jayspud said:

The band Sexual Harrassment were such huge Prince clones.In 1985,they even released a tribute song called "We Want Prince" it uses the same beat as "Erotic City".

Freek99999 said:

I'm gonna make me a cdr with all those songs. although this one is much more recent and intentionally 80's, it goes on my cdr as well:

https://www.youtube.com/w...JJC1gKwgxU

Sounds great, I would love to see it and would suggest you include at least some of these songs, in no order.

.

Purple Smoke - Camp Wannabe Crap and some Inspired Minneapolis Funk

.

I know you've got a Krush on me - Exotic Storm

I'll save you from the world -Exotic Storm

I've got to be your lover - Exotic Storm

Oh Sheila - Ready for the World

Material Thangz - The Deele

Sex Addict - Georgio

Tina Cherry - Georgio

I Go wild - Jak

69 - Jak

Dance Party Etc - Barkays

.

Better Jamz

.

Be Your Man - Jesse Johnsons Revue

Can You Help Me - Jesse Johnsons Revue

Do Anything - Natural Selection

I wanna sex you up - Color Me Badd

I adore mi amor - Color Me Badd

I want your sex - George Michael

Nasty Girls - Janet Jackson

What have u done 4 me lately - Janet Jackson

.

Feel free to add more or question if you like, oh and please put that Exotic Storm photo on the cover.

[Edited 1/17/15 3:20am]

I am obsessed with this Exotic Storm group now, they are just hilarious. Here is two more images I found off the net.

.

[img:$uid]http://i1081.ph.../img:$uid]

.

Album cover showing Dezzarae Moore and undientified white singer #1.

.

[img:$uid]http://i1081.ph.../img:$uid]

.

Image showing inside of package with insert picture, credits and track listing (Only 8 songs, what a swizz, that is Prince inspired ). Also note the sheet showing the members faces and notes on them, reminds me a bit of Romance 1600 and The Family for some reason.

.

I guess I am a bit obsessive, but this shit just makes me laugh!!!!

I have a lot of these, the Exotic Storm album isn't terrible. The Princess & Starbreeze album is good in a quirky kind of way. I've always had a softspot for these kind of records though, so take my recommendations with a pinch of salt - I like 'B-movie' bands.


A good one, I brought it up in the recent Vanity thread, is Rockwell's third LP The Genie - it has some very MPLS Sound stuff, even goes Camille-esque at one point, it's a pretty groovy LP. I loved this period where you had black pop acts who weren't afraid of appearing wacky and weird.

[Edited 1/17/15 3:56am]

SoulAlive said:

Here's a 1984 song by the Bar Kays....check out the obvious similarity to "DMSR"

"Dance,Party,Etc" by Bar Kays

wow - hope Prince got a writers credit, almost like a cover of DMSR

RaspBerryGirlFriend said:

SoulAlive said:

Here's a 1984 song by the Bar Kays....check out the obvious similarity to "DMSR"

"Dance,Party,Etc" by Bar Kays

Fucking hell that's a pretty blatant rip isn't it, it's like they're not even pretending to differentiate the song from DMSR at points. Also I had no idea that the Bar-Kays survived the troubles Stax Records had in the late 60s, so it's weird to know these old RnB dudes that I was vaguely aware of from the Stax singles collection were suddenly jumping on the Minneapolis bandwagon in the mid 80s

It was the same kind of thinking that was prominent in the early 90s when classic R&B artists all had to get a rapper on their new record to sound young and get on the radio. Unlike the Mpls ripoff era, it was dreadful and embarrassing to alot of those old schol acts. Some survived it by getting smart and doing what they do best (such as Earth Wind and Fire); others just made fools of themselves and faded to oblivion.

NouveauDance said:

I have a lot of these, the Exotic Storm album isn't terrible. The Princess & Starbreeze album is good in a quirky kind of way. I've always had a softspot for these kind of records though, so take my recommendations with a pinch of salt - I like 'B-movie' bands.


A good one, I brought it up in the recent Vanity thread, is Rockwell's third LP The Genie - it has some very MPLS Sound stuff, even goes Camille-esque at one point, it's a pretty groovy LP. I loved this period where you had black pop acts who weren't afraid of appearing wacky and weird.

[Edited 1/17/15 3:56am]

It was the new wave era. Music was not homogenized as it is today. Black artists would actually play real instruments and do somethig other than rap. I have all these records because I still miss it.

One of the most overlooked Prince clone albums. He is from my hometown - I used to see him in the local mall shoppig at Merry Go Roound around the tie he released this.

Adorecream said:

JoshuaWho said:

I am old enough to remember the early 80s and how everyone was ripping off Prince and the Minneapolis Sound. It was blatant and comical. These greasy little jheri curled R&B bands in cheap Merry Go Round suits would pop up on BET (back when it was actually black and played music videos) every couple of months with some flimsy ditty that sounded like so much lame pablum from 1999 or Purple Rain. My underground new wave buddies and I were so addicted to Prince that we actually hunt through the shopping mall record stores (remember those?) for the cassettes (remember those?) of these bands before they disappeared in a poof of purple smoke and returned to oblivion.

In retrospect, there were a few of these arbitrary singles that managed to kick up some dust and actually get some airplay for a hot minute. A number of them were actually fun. One that comes to mind is Dancing in the Sheets by Shalamar. I remember hearing the first time and thinking how did they think they could get away that keyboard riff that is dam near identical to the one in 1999 - which was already a huge crossover hit (back then that meant a black artist actually got a video played on MTV). I laughed out loud whe I saw their video and there was an actual Prince clone on guitar named Micki Free - even his name sounded like the title of a Prince song!

Where are the old heads out there with a deep knowledge of Prince history? Do you have old Prince rip-off song that you have fond memroies of?

Bro, there is a lot more to Shalamar than that song "Dancing in the Sheets" which was actually their last big hit. Rather than be Johnny come latelies riding the Prince Bandwagon, Shalamar go back to 1977 with the disco hits Uptown Festival and then in 1978, Take that to the bank.

.

The classic line up was Howard Hewitt - Vocals, Jody Watley Vocals and Dance and Jeffrey Daniels - vocals and dancing. They had a series of moderately successful albums for Solar records between 1979 (Big Fun, the one with the dolphins) and 1982 - The one that had "A night to remember". Jeffrey Daniels was an amazing dancer who taught MJ how to moonwalk (He had a step called the Robot). Ironically Daniels kept his afro until 1982 and then shaved it off for a flat top thing in that year, did the robot and on the British Show Top of the Pops demonstrated the robot to a group of British teens who were awestruck, while Night to remember played in the background. Yet why does MJ get all the credit.

.

However Solar records paid poorly if at all and in 1983 both Jody Watley and Jeffrey Daniels left. They were replaced by Melissa on keys and vocals and Micki Free on Guitar. Hewitt kept his spot as lead vocalist. Yes Micki Free looked a bit like Prince (He was actually Native American and played mean guitar) and well we all know about Jody Watley hooking up with Andre.

.

The new line up only worked briefly when Hewitt left in 1985 and the group split up. They were definitiely not Prince clones or riding the Prince train. Prince was not the only guy wearing makeup, bright clothes or having a Jheri Curl in the mid 80s. His fashion was more derived off New Romantics/New Wave group. Prince did not invent and sure was not the only one using it. Unlike today, the looks transcended race and gender.

Calm down - I know what there is to Shalamar, I have every recording they released. If you read my post, I only cited the one record in reference to Prince ripoffs; not the group as a whole. What are you? HOward Hewitt's publicist?

SoulAlive said:

Georgio was a joke He wasn't even much of a singer.He tried to become the "new Prince" but it didn't work.His songs are lame.

He was like Prince's retarded little brother who was entertaining in a cheesy way and you couldnt completely dislike him.

tangerine7 said:

Yes. Prince and The Time Rip-Off Some ppl argue you can hear The Jacksons in there.. I said No right away but after listening times over and waiting later and listening I say 'maybe" I hear The Time the most with a mix of a few different Prince songs 80's era also James Brown

kape said:

Mark Ronson/Bruno Mars...Even the title is a wee bit Princey. 'Uptown Funk'its called.

(The Time video won't post)

What about the Deele, they had a Prince like dude on their album cover. A lot of these groups played their own shit and had their own look until Prince came along, and then every group had its dudes with black eyeliner, quiffed Jheri Curls, technicolour zoot suits, columns, marbled backings, and jagged guitars. Truly Prince started an industry, I think Linn saw a 4000% increase in drum machine sales in 1985 alone and Maybelline ran out of Black magic and mysterious nights eye liner.</p><p>.</p><p>Fishnets and camisoles became the must have accesory and of course activator sales went through the roof. Probably the worst imitators were people like Rick James who's albums the Flag and Beautiful were clearly Prince based rip offs in sound and looks. Even George Michael could be accussed being like Prince for songs like "I want your sex" and TTD with "Sign your name" and "Wishing well" all those these were the best Prince rip offs, yet with enough original sauce of their own.</p><p>.</p><p>My choice - Ready for the World -<strong> Oh Sheila</strong> as that group probably had no reason to exist before Prince. Followed closely by &nbsp;a song by the Brakays which I have forgot (Midnight loving?) and Mr Operator by Midnight Star sounds Prince/New Edition like, but I lovedMidnight Star and "No Parking on the Dancefloor" alone gives them a pass.</p><p>.</p><p>Outside of the USA, I think System Addict by Fivestar is pretty bad Prince rip off and Rocket 2 U by the Jetts (Tongans in the USA), although that song is at least decent, so yeah Oh Sheila.</p></blockquote><p>&nbsp;</p>

I really love George Michael. Although I've gotta admit when I hear and watch "I Want Your Sex" I am sure that he was influenced by Prince. It's obvious.

It's a good thing for some songs that's out there. The two I've quoted here are no where near the worst! I think Mark Ronson - Bruno Mars and George Michael were inspired by Prince ...The Time ( The Minneapolis Sound) I also think George Michael was just truly inspired and out came IWYS

Prince changed the Game it really was a Sign O' The Times

Imitation is the highest form of flattery, but clones kind of get it wrong because we are promoting individuality and being proud of being yourself.

[Edited 1/17/15 1:12am]

I think there is a fine line between being heavily influenced and just flat ou riipping off Prince. THe Deele didnt rip hi off. They had some musical merits of their own and did have their own sound - albeit similar to Prince's. ON the other hand, Ready For The WOrld ripped Prince off to the greatest effect - as stated earlier, they were not on the map until they manage to make people think they were Prince when they released the classic Oh Sheilla. Proof that they werw a rip off is that they turned into a New Jack Swing/Hip Hop group when the Mpls craze died down and rap emerged.

mattosgood said:

SoulAlive said:

Here's a 1984 song by the Bar Kays....check out the obvious similarity to "DMSR"

"Dance,Party,Etc" by Bar Kays

wow - hope Prince got a writers credit, almost like a cover of DMSR

That is somewhat freaky! Funky but like a 12" DMSR Lol.

squish said:

Oh God, please make it stop.

disque said:

squish said:

Oh God, please make it stop.

I officially pull my vote for Georgio and firmly place it in this guys camp.

With this guy you get the following:

-You got the brass bed.

-You've got the faux humping.

-You've got him writhing on the ground electric man style

-Just about everything with the exception of a female foil is thrown in with this motherfucker

Let's not forget that the video ends with the splits. He tries so hard, you gotta give it to him.

BTW, check out his other videos if you need further convincing

[Edited 1/17/15 11:44am]

Averett said:

disque said:

Oh God, please make it stop.

I officially pull my vote for Georgio and firmly place it in this guys camp.

With this guy you get the following:

-You got the brass bed.

-You've got the faux humping.

-You've got him writhing on the ground electric man style

-Just about everything with the exception of a female foil is thrown in with this motherfucker

Let's not forget that the video ends with the splits. He tries so hard, you gotta give it to him.

BTW, check out his other videos if you need further convincing

[Edited 1/17/15 11:44am]

In this video he copies parts of the Lovesexy stage. Even the lighting is similar. I saw another video, where he obviously tried to copy the nude tour stage, lighting and dance routines. Unbelievable.

BartVanHemelen said:

JoshuaWho said:

I am old enough to remember the early 80s and how everyone was ripping off Prince and the Minneapolis Sound.

.

And yet this thread hasn't even got more than a dozen examples, most of them utterly obscure.

.

"Everyone" my ass.

WOW Bart - Chillout it was only posted for 10 hours before you got your knickers in a twist! Why cant you let people just post? What exactly did Prince do to you that it makes you so pissed?

I appreciate your knowledge and most of your posts but all this negativity needs to stop. Why bother taking the time to post negativity............

mattosgood said:

SoulAlive said:

Here's a 1984 song by the Bar Kays....check out the obvious similarity to "DMSR"

"Dance,Party,Etc" by Bar Kays

wow - hope Prince got a writers credit, almost like a cover of DMSR

I know,right? I love the Bar Kays,but many of their songs from that period borrow heavily from other songs.On that same 1984 album,they have the hit "Freakshow On The Dancefloor" which sounds a little too much like Midnight Star's "No Parking On The Dance Floor".

Ladies and Gentlemen, i submit the fonky frenchman, Juan Rozoff.

Georgio was great. Sexappeal, Lovers Lane and Tina Cherry, and their remixes were awesome. However, his biggest rip off song has to be "1/4 2 9 " (quarter to nine in Princebonics) if only for the name alone.

[Edited 1/17/15 12:46pm]

[Edited 1/17/15 12:52pm]

Or how about "I Don't Want 2 Be Alone"???

One last one...Love and Happiness....this is a STRAIGHT rip (but sounds good to my ears!)

ludwig said:

Averett said:

I officially pull my vote for Georgio and firmly place it in this guys camp.

With this guy you get the following:

-You got the brass bed.

-You've got the faux humping.

-You've got him writhing on the ground electric man style

-Just about everything with the exception of a female foil is thrown in with this motherfucker

Let's not forget that the video ends with the splits. He tries so hard, you gotta give it to him.

BTW, check out his other videos if you need further convincing

[Edited 1/17/15 11:44am]

In this video he copies parts of the Lovesexy stage. Even the lighting is similar. I saw another video, where he obviously tried to copy the nude tour stage, lighting and dance routines. Unbelievable.

Did you catch the clip with the assless pants?

Phil Collins - Susudio

George Michael - I Want Your Sex

Jesse Johnson - Every Shade of Love

Wanting You

I Want My Girl

I Want To Be Your Man

Lenny Kravitz - It Aint Over Til It's Over

Jody Watley - Still A Thrill

Vanity - Under The Influence(Great Song)

The Pointer Sisters - Automatic

- The Neutron Dance(Let's Pretend We're Married)

The Mary Jane Girls - In My House

"The Best Is Yet To Come" Can't remember who sang it. Sounded like Cyndi Lauper or Samantha Foxx. But even the opening line of the song "If you wear Purple ...."

I always thought B52s Legal Tender sounded like When You Were Mine