Post first impressions, and how u feel about the track here.

It seems more like traditional jazz than Xpectation did. I really like how Prince takes his time developing the song. When I first read the tracks were going to be 14 minutes each, I was a little leary about it. But listening to North, I like that he's not making himself conform to the 3-4 minutes of a standard pop song. The track is very organic, which I think is a plus for Prince. It's a mellow song, so maybe with East the guitars kick in and go to town. I can't wait.

gnations said:

Agreed, it does give off an orgnanic vibe, which I hope all give off.. but yes, I hope the guitars set in on East or perhaps another track..

It's very mellow indeed. But has a nice build up. It's kind of frustrating not to hear the rest. So you can put it in perspective.
By the way the horns are very very nice in this first part and his guitar as well.

This is a good way of doing by the man. I mean the way he gives us a change to listen and buy. We already 'have it' before it's in our mailboxes. Nice and smooth.

Question: maybe someone can help me with the east mp.3 thats probably coming tomorrow. I have the nnorth.mp3 from today. Tomorrow I'm away and be back on saturday. So anyone care for sending me the east.mp3?
Please orgnote me (or mail me at art1401@freeler.nl). Thank you very much in advance.

Art, amsterdam, holland.

checking it out as I type...

definately enjoying it!

Very boring at first, and then it began to build.

it is definitely growing on me...some very nice touches here and there...I loved Xpectation and I am sure I am gonna dig this one as well

it just gets better with each listen, as it usually happens with princey´s music

garganta said:

he's just such a good princey

ps, i'm totally digging the track tonite, it just fits my mood like a glove...

how in the hell are you guys downloading the mp3? (drop me an orgnote.)

posting a direct link will ask for membership access, so unless you're a member you can't get it.

meaning, there's nothing wrong with posting a direct link to the mp3...

suomynona said:

there is a video also, you can download that plays East

FunkyNose said:

yeah, i was able to download that...

Well it's 1020 on a Wed evening, the 18th of June here in Hawaii and I'm just chilling to the waves in the distance and vibeing off the latest NEWS...I like it...I could see him playing this an after party somewhere...Aloha 2 U all~~

North sound´s litt´l like xpectation with tenor in exchange to the alt of Candy and litt´l like Madhouse with more chillin improvisation and intense in exchange to hard drum line and short repeating melody line. And without analyzing the reasons it grows with every rotation.

Maybe it´s to early but i think NEWS or better so far North for me is not only a new but the right direction in music by P. because it´s another step forward and the music and it´s arrangement seems genius again, even though there will be no vocal - I´m sure he will do vocals in the future!

I've listened 2 it about 3 times now and have divided opinions. I think it's value is diminished because it's released so close 2 xpectation. 2 instrumental albums back 2 back are a little hard 2 devour. Saying that, I've only been NORTH so far and my trip around the globe might broaden my opinion.

wishuhvn said:

aloha... what island?

p.s. i found the mp3 in my temporary internet files folder...

Let's say it's not bad at all. The weird thing about it is that the first time I listened to it I really thought it was a lame jam now it's growing on me.

The problem is I think news has to be heard as a whole.

Heres an opinion

NORTH = Buckle In
EAST = The Ride Begins...

I dig such music from time to time. I really like to fall asleep to music. HEY, that is NOT meant in a negative way!
Some of my favorite albums are the really mellow ones that I can chill out to.
Having said that I'm still hoping for some more musical twists and turns in the other songs. Some changes of tempo perhaps.

Sweet track indeed! Love Eric's playing, and P's guitar solo is (as always) spectacular. I noticed that one of the rooms at NPGMC has used a small loop of this track since April - I wonder if any of the other looped music at NPGMC samples East, West & South?

well I like it so far

toejam said:

The cyber clips room uses looped clips of north

I hate all of it but the guitar and piano part.Prince needs to go backwards in music instead of forward.

Since there are likely some Org peeps who ain't NPGMC peeps, you clubbers will forgive me for copying and pasting what I wrote in the club, yes???

"I just heard North...wanted to jump on here to give some quick first impressions. I'm trying to be all sly because every time my supervisor walked by yesterday I had this purple screen up...she hasn't said anything yet, but if it happens again today, she will.

First of all, since I was part of a thread that got way out of hand in regards to the price of this album, I want to say thank you to Prince and to the Club for the inclusive price. I am THRILLED to give my $10 to the creator of this beautiful music. It makes me happy that there is no record company middle man to take away any of this profit from you. Certainly you deserve to be compensated for this beautiful music, and I for one can tell you right now that as soon as I get my next paycheck (and of course assuming the shipping is smooth), I'm gonna buy some extra copies for family members and friends. I love the "gift" feature on the new MusicToday site. I wonder if you're going to switch to them entirely for retail or just for music?

Oh, and one more thing before I get to the music..how exciting is it to finally have a Release Date again? We're all listening to and discussing this album at the same time! Last night I went to bed feeling like a kid on Christmas Eve. It was a GREAT decision to have the listening party in conjunction with the initial ordering phase. I'm also very happy that you let us know exactly when shipping will begin. I'm happy about a lot of things right now! (Oh yeah, the shipping prices - BRAVO! - I've been waiting for this day for 10 years. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!! )

OK, sorry about that, but it had to be said.

As for the song, I love it. So moody and atmospheric. The sound of Eric Leeds’ keys clacking gently but insistently on his sax is one of my favorite things in the world, so you KNOW I love this track. Oh, and then Prince’s guitar comes in – it has that Rainbow Children tone that I love, but it also has a bit more bite this time. I personally don’t understand how anyone could ever be unhappy with Prince using his guitar for his voice. Don’t get me wrong, I love his vocals, but how can you deny the immense power of his Guitar? His playing is so expressive…and then when Eric and Prince are playing off of each other, DANG.

Prince’s piano with that wooshy sound effect in the background around 9 minutes into it…aw, man, I’m grinnin' like a foo. It’s another gray and rainy day in Ohio, but for me the purple sun is shining. Yes, I know exactly how cheesy that sounds, but sometimes I’m a big ol’ Cheesy Poof. Especially when it comes to amazing, experimental, spiritual, uplifting, powerfully moody new Prince music like North.

This is gon’ be a GOOD 4 days, y’all…"

Interesting take on it, theblueangel. I'm liking it myself.

gnations said:

I do agree on what you say... I like the mellow opening of the album. Sounds like it will progress itno (maybe) heavier guitar with East...

i like the vibe of this...

Well It stays on the temporary internet files and I noticed it's 14:51 min. long...
[This message was edited Thu Jun 19 12:43:19 PDT 2003 by klaatu]

Listened to it on rotation several times now. I like it...I like it a lot!

"North" kind of ebbs and flows, Greg really making the mood change as the tune progresses. I love the way that the music is allowed room to breathe - a 3-4 minute version would not work at all.

This is the kind of instrumental music I want to hear from Prince - beating everything on Xpectation hands down.

I was worried about 2 instrumental albums so close together (although I can see a lot of NPGMCers didn't receive the link for Xpectation at the time) but my initial worry proved unfounded.

Ordered "N.E.W.S." immediately after first play of "North" and can't wait to hear in CD/Stereo quality!

I'm happy again!

P.S. For those unsure whether to buy, remember umming and aahing over the "Madhouse" albums and now deeply regretting not buying (yes, me too - not quite the same on bootleg but needs must!)

If 2 compare to xpectation.. I'd say North is a better quality song than what was played on there.. yes, its improv, but I dig the strings/piano guitar thing goin on.. I dunno, it just all worked out for me on it..

I'm liking North a lot but the beginning of the song makes me think of Ron Jeremy.

I'm most anxious to hear East in its entirety as the clip of that song (o the guitar!) was awesome.

I really like this bass line in the song.