AlexdeParis said:

Well, considering we've seen the best ideas from Prince years ago that's somewhat of a reach to think he still could make high-quality songs. I'm sorry, but songs like "Brown Sugar" and "Me and Those Dreamin' Eyes of Mine" reminded me of some of Prince's 1985 to 1990-era material (style, lyrical content) the minute I heard them and if arguably your greatest song is a clear imitation of another artist I can't get with it.

Like I said, it's not only the fact D'Angelo's praise seems out of sync with his material but making two albums in 13 years hardly classifies for such praise. "Brown Sugar" and "Voodoo" were hardly that good (and certainly not revolutionary; I find his music way too one-dimensional) to evoke comparisons to Marvin, Stevie, Prince, etc.
[Edited 6/25/08 8:13am]

LittleAmy said:

I wouldn't call "Untitled" his best song by any stretch. As far as Brown Sugar and Voodoo go, IMO they're the best R&B albums of their respective decades.

horatio said:

Well, I'd like it to be sooner because that means more good music for me, but I agree with you. Voodoo was worth the wait; I have faith this one will be as well.

horatio said:

Are u saying that 8-9 years between releases is ok?

AlexdeParis said:

-----
). I don't think D'Angelo owes much of his sound at all to Prince.

Wake me up when you see reality. D'Angelo copies Prince singing style note for note. Not so much on Voodoo but on Brown Sugar. I don't have an issue with it but, at what point do you step out and become your own artist.

In addtion, a lot of people think the "Rainbow Children and 3121 or good P records. A lot more interesting than Voodoo.

Graycap23 said:

definitely. what does that matter if its excellent music?
thats some industry bs right there.

laurarichardson said:

Wake me up when you learn some manners.


Good != Great. At any rate, I don't feel the need to agree with an opinion just because "a lot of people" share it.

horatio said:

What does it matter?
Lose fan base
Can't sustain a living
No support of your FAN base.....2 name a few.

Graycap23 said:

and that has an effect on the quality of the music?
You only listen to top 40? Your seriously missing out if you do.

horatio said:

I'm not speaking on the quality which is subjective 2 begin with. I'm speaking strickly on the time between releases.

U can build an entire city faster than D releases new material.

this is quite interesting....
So many opinions...
Cool !

My feeling on the matter is...

D'angelo is a Badass cat ! sings great..plays Great...Great feel...
Great Harmonies..IMO the Best of the new Generation of R&B singer/songwriter/musicians...

Maybe Best is the wrong word...
The most INTERESTING !!!
Its a shame that like so many other great artists..he gets his inspiration from the rough Lifestyle that he lives...
10 years 20 years...
whenever he gets his shit together enough to release something I will be checkin for it because regardless of what labels and comparisons are thrown around..I know for a fact that he's a REAL artist...He's Living what he does and I respect that !

CosmicDancer said:

and his material and persona isnt annoying like Bilal or Musiqu

TRUE !

horatio said:

CosmicDancer said:

i always thought that was part of the reason for his hiatus, was to allow his back up singers some time in the lime light, and wear out 'neo soul'.
Even Sadiqu's music was stale IMO despite trying to do something different.
Now is an excellent time for d'angelo to step back in.

horatio said:

It sounds like you two are having different conversations. The issue isn't the quality of D'Angelo's music (which is somewhat debatable on the hype it receives, but that's another issue).
[Edited 6/25/08 16:03pm]

AlexdeParis said:

Obviously, the mileage varies but I found neither album to be profundly impressive. But that's your opinion and I respect that.

LittleAmy said:

oh

Marrysharronsluvchild said:

He's not worth the leg work.

SUPRMAN said:

Graycap23 said:

Again, so what?

You previously said you had "no respect for an artist who releases material 8, 9, 10 years apart. That shit is weak".

I could understand if your respect was directed at an individual's lack of business sense or evident work ethic, but I fail to see why your respect towards their role as an artist seemingly depends upon the regularity of the product they make available for consumption. As an artist, your commitment is to your art, regardless of whether someone thinks you should be publishing something more often based on an industry or fanbase expectation. I suspect many people who admire, for example, the work of Marilynne Robinson, are disappointed that she doesn't write a novel every other year, but few would say they have no respect for her as an artist based on her paucity of output.

.

langebleu said:

Based on what I read, it sounds like Graycap IS basing his decision on a lack of business sense and work ethic, in regards to how D'Angelo has handled his career.

LittleAmy said:

mmmm oktay

LittleAmy said:

i dont care about his business ethics.
i only care about the quality of his work and it being worthy of my money.

otay?

LittleAmy said:

Yes, that seems obvious ... so I would expect any lack of respect towards soemone to be based on them as a business person or industrious individual, as opposed to saying you having no respect for them as an artist.

.
[Edited 6/25/08 17:08pm]

horatio said:

No different from any other artist, so I'm not following your answer. It seems rather evasive and convenient to fit a rationale for D'Angelo.

langebleu said:

Clarify, because those seem one and the same here. Most of the big artists in the '70s and the early to mid-'80s used drugs (including some very hardcore stuff) but that didn't stop them from releasing albums more frequently than once every two presidential terms.
[Edited 6/25/08 17:11pm]

LittleAmy said:

Whether an artist releases for public consumption material once every ten minutes or ten years (and regardless of whether they are capable of doing so whilst under the influence of drugs), is perhaps a reasonable measure of their industriousness or business acumen (and, in some cases, receptiveness or resilience to narcotics) but it isn't a rational measure of their artistry.
.
[Edited 6/25/08 17:25pm]

LittleAmy said:

i think you are having reading comprehension difficulties.

langebleu said:

If a person's inability to control and have discipline in the former is a factor in the production of the latter, then I would say that is a fair comment. If someone is too high to come to work -- no matter how well the quality of work is when (s)he is there -- you can't say one is exclusive of the other.