blackwell1 said:

No, it should be 2:03

blackwell1 said:

Nope, you're missing some beautiful violin playing for another minute plus.

Here are the lengths of each track:

01 – Xhalation – 2:03
02 – Xcogitate – 3:33
03 – Xemplify – 5:53
04 – Xpectation – 4:01
05 – Xotica – 3:05
06 – Xogenous – 4:11
07 – Xpand – 6:10
08 – Xosphere – 3:34
09 – Xpedition – 8:23

Runtime: 40:59

Mr7 said:

Hello Mr7

Co-sign about finding it very new and inspired. It gives me an indication about where he may be at on a personal level, as well as where he is at on a muical level. I am really enjoying listening to it. He is a very exciting musician to be keeping an eye on right now!!

Thanks a lot, Brendan. I'll try downloading again.
Peace

It's quite good, and there's maybe only one or two weak tracks here. Probably not something I'll listen to often, but it's great to have it, and it's great that he wants to experiment like this. It's a fine addition to his repertoire. The last track in particular is one of his best ever...

i love it! i really do

groovin on track 4 for now

This is the best, most musically daring and demanding prince album since lovesexy. And it can't be properly compared to anything else he's done. [if Madhouse 17 is any indication this stuff kicks Madhouse out of the park...]

Yesh!

I think it's great. File next to Madhouse

It's so nice that the past few albums, TRC, ONA (even though I didn't really like it) and Xpectation are so far removed from the plastic nasty flat Pop-R&B sound of albums from the period before - Rave-NPS-Emancipation - That was such a dirgy period for Prince, and since TRC he has really brought back some artistry to his music.

There's stuff I like on Rave-NPS-Emancipation, but as a whole their sound is very uninspired and flat.

Maybe he had other things going on in his life then, maybe he really liked what he was doing on those records - I'm just glad we have Prince back.

I love TRC more now than I ever have, I'd put it up there after his best work of the 80s - It is definately (IMO) his finest output since 92's .

This album isnt "prince" at all its a whole new birth of his new direction...Its real jazz fusion it cant be compared to ANY THING he has done be for cause it is unlike anything he has ever done...if you love jazz and things of that sort dont listen to it like its Prince listen to it like it like a Brand new artist, you'll seee if you have the ear , this is as good as the best of ANY of the most popular jazz musicians. This album is more than Mad house everthing before has ahd a pop packaged sound to it. This album doesnt even hint at it...it will be legendary, promise. And just think what instore for us!!! PRINCE IS OFFICIALLY JAZZ!!! AND LEDGENDARY JAZZ TOO!!! Listen!

Damn, I've been listening to this album a lot recently.

What I love about it:

Many of the trax start out as standard jazz, but then all of a sudden break out into some very non-standard jazz-funk.

Sometimes, what you hear, is what ALMOST happens. You listen and you go "what just happened? that was cool." and then all of a sudden the music pulls back.

For the most part, I appreciated Vanessa Mae's contributions, as backup, but once she hit the forefront, her violin almost sounded awkward. And I know she was trying to sound impressive at points, when really she just did a series of scales. One part, it sounded like she was just tuning her violin (E, A, D, G, trill, fast scales). However, I first noticed her presence on her debut album The Violin Player, which she released at 15. Even had the honor of playing with her once, and for the most part, her contributions of her jazz-violin styles have been quite unique.

All in all, I sincerely hope this one gets officially released, as I want something more than a CD-R for this one.

Mr7 said:

Exactly. I totally agree.

What always Cracks me up also is that Prince is so damn fast with things being that as Always he will be Promoting on thing and then have the New Thing already in the Can so to Speak. If Non-Prince fans aren't Converted with ONA Live I tell you that Definitely with Expectation they will be. I think Alot of People will be Surprised and Shocked to hear this music and he will gain a New Fan Base and NewFound Respect and let me tell you something. My Prediction is this year is going to be Steller for Him and he has found just the right Market to play it on Radio. He has the Jazz stations and the afterhour Smooth Groove /Quiet Storm Crowd. I Swear this could be a Second Coming for Prince. Could this be THE DAWN? The Dawning of a New Age? The Age Of AQUARIUS? Oh,Prince it is Isn't it? Think on this people Larry and Woodstock and Prince digging on Santana and Miles. This is Absolutely the Best!

This is just AWESOME!!! Thank you Prince. Am I the only one that was satisfied with NPG Music Club even before this gift? Front row seats? 4 CD's in one year? I would pay $400 a year.

I don't hear MadHouse. I hear the late great Miles Davis on Xpectation!!!

Truly Awesome!!!

Best thing about Xpectation is that you can play it whilst having friends round and they won't say "Turn this Prince shit off" ...coz they won't know it's Prince

Happy New Year everyone! And welcome back Prince.Org!!!
I am absolutely overjoyed with 'Xpectation'. Apart fromthe fact Prince blew us all away by surprising us with it (I love you, P!), WHO'D have expected this music?
It took me a few listens to get 'it' but it's definitely worth the hype. A beautiful piece of work. I think 'Xhalation', 'Xotica' and 'Xosphere' are three of the most beautiful, tear-jerking P tracks I've ever heard. Thank you, thank you, Prince.

I really hope Prince keeps up this level of artistry, akin to his 80's material. Don't get me wrong, I love 'Emancipation', 'Rave' et al but 'The Rainbow Children' and 'Xpectation' blow them outta the water!

He seems to have got back to that rare position where there's perfect sycopation between artist & audience. In other words, the artist explores his own creative path - often in strange and unexpected areas - for his OWN benefit. Yet hitting the audience's spot, too. Does that make sense? If you look back at a lot of P's 80's material, when he was at his commercial peak, he was creating music solely for himself. It was some of his most experimental music, yet the masses lapped it up. I'm glad he's going that way again; I can go without another plastic 'New Power Soul'. I'm truly excited by this album and can't WAIT to see where he goes next. My only complaint is that it doesn't include a studio-version of 'Xenophobia'.

Anyway, sorry for the essay! I guess I just love this record.

how can he gain new fans and friends when only the members can hear it? i wish u could join his club without a credit card. we non members want 2 hear it 2.

i took the c.d and played 4 someone who's really into jazz.
i always discuss about prince with him in a little cafe in antwerp(belguim).this guy iff u tell him or he hears prince voice he goes directly in defence before listening 2 it .i never understood why .whatever i played 4 him .he alwys came up with some stupid negative thing 2 say about .
but i know this guy knows music and loves jazz very much.
so i just played it without telling him.who it was .
and he was nailed on his chair(no he was not drunk this day).
so when the c.d was finished i asked him his reaction 2 it.
BANGELIJK=amazing he said.i told him it after his opinion it was prince .and he got so chocked he would not believe me.and still doesn't .

now myself i love it very much.its a little 2 old fashion sounded 4 me.
but its amazing and i'm sure after listening 2 it a couple times its in my heart 4ever.

MY one complaint to cosign on ONENITEALONE: no studio version of Xenophobia!

col said:

LOL, You get that too? My family(mostly my son) gives me greif constantly about loving this mans music. They will never understand:shrug:

There's a huge debate on AMP about whether Xpectation is jazz or not. Some jazz snobs and purists argue that it's not nearly close to jazz improvisation. (whew, they're snobby). But what do you guys think? Jazz or no?

I love it.

I don't think it sounds like Madhouse. I listen to jazz, and I hear Billy Cobham and Miles Davis more.

I would say yes-jazz.

with some fusion.

it does not sound very improvised.


Downloading Copenhagen now. Can't wait to hear it.

U guys gotta help me out on this one.

This is the first mention of Expectation I've heard. If the songs R downloads on the webside are the mentioned CD's homeburned ? Are there Any coverart ?

What is AMP ?

An incredibly rich collection of music, that was more than a welcome surprise...thank U NPGMC!

We need 2 come 2gether, come 2gether as ONE

FirstAvenue said:

I could have bet both my hands on that.

MiaBocca said:[quote]

It's so nice that the past few albums, TRC, ONA (even though I didn't really like it) and Xpectation are so far removed from the plastic nasty flat Pop-R&B sound of albums from the period before - Rave-NPS-Emancipation - That was such a dirgy period for Prince, and since TRC he has really brought back some artistry to his music.

There's stuff I like on Rave-NPS-Emancipation, but as a whole their sound is very uninspired and flat."


Yeah, Im with U 2 100%. This year has been the most exiting since...god knows. I was almost lossing hope after the 97-2000 era. But "TRC", "ONA" and "X" proves that the MUSICIAN is back!!!
Peace!

Oh give me a break. It's flipping jazz. It's a variation but it's jazz.

For crying out loud. There's jazz fusion, acid jazz (sounds like 70s disco), acid jazz (Prince, US3, Jazznova), jazz blues (Michelle Ferral), techno jazz, and jazz.

Perhaps he's drawing on all varities.

Quit the bellyaching. It is a variation of what is called jazz.

My thoughts (with the caveat that I haven't had time to fully digest any of these):

While Xpectation is good and I'm glad he recorded and released it, there is not the type of improvisation and interplay amongst the musicians that I would have hoped for--that's what keeps it from reaching the next level IMHO. I think that the four soundcheck tracks give the musicians much more room to stretch and play off each other. They make Xpecation sould a bit canned and stale IMHO.

All these tracks (Xpectation plus the 4 soundcheck) are a great testament to Prince's versatility as a musician. I don't think you could fairly characterize these as "great" Jazz tracks, but the fact that a rock/funk musician and his band composed and recorded them is certainly quite impressive.

Question for you fine folks: my copy, which a friend burned for me, has 10 tracks, not 9. He didn't include a track listing, and I have yet to get a hold of him. The last track on my CD clocks in at 13:37. Anyone else have this? What is the name of this track?

Please don't tell me its called "Xtra Track". That would be too corny!