i think it's curious that we have gotten two albums of instrumental jazz fusion within so short a period of time: xpectation in january and n.e.w.s. in june. both have been called "new directions in music from prince." so, what is the deal? how do they both fit into prince's catalogue? why issue 2 similar albums so close together? here's a theory:
i see a parallel between these 2 releases and the flesh/madhouse sesion from 85-86. prince recorded songs in an instrumental jazz-funk vein in december 85 and jan 86 for a project called "the flesh". it was never released. then a year later, madhouse was issued. kinda similar concept (instrumental, anonymous musicians) different music.
flash forward to 2003: we have xpectation given away online at the beginning of this year. some believe this was the xenophobia album without the title song. and now comes n.e.w.s., a similar line-up, similar concept, similar music. but this one is being officially released on a CD, not just made available for download.
the way i see it, prince probably didn't intend to issue xpectation/xenophobia, but decided to make it available to complete the year 2 membership for the club, since so many people were dissatisfied with a 3 CD live box set. n.e.w.s. is the REAL new album, the one we were meant to hear, much in the way that madhouse was issued and the flesh was not.
the difference between 85-86 and 2003 is that now we have access to nearly-released music whereas before we didn't.
do u consider xpectation an official item in prince's catalogue? it IS listed in the discography at the music club.
any thoughts on this?

yes, i consider 'xpectation' a complete work...

no, i don't think you can compare the two other than to say that one is straight ahead jazz, and the other is fusion. imo...

personally, i like them both in different ways... p.

I think NEWS is better!

'xpectation' if anybody can burn me a copy of this cd and mail it to me in the USA ... i will pay $$$ .. im a member of the npgmc but i use my work computer and i cant burn cds .. xenophobia2003@yahoo.com

fms said:[quote]we have xpectation given away online at the beginning of this year. some believe this was the xenophobia album without the title song.quote]

I believe it was, simply because I've heard the whole album including Xenophobia, it was played at the concert in new orleans.. Wish he would have left that track on.