Releases...1995
The Artist |
Associates |
| The Artist - The Gold Experience | |||
Producers:
The Artist & The NPG
Highest Pop Chart Position: |
Notes | ||
| Putting aside the
politics behind the release of this album for the moment (it's release was delayed due to
much wrangling with Warners over terms and conditions). This was The Artist first album
and it marked a return to form with his best, most focused release for some time. His
backing band The NPG were at their peak, the album also had this amazing "live"
feel to many of it's brilliantly crafted songs. The album performed a lot better
than his last in the marketplace and could have been even more of a success if it wasn't
for his ongoing dispute with Warners. Warners interest in the project waned, they
showed little enthusiasm for the record after it's release. Videos were made but
for one reason or another were rarely ever shown. The Artist
sported the word "SLAVE" on his cheek as a form of protest to the
record company. The Gold
Experience was the final straw which turned into a fight for freedom - personal, artistic, political - the
freedom to create and the right to own ones own creations. A fight worth fighting for....don't y'all
agree? Standout Tracks: Shhh, Dolphin, Shy, Billy Jack Bitch, I Hate U, Gold Experience Rating: All that glitters.... (9/10) |
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| Single Releases: The Most Beautiful Girl In The World [UK chart position No.1 Apr 94], The Beautiful Experience EP [UK chart position No.18 Jun 84], I Hate U [UK chart position No.20 Sep 95], Gold [UK chart position No.10 Dec 95] | |||
| Rosie Gaines - Closer Than Close | |||
Producers:
Rosie Gaines, Ricky Peterson
|
Notes | ||
| The plan was to have
Rosie release an album on Paisley Park, after that label folded those plans fell through
and Rosie joined Motown - there still lies an unreleased Rosie album in the Paisley
vaults... Rosie had released an album and was an artist in her own right long before she met Prince. A remarkable and outstanding voice, recognition for her talents is long overdue and she belongs up there with the likes of Aretha Franklin, Patti Labelle and Whitney Houston. Her short-lived and acrimonious stay at Motown produced a delicious album of mainly mature quality r&b ballads, mostly self written, produced and performed. Extra tracks were added to the European version of the CD. Lack of promotion and neglect from Motown led to poorer than expected sales and Rosie's swift exit from the record company. A later mega-successful UK dance remix of the track "Closer Than Close" sparked a belated renewed interest in the album. Standout Tracks: I Want U, Closer Than Close,Turn Your Lights Down Low, My Tender Heart Paisley Involvement: Low Experience Rating: Respect Overdue!!! (8/10) |
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| Single
Releases:
I Want U [UK chart
position No.70 Nov 95], Closer Than Close [UK chart position No.4
May 97] Are You Ready |
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| Mayte - Child Of The Sun | |||
Producer:
NPG
|
Notes | ||
| The then Mrs.
Garcia Nelson dances
into the limelight with her debut release with songs (barring one) written, produced and
arranged by her then husband. The Album was pretty much an hit and miss affair, her voice
comes from the school of Janet Jackson and Paula Abdul with songs to match - mainly pop
with a little Latin flavour thrown in. The standout track being the incredibly funky
"Ain't No Place Like U" - worth the price of the whole album by itself!! Standout Tracks: Ain't No Place Like U, Baby Don't Care, However Much U Want Paisley Involvement: High Experience Rating: Not a bad first effort (6/10) |
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| Single Releases: If Eye Love U 2Night [UK chart position No.67 Nov 95], The Rhythm Of Your Heart, The Most Beautiful Boy In The World | |||
| The NPG - Exodus | |||
Producer:
NPG
|
Notes | ||
| Second offering from the
NPG proved to be a very funky affair complete with 'new' group member Tora Tora (as with
the previous NPG release, The Artist could not show his image on the cover
because of record
company contractual reasons with Warners... hence the disguise). Pure funk all the way, this was
an album George Clinton would have been proud to have made. Sonny T
has a gifted voice and handles most of
the vocals surprisingly well. The only thing which spoils the flow of this album is
the inclusion of too many segues, some of which are hilarious and others of which are
unnecessary... otherwise another first-class NPG production.
Standout Tracks: The
Good Life, Cherry Cherry, Return Of The Bump Squad, Big Fun |
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| Single Releases: Get Wild [UK chart position No.19 Mar 95], Count The Days, The Good Life [UK chart positions No.29 Aug 95 (re-mixed version No.15 Jul 97)] | |||
| TKO - Thought U Knew | |||
Producers:
TKO, Kirky J
|
Notes | ||
| A sax-lead jazz-fusion
and smooth r&b album with all songs written by NPG drummer Kirk Johnson along with
various members of his family. Mike Scott and the Hornheads also feature. A
pretty standard set with nothing special to make it stand out from other albums of this
nature. The kind of album you'd probably have playing quietly in the background
during a romantic dinner with your loved one. Standout Tracks: I Wanna Be Held 2 Night Paisley Involvement: Low Experience Rating: MOR dinner jazz. (5/10) |
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| Single Releases: | |||
| Various - Purple Pain | |||
Producers:
Various
|
Notes | ||
| Nine Swedish groups with
their own interpretations (some interesting, others just plain embarrassing) of Prince songs
from the classic Purple Rain album. Each song from the album is destroyed... I
mean.. covered here. The musical style being a mixture of
indie/rock/metal/grungy/punky, except for "Darling Nikki" and "Baby, I'm A
Star" both attempting to be funky. The Swedish accents of the artists involved
could be heard on some of the tracks which is unintentionally
strange and funny. If
you're into heavy garage rock versions of your fave P tunes, then this would
be ideal for you.
Good only for its novelty value. Standout Tracks: Take Me With U, I Would Die 4 U, Baby I'm A Star Paisley Involvement: None Experience Rating: Not to be taken seriously... (4/10) |
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| Single Releases: | |||
| Blue Up? - Spool Forka Dish | |||
Producer:
Bobby Z
|
Notes | ||
| Primarily the creation of
Minneapolis-based singer/songwriter Rachael (later known as Ana Voog),
this art rock trio couldn’t be farther from the Minneapolis sound,
though produced by Bobby Z.. The music and vocals come across as a mix
between Kate Bush and P.J. Harvey, with a dash of Bjork. Fans of the
Minneapolis sound are advised to stay away, though open minds will find it
an interesting and extremely odd ride (check out H. Sidakr of Loops, which
is the entire album backwards!) Standout Tracks: Shine, Breathe You Out, Capture This
Paisley Involvement: None
|
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| Single Releases: Breathe You Out | |||
