a do-it-yourself guy doing an Usher type of an act. Just do a Youtube search on him and you'll find out what he's about. He's done talent shows, some Michael Jackson imitation stuff and has apprently gotten a song of his used by the Chicago Bulls.

It's an entirely different thing if Prince should be working with someone like him. Frankly speaking, I find the video that he's done, "Where Ever I Go", just embarrassing with all the Usher / MJ dance moves incorporated into it. Sure, there's some talent, but he does come off as very naive.

novabrkr said:

He's not really a "producer", more like a do-it-yourself guy doing an Usher type of an act. Just do a Youtube search on him and you'll find out what he's about. He's done talent shows, some Michael Jackson imitation stuff and has apprently gotten a song of his used by the Chicago Bulls.

It's an entirely different thing if Prince should be working with someone like him. Frankly speaking, I find the video that he's done, "Where Ever I Go", just embarrassing with all the Usher / MJ dance moves incorporated into it. Sure, there's some talent, but he does come off as very naive.

Calvin wrote and produced "We Found Love." I hear similarities between that song and Fallinlovetonight. I think better production would really put this over the top.

Let's be honest, the few tracks we have heard have been better than some had thought, I myself had put down a couple of them but then after a proper listen on a good system you realise the production is actually quite good.

Josh was brought in for fresh ideas and probably because he can help Prince lay down his ideas digitally, its one thing recording in Analogue but how up to speed is P with the latest digital production software? Cubase/Logic etc..... its a different ball game. Im guessing not very.

Josh is getting alot of stick when all he's done is his job, and for the majority he is suprising people, Prince fans are notrously hard to please, not everyone is going to like everything and most will always find something to pick at, unfortunatley alot are putting down the fact that they dont like the new stuff to Josh's involvement, when in actual fact the tracks are probabaly mostly Prince's ideas with Josh laying them down Digitally.

For example I have friends who DJ but put out music to help them get DJ bookings they dont have a clue how to use the Software or dont have the time to learn but have ideas of what they want to produce so they go to a producer who they can sit in with for a day, give him the ideas and they lay it down for them master it and its good to go.

I highly suspect thats Josh's main use.

What Prince needs is to work with a producer like Nile Rodgers, but I couldnt see him sharing the credit with another established artist myself.

DMSR said:

novabrkr said:

He's not really a "producer", more like a do-it-yourself guy doing an Usher type of an act. Just do a Youtube search on him and you'll find out what he's about. He's done talent shows, some Michael Jackson imitation stuff and has apprently gotten a song of his used by the Chicago Bulls.

It's an entirely different thing if Prince should be working with someone like him. Frankly speaking, I find the video that he's done, "Where Ever I Go", just embarrassing with all the Usher / MJ dance moves incorporated into it. Sure, there's some talent, but he does come off as very naive.

Calvin wrote and produced "We Found Love." I hear similarities between that song and Fallinlovetonight. I think better production would really put this over the top.

Calvin harris without having the money behind him to put artist like Rhianna in his tracks wouldnt be anywhere near as big now. There are better producers out there but he had money poured into his marketing (Clubs were being paid to ensure their dj's played his tracks on regular rotation like gatecrasher etc...)

fnksoul said:

DMSR said:

Calvin wrote and produced "We Found Love." I hear similarities between that song and Fallinlovetonight. I think better production would really put this over the top.

Calvin harris without having the money behind him to put artist like Rhianna in his tracks wouldnt be anywhere near as big now. There are better producers out there but he had money poured into his marketing (Clubs were being paid to ensure their dj's played his tracks on regular rotation like gatecrasher etc...)

Im not like a big DJ fan, but I was just using that song and production as an example of what FallINLOVE could do. "We Found Love" to me has great production and was all over the radio for a long time and at #1. I still think it sounds great, even though Ive heard it a million times. I think Prince's song had that potential, but the production is more tame and not as dynamic.

That being said, I don't totally dislike Joshua's work, I just think it could be better and more current. These songs are good and Prince is ready to have a hit again, people are on the Prince wagon, he just needs to get the right production to get on the radio.

I also think he could have a hit with minimal production like he used to. KISS sounded like a demo but that's what made it stand out on the radio. I literally pulled over the first time I heard it on the radio. It was so different and cool. Still is!

Seems like whatever the problem is has been a lot of peoples fault over the years. Tony M's fault, Larry's fault, Kirky J's fault, Josh's fault. Seems to me like there's a common denominator in all these periods where it's been someone elses fault that Princes music sucks...

TheEnglishGent said:

Seems like whatever the problem is has been a lot of peoples fault over the years. Tony M's fault, Larry's fault, Kirky J's fault, Josh's fault. Seems to me like there's a common denominator in all these periods where it's been someone elses fault that Princes music sucks...

I think its just tough to sound current and cutting edge for 35+ years. Most fans see potentital in his music its just the production that is lacking. I haven't been dazzled by his production in a long time. I like when I used to hear his music and wonder how he got those sounds and wonder what is exactly going on behind the curtain. I haven't felt that in a long time with his music.

let's face it..........his gig with P is the best thing that will ever happen to him

watch this and you will see

banishedones666 said:

Stop throwin' shade! Joshua's production of Prince songs and remixes so far has been great!

so far, so good!

thedance said:

10000Degrees said:

Come by and grab your qtips as soon as you are sober again.

I am sober alright, FALLINLOVE2NITE is better than any of the 3rd Eye Girl songs, imho.

I agree with this statement with the exception of Screwdriver. So far Screwdriver is my favorite thing that I have heard from him this 3rd eye era including the AOA stuff too.

i think the 'co-production' credit is there cuz prince is in teaching mode(arsineo) and is working with him like he is Hannah and Donna. His direct involvement is probably minimal. He probably doing more observing than he is producing. He may be inspiring some new or revisited directions and hipping prince to tunes not in his typical sphere of sound. Akso, he may make it easier for prince to try something atypical and allows his ego a scapegoat if thr toast gets burnt, so to speak.

i say revisiting, cuz i get an amped up vibe of 'loose' in the remix if funknroll. well not necessarily 'loose' bt a high energy dance ditty which is an atypical choice. speaking of funknroll....anyone feel a 'mortal kombat' vibe? i cant help but think of that old ass tune when i hear funknroll.

trax said:

thedance said:

I am sober alright, FALLINLOVE2NITE is better than any of the 3rd Eye Girl songs, imho.

I agree with this statement with the exception of Screwdriver. So far Screwdriver is my favorite thing that I have heard from him this 3rd eye era including the AOA stuff too.

I love Screwdriver too but I think it's a Prince tune rather than 3rdEyegirl. The studio version is more in line with RnR Affair in its overall sound. However, 3rdEyegirl did make it their own with the live versions, which have all been awesome.

Noodled24 said:

FALLINLUVNIGHT is a great song.

Sometimes I dont understand...people here are constantly bashing great albums such as DIAMONDS AND PEARLS, BATMAN, but worship shits like FALLINLOVE. What the fuck.

This song is horrible. Collaboring with a guy to make this kind of shit is really nonsense. prince can do shit alone.

Nothing more ludicrous than a song tailored for being a hit but that fail on charts.

Maybe it would have been better with another type of production, but the song in the form that we know is a copycat of many dance songs of the early 90's...And that's not a compliment.

Prince ans his new buddy are 20 years late.

RODSERLING said:

Noodled24 said:

FALLINLUVNIGHT is a great song.

Sometimes I dont understand...people here are constantly bashing great albums such as DIAMONDS AND PEARLS, BATMAN, but worship shits like FALLINLOVE. What the fuck.

This song is horrible. Collaboring with a guy to make this kind of shit is really nonsense. prince can do shit alone.

Nothing more ludicrous than a song tailored for being a hit but that fail on charts.

Maybe it would have been better with another type of production, but the song in the form that we know is a copycat of many dance songs of the early 90's...And that's not a compliment.

Prince ans his new buddy are 20 years late.

I like it too. It's the most catchy song he's done in years. Pure pop.

DMSR said:

fnksoul said:

Calvin harris without having the money behind him to put artist like Rhianna in his tracks wouldnt be anywhere near as big now. There are better producers out there but he had money poured into his marketing (Clubs were being paid to ensure their dj's played his tracks on regular rotation like gatecrasher etc...)

Im not like a big DJ fan, but I was just using that song and production as an example of what FallINLOVE could do. "We Found Love" to me has great production and was all over the radio for a long time and at #1. I still think it sounds great, even though Ive heard it a million times. I think Prince's song had that potential, but the production is more tame and not as dynamic.

That being said, I don't totally dislike Joshua's work, I just think it could be better and more current. These songs are good and Prince is ready to have a hit again, people are on the Prince wagon, he just needs to get the right production to get on the radio.

I also think he could have a hit with minimal production like he used to. KISS sounded like a demo but that's what made it stand out on the radio. I literally pulled over the first time I heard it on the radio. It was so different and cool. Still is!

He followed a simple commercial "EDM" sound with a big artist on vocals, its Rhianna that made the song a hit the production is no different to what Armin van buuren, Tiesto etc... have all been doing for years really.

And the truth is this sound is rapidly dying out and being replaced with a Deep house/Garage sound so im pretty glad they didnt go down that route with anything (Although I guess there is time yet for other tracks on the album)

If I was to put Prince with a current producer I'd go with Tensnake, pure brilliance his music.

TheEnglishGent said:

RODSERLING said:

Sometimes I dont understand...people here are constantly bashing great albums such as DIAMONDS AND PEARLS, BATMAN, but worship shits like FALLINLOVE. What the fuck.

This song is horrible. Collaboring with a guy to make this kind of shit is really nonsense. prince can do shit alone.

Nothing more ludicrous than a song tailored for being a hit but that fail on charts.

Maybe it would have been better with another type of production, but the song in the form that we know is a copycat of many dance songs of the early 90's...And that's not a compliment.

Prince ans his new buddy are 20 years late.

I like it too. It's the most catchy song he's done in years. Pure pop.

To me, there is some inconsistancies to bash BATMAN and DIAMONDS AND PEARLS, and to love FALLINLOVE.

RODSERLING said:

Noodled24 said:

FALLINLUVNIGHT is a great song.

Sometimes I dont understand...people here are constantly bashing great albums such as DIAMONDS AND PEARLS, BATMAN, but worship shits like FALLINLOVE. What the fuck.

This song is horrible. Collaboring with a guy to make this kind of shit is really nonsense. prince can do shit alone.

(Not me, Batman is a good album, As is D&P for the most part). FIL2N is pure pop. Great little song. Trouble is, it's a Katy Perry song, or an X-Factor winner single.

Nothing more ludicrous than a song tailored for being a hit but that fail on charts.

Maybe it would have been better with another type of production, but the song in the form that we know is a copycat of many dance songs of the early 90's...And that's not a compliment.

Prince ans his new buddy are 20 years late.

It's a contemporary sound. Just not really aimed at his audience. He hasn't always been a trend setter. He didn't invent rock and roll with Purple Rain, ATWIAD drew reference to The Beatles. As I think I've always said about this song - it's exactly the kind of thing he could give to a young pop star - see it ride the charts - which would feed his ego - meanwhile he can be releasing something more interesting. I still don't know why the recent forray into pop/dance is entirely placed on Josh. Prince has done this kind of thing before. The same with the vocal effects - it's almost something he's "known" for.

Askani said:

Don't really care one way or another.

He's had other producers with him in the past that either got (or should have gotten) a co-producer credit, who basically came in and "finished" songs for him. And in some cases put them together from some very rudimentary tapes. Notably, W&L, Levi, Ricky Peterson, Kirky J, etc.

There doesn't seem to be any different.

What you described is not being a producer - especially when working with Prince

stillwaiting said:

Josh is great.....if Prince really needs a "Triangle" player in the band. His production on "Fallinlove2nite," whatever it actually was, can't really be considered awful, but nothing special. He seems to add nothing to Prince's sound that Prince can't already do. Prince likes having underwhelming talent around him. Maybe the 1987-88 band spooked him as there was a lot of talent there. Same with the 2002 band. When the spirit moves Prince, he surrounds himself with real talent...but Kirk Johnson as a drummer? Really? Is anybody shocked that when he left, that NOBODY in the music biz tried to sign him as a drummer?

You may have a point there. I definitely got the same impression about the underwhelming talent when I watched that terrible release party. Nobody - and I mean NOBODY - at Paisley Park seemed qualified for the jobs that Prince has given them. THe little Maya chick was comically and painfully awkward - so far in over her head that she should have not even been in the building. All I could do is think about how many fans (real fans from the 70s like me) would have done her job so much better - and would have deserved it. Joshua is not even an original flunkie - just the latest addition to dubious society that has grown over the decades. I watched him mimic Michael Jackson (badly) on YouTube and couldnt believe he went from what looked like the high school talent show to "producing" a Prince album. I would have had to be there during the entire production of AOA to see him actually doing something to believe that he is coming anywhewre near close to co-producing Prince. WHen I laid eyes on him and the videos produced for the singles, I was disappointed in what is obviously Prince's attempt to appeal to today's pitiful young generation which doesnt know real music - let alone great music or the single greatest musical artist alive. Joshua - and 3EYEGIRL to a lesser extent - are immature window dressing to ensure Prince doesnt look like so many of his contemporaries who have been blatantly recycling what made them famous 30 years ago. He has made himself the cool uncle; the guru who is guiding the lost children - imparting some of his legendary genius upon them because he has always been 20 years ahead of everyone.

[Edited 10/10/14 19:47pm]

People have been wanting Prince to let someone else produce him and now that he has and lo and behold those same people aren't happy with Princes choice of producer. Fuck' em all! Both these CDs kick ass! Miserable old cunts are that way for a reason and a CD of their dream collabos isn't going to moisten a snatch that rotted out and coughed up a dust bunny over a decade ago.

JoshuaWho said:

Askani said:

Don't really care one way or another.

He's had other producers with him in the past that either got (or should have gotten) a co-producer credit, who basically came in and "finished" songs for him. And in some cases put them together from some very rudimentary tapes. Notably, W&L, Levi, Ricky Peterson, Kirky J, etc.

There doesn't seem to be any different.

What you described is not being a producer - especially when working with Prince

Totally did not remember writing that. But I read it back. Actually, what I describe above sounds exactly like what being a producer to Prince is. Even moreso now that we've heard the album. Thanks for reminding me of how brilliant I am.