great stuff!!!

why nobody is talking about it?

no it sucked big time...listen to real jazz and u will no he just playin blues over a swing beat...nothing spectacular

I think it is a good piece of work. There's some very good idea in it. Maybe a couple of tracks are a bit too long, and maybe the violin is not very "Prince-style" but I like it.
I also liked Empty room sooo much!

thechronic said:

real jazz? what the f... is real jazz.
I heard about beebob, swing, fusion,
but never something about real jazz.

I listen to a lot of jazz, and this
stuff is great. john kicks ass again,
the violin is just beautiful, great
combination!!!

Ok, it might not be as raw as Mingus or as ordained as most
Monk and not have the 'standard' jazz feel of some of
Davis' best work.

But hey, it's Prince, he makes all kinds of music and makes
them all sound like his own. Not just immitating something
but trying to bend it and make it into something a little
different.

It's not that wildly different from the Madhouse albums.
It's just got another vantage point -the rainbow children.
Which is why some of the instruments are the same and some
of the melodies sound very farmilliar. For instance that
"just like the sun" keyboard line.

Which I don't consider dull or repetitive since the
Madhouse albums also have both feet distinctly planted in
the Parade/Sign sound. And especially in the "live" band
sound from that time. Listen to Small Club and madhouse 16
back 2 back.

Anyway. All I wanted to say is that people shouldn't put
such weight on the "jazz" lable. It's just a name to state
what kind of feel the music has and those names usually
don't get it 100%.

For instance. A vast majority of Prince's 80s and 90s
output has always been dubbed "pop". At the same time
*Nsync and Backstreet boys and yes -heave- even Atomic
Kitten and Vitamin C are called 'Pop'.

Look at the artist in the various 'categories' at any
given awards show. They'll have a "rock" category and
in it they'll have: Oasis, Coldplay, Bon Jovi, Bryan
Adams, Korn and New Order.

Ehm. Ok. It's like, "hmm, what does this resemble most?
I think rock? Yeah? ehm, ok, let's nominate them for
rock then".

If New Order happen to releas a guitar heavy single it
will immediately be called "rock". Duh.

Just like Norah Jones is called "Jazz" when in fact it
sounds more like a mix between jazzy soundscapes and a
regular singer/songwriter album.

That doesn't mean she hasn't made a beautiful album because
the album is very nice. It's just that since she's been
labeled "jazz", the media keep comparing her to the jazz
greats. Which ticks people with the complete Mingus
collection off and makes them go and listen to it and
disdainfully say "this is not jazz, what a rip-off". And
those people do have a point.

Both sides are a bit right and a bit wrong. But what does
it matter any way? As long as you enjoy the music, does it
matter what label other people put onto it?

Especially since Prince dubbed this album "new directions
in music" and not strictly "jazz".

..
[This message was edited Sun Jan 5 2:40:41 PST 2003 by IstenSzek]

I LOVE IT!

Vanessa Mae's contributions to this album is truly lovely.

Btw, what is with some "jazz snobs" and all their attitude? Bugs the *** outta me...

serk said:

GooD!
I completely agree!

thechronic said:

the idea abut jazz, that it's supposed 2 b free...so not something 2 b nagged about by some silly mf!

thechronic said:

Hey you -the one who thinks he can top everybody-even the great Miles didn't like to stick a label on music so you can quit your "real jazz" thing...

Some part of XPECTATION, especially "Xhalation" reminds me of Japanese composer/arranger R. Sakamoto ("Forbidden Colour"). Just like the new songs "Osaka" and "Tokyo" . . .

IstenSzek said:

I totally agree with you.

This was released to members as an experimental recording, there is no need to be critical about it, it's just a question of whether you enjoy the content, which in most cases I do. I'm glad Prince is doing something which is, for himself, rather original. It's a natural progression from the Rainbow Children and I hope he goes on to evolve this sound. I am just grateul that we have been allowed to hear these new expressions and am happy to say that NPGMC have finally come through.

One thing though, I would love to hear the soundcheck downloads but for some reason I haven't been sent the links for those unlike some other members. Is anyone brave enough to send me the links? I would be eternally grateful!

Happy New Year,

Geeman

thechronic said:

The jazz professionnal has spoken...
I think this album needs many listens before judging it

love it. better than ONA, it's my new fav of his recent stuff, actually. i like the way it flows from one idea to the next. his composition style on this collection to me feels freer or something. maybe, because no lyrics?

anyway, it may not be jazz in the purest sense but he's obviously evolving. just when i think i have a feel for what he's up to he does this. . .

Looks like a cd of instrumentals may be released this year as he seems to be boiling over with instrumental ideas.

I LoVe It! And thanks 2 all of U who made sensible comments on this thread about types of music and labeling, etc.

I don't recall seeing the words "Xpectation- the brilliant new JAZZ album from Prince" anywhere on the site. It just is what it is, which in my opinion is pretty good music. Lighten up, geez.

drhodes said:

YES...in fact, it said "new directions in music" and made no claims or comparisons to whatever "real" jazz music is. I love all the tracks and am THRILLED to have received them -- what a great way to start a new year and end the 2002 membership period. Even if these downloads are just last-minute attempts to appease upset members, it's still new music and is like nothing we've heard before from Prince. I'd say that's A-OK by me.

COOKIES!
[This message was edited Sun Jan 5 21:23:45 PST 2003 by Sdldawn]

u know when it comes 2 P's Music it's just an xpression of himself & what he's going thru. we need 2 just sit back & relax & njoy the Nex Xperience & the Vibe of it...

P's Music Frees the Soul & Opens the Heart

the more i listen the more i like this album

kinda joe sample and jean luc ponty with a twist of funk too. exciting

XxAxX said:[quote]the more i listen the more i like this album

Me too!

Anyone have any theories why, I think it's track 8, has static running through it? I suppose it's to give an old feel to it but it's just plain annoying. I thought it may have downloaded wrong, but the static continues and quickly fades on the next track, since they're designed to be seamless.

One thing that annoys me recently, that organ/keyboard note in the background that bounces from ear to ear, Prince uses it on several Xpectation tracks and also on a few ONA Live tracks and even on It Ain't Over's Joy in Repetition if I recall correctly. An overused device and it makes me feel dizzy when I hear it on headphones!

I'll take Xpectation over the religious babble on TRC any day. In fact, the more Prince talks these days the less I like him.

metalorange said:

Thank God. I thought it was just me. I was listeing to it at work and thought I had a fuzzy download. I'm semi-lukewarm over the disc after one spin, but like all Prince albums, it may take a while to digest and, as usual, there are segments on it that just give you the goosebumps and make you wonder why the whole thing isn't as mind-bendingly briliant as those little flashes that kicked you in the ass.

I worry that he's moving away from the funk, which is generally where I choose to wallow. I imagine this one would spin nicely in The Bedroom, but, regrettably, I can't verify that...
[This message was edited Fri Jan 10 18:12:02 PST 2003 by herb4]

NPGMCsucks said:

I can see your point, but have you ever known him to talk MORE often and seem as happy as he seems to be right now? Who am I to argue with that? It aint easy losing your wife and both of your parents in such a short span of time; not that I'd knowfrom experience.

If it works for him, it works for me I guess.

My first impression was lukewarm but repeated listenings have improved my opinion. Will be interesting to see where he goes with all this instrumental noodling.

anyone else still totally digging this album???

XxAxX said:

me, me, me!!!

I find it really inspired and fresh

Its so nice to hear him "SHUT UP"
and play music again...

Like 2NigsUnited4WestCompton...