HitnRun phase2 is ok collection of songs but listening to

horns is a distraction to me.

Dont get me wrong i love horns but in 90 % of cases Prince

didnt use horns as creative as he used synths in the past.

It seems to me that Phase2 sound dont breathe because

every free space was fiiled with 11 horns.

He butchered Extra Loveable with horns.2011 synth mix was much better.

Imagine 2young2Dare as a electro funk song with synths.

His music with horns worked the best when he used horns as

short staccato funk stabs like did at the break of Hot Thing for example.

I like the horns.

thebanishedone said:

I the horns.

thebanishedone said:

Crazy talk. The horn arrangements are masterful on this record.

I love horns but Prince liked to clutter every free space of music with horns.

And i dont think 1999 sounds better with horns. there is something about those oscilators of oberheim 4 voice that horns cant replicate.

Absolutely not; I love the horns on HNR2.

No, but...

Even though I love the horns arrangements, I feel Extraloveable was much more efficient without them. It's a synthfunk track. It should be synth-based.

As for R&RLA, I feel the horns ruin the wonderful instrumental bridge that starts around 2:00.

Now I wouldn't have complained about any of those if I hadn't had the other versions before.

As for everything else on that album, including every horn part, I say it's just perfect the way it is.

warning2all said:

Horns are awesome. Horns replaced the synths in his music when synths became outdated horns make every Prince song awesome

Horns replaced synths in his music when he forgot how outdated horns were, and that using them made his work sound like everyone who'd used them before, while continuing to use synths would make it sound like everyone who'd copied how he used them.

It's an oversimplification, but no more than yours. Sometimes the horns worked well for me, sometimes less so. He was feeling his way, it seems to me--working with different horns, seeing what would happen. I wish he'd been able to keep experimenting--what Michael B. Nelson's said about how some of the later things were going sounds intriguing. I understand the idea that the horns pulled Phase 2 together as an album (about the only thing that did), but since I agree with databank about the two songs he mentions, there's a good chance fewer (or even no) horns might have worked better for me on at least some of these tracks.

No, I love the horns! Especially in Extraloveable, which is my favorite song on the album.

It's perfect as it is. Wouldn't change anything.

EddieC said:

warning2all said:

Horns are awesome. Horns replaced the synths in his music when synths became outdated horns make every Prince song awesome

Horns replaced synths in his music when he forgot how outdated horns were, and that using them made his work sound like everyone who'd used them before, while continuing to use synths would make it sound like everyone who'd copied how he used them.

It's an oversimplification, but no more than yours. Sometimes the horns worked well for me, sometimes less so. He was feeling his way, it seems to me--working with different horns, seeing what would happen. I wish he'd been able to keep experimenting--what Michael B. Nelson's said about how some of the later things were going sounds intriguing. I understand the idea that the horns pulled Phase 2 together as an album (about the only thing that did), but since I agree with databank about the two songs he mentions, there's a good chance fewer (or even no) horns might have worked better for me on at least some of these tracks.

I think opportunity was the main reason why he integrated horns. I don't remember the exact circumstances of him hiring Eddie and Eric but I think it was more a specific crush for those 2 players than a necessity to have horns per se, then he also needed horns for Romance 1600 specifically as a project. Then adding Atlanta to the mix and having this old skool R&B sound for the Parade Tour was totally playing against the system, at times when synth and drum machines were ruling the world. As you said: "while continuing to use synths would make it sound like everyone who'd copied how he used them." Then the inclusion of the Hornheads in the band was totally unplanned and circumstancial, as told by MBN.

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I wouldn't say horns are the only thing binding Phase 2 -not all songs have them for one thing-, I think it was more a live sound in general, with live drums. Boyfriend and AintGonnaMissU had great horns but weren't selected, I would assume because of the drum machine and more electronic sound. Phase 2 is sort of an anti Phase 1, which was pretty smart IMHO.

gilliaj said:

The extended horn break part in the middle of Extralovable alone is worth the price of admission, and turn a good song to a great one.

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I prefer 'synth' Prince & 'guitar' Prince to 'horn' Prince anyday of the week - but wholeheatedly agree with the above.

Not in my opinion. That album was meant to be showcasing traditional craftsmanship and real instruments. The horns fit perfectly on most of the songs, although in some tunes he could have used them a bit less abundantly.

Having said that, of all Prince's styles I am the biggest fan of the oldschool Minneapolis Funk sound, where Oberheim synths had replaced the horns and the Linndrum was used to great effect. So theoretically I would always prefer an album using those elements instead of a traditional instrumentation with horns (like on Phase2). But the devil is in the execution, so in the end I'd rather listen to Phase2 than to 'forced' electrofunk attempts like most songs on the Mplsound album for example.

Better without the horns?

No way. No. No

No.

The horns are arrenged sensitively and creatively and help to bring a cohesion to these songs.

Xtraloveable is so much better here than the original electro version with Andy Allo... it really comes alive on HitnRun Phase 2... and the horns are great on Rock 'n' Roll Love Affair, that whole song is a lot bolder and less cheesy and weedy than the original single version.

And as for the horns on Groovy Potential... woah.... I love the horns throughout this album, they sound fresh and inspired to me. A key part of the album's sound.

No! Love the horns

IMO, it would be better if it followed more the soul vibe of some songs and less rock (for this project).

Agree with everyone here - the horns are actually what makes this record POP - plus one of my good friends did the arrangement for Big City and I love his work so I have to say NO - also Michael B. Nelson on Extralovable - come on - does not get better!

No.

I really like the horns but now I'm really curious to hear the album with them removed and replaced by synth now... haha ultimately idea.

Second-guessing a genius?
Good luck wit dat!