Dear Prince,

I've been listening to some of your old records lately (particularly the first two The Time albums, and the Black Album) and I have been watching some old (1983) concert bootlegs, both of you and of The Time. The level of funk on those recordings is astounding, and the urgency of that funk is unsurpassed. In fact watching and listening to these recordings warmed my heart and filled my spirit with joy: your Minneapolis Funk oozes fun and sexiness, and brings a smile to peoples' faces!

That's why I plead for your next album to be crazy wild RnB/funk stuff, deeply rooted in your unsurpassed (and to my ears still very exciting) Minneapolis Sound. 20Ten was a good step in the right direction, but this time I would like you to keep the dancefloor in mind. I am talking about driving, processed beats, synth bass combined with real (slap) bass, lots of that heavenly rhythm guitar of yours, all this filled out with sizzling analogue synths. References: Cool, Mutiny, Chocolate, Irresistable Bitch (early demo version), Head, Controversy, DMSR, A Love Bizarre, Cindy C.

I would also like to hear some more adventure in the tracks. A bit more of that crazy stuff you've done on albums like the Black Album and Parade, or tracks like Crystal Ball and All My Dreams.

Now that disco, boogie and funk influences gather more and more momentum in the current (alternative) dance scene, I believe the world is ready for the "Second Coming" of the Minneapolis Sound. And it's up to you, The Originator (although you yourself would probably rather give that honour to Jehova!), to make it happen!

We all know that when you really set your mind to it, you can still blow anyone away. So forget about trends, just trust yourself and your funkability, and don't be lazy: No hasty lyrics, take the time to get your sound(s) right, and don't forget to process those drum machines carefully!

Therefore I plead that you lock yourself up in a small lowtech studio (for that raw/unpolished sound), get those Oberheims and Linndrums out, and just start having old-fashioned fun in the studio! Just do what you do best, write some funny/clever/heartfelt lyrics to these tracks, and come back to entertain the world with that type of urgent, sexy funk that made you famous in the first place.

I for one would be very pleased!

Regards,

An old fan/friend

I want some funk too....

But... is Prince still willing, or able???

I have my doubts.

ParanoidAndroid said:

I want PUNK album, something like When Doves Scream.

That would be awsome too!!! (for real)

I'm looking forward to the next Beck album.

thedance said:

I want some funk too....

But... is Prince still willing, or able???

I have my doubts.

Able? I believe so.

Willing? Hmmmm....

TheDigitalGardener said:

I'm looking forward to the next Beck album.

If it's anything like Midnight Vultures (best Prince album of the 90's IMO) I am looking forward too!

prince writes best on the bass .. which he doesnt do much of anymore .. good luck

funkaholic1972 said:

TheDigitalGardener said:

I'm looking forward to the next Beck album.

If it's anything like Midnight Vultures (best Prince album of the 90's IMO) I am looking forward too!

Yeah, fucking great album. Beck makes the music that it would be nice to hear Prince make.

Damn I have been waiting for a triple album of funk 4 sometime.

p funk, jazz funk, futuristic funk, rap funk, fusion funk, minneapolis funk, extended tracks etc.

GUYS.......U WANT...U WANT...I WANT THIS....IWANT THAT.............u know that U WILL GET NOTHING THIS YEAR!!

I don't want a new album, I want Crystal Ball 2 (and possibly 3, 4, 5 etc..) to be released.

TrevorAyer said:

prince writes best on the bass .. which he doesnt do much of anymore .. good luck

Really? I never knew this.

Let's Work" seems to be an obvious one, could you give me some more examples of tracks that he wrote on the bass?

TheDigitalGardener said:

funkaholic1972 said:

If it's anything like Midnight Vultures (best Prince album of the 90's IMO) I am looking forward too!

Yeah, fucking great album. Beck makes the music that it would be nice to hear Prince make.

Agreed!

WizardofFinance said:

Damn I have been waiting for a triple album of funk 4 sometime.

p funk, jazz funk, futuristic funk, rap funk, fusion funk, minneapolis funk, extended tracks etc.

I'm not surprised, seeing your Username!

love2thenines2003 said:

GUYS.......U WANT...U WANT...I WANT THIS....IWANT THAT.............u know that U WILL GET NOTHING THIS YEAR!!

Shhhh, don't spoil my party here!

802 said:

I don't want a new album, I want Crystal Ball 2 (and possibly 3, 4, 5 etc..) to be released.

I could definately live with that as an alternative to my FUNK album!

I'm interested in that 2008-Funk album that was rumoured.

Turn Me Loose is just awesome

Trashcat said:

I'm interested in that 2008-Funk album that was rumoured.

Turn Me Loose is just awesome

I haven't heard about that album, do you have some more info on that?

20Ten

20Ten was a step in the right direction although it could have been a lot funkier.

I would like to see a journey through the funkmosphere type of concept, something like Chuckii Booker's soul trilogy where he gradually advances through the evolution of Funk. Let's say he starts off with some James Brown styled jams and ends with Autotune vocals over sparse drum tracks accentuated with spaced out synths.

Someone needs to do this..

In my opinion, Prince should create an electro-funk masterpiece with a new killer single, internationally promoted by a major label (1 album only deal or whatever)

...

not going to happen

funkaholic1972 said:

Trashcat said:

I'm interested in that 2008-Funk album that was rumoured.

Turn Me Loose is just awesome

I haven't heard about that album, do you have some more info on that?

There's people on here that have bashed me for talking about it. It comes down to a question of belief - I (and others) believe that this album existed and at one stage or another Prince intended to release it but ultimately went in another direction. Other people don't believe that this was the case. Which is fine, that's their prerogative.

The word at the time (some of which WAS coming from people in or associated with Prince) was that he planned to release a funk album, including "Turn Me Loose", "Prince And The Band" and "Feel Better, Feel Good, Feel Wonderful". It was suggested that the backdrop that appeared behind Prince when he performed "Turn Me Loose" on Leno was the cover artwork.

That's about as much as we ever learned about it, as I recall.

He can't do it any more.

Prove me wrong Prince!!

Some claim that 20Ten and MPLSound are funk records.

minneapolisFunq said:

JoeTyler said:

NouveauDance said:

Militant said:

funkaholic1972 said:

I haven't heard about that album, do you have some more info on that?

There's people on here that have bashed me for talking about it. It comes down to a question of belief - I (and others) believe that this album existed and at one stage or another Prince intended to release it but ultimately went in another direction. Other people don't believe that this was the case. Which is fine, that's their prerogative.

The word at the time (some of which WAS coming from people in or associated with Prince) was that he planned to release a funk album, including "Turn Me Loose", "Prince And The Band" and "Feel Better, Feel Good, Feel Wonderful". It was suggested that the backdrop that appeared behind Prince when he performed "Turn Me Loose" on Leno was the cover artwork.

That's about as much as we ever learned about it, as I recall.

Thanks for the info, Militant. Was "Turn Me Loose" just played live, or do any recordings of this track circulate?

daPrettyman said:

Some claim that 20Ten and MPLSound are funk records.

Hmmm, maybe they had some funky moments, but they're certainly not full-on funk albums IMO.