does anybody have or like this cd? i know its pretty unpopular here on the org but i want to know what you think of it do you think prince can play jazz music well or what?

i personally like the song North i think its nice or do you just absouletly despise this album?

PurpleDiamond2009 said:

N.E.W.S.

I had seen the online teaser campaign that announced N.E.W.S. containing four new tracks each 14 minutes long. Straight away I placed my order, and when it arrived at work I placed it into my ibook and listened to it while I worked.

With the opening watery tinged bass of NORTH I submerged myself in the sound. With its hypnotic repetitive melody it just washes into your soul like fresh waves crashing on the shore. The song builds like a gentle storm brewing away in the distance and threatening to break. With the sax and intermittent guitar solo the track builds and builds to the brink of a crescendo before easing off, to be replaced by the tinkering keys of the piano. North always reminded me of storms in the night, that comfort of being safe and sound in your room while it approaches. Just waiting for it to break.

EAST with its synth-laden intro echoes the feel of the title. With a dash of mystic melody we are thrown into the path of the shuffling rolling beat of Mr Blackwell. This is his track. Allowing his skills as a drummer to work the kit to be more than just a backing instrument and allow it to become more melodic – check out the work over the hi hat gets. Similarly to North, at the 8 minute mark East changes direction. At this point it really gathers a full head of steam and moves more solidly into a jazz fusion track. And once again the skins of Mr Blackwell are at the fore, well at least right along side the purple strings of P. The last section of east seems to slowly untangle like the melody is being pulled apart thread by thread, unravelling itself to make way for the new.

The opening strains to WEST remind me a bit of dolphin of the gold experience. This is perhaps the most cohesive song oriented piece on here – and by that I mean it feels like a song ready made for vocals rather than an exploration of music. The first 3 minutes sooth and seduce you like a classic P ballad before stepping it up and blending in some more jazz fusion. For some reason the main section of this song reminds me of something of Herbie Hancock’s Head Hunters album. Just that mix of a simple melody line played to within an inch of its life that captivates before it even comes close to be tired or overplayed. The piano solo deserves special mention here for its free form playing. The final phrasing of the song just lets it tease you with moments of ebb and flow and it goes from a full boil to a smooth simmer.

For me SOUTH is the jewel in the crown. With its funk lead main groove it travels to the highs of bliss before dipping into the shallows of pure melody. I especially love the moog synth solo with a bass line that bubbles and tweaks before taking the track into a moment of epic rock, then before it gets too carried away slides back into the main groove only to climb again. At the 5 minute mark the power makes way for the silence as the song slows and wanders in a field of experimentation before finding its way to the safe haven of a jazz song the rides the final waves of highs and lows before washing away on that classic of all classic end notes.

I wasn’t 100% sold on N.E.W.S. when I first got it. Each song had moments of brilliance but didn’t seem to be able to sustain the 14 minutes dedicated to each direction. As a result it found its place amongst my collection rarely to be brought back out to play. However listening to it now, I can find new highlights in each song that I had missed before.

Its funny that if people discuss Prince’s work as an artist this is an album that doesn’t immediately spring to mind, but here is the true study of an artist. As we all know a Prince instrumental fusion album was never going to be a big seller, but rather than clamour for a smash, he followed where the music lead him. And the true beauty is that here is a free artist, afterall Warners or any other major label would have been totally reluctant to release it. But being a true independent Prince had the freedom (and maybe even the luxury) to present this new direction to us all. And whether or not it is an album that is played often or rarely, we are richer for the chance to hear it.

So what was your take on NEWS? Did it surprise, delight or disappoint?

Swa

Just listened to North (for the first time). It took a moment to get into it. The continuity seemed a little off, but as the song continued I liked where it ended--very soothing and relaxing tune. Couldn't help but wonder what North would sound like, loud, with better speakers (car). I'll have another listen but that's my first response.

South is more like funk-jazz fusion. It's o.k. too. Seems Prince was experimenting with different sounds on this cut.

I think my slight prejudice is comparing them to more traditional jazz, both songs end up that way and hence I like the endings better than the beginnings-- both songs.

But I reserve the right to listen again and change my mind.

O.k., hold up wait a minute West is on; I mean ON. That's it. Oh yeah I can hear this...lets get the glass of Chardonnay ready. Picnic.






[Edited 11/4/09 23:42pm]

^^^ my take?

i just got done listening to this entire album and i would rate it a 3.5/5

North-really nice slow and sexy

West-a beautiful written piece of music love the guitar and the other intruments in this song truely a gem

South-pure funk music!

East? umm i wasnt really feelin this one

Can I ask, which if any of these songs were influenced by Papa Nelson?

sweething said:

but yeah this kind of music you wouldnt really play in your car this album is one of this late night quiet cup of java listening albums which is nice to have sometimes
[Edited 11/4/09 23:46pm]

And last, but not least, East. I like. Traditional flavor--just like a cup of Java in demitasse, of course. Something tells me wherever this tune was written, recorded there had to be a furry rug and black light in the vicinity.

Here's what we thought of it - http://peachandblack.podb...-era-0203/ ... around the 100 minute mark
[Edited 11/5/09 0:49am]

It's a great album for a long night drive. Same with the jazzy Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale CD. Something about those two LPs make for perfect dark road trip background music.

Hated it for years, but now like it lots, and prefer it to Xpectation.

as I just said in another thread, there are good bits to it and had it been released in the individual songs it was written/recorded as, then they'd be easier to digest instead of having to wake the four 14 minute song gimmick that he saddled them with.

West is all I can say

PurpleDiamond2009 said:

I think it's cack, shocking, second rate poo that was designed to stroke the purple ego by screaming "I do jazz!!!"....but it hot a swift reply of "no you don't!!!"
[Edited 11/5/09 3:36am]

I listen to it when I'm in the mood for an instramental...

I have tended to put it on when I am in deep thought about something, it help me think.

I used to play it in my old classroom when the kids were taking a test or working quietly. They would ask for EAST the most because of the guitar part.
I like it when I just want mellow background music.

I love this album & wished he did more like it. I know it's not the typical fan fave but it's certainly one of my faves, then again I pretty much like all the albums so I guess I'm pretty easy to please for the most part.

Swa said:

great review btw, i like ur take on it.

It's an instrumental album:period!
Prince never claimed it was a jazz attempt...
I'd rather call it a mix of som' of this & som' of that!
Can't believe why some fans dissing the man for not being
a real jazz player.He is a musician...So he plays whatever
he wants to;and trust me he can can do that!
Funky is just the way he plays music.
NEWS is a good cd and let's not forget that it was nominated for the grammys(instrumental category)!!

squirrelgrease said:

i so agree re: Old Friends 4 Sale CD. Guess I'll need to get NEWS and take it for spin.

I have tried to listen to NEWS.... ZzZzZZZzZ.. so BORING.



who said: time 4 jazz 2 die.

thedance said:

well.....apparentely.....

chocolate1 said:

East is probably my favorite track on this album too..

I love it. East is my favorite track - that guitar part smack dab in the middle reminds me of my youth. It's Deep Purple and Edgar Winter rolled into one.

This is the disc I usually go to when I'm headed home from an evening rehearsal. It helps me wind down, so I can get to sleep a little quicker when I get home.

PurpleDiamond2009 said:

I love it - its well chilled

I like it a lot. It's a nice album to put on when I need to concentrate on something else for an hour+ and want to have some music on to keep me going. "West" is my favorite.

Efan said:

Same here. It's serene. The beginning that is.

I have it. I don't like it much and have only played it twice since it came out.

fakir said:

why couldn't you just type 'some' ? taking the e out doesn't change the pronunciation whatsoever, so what was the point of typing it so weirdly?