AHMIR is an AMAZING DRUMMER

For those who haven't noticed, he simply plays (perfectly) off beat, that's his trademark and what makes his playing so easy to identify

That's also why prince's criticism ("play right") surprises me a lot and is simply ridiculous

I've said it elsewhere: Ahmir would be the best person for prince to collaborate with: great and original drummer, modern producer, with a huge musical knowledge but still looking into the future (unlike 99% of neo-soul cats)

I will be the first to admit that I was skeptical @ best when Brown Sugar came out. I thought stevie wonder meets Marvin. However the album kind of grew on me. Don't get me wrong in didn't push the envelope one bit, but ok.

Voodoo.. as I have stated before, IMO is a excellent 2nd release. I think equiv to what P did with ATWIAD. There are about 3 marketable singles the rest is very groove album oriented with several diff song structures and time changes. Melodies are there just not pop accessable. I suppose Miles davis so what doesn't have a melody also because after the first lines it is then expanded.

Amir's drumming I thought was inventive and works damn well. I think he grooves and his rim shot inflections work on the album. Pino's bass is awesome and charlie hunters guitar work was perfect.

I mean people need to decide what they want. Rip D for copying a formula on Brown Sugar. Then he goes in with essentially jazz musicians and does 7 min songs that push some envelopes for a "pop artist" and people say he can't write a melody.

How about Untitled the best "Prince" song in years. a perfect tribute, they nailed it listen to the bass @ the end.

Prince is the greatest musician, a D and Amir might not be on that level nor do they claim to be.

But both love Prince and the true artists. Stevie, Marvin, Sly, James... and will talk like kids just like us when they get an old concert or boot.

Man in a time where Prince is not in the highest cool category. People like D, Amir,Tony Kanal, & Ani still remain true fans I think it deserves some respect.

I mean No doubt is one of the hottest bands around sales and popularity wise and Tony still talks about Prince and shows for every show. That's cool.

What does Prince do;..; He grabs Gwen and leaves them behind allegedly when they arrived @ Paisley.

And I guess all the D haters love Musiqsoulchild and his out of key performance on it ain't over.

Or Macy gray...

I love Prince's music but he is not the coolest to his fans or friends.

Remember Prince is the one who name drops in songs, and calls the flava of the month onstage for guest spots.

The only problem is that D & amir are like the others of us who think Prince needs to return to pushing the envelope rather than following.

I don't care if he does a gospel or country album just do something diff again.. TRC was cool music wise. I hope he builds off of that.

aalloca said:

amen.

Harlepolis said:

I really think they both suck actually. ?uest is too infactuated with Prince's sound and James doesn't really bring anything new to the table, in my opinion.

aalloca said:

...played by Raphael...so HE nailed it. So is it a tribute or is it "the best Prince song in years"? I don't think it can be both. If you ask me (and you didn't ), it sounds like something Prince would've done on the Time's first album. A nice tribute. A "just okay" song next to a "Lady" from Brown Sugar (produced by Raphael...can you tell I like him??! )


...which ?love played drums on, btw...

-SWANGsneaksin

be like him. Who was the last artist that dressed and acting like Prince to get signed???


I draw a blank too.

How about name an artist who sings, screams, sounds like Prince:

The answer is D'Angelo.

Give me a break.'

This thread is a trip. D'Angelo was the father of the neo-soul movement just like Prince was the father of the MN sound. Are you all implying that neo-soul is a Prince derivative? Yeah...like Prince does soul music. Regardless to what's said and done, D'Angelo is just as much (even MORE of with the younger generation) an influence as Prince. Aside from fans, nobody really cares that much about what Prince is doing musically. When D drops another CD, there's a whole slew of youngtas who will flock to the stores to get him. Prince's time in the limelight has passed. Just enjoy what he puts out now (if you can) and accept it. Its alright. He had his day. Nobody stays relevant forever. (Cept' Jimi and Marvin Gaye!)
[This message was edited Sat Oct 11 9:16:10 PDT 2003 by BlaqueKnight]

I gotta disagree about D -- I think he's an authentic talent, and I look forward to his development. I believe he might be the only contemporary r&b artist to potentially evolve into one of the greats. Remember, it took Prince six albums to develop his conception. Give this guy some space.

It's not fair comparing him to Prince. Prince is one of the greatest in his field ever, a man whose career spans twenty-five years, whereas D is "merely" excellent.

Anxiety said:[quote]I know ?uestlove still has a lot of love for Prince - his interview in the new issue of The Believer magazine namechecks Prince quite a bit, including a part where he refers to P as "the youngest Yoda" in R&B music ("Yoda" meaning classic influential masters).


Are you sure he didn't mean "Yoda" as in bullshit/riddle spoutin' midget?

TedW said:

That depends on who you ask. Maybe if you talk to the "Oh, Prince! Whatever happened to him?" fans. Purple Rain wasn't Prince's first developed album, it was merely Prince's first blockbuster album. The two things aren't necessarily one and the same. He had found his voice 4 years prior, and delivered (at least by my count) at least 2 watershed albums prior to Purple Rain. But my take on this has nothing to do with D'Angelo.

Essence said:

its Corn Rows...Good Gawd..

TedW said:

exactly.

TedW said:

I love D, but there is too much of a gap between a release of his. Yes, he works with other artists, and I see some things he is involved with here and there, and I dont mean to actually question his musicianship, but why does he always fall off the map?
[This message was edited Sat Oct 11 14:21:23 PDT 2003 by Sdldawn]

Sdldawn said:

Good question.

SWANG said:

2 bad Raphael's own album wasn't up 2 scratch, very weak, by his high Tony,Toni,Tone!/Lucy Pearl standards. Hope there's anutha 1 tho', he's definately a talent, and obviously heavily influenced by PRINCE.

>>>For those who haven't noticed, he simply plays (perfectly) off beat, that's his trademark and what makes his playing so easy to identify>>>


dude, you're retarded.

WonHungLo said:

Well said. On another note, I just saw Lenny Kravitz in a P-diddy video. I always knew he was lame!

Sdldawn said:

true.

well, i think ?uest kinda answered that question in a recent interview with the magazine 'the believer'.
he said d is extremely insecure. enormously talented, but so insecure that he's constantly struggling with
himself. perhaps that's what's causing all the delay. and--if it's true--rehab hasn't been helping either.

man, i hope dude returns this year with a record that'll blow everyone's expectations completely out of
the water. that'll feature a lot of heavy guitarwork, a wild d'angelo like on the 'voodoo' tour and also
have its moments of subtlety with those classic slowjams. can't wait.

DrD said:

I noticed I didn't really who my "dude, you're retarded" comment was directed to...thats what he/she said. He "plays perfectly off beat..." (tsk, tsk). Come on now...listen to what u said

neronava said:

sorry meant to say "clarify"...guess I was just "perfectly"
typing though

purpleone said:

i agree with the purple one.u dont have 2 sound like prince 2 b considered a good musician,d has a very original sound of his own.his music sometimes drag but that is his choice.the song the root drags but is one hell'va song.if u cant feel that melody and groove u arent musically incline 2 dig shit. d may cant cut loose on the keys and guitar but his song writing ability is very good, and is real music, not that pop durm machine sounding reproduced music we hear today.d is cool where i come from.the atl.i play the keys 2.my man can write some songs.

RonnyRon2000 said:

Are you crazy?!!! J/K. But seriously, Raphael's album was the shit. I just think his problem lied in Universal not promoting him enough. Can't wait to pick up his live album this Tuesday!

there seems 2 be alot

of negativity directed at

d'angelo and other artists

of the neosoul movement

there's room 4 more than 1

style of soul music

artists such as musiq,

maxwell, common, eryka badu

d'angelo and the like,

bring many flavors of the

same meal 2 the table

many of these artists have

a positive cultural and social

message in their music

i think prince embraces

these young artists and

digs them paying respect

2 the mighty legacy that

prince has left and is still

building on

sumtymes said:

But where is the soul? Most of the so-called "neo-soul" artists all sound like they were cut from the same cloth. There's absolutely no originality in these cats-especially considering that most of them are from Philly.

okaypimpn said:

d'angelo is one soulful mofo. and he stands out too.
just put on 'i'll stay' and you'll feel what i'm talking
about.

your comment about originality--there's some truth
in it. it's the reason i'm now glad that d'angelo decided
not to work with ?uestlove for his next project.

i truly believe d'angelo can be one of the greats of
soul. the only thing standing in his way is his back
catalogue. he has little to show for.

okaypimpn you're a raphael saadiq fan right? what's up
with his live album? i know it's dropping tomorrow. but
is it still not available online in its entirety? just the
snippets?

okaypimpn said:

they are cut from the cloth of funk

they pay respect 2 those who came

before them

as 4 d'angelo, 2 much pressure

was put on him 2 try and live up

2 the legend of prince

d needs 2 feel more comfortable

in his own skin

he aight wit me

D angelo is good...but he could not even carry Prince's jock strap

Check out the video interview with D'Angelo on launch.com
He talks about Prince.

purpleone said:

agreed