I read that a new Time album is due out soon, but is going to have ONLY FOUR new songs on it?!?!?!? The rest of it is going to be live tracks. These guys have had about 15 years to write new songs and they only can come up with four new ones? I can't believe they could possibly be that lazy. Maybe they are just incapable of writing good songs and that's why Prince had to write everything on their albums (and pretty much play all the instruments himself too).

I liked the Time and the older members like Jam, Lewis, and Jesse Johnson sure had lots of talent, but these guys who are left are just lazy, untalented hacks just trying to ride out the money train as long as they can, with a minimal amount of effort. It is just sad to see a once proud band decay to this pitiful, pathetic state.

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[This message was edited Thu Apr 22 20:03:42 2004 by RupertZ]

I agree.I'm not really that excited about a live Time album,with only four new songs.Considering that their last album came out fourteen years ago you'd think that,by now,they would have enough new tracks to give the fans a complete new album.And whatever happened to 'Old Dogs,New Tricks',an album they recorded in the late 90s??

I wouldn't go so far as to say 'lazy and untalented' but I really wonder what takes them so long to get together and record an album. If they only could have managed to get the best producers imaginable for the new album, it would habe simply been the bomb. Think of Jam & Lewis, Prince and DJ Quik tunes on one single album. Too good to be true. How do I come up with DJ Quik? I once read on his Arista homepage that Quik produced some songs for the never released "Old dogs new tricks"-album. And also, Morris, Freeze and Jerome are on Suga Free's new album "The new testament".

I remember in the mid-90s,Lenny Kravitz mentioned that he would be contributing songs to a Time reunion album.Presumably,Prince was involved with that project as well.I wonder if it's the rumored 'Old Dogs,New Tricks' project?

This is what happens when YOU have to write your own songs. And when Prince doesn't.

What a joke.

'nuff said.

chookalana said:

sad to say it, but it's true.....they same went for Vanity/Apollonia 6.

I would say that it is sadly another testament to the genius of Prince. I would say the lack of Jesse Johnson and Jam and Lewis is responsible as well. Prince IS the Time. Plain and simple. THe only reason any of us know who any of those guys is because Prince made it happen. Like almost every other Prince spin off, the best thing to do is stay with Prince - even if they have talent, it is not what Prince could do. Is there any Prince spin off - even the good ones like Jesse and SHeila E, who have ever done anything on par with Prince after leaving him? Whether they like it or not, they need him.

I know for a fact that they recorded a complete album about 2 or 3 years ago.
Terry and Jimmy did most of the producing. I don't think Jesse played on it,
but I know Prince did contribute some playing (not sure about writing).
This (from what I know) is not the CD that is coming out this summer.
The new songs on this CD are, from what I hear, songs Morris recorded in LA with
different muscians alltogether.
The master for the CD they recorded a couple years ago is in Terry's hands.
I'm not sure what the purpose of not releasing it is. Maybe it sucks, who knows?

As great as they were at their peak (Purple Rain era, IMO), the Time was always more of a shadow band. I mean, Prince recorded the bulk of their material, was significant in determining their image and grooves. In a sense, they existed because he wanted to manufacture a "sound" and scene (a pattern he continued throughout the 1980s and 1990s with his proteges and production work).

They never really came off as being an original band with a ton of songwriting prowess. So, I wouldn't be surprised if that shelved album stinks. What ground would this album break? Pandeomonium (and I *liked* that CD) felt more like a rehash than an update. And, again, it was a complementary release to Prince's Graffiti Bridge (as was Ice Cream Castles to Purple Rain). Maybe the only way to guarantee a Time album full of new material is for Prince to come out with another movie.

And, we don't want that...

Maybe they don't care about coming out w/ new shit & they just wanna cash in on the PR 20 yr anniversary thing - it's better than my fuckin job

ThreadBare said:

Why would we want another Pronce movie? I love his movies and its been 15 years

I think this whole thread is questionable! No one said the members of the Time ever claimed to be songwriters. Prince did that for them back in the day. The members who have some facility in this arena (Jam, Lewis, and Johnson) have gone on to other things for their main gigs. So what if the Time hasn't put out any new songs in 14 years? I haven't done any brainsurgery in just as long... but then I'M NOT A BRAIN SURGEON.

They are not songwriters- they are funk musicians and performers. From what I've seen they've been performing funk music for the last 14 years (and doing it well from most accounts) so I'd say they are doing what they need to be doing.

And I for one just want a live Time album, period. In fact I'd rather it DIDN'T have any new songs on it! I do agree with this- save the four (presumably) good new songs for a new album and just give us a monster live disc from the mothafukkin' Time!!

OH WE OW WE OH!!!

RupertZ said:

I know that everyone is entitled to their opinion but your post is way out of left field. First Morris Day & The Time have not decayed into a pathetic state and have not missed a beat! Just because they have not released a new album in years does not mean they have not been working hard touring and writing music. You have just not been staying a breast. As a matter of fact they just performed in Los Angeles at Hollywood Park (a yearly concert) on last Saturday and it was great. Morris and Jerome still look the same. Jerome can even still do his splits. The band is comprised of very talented musicians with impressive resumes.

Second, go back and do ur research and u will see that Prince formed the Time so his other style of music could be heard. He wrote for The Time because this band was like an alter ego. It was Prince's band. He just did not perform live with them. They were not hired to write the music however everyone wrote lyrics, arranged and played instruments. Everyone brought something to the table. Morris Day let Prince use his Partyup track 4 the "Dirtymind" album and Prince was greatful 4 that. This is how Morris got in after Alexander O'Neal turned down the lead singer offer for The Time. FYI Prince & Morris co-wrote Icecream Castles together if u did not know that too. The Times existance and album releases r not based on whether or not they have Prince to pen some songs.

Thirdly, as far as the album goes it will have that familiar "TIme" flair with a little new school flava mixed in.

Lastly, Morris Day & The Time were the antagonist in "Purple Rain" if there is any "cashing in" going on during the 20th anniversary celebration it will be well deserved....
[This message was edited Tue Apr 27 18:06:46 2004 by onediva]
[This message was edited Tue Apr 27 18:29:36 2004 by onediva]

onediva said:

Totally agree with you, Onediva!
The Time EARNED any "cashing in" that they may FINALLY get this year. While I admit that it is damned annoying that these brothers have been playing the same songs for 20+ years, I am happy if they get to move on musically. Hopefully they will get this shit together and celebrate this anniversary year in style and get paid for it. The Time was an intergral part of Prince's career and the music/memories/popular culture of the 1980's.

Terilicious said:

Yeah, thats all good but they need to get some new sheet! its that simple. I have been seeing them live since they started on the Controversy Tour. I never miss them onstage and I never get tired of the routine albeit 20 years old - but they had enough talent to be a productive group; not just an old school road band. It shows how much they depended on Prince for any real innovation.

I used to think the Time was the exception to the rule that all Prince associates can never really do as well once they leave the fold. It has happened to all of them: Wendy and Lisa, Andre Cymone, Brownmark, Jill Jones, even Dez Dickerson. Jesse Johnson may be the only one considered to reach greater heights alone than with a Prince project. Morris Day's solo career was good but he is still the face of the Time. Jesse was a sideman and went to a top producer and artist with his solo albums - all of which were well received.

So all I can say to the current incarnation of the Time is, "WHAT TIME IS IT?"

[This message was edited Thu Apr 29 15:05:24 2004 by Terilicious]

Well if they are playing the Atlanta show, tell them to come down to the Gulfport show the next day as well : )

onediva said:

Well said!.

Morris wrote 'Party Up' and the story goes that Prince offered Morris $10,000 or make Morris the star of his own band. Morris opted 4 the latter and Prince recruited Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis & Monte Moir from Flyte Tyme and Jerome was later introduced during Prince's 'Controversy' tour. As 4 songwriting, Prince did write the majority of their songs, Dez Dickerson co-wrote 'Cool' and also wrote all of 'After Hi School' on their debut album. Dez also wrote/co-wrote a few songs on 'What Time Is It?'.

Your correct when u state that Prince created The Time as an outlet for his other music. But again, Prince and Dr Fink, Lisa etc. played on The Time's debut album & ofcourse Prince's 'guide vocals' are audible on the album but The Time played all their own instruments live. The Time's 'Pandemonium' features songwriting by Morris, Prince, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and also Monte Moir wrote 'If You Were Here Tonight' for Alexander O'Neal, so The Time did include 'songwriters' aswell as very talented musicians.

I think The Time should open 4 Prince on the 'Musicology' tour, espically as its the 20th Anniversary!. Also the new CD should b cool too.

Good 2 see other fans of Morris & The Time!!!

krebsne said:

I agree, a live CD would b great!

DavidEye said:

I think I remember reading that.

until the "official" live cd comes out.there are some good shows available.

I can't say they are lazy, cause they sure give one hell of a concert. I enjoyed it like whoa. It would be interesting to see what kind of a new album they put out, but wouldn't it change their whole aura?