After prince died, I decided to complete his official album discography in my collection, as I didn't have the club releases and the releases after Planet Earth. I purposely got The Slaughterhouse and The Chocolate Invasion as the last two, as I was ambivalent about hearing them given the mostly negative comments I had heard about them. There was rarely much of a distinction made between the two releases. I first played The Slaughterhouse, and I was disappointed that it lived down to it's reputation. I wanted to give it a fair shake, so I looked for positive comments made about it and even asked Data Banks why he liked it and TCI so much. He mentioned something to the effect that they seemed to represent the essence of Prince. I tried listening three more times, with no improved appreciation. Yes, there were a few decent funk grooves but there were some almost unlistenable songs that totally destroyed the flow of the album for me. I decided to give it rest and go back to all the P music I love! I was avoidant of playing The Chocolate Invasion, as I didn't want my final first listen to one of Prince's official releases to be one of my worst. Seeking closure, I finally listened to the Chocolate Invasion a couple of weeks ago. I was astounded to find out that I really liked it, and that I enjoyed the whole thing. I especially liked the first four songs, highlighted by the absolutely brilliant When I Lay My Hands On You. I had heard it on a boot, but really came to appreciate how it is a real masterpiece since I have had it on repeat lately. The mid section of the album has some filler but even there the raw fundamental funk of the first 4 songs is carried through. Finally, the ending with a lean yet funky version of The Dance and the wonderfully unique addition to his catalogue When I Lay My Hands On You finish the album on another high note. I could start to appreciate what Data Bank had perhaps was referring to: This album was mostly pure unvarnished funk that wasn't prettified for mass consumption. This does seem to be at least an important part of who Prince was.

I am curious about your views of The Chocolate Invasion, including when your first heard it (right after it was released to the club, since Prince died, etc.). Also, feel free to compare and contrast it with The Slaughterhouse. Thanks.

Tidal 2015 release[edit]

1. "When Eye Lay My Hands on U" – 3:41
2. "Judas Smile" – 6:33
3. "Supercute" – 4:13
4. "Underneath the Cream" – 3:59
5. "My Medallion" – 5:07
6. "Vavoom" – 4:35
7. "High" – 5:05
8. "Sexmesexmenot" – 5:40
9. "Gamillah" – 3:09
10. "U Make My Sun Shine" – 7:05

It's a decent release with some cool NPGMC releases especially High, Vavoom, Hands and my personal favorite Gamillah (which reminds me of Madhouse a little). Underneath the Cream is smooth and sexy "cell phone passprot and all your inhibitions spread out on the floor...." YES CHILD. I couldn't stand Supercute's chorus (cringeworthy). Judas Smile was not bad just too long. Sex Me Sex Me Not reminds me of Poom poom..album filler.

Slaughterhouse

1. "Silicon" – 4:17
2. "S&M Groove" – 5:10
3. "Y Should Eye Do That When Eye Can Do This?" – 4:33
4. "Golden Parachute" – 5:38
5. "Hypnoparadise" – 6:05
6. "Props 'n' Pounds" – 4:38
7. "Northside" – 6:34
8. "Peace" – 5:35
9. "2045: Radical Man" – 6:34
10. "The Daisy Chain" (featuring rap from David "DVS" Schwartz) – 6:13

This album was the more bland of the two. Silicon and Y Should I Do That could have made easy replacements on Chocolate Invasion. Golden Parachute is nice just drags after the four minute line. Same with Hypnoparadise. Dragged on after the interesting parts were done. In all fairness...Northside was best when he did it LIVE. It is funky as hell, but you would never be able to tell that on the album version.

"You really liked it, huh?"-Prince/Purple Rain

paisleypark4 said:

Tidal 2015 release[edit]

1. "When Eye Lay My Hands on U" – 3:41
2. "Judas Smile" – 6:33
3. "Supercute" – 4:13
4. "Underneath the Cream" – 3:59
5. "My Medallion" – 5:07
6. "Vavoom" – 4:35
7. "High" – 5:05
8. "Sexmesexmenot" – 5:40
9. "Gamillah" – 3:09
10. "U Make My Sun Shine" – 7:05

It's a decent release with some cool NPGMC releases especially High, Vavoom, Hands and my personal favorite Gamillah (which reminds me of Madhouse a little). Underneath the Cream is smooth and sexy "cell phone passprot and all your inhibitions spread out on the floor...." YES CHILD. I couldn't stand Supercute's chorus (cringeworthy). Judas Smile was not bad just too long. Sex Me Sex Me Not reminds me of Poom poom..album filler.

Slaughterhouse

1. "Silicon" – 4:17
2. "S&M Groove" – 5:10
3. "Y Should Eye Do That When Eye Can Do This?" – 4:33
4. "Golden Parachute" – 5:38
5. "Hypnoparadise" – 6:05
6. "Props 'n' Pounds" – 4:38
7. "Northside" – 6:34
8. "Peace" – 5:35
9. "2045: Radical Man" – 6:34
10. "The Daisy Chain" (featuring rap from David "DVS" Schwartz) – 6:13

This album was the more bland of the two. Silicon and Y Should I Do That could have made easy replacements on Chocolate Invasion. Golden Parachute is nice just drags after the four minute line. Same with Hypnoparadise. Dragged on after the interesting parts were done. In all fairness...Northside was best when he did it LIVE. It is funky as hell, but you would never be able to tell that on the album version.

Interesting comments. I agree that the best cuts from both albums would have made a better album, which seems the case of so many of Prince's multi-album/simultaneous releases. Nonetheless, for me I would leave most of TCI intact except perhaps consider Nothside, Silicon. and/or 2045 Radical Man to replace Sex Me Sex Me Not and My Medallion. When did he play Northside live? I do hear the potential for a real jam in the album cut.

gandorb said:

When did he play Northside live? I do hear the potential for a real jam in the album cut.

http://www.princevault.co...=Northside

[Edited 3/23/17 4:58am]

I've never really thought of these as "real" albums with a vision or any real cohesiveness - more of just a way to assemble highlights from NPGMC. The songs I love from these two - I have since I first heard them -- same with the tracks I dislike.

LOVE EM

"When Eye Lay My Hands on U" – 3:41

"Judas Smile" – 6:33

"Supercute" – 4:13

"Underneath the Cream" – 3:59

"Sexmesexmenot" – 5:40

"Gamillah" – 3:09

"U Make My Sun Shine" – 7:05

"Silicon" – 4:17

"S&M Groove" – 5:10

"Peace" – 5:35

"2045: Radical Man" – 6:34

"Hypnoparadise" – 6:05

HATE EM

"My Medallion" – 5:07

"Vavoom" – 4:35

"High" – 5:05

"Y Should Eye Do That When Eye Can Do This?" – 4:33

"Golden Parachute" – 5:38

"Props 'n' Pounds" – 4:38

Northside" – 6:34

"The Daisy Chain" (featuring rap from David "DVS" Schwartz) – 6:13

A good chunk of these two albums was orignally planned to be relased as the album High.

1. When Eye Lay My Hands On U
2. Supercute
3. Underneath The Cream
4. Golden Parachute
5. When Will We B Paid?
6. The Daisy Chain
7. Gamillah
8. My Medallion
9. U Make My Sun Shine
10. High

I never really thought so much of The Slaughterhouse myself but I remember being hooked at first listen on The Chocolate Invasion (which I discovered in the Summer of 2007). I still have shivers during each listen of 'When I lay My Hands On You', not just because it is that kind of song but also due to reminiscing that only a few days after hearing it for the first time, I actually found myself holding hands and dancing with Prince onstage (words will never do justice to the surrealness of it all!). So now, the sounds contained on this album instantly recreate and reflect the magical vibe of that incredible Summer.

In terms of song preference I would say that my strong favourite are the first five:

When I Lay My Hands On You

Judas Smile
Supercute

Underneath the Cream

Sex Me Sex Me Not

[Edited 3/23/17 7:50am]

alandail said:

A good chunk of these two albums was orignally planned to be relased as the album High.

1. When Eye Lay My Hands On U
2. Supercute
3. Underneath The Cream
4. Golden Parachute
5. When Will We B Paid?
6. The Daisy Chain
7. Gamillah
8. My Medallion
9. U Make My Sun Shine
10. High

I love this song even more than the original version... I think it would have fitted quite well on the Chocolate Invasion.

The one bit of advice:

neither the chocolate invasion nor the Slaughterhouse (and C-Note or Xepectation) were released on CD. However, there are some that have made them as sell them at extremely high prices as "rare"

Same really goes for the "One Night Alone (Studio)" yes those were on CD but not very many. And I have seen them for sale as "Rare" but were fakes as well.

OnlyNDaUsa said:

The one bit of advice:

neither the chocolate invasion nor the Slaughterhouse (and C-Note or Xepectation) were released on CD. However, there are some that have made them as sell them at extremely high prices as "rare"

Same really goes for the "One Night Alone (Studio)" yes those were on CD but not very many. And I have seen them for sale as "Rare" but were fakes as well.

They are on sale for purchase and download on Tidal for 9.99 thank god though. I hope no one buys the bootlegs when they will just be cd-r's. If they put it on vinyl..now..we talkin lol

CherryMoon57 said:

I never really thought so much of The Slaughterhouse myself but I remember being hooked at first listen on The Chocolate Invasion (which I discovered in the Summer of 2007). I still have shivers during each listen of 'When I lay My Hands On You', not just because it is that kind of song but also due to reminiscing that only a few days after hearing it for the first time, I actually found myself holding hands and dancing with Prince onstage (words will never do justice to the surrealness of it all!). So now, the sounds contained on this album instantly recreate and reflect the magical vibe of that incredible Summer.

In terms of song preference I would say that my strong favourite are the first five:

When I Lay My Hands On You

Judas Smile
Supercute

Underneath the Cream

Sex Me Sex Me Not

[Edited 3/23/17 7:50am]

That has to be a wonderful association. When I read your posted account of that interaction I was not yet aware of the wonders of the song. Shivers indeed!

I agree with you about the strength of the beginning of the album. I think that's what hit me when I first heard it. I was ready to cover my ears and then the surprise to hear a series of strong songs to start the album.

I had a friend make me a copy of the Chocolate Invasion and I really liked it. I was debating getting it off of Tidal. Is is on any other service besides TIDAL?

tish9311 said:

I had a friend make me a copy of the Chocolate Invasion and I really liked it. I was debating getting it off of Tidal. Is is on any other service besides TIDAL?

nope.

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