I listend to East today!

And it was just like i rememberd, Boring

I could not sit through whole track I lasted about 8 minuts

I would place this album on the bottom of my collection

I like it.

I don't love it, but that's mainly because I'm not all that into the vibe.

What always perplexes me is when people say that it's not jazz or that it's not good jazz. I mean, I have most of the most popular jazz albums from Davis, Coletrane, Hancock, Hasselhoff and so forth. But, I don't think Prince fairs too poorly. I mean, it's certainly different, but isn't that what Prince was aiming for?

I think it deserves another discussion on another thread, but what is good jazz? Why does Prince's efforts not constitute good jazz, etc.?

I like it.

Last time I played that album, it was at a small party that we had at our house.

I ended the day with it.

One of the couples left in the middle of the album - said they had to go home.

9 months later little Emma was born.

imago said:

ZsaZsaJackson said:

I've never heard it, but I do have it. I'm going to wrap it and put it under my Christmas tree.

It was the thought that counts.

Meh. It's no less a jazz record than the vast majority of fusion jazz records released in the 70s (at least after '74 or '75). The first batch of fusion records were more harmonically daring, but then it got far more straightforward.

I like listening to N.E.W.S quite a lot actually, but I sure would have preferred him to make it more dissonant and rougher than what the end result turned out to be. I find TRC to be far closer "in spirit" to Miles & co. than the instrumental outings of the time.

novabrkr said:

I sure would have preferred him to make it more dissonant and rougher than what the end result turned out to be.

novabrkr,

Are you forgetting what the music sounds like towards the latter part of West?

Prince's music doesn't resemble inner turmoil better than that extreme.

love,

Spirit

It's not just due to the way the music is performed, but also the way it's recorded and mixed. Lots of reverb, the drums sounding like what the drums sound like on R&B records, etc. His choice of keyboard sounds doesn't really help matters either. I hope he would have utilized a narrower palette of sounds in that respect.

But like said, I dig the record and find it enjoyable enough to listen to. There's enough depth there that has motivated me to give it a spin ever now and then. I don't find it any worse or better than most of the late-1970s fusion jazz stuff by the artists in the genre.

Marrk said:

Wow. I haven't listened to NEWS in probably 3 years. I'd almost forgotten about it! It's an interesting album. Some really good bits. Nice concept.

Haven't listed to this album in a while however I remember EAST being the track I liked the most.

Look, I am just going to say this..lol

N.E.W.S is quite exceptional! I think Prince really accomplished where he wanted to go with this album! Some might define it as 'Snooze' but the album contains some of Prince's most unique guitar solos. Take the one in 'West' coming in at 8:32..Just perfect! I love the way each song ends with this serene feel. So in your face, and just crazy!

I also think his band is quite great! Rhonda on bass is just in your face! Just listen to 'South' the bass is just in your face!

North and West are my favorites, But 'East' is really awesome as well. 'East' gets me during the middle and end more so then the beginning. The drums are really cool there as well!

South is just pure funk, and his guitar talking to Eric Leeds Saxaphone, in the end, is pure exciting.

As a whole, N.E.W.S. just makes the cake! It all sounds very refreshing, and I think the packing is pretty cool too! I rate it in my top ten for sure!

ALTHOUGH...I kind would have wished he released 'Xpectation' on CD as well. That woud have been pretty dope! Now that's album that really stands tall!