I have amassed plenty of Prince CD's and have listened to them so much to notice even the most minute idiosyncrasies about his music. I miss the NPG Hornheadz. Much respect to Maceo (dude got style, grace and class in his music, demeanor, on-stage persona), Mike Philly (young sax Hip-Hop generation chops), Candy and Greg, but the NPG Hornheadz' arrangements and instrumentality (rarely used baritone saxophone) were second to none. I loved their playing on "TRC" album, "Willing And Able" live version. It's almost as if since he found his musical hero in Maceo Parker he has refused write the Hornheadz no more.

No disrespect to Maceo and the crew, but if the Hornheadz played on When U Love Somebody then I'm going with them. The horns on that song are great.

Eric and Atlanta did it for me.

the hornheadz are fierce. i love their sound.

and to be honest, im not all that keen on the recent horn sections. maceo is wonderful, mike philly is cool, but ive never been that into candy dulfer as a soloist and i don't like greg boyer at all. ray and najee are meh, they sound decent but not very individual. they could be any one of a million horn players most of the time. and the recent horn arrangements are good but can be a bit whitebread and decidedly las vegas-y.
[Edited 10/17/07 16:23pm]

i love Eric and Atlanta too but the Hornheadz did have some nasty ass chops.

the horn breakdown on Billy Jack Bitch alone it devasting.
[Edited 10/17/07 16:26pm]

Maybe Prince might give his current Horn section a break from constant touring and recording and hire the Hornheads for some sessions on his next album.

The Hornheadz are hot. But I always dug Eric and Atlanta aswell.

bashraka said:

The correct answer is neither. Eric and Atlanta would blow the Hornheadz off the stage. And as much as I ADORE Maceo and Greg, Eric's playing fit with Prince TOO well.

Maceo,Greg,Candy,Mike Philly etc.