I want to change the topic, as before it was about Andy Allo, and the video I uploaded did not really go in the direction as I intended. (If you did not see the original thread, don't worry about it...

I don't want to make it solely about her, as I did. I was JUST really amazed at the album 'Superconductor' but not could help but think about Prince's work really in this album. He pretty much played everything.(With the exception of the hornz but they of course were his NPG one's!..AND of course Trombone Shorty and Maceo

I really wanted to start the thread to begin to ask about your favorite Protégé albums. I am calling Andy a protégé just because she has been around him for a while, and he's been promoting her album for some time. Even now on his website.

What did you all think about Superconductor in comparison to something like 'Elixir' or even Shelia E's albums. As mostly the work is pretty much his, he just allows someone else to put their vocal on it, but he mostly plays everything. I guess the same can be said about 'The Time' at first, as the first two albums had him taking a lot control of the instruments and what not. NOT FULL control, but obviously it was an idea that went on in his head, and he wanted to give it to someone else, who may interpret it better, perhaps?

I remember him saying to Tavis, that he really loves female vocalists, hence is why; he seemingly always produces albums for females. So why is it; everyone doesn't seem to buy into it? It's still Prince just giving apart of him on the instruments instead of the vocals, it's still unmistakably Prince. BUT, when let's say Bria sings 'Something U Already Know' it's almost like the worst song. Maybe if Prince was singing it, it wouldn't be so harshly reviewed? Haha

Do you this his Protégé's albums suffer due to the vocals on it?

I would like to know what you all think about it!

[Edited 1/29/13 17:46pm]

Why call it a discussion, if it's just an overblown praise...

Where's your opinion?

Is she the best female artist out there?

Is "Superconductor" a real masterpiece (not what kcoolmuziq claims every Prince album to be)?

Whatever, Andy should pay you for promoting the hell out of her!

funkomatic said:

Why call it a discussion, if it's just an overblown praise...

Where's your opinion?

Is she the best female artist out there?

Is "Superconductor" a real masterpiece (not what kcoolmuziq claims every Prince album to be)?

Whatever, Andy should pay you for promoting the hell out of her!

I just changed the topic of this thread, because the purpose of this thread was originally to discuss him playing on Superconductor and how it's basically his album. With my review of the album, I do have a lot praise for it, because it's really a great album to me. I was very surprised at its detail and how smooth it sounded.

I don't think she is the best female artist out there, but the album definitely adds a lot flavor to her performance on the album. I think it's a great album, I can't call it a 'Masterpiece' because I the type of guy, who allows art to sink in, and it might take a while to grant it that title. LOL.If a 'masterpiece' would even afford Superconductor.But I would say, it's a fantastic album!

I guess she can pay me for promoting her! LOL I'd take the job!

In all seriousness though, I want to know your opinion on Prince and his decision to have Protégé albums. My review was loosely based with what I wanted to have a thread about, which is Prince and his playing on other people's albums, who he basically promotes and what not. Do you think the albums suffer because of the vocals on the album, or because of the instrumentation in itself?

Lol, I didn't want you to change the topic...I really feel guilty now.

My overall opinion isn't as nice as yours!

Prince did play on "Superconductor" but he wasn't as hands-on with Andy Allo's album as he was with "Elixir" and "Milk and Honey". Andy Allo is a singer-songwriter and possesses more creative pursuits than the aforementioned ladies. She is a guitarist (regardless of her proficiency), writer and has PRODUCED her own album. Prince I believed served as an executive producer; using his creative resources to hire Maceo Parker, Trombone Shorty and NPG Hornheadz. Not to mention having his own band provide the rhythm tracks.

Bria Valente on the other hand, was first and foremost a model. Prince HAD to play all those instruments because she's not very musically inclined. Tamar is a good singer but didn't have the songs to really go anywhere with that album.

funkomatic said:

Lol, I didn't want you to change the topic...I really feel guilty now.

My overall opinion isn't as nice as yours!

I don't want want you to feel guilty! I want to know your opinion even if isn't as nice as mine! Haha, It's a discussion! We don't all have to agree on taste!

bashraka said:

Prince did play on "Superconductor" but he wasn't as hands-on with Andy Allo's album as he was with "Elixir" and "Milk and Honey". Andy Allo is a singer-songwriter and possesses more creative pursuits than the aforementioned ladies. She is a guitarist (regardless of her proficiency), writer and has PRODUCED her own album. Prince I believed served as an executive producer; using his creative resources to hire Maceo Parker, Trombone Shorty and NPG Hornheadz. Not to mention having his own band provide the rhythm tracks.

Bria Valente on the other hand, was first and foremost a model. Prince HAD to play all those instruments because she's not very musically inclined. Tamar is a good singer but didn't have the songs to really go anywhere with that album.

Thanks for your comment and clarification. I don't want to appear as if I'm saying Prince was doing everything on 'Superconductor'. I am aware Andy was doing her thing b4 Prince even came on the scene. I don't want to put her in the same category as Bria and the rest of them. While listening to Superconductor you can feel some of Prince's embellishments.

Bria was a model. BUT, she did sing some backing vocals on Usher's 8701 album. I think Prince at least works with someone who has potential. AND Tamar did sing before Prince came around, but I agree that Milk & Honey did not have much of a direction. BUT LIVE IN VEGAS, they were BANGING!

No matter how good Prince is as a drummer, I don't believe he did drums on songs like People Pleaser and If I Was King. It's gotta be Blackwell. I know Prince is capable of doing even the more sophisticated minimalistic basslines like on WHen Stars Collide, but can we prove it's all him? Nowadays his band is so tight, it's probably easier to make them play it than spending too much time recording all instruments himself.

bashraka said:

Prince did play on "Superconductor" but he wasn't as hands-on with Andy Allo's album as he was with "Elixir" and "Milk and Honey". Andy Allo is a singer-songwriter and possesses more creative pursuits than the aforementioned ladies. She is a guitarist (regardless of her proficiency), writer and has PRODUCED her own album. Prince I believed served as an executive producer; using his creative resources to hire Maceo Parker, Trombone Shorty and NPG Hornheadz. Not to mention having his own band provide the rhythm tracks.

Bria Valente on the other hand, was first and foremost a model. Prince HAD to play all those instruments because she's not very musically inclined. Tamar is a good singer but didn't have the songs to really go anywhere with that album.

The album has Princey signature riffs, licks, words and arrangements all over. It's impossible for him to have been "just" an executive producer. Atleast he was putting his touch on everything she did.

Id like this album on vinyl