I'd like to know what's your opinion on this album. It was released in 1998, during the weakest period in Prince's music in my opinion. But I've read it is a very good album. It also includes her cover of "Don't Talk 2 Strangers", one of my favourite Prince songs.

Thoughts?

[Edited 8/26/13 0:36am]

I like this album alot favorite songs are "The Drama","Spoon",and the title track.It's a very well-crafted album.

SoulAlive said:

I like this album alot favorite songs are "The Drama","Spoon",and the title track.It's a very well-crafted album.

So is it better than New Power Soul and Rave? You know, I was worried when I saw it was released in 1998...

Javi said:

SoulAlive said:

I like this album alot favorite songs are "The Drama","Spoon",and the title track.It's a very well-crafted album.

So is it better than New Power Soul and Rave? You know, I was worried when I saw it was released in 1998...

Yes,I think it is better than both of those albums

It's a catastrophically dull, plastic, lifeless, nightmare inducing chunk of late 90's plastiprince. If that's your bag then you'll love it. I suppose it's better than some life threatening disease, or being stabbed, but only just.

TheDigitalGardener said:

It's a catastrophically dull, plastic, lifeless, nightmare inducing chunk of late 90's plastiprince. If that's your bag then you'll love it. I suppose it's better than some life threatening disease, or being stabbed, but only just.

Just because you don't like it, doesn't mean it's bad. It just means that's how YOU feel.

I really like it- it's a little more Prince than Chaka, but it's not bad.
"The Drama" is my favorite.

chocolate1 said:

TheDigitalGardener said:

It's a catastrophically dull, plastic, lifeless, nightmare inducing chunk of late 90's plastiprince. If that's your bag then you'll love it. I suppose it's better than some life threatening disease, or being stabbed, but only just.

Just because you don't like it, doesn't mean it's bad. It just means that's how YOU feel.

Yes I know what an opinion is.

i like it alot come 2 my house the opening part is a ringtone on my phone. crazy life of mine,spoon, democracy,drama and reconsider a few of my favs. i think morris hayes helped with production on this cd

I really liked it when it first came out but haven´t listened to it since then. I don´t understand most of the criticism for this album, it is the best of the three New Power Pak albums (Newpowesoul, GCS2000 and Come in2 my House).

Rapper DMX called it his favorite album in an interview in 1998 and VIBE magazine called it a masterpiece. Too bad it fell under the radar back then due to lack of promotion. If this had been released under WB it would´ve been more successful saleswise.

chocolate1 said:

"The Drama" is my favorite.

Love that song!

TheDigitalGardener said:

chocolate1 said:

Just because you don't like it, doesn't mean it's bad. It just means that's how YOU feel.

Yes I know what an opinion is.

Then don't treat yours like fact.

It's a very personal opinion but I consider this album an absolute masterpiece. I loved it then and I still love it now, from beginning to end (the only weak point, for me, is Don't Talk 2 Strangers, I really don't like the arrangements of this version, but I find the rest of the album so fabulous that it's OK). But u need to know that I happen to LOVE the sound of the so-called plastic years, they may be my favorite part of Prince's career in the end, so if u don't like Emancipation, Newpower Soul, GCS2000, Rave Un 2 The Year Fantastic, The Chocolate Invasion and The Slaughterhouse u can be certain that u're gonna hate Come 2 My House

Oh, and I forgot to say that I'm also a massive Chaka Khan fan, so a full album of her and Prince together, for me it was like a dream come true

KoolEaze said:

I really liked it when it first came out but haven´t listened to it since then. I don´t understand most of the criticism for this album, it is the best of the three New Power Pak albums (Newpowesoul, GCS2000 and Come in2 my House).

Rapper DMX called it his favorite album in an interview in 1998 and VIBE magazine called it a masterpiece. Too bad it fell under the radar back then due to lack of promotion. If this had been released under WB it would´ve been more successful saleswise.

Well, WB literally fired Chaka and Larry because they didn't sell enough to their taste, and they didn't believe too much in Prince after 93 either, so it's safe to say that they wouldn't have been interested in these albums. The trilogy was sort of an "ex-WB artist expropriated" alliance

For some reason, but I might be wrong, I suspect that if Miles had lived and he and WB had had a fall-out (unlikely but not impossible), there would have been a fourth Newpower Pak album and it would have been Miles' 1998 album. Either that or, after experimenting with hip-hop on Doo-Bop and for a while, Miles would have turned to electronica or drum'n'bass because that was the hot shit in the late 90's and Miles couldn't stand the idea of sounding outdated.

Gotta AGREE with the love for this album; it's actually a supremely underrated album, especially how deep and profound the lyrics are to "Pop My Clutch". But seriously, those vocals by Prince on The Drama are spookily brilliant, reminiscent of Batman-era (Scandalous) as well as those outtakes like I Hear Your Voice. SPINE-TINGLING. I wish nowadays he would vocally commit more of himself to recordings like he did with the background vocals to that one song.

databank said:

It's a very personal opinion but I consider this album an absolute masterpiece. I loved it then and I still love it now, from beginning to end (the only weak point, for me, is Don't Talk 2 Strangers, I really don't like the arrangements of this version, but I find the rest of the album so fabulous that it's OK). But u need to know that I happen to LOVE the sound of the so-called plastic years, they may be my favorite part of Prince's career in the end, so if u don't like Emancipation, Newpower Soul, GCS2000, Rave Un 2 The Year Fantastic, The Chocolate Invasion and The Slaughterhouse u can be certain that u're gonna hate Come 2 My House

Vibe Magazine also dubbed Chaka's album a masterpiece. I don't know if I can go that far but, for the most part, it is an excellent album. It certainly marked the last time Chaka gave a strong vocal performance throughout an entire CD. The highlight for me is "Don't Talk To Strangers". I listened to Prince's version but it can't stand up next to Chaka's version. The only song I really didn't care for was "Democracy". It was loud and dragged out for way too long. I know I may be a bit biased being a Chakaholic and all, but, I think "Come 2 My House" is a damn fine album that too many people missed out on and was certainly a breath of fresh air considering all of the horribly horrendous music that was popular during that time. I highly recommend the album.

[Edited 8/28/13 9:59am]

databank said:

KoolEaze said:

I really liked it when it first came out but haven´t listened to it since then. I don´t understand most of the criticism for this album, it is the best of the three New Power Pak albums (Newpowesoul, GCS2000 and Come in2 my House).

Rapper DMX called it his favorite album in an interview in 1998 and VIBE magazine called it a masterpiece. Too bad it fell under the radar back then due to lack of promotion. If this had been released under WB it would´ve been more successful saleswise.

Well, WB literally fired Chaka and Larry because they didn't sell enough to their taste, and they didn't believe too much in Prince after 93 either, so it's safe to say that they wouldn't have been interested in these albums. The trilogy was sort of an "ex-WB artist expropriated" alliance

For some reason, but I might be wrong, I suspect that if Miles had lived and he and WB had had a fall-out (unlikely but not impossible), there would have been a fourth Newpower Pak album and it would have been Miles' 1998 album. Either that or, after experimenting with hip-hop on Doo-Bop and for a while, Miles would have turned to electronica or drum'n'bass because that was the hot shit in the late 90's and Miles couldn't stand the idea of sounding outdated.

Warner Brothers didn't fire Chaka. The departure was initiated by her. She wanted out after they shelved her 1995 "Dare You To Love Me" album. They told her it wasn't good enough and to go back into the studio and cut some more songs that they deemed more contemporary. She called a meeting with the execs and told them she wanted out of her contract and they let her walk. That's how she tells it in her book. I heard she had to use Prince's legal team to get her out of her contract with Warner because they were being difficult but that was just a rumor that I don't believe was ever confirmed.

Another rumor floating around at that time was VH1 filmed a Behind The Music episode about Chaka that really portrayed her in a negative light. She didn't want it to air. Prince purchased the rights to the episode and it has never seen the light of day.

delete

[Edited 8/28/13 10:21am]

kitbradley said:

databank said:

Well, WB literally fired Chaka and Larry because they didn't sell enough to their taste, and they didn't believe too much in Prince after 93 either, so it's safe to say that they wouldn't have been interested in these albums. The trilogy was sort of an "ex-WB artist expropriated" alliance

For some reason, but I might be wrong, I suspect that if Miles had lived and he and WB had had a fall-out (unlikely but not impossible), there would have been a fourth Newpower Pak album and it would have been Miles' 1998 album. Either that or, after experimenting with hip-hop on Doo-Bop and for a while, Miles would have turned to electronica or drum'n'bass because that was the hot shit in the late 90's and Miles couldn't stand the idea of sounding outdated.

Warner Brothers didn't fire Chaka. The departure was initiated by her. She wanted out after they shelved her 1995 "Dare You To Love Me" album. They told her it wasn't good enough and to go back into the studio and cut some more songs that they deemed more contemporary. She called a meeting with the execs and told them she wanted out of her contract and they let her walk. That's how she tells it in her book. I heard she had to use Prince's legal team to get her out of her contract with Warner because they were being difficult but that was just a rumor that I don't believe was ever confirmed.

Another rumor floating around at that time was VH1 filmed a Behind The Music episode about Chaka that really portrayed her in a negative light. She didn't want it to air. Prince purchased the rights to the episode and it has never seen the light of day.

1.What happened to that shelved album? Did any of the unreleased songs appear later, as a single or under new titles on different albums? Is there a bootleg? Live renditions of the songs?

2. Do you know what kind of dirty laundry was possibly part of that unaired Behind the Music? Drug abuse? I mean, what could be in it that we don´t already know about?

Like I said above, I really like Chaka and I loved the Come 2 My House album when it came out. Very underrated album.

KoolEaze said:

kitbradley said:

Warner Brothers didn't fire Chaka. The departure was initiated by her. She wanted out after they shelved her 1995 "Dare You To Love Me" album. They told her it wasn't good enough and to go back into the studio and cut some more songs that they deemed more contemporary. She called a meeting with the execs and told them she wanted out of her contract and they let her walk. That's how she tells it in her book. I heard she had to use Prince's legal team to get her out of her contract with Warner because they were being difficult but that was just a rumor that I don't believe was ever confirmed.

Another rumor floating around at that time was VH1 filmed a Behind The Music episode about Chaka that really portrayed her in a negative light. She didn't want it to air. Prince purchased the rights to the episode and it has never seen the light of day.

1.What happened to that shelved album? Did any of the unreleased songs appear later, as a single or under new titles on different albums? Is there a bootleg? Live renditions of the songs?

2. Do you know what kind of dirty laundry was possibly part of that unaired Behind the Music? Drug abuse? I mean, what could be in it that we don´t already know about?

Like I said above, I really like Chaka and I loved the Come 2 My House album when it came out. Very underrated album.

1. Five of the songs (6 on the Japanese version) were released as part of her "Epiphany" Best Of package. A song she recorded with Prince for the album called "Pain" showed up on the soundtrack for "Living Single". A couple of songs showed up on a compilation called "A Song A Day". Another song, "Don't Take Back the Love" appeared on some dude's album (can't remember his name) which was only released in Japan. "Superlife" was also recorded for the shelved album, which she ended up re-recording for 2007's "Funk This". However, the original demo of "Superlife" was leaked back in 2001 and is probably on youtube. The rest of tracks (including the title track) were leaked as demos, most of which are probably still on youtube.

2. I don't know. We were speculating about the drug use and VH1 portraying her as a junkie. But, even Chaka admits herself she remembers almost nothing about her Rufus days and the 80's are foggy too because she was high most of the time. So, I'm thinking there may have been other things in the documentary that she didn't want the public to know about.

[Edited 8/28/13 15:48pm]

kitbradley said:

KoolEaze said:

1.What happened to that shelved album? Did any of the unreleased songs appear later, as a single or under new titles on different albums? Is there a bootleg? Live renditions of the songs?

2. Do you know what kind of dirty laundry was possibly part of that unaired Behind the Music? Drug abuse? I mean, what could be in it that we don´t already know about?

Like I said above, I really like Chaka and I loved the Come 2 My House album when it came out. Very underrated album.

1. Five of the songs (6 on the Japanese version) were released as part of her "Epiphany" Best Of package. A song she recorded with Prince for the album called "Pain" showed up on the soundtrack for "Living Single". A couple of songs showed up on a compilation called "A Song A Day". Another song, "Don't Take Back the Love" appeared on some dude's album (can't remember his name) which was only released in Japan. "Superlife" was also recorded for the shelved album, which she ended up re-recording for 2007's "Funk This". However, the original demo of "Superlife" was leaked back in 2001 and is probably on youtube. The rest of tracks (including the title track) were leaked as demos, most of which are probably still on youtube.

2. I don't know. We were speculating about the drug use and VH1 portraying her as a junkie. But, even Chaka admits herself she remembers almost nothing about her Rufus days and the 80's are foggy too because she was high most of the time. So, I'm thinking there may have been other things in the documentary that she didn't want the public to know about.

[Edited 8/28/13 15:48pm]

Interesting, thanks for the correction!!!

I knew some songs from the shelved album had been released here and there but had no clue about the rest of them leaking. I'll have to look for them

databank said:

kitbradley said:

1. Five of the songs (6 on the Japanese version) were released as part of her "Epiphany" Best Of package. A song she recorded with Prince for the album called "Pain" showed up on the soundtrack for "Living Single". A couple of songs showed up on a compilation called "A Song A Day". Another song, "Don't Take Back the Love" appeared on some dude's album (can't remember his name) which was only released in Japan. "Superlife" was also recorded for the shelved album, which she ended up re-recording for 2007's "Funk This". However, the original demo of "Superlife" was leaked back in 2001 and is probably on youtube. The rest of tracks (including the title track) were leaked as demos, most of which are probably still on youtube.

2. I don't know. We were speculating about the drug use and VH1 portraying her as a junkie. But, even Chaka admits herself she remembers almost nothing about her Rufus days and the 80's are foggy too because she was high most of the time. So, I'm thinking there may have been other things in the documentary that she didn't want the public to know about.

[Edited 8/28/13 15:48pm]

Interesting, thanks for the correction!!!

I knew some songs from the shelved album had been released here and there but had no clue about the rest of them leaking. I'll have to look for them

If you've never heard "It Ain't Easy Loving Me", the bonus track on the Japan version of "Epiphany", you are in for a real treat!

The Unreleased & Legendary
'Dare You To Love Me' CD
(~1995 Warner Brothers)

This project was completed before the 'Epiphany' CD was released in 1996, and for some reason, Warner Brothers decided to disregard all of the hard work that Chaka (& others!!) put into the project by cancelling it's release. Warners then started to release several of the tracks on various soundtracks, and others appeared as the 'new songs' on 1996's 'Epiphany'. From what I've heard on the tracks that I've collected from this project, Chaka Khan had a great CD that was dumped in favor of a 'Best Of' CD.

CD Tracklisting

kitbradley said:

If you've never heard "It Ain't Easy Loving Me", the bonus track on the Japan version of "Epiphany", you are in for a real treat!

KoolEaze said:

1.What happened to that shelved album? Did any of the unreleased songs appear later, as a single or under new titles on different albums? Is there a bootleg? Live renditions of the songs?

here's the title track from that shelved album

without question,the unreleased 1995 album Dare You To Love Me is one of Chaka's strongest,most consistent albums.It's a damn shame that Warners rejected it It's a masterpiece...easily her best album since 1981's What Cha Gonna Do For Me.But it's out there,on bootleg.Not very hard to find

SoulAlive said:

kitbradley said:

If you've never heard "It Ain't Easy Loving Me", the bonus track on the Japan version of "Epiphany", you are in for a real treat!

nice

I love this album. Its quirky but I don't really skip much on it.