sosgemini said:

I like to think thats the only type Prince would actually consider using. I don't think he'd use any of these hip R&B guys. Prince would sound great with a Tchad Blake mix. He should at least just consider that.

I'm not really into the idea of Prince using a outside producer

I think Prince should do what A-ha did for their last album.

They recorded the basic tracks, produced one version themselves, then invited 6 of their favourite producers to pick three songs from the list for them to produce a different version.

The bands favourite mixes were put on the album, and alternative versions made up extra tracks and singles.

P should put out a double album, his version, and another made up of guest producers.

Quincy on one track, wyclef on another, Biran eno on another. Kirky J anyone?

kev1n said:

ditto...ditto

SquirrelMeat said:

Different versions -- that "Nevins" remix was painful enough

Moonwalkbjrain said:

psykosoul said:

Especially Raphael Saadiq.... That was the first name that popped into my head too. I dunno... I was pretty down on the idea of him using an outside producer to begin with, but I kinda feel that Prince spends a little too much time "in his own company", musically. Someone who's an admirer, who really appreciates what his music is all about, as well as being gifted in their own right, would perhaps help him rediscover his own "spark". Like a good relationship, sometimes another person helps bring out what's best in you....

He lets his ego get in the way a bit too much. There's no shame in collaborating with other people, in fact, some would say that's what music's all about. A lot of his best work was written with a band, and they probably had a lot more input than he admits.

That said, I loved the production on TRC... Muse To The Pharoah, for instance: Fender Rhodes, nice spacious drums, warm fuzzy voices.... I was impressed when I heard it. Like he'd beat the neo-soul types at their own game! And then along came Musicology, which sounds like it was recorded in a shoebox....

Could someone tell me exactly what a producer does?

TheDeacon said:

It's my general understanding that they're responsible for what the final product sounds like.


Being that as it may, I think one of those bigtime, professional producers would do wonders for Prince these days. Glen Ballard of "Jagged Little Pill" fame comes to mind.

I always thought it was the person(s) who fronted the money for the project

Yes he should. It is quite obvious that, since he is having one of the most legendary careers in music history, that he has no idea what he is doing.

P. should get Kanye on his next shit. Anybody ever hear "The Fix"? Kanye's work on that record is the best hip-hop production of the past four years. Sounds Princely too. Dis be a serious lost dream.

skywalker said:

But this implies that you think it would be in some way a failure on his part, or it would suggest that he's incapable or something, that he had to bring in someone else. That's how a lot of people are seeing it in this discussion, and I guess that's how he sees it too.

But I don't think people need to look at it that way. Maybe working with someone would add something to his sound? Maybe it would allow him to discover a new angle, or try something he's never done before?

Sometimes creative partnerships, or collaborative efforts, work really well... His stuff with Wendy & Lisa (and the rest of The Revolution) remains some of the best music from that period, IMHO. Maybe it's a failing of his that he can't bring himself to bury his ego and do that kind of thing anymore.....?

TheDeacon said:

Producers oversee the entire project, book studios, they (try to) stay within the budget, etc.

They guide the artist through the recording of their record. They help choose material and determine which takes to keep and which ones aren't up to snuff. Sometimes they do the arrangements and the engineering, and usually supervise the final mix of the record. They're responsible for the sound and quality of the record.

The relationship of the producer and artist is sort of akin to that of a movie director and actor.

In bands there are usually already songwriters (and of course instrumentalists) and the producer has less of a hands-on role in the whole thing.

And in other cases their role is more intensive: s/he sometimes writes all the music and does the arranging of the rhythm tracks, finds a vocalist, etc. In this case the the performer doesn't have much (if any) say in the sound and arrangement of the final mix. Much like the Disco days - Disco being a genre that was LARGELY producer driven.

Most early producers in music basically started out as doing the jobs that A&R (Artists and Repetoire) people do today (there were no A&R people back then). Their job was to find, sign, and guide talent. Which included matching songs with singers and overseeing recording sessions - which is part of what producers do today. Nowadays of course A&R people still exist, but they're not the producers.

In most cases a producer will have the last say over a first time artist's creative decisions.

Keep in mind: some producers have "supervised" projects without even being at the recording sessions.

But you didn't hear that from me.

pstarr said:

[i]Marcelinho da lua,a Brazilian dj that mix drumandbass with bossa nova,you probably gonna think i am crazy but i always dreamed whith Prince singing thieves in the temple in a bossa nova flavour.chec Marcelinho da Lua cd caled Tranquilo,it is nice...

sosgemini said:

Daniel Lanois is a brilliant idea!

pstarr said:

In the late '80s, Bob Dylan told Rolling Stone that he'd like to hear Phil Spector produce Prince. I agree with him that that would've been a great collaboration.

pstarr said:

Yeah, but you know how he is. He likes to do it all himself. He wants his seal of approval on everything he produces.

Prince and Stevie are both individuals. That's what I admire about both of them. Prince should do his thing and Stevie should do his. That's the problem with today's music, there are no individuals. Everyone looks alike and sounds alike.

That's exactly what Prince DOES NOT need to do. There is enough hip hop out there without Prince contributing to it. Hell, someone needs to stand up and be different.

[/quote]

I agree that Prince is NOTHING like he used to be but he is still better than anyone else out there today. It's true, the younger generation has been weened on a whole different style. They have the whole entire radio to listen to with endless amounts of hip hop. Prince is from the old school and has enough longtime fans buying his stuff to where he shouldn't worry if the "kids" like it. For those of us who do not listen to hip hop...who is out there for us? Only one person left....Prince.

He needs to keep on being himself and if the "kids" like it....fine. If they don't....who needs them? If he teamed up with some hip hop producers and sold a bunch of records to appeal to a younger generation, as soon as it fades, they will turn their back on him just like they do with all their other artists. His true fans will be gone then also and he will be left with no one.

dhawk said:

well , if Phil beats his murder charge, i'm sure Prince will be available...hell, why not get Shyne to do a guest rap too??

at this point it would be irrelevant. He has made his dent in history.


Before he made this big comeback I've would have said yes. He is still a seriously talented artist. And at this stage of the game better than most even if he is not as creative as he once was. Still better than most of today's artist.


The real answer is we need another artist like Prince or George Clinton in today's time period to bring something "new" to the surface. Somebody totally innovative that's gonna blow some minds. Today's artist SUCK!

TheDeacon said:

A producer is to a record (did I just type "RECORD?!?") as a director is to film.

Luv & Peace,
Alex
Clubbin' in Mpls/A Night w. Prince

TheDeacon said:

No, no, no ... that's what a FILM producer does (mostly).

Luv & Peace,
Alex
Clubbin' in Mpls/A Night w. Prince

dhawk said:

Spector WRECKED the Ramones. Fuck him to hell. His "Wall of Sound" and gun collection can both rot in hell, for all I care (and I don't care at all).

Luv & Peace,
Alex
Clubbin' in Mpls/A Night w. Prince

sloopydrew4u said:

It would never happen, but imagine Spector and Prince in the studio. Then again, DON'T.

Differences.

Problems.

Issues.

Spector should be doing time anyway.

`
[This message was edited Fri Aug 27 20:14:08 2004 by Supernova]

psykosoul said:

Saadiq tends 2 do good prince type joints. I swear when i hear D'angelo - untitled and bilal soul sista i coulda sworn it was a prince cover

vainandy said:

Let me clarify something. By suggesting Dr. Dre produce Prince I am not asking Prince to step into the world of Hip Hop and try to be a Rapper. Get real! If you really understood what I was saying your reply wouldn't be so limited. Damn! Dr. Dre isn't a rapper. He has even said so. I suggest Dr. Dre as well as KMG The Illustrator because I have listened to their sound, their style and production. And that is what Prince needs - like it our not. The best way to define this is a phrase I call - creative discipline. The ability to be creative without the excessiveness; keeping one in check - everyone praised The Rainbow Children but to me the slowed down VO for damn near every track ruins the whole thing. I don't need an escort to explain the music to me - A producer would have said "Um...Mr. Prince...I don't think we need the VO as much. I tell you what - since you are a Prince fan what don't you ask yourself what was the last Prince CD that you purchased and still continue to listen to weekly if not daily...and don't sit there and tell Rave un2 the Joy Fantastic.

There was a thread talking about the song letitgo and how it was the worst of the Come CD - but the remix version is excellent - to the point that I have people ask me who it is "it sounds like Prince but it's mellow." Well imagine someone (Dr. Dre), producing an entire Prince CD - That's what I'm talking about.

As I said before Prince is a genius, we all know that, but still he needs to try something different with his style taking it up a notch.. He has plateau And the mountain top is just a little further up.

Whendovescry2000 is the Word of the TRUTH!!!!

sloopydrew4u said:

Inclosing, I wish to thank you Alex for truly seeing my side of this and seeing the potential of a Prince/Dr. Dre connection. I totally agree - Graham has brain washed a talent.




Whendovescry2000 - Understands, Replies & Comprehends

I think the right producer could work wonders with Prince. I mean, he could coax a MASTERPIECE out of the man. However, I don't think Prince would take direction from anybody ... ever. He likes control too much. But, of course, P does some pretty damn good work on his own, but I do always feel that he should let someone else kind of go over the album once before it gets released.