[continuing the one album a day discussion of Princes music (not all good / not all bad) - we arrive at C-Note]

c-note

2003 seemed to the be the year for the instrumental Prince album with a trilogy of musical exploration released within months of each other – each with varying appeal.

I was apprehensive as I listened to C-Note, another NPGMC exclusive. Xpecation had failed to thrill me so I was curious to hear where this might go. Recorded at various stops on tour, I was hoping C-Note might hold a gem waiting to be discovered

Copenhagen is a jazz-fusion track that bristles through the speakers with intent. More ready to take control than most of the tracks on Xpecatation it captures you in its groove and doesn’t let up. The whole live feel adds to the energy as Rhonda, John and Renato bring their A-game to the table. At just over 10 minutes in length it surprisingly doesn’t overstay its welcome and gives a hint at what an epic track can hold (something he would explore with N.E.W.S.)

Nagoya features some nice improve playing by Prince on lead guitar and he works his magic against a solid groove laid down by John Blackwell. At a time when the music scene was becoming more focused on technological wizardry, this track shows exactly what can happen when gifted musicians get together and support each other.

On first listen Osaka has a Soul Sanctuary vibe to my ears and is a lot more mellow in delivery that the two preceding tracks. More filmic in composition it paints a hauntingly seductive scene and sets up a brief yet soaring solo from Prince at the end of the track.

Tokyo, with its title sung over and over by Prince throughout, is really Renato’s moment to shine. His fingerprints are left all over this track as well as all over every key on his piano. The track draws the listener in with ease and swirls around you letting your lose yourself in the hypnotic melody.

Empty Room, the only track to feature vocals, is powerful and focuses on the longing one feels post break up. Rumour has it is was written following the breakdown in his relationship with Susannah Melvoin, and the song does have a touch of “Another Lonely Christmas” evident in both the melodic structure and vocal delivery. Feeling more epic than the 4minutes that contain it, Empty Room is the standout track on the album and is classic Prince.

More focused and cohesive than Xpectation, C-Note set up what would be his next offering perfectly and showcased the quality of musicians Prince was surrounding himself with at the time.

Though I'm usually a fan of his instrumental work I never got around to this. May have been that when it came out I was distracted by other things.
Listening recently I find it without much clear direction.

i do not much care for this version of empty room.

the vocals are flat and lack emotion. the music is over done and drowns out the feel of the other version (which i have never heard ).