Releases...1998
The Artist |
Associates |
| The Artist - Crystal Ball | |||
Producer: The Artist
Highest Pop Chart Position: |
Notes | ||
| Back in 1987 Prince
completed his 1st triple album set entitled "Crystal Ball".
However, his
record company at the time, Warner Bros., wasn't sure of the commercial viability of a 3
album set and weren't too keen on the idea. So Prince went back to the studio,
re-edited the set down to a double and re-titled it to "Sign O' The Times". Fast-forward to 1998... now with his own record company, his own rules and total control on how his art is presented, the length of a release (or its "commercial viability") was no longer a problem nor an issue. The Artist's second 3-CD set (1st being "Emancipation".... "The Truth" album was included as a 4th CD in sets sold in normal retail outlets. "Kamasutra" CD was added to sets bought directly from 1-800 New Funk.), "Crystal Ball" was a fan(atics) wet-dream come true. Originally intended as a 100,000 copies Ltd. Edition, but went on to sell in excess of 250,000. Consisting of mostly previously bootlegged material, the once 'lost, strayed and forgotten' underground gems were dug up, polished and (at last) given a proper home to rest on official plastic. CB stands as a testament (if anyone doubted) to the wide eclectic musical range (there's something here for everyone) and prolific-ness of The Artist. Casual observers, critics and cynics may claim the set to be overly self-indulgent, but it really wasn't designed with them in mind... real enthusiast will get the most pleasure out of this one... despite the fiasco over its initial distribution (but that's another story!).. Standout Tracks: Too many 2 mention! Experience Rating: Roll on Crystal Ball No.2.... (9/10) |
|||
| Single Releases: Love Sign (Promo Only) | |||
| Girl Bros. (Wendy & Lisa) - Girl Bros. | |||
Producers:
Tchad Blake, Wendy & Lisa
|
Notes | ||
| After too long an
absence Wendy & Lisa are back! This time on their own record label (having fallen out
with Virgin Records and Trevor Horn, the producer of an album that has yet
to see the light of day). Under a
new identity of Girl Bros. (the name of their publishing company) the girls release their
4th title. One of the reasons that spurned on their return into the music arena was the untimely death of Wendy's brother Jonathan, of which this album is dedicated to, hence the solemn, dark, poignant and sometimes depressing tone of many of the songs on this set. Stripped down production, Wendy & Lisa equally share lead vocals on this mainly acoustic set of slow to mid-tempo finely crafted pop/folk ballads. Lisa's voice in particular showing great improvement over previous efforts. A tough cookie to get into, but slowly grows on you over repeated listens. Standout Tracks: I Will, Bring You Back, Jonathan, All I Wonder/Anyway, Let's Say Paisley Involvement: None Experience Rating: Jonathan's smiling from up above. (7/10) |
|||
| Single Releases: None | |||
| Kat Dyson - Colour Kommentary | |||
|
Notes | ||
| During her relatively short
association with The Artist, Kat Dyson released a short EP independently.
A neat collection of countrified back porch Blues songs (with a hint of
funk) that not only serves to showcase her as a talented session guitar
player, but also a gifted songwriter (she wrote all the songs here) and a
singer (with a voice very similar in style to Joan Armatrading). If a mix of laid-back country slide guitar and blues your bag... this is for you. Standout Tracks: Love In Da Middle, Feel Something For Me, T.O.D.A.T.A.W.A.N. Paisley Involvement: None Experience Rating: Sista's doing it for herself.. (6/10) |
|||
| Single Releases: None | |||
| Chaka Khan - Come 2 My House | |||
Producers: Chaka Khan, The Artist
|
Notes | ||
| Newly emancipated Chaka
Khan releases her first set on NPG Records. Very 'old skool' with the kind of
faultless production you've come to expect from Paisley Park, this was classic Chaka Khan.
And that's part of the problem with this release; It was never gonna appeal to
anyone much under the age of 25... Don't get me wrong - the songs (with a couple of exceptions) are
sheer quality and class and her voice is legendary. But these 'classic' songs
will sound
dated to many a young ear who'd much rather have Mary J Blige, Brandy or Missy Elliot.
Which is a shame really 'cause this lady heavily influenced the above
aforementioned artists of today. This album deserved to perform a lot better than it
did. The hap-hazard NPG distribution system didn't help matters much and was a
contributing factor to the album's poor reception. Release this album late 70's,
early 80's and it would've been a smash. Standout Tracks: Come 2 My House, This Crazy Life Of Mine, I Remember U, The Drama Paisley Involvement: High Experience Rating: No one sings like Chaka! (8/10) |
|||
| Single Releases: Spoon (Promo only), Don't Talk 2 Strangers (Promo only) | |||
| The Minneapolis Allstars - Live At The Quest | |||
Producers: The Minneapolis Allstars
|
Notes | ||
| Some of Minneapolis
finest musicians headed by St.Paul Peterson come together for a one-off gig recorded live
at The Quest (formerly known as Glam Slam). The Minneapolis Allstars
consisted of Ricky Peterson (St. Paul's big bro.), Dave Barry, Steve Raitt (Bonnie's
bro.), Bobby Vandell (former drummer to Jesse Johnson) and the one and only Eric Leeds.
A great jazz/funk music MPLS style CD with cover versions of The Family's tunes
scoring highly. Standout Tracks: High Fashion, Mutiny, Nothing Compares 2 U Paisley Involvement: Low Experience Rating: Coming 2 U Live and Direct....! (7/10) |
|||
| Single Releases: | |||
| The New Power Generation - NewPower Soul | |||
Producers: The New Power Generation
|
Notes | ||
| Third release by The New
Power Generation... yes, The NPG. Too many folks fall into the trap thinking that
this album was an Artist release because his image is on the cover... hell, he could've
chosen to put a naked model on the cover, doesn't necessarily mean to say that what's
inside the package has any relation. Many missed the point... The reason why The Artist's face is on the cover is because he wasn't able to do so on the previous two NPG releases. Prevented for contractual reasons by his then record company Warner Bros., he could not be seen to be promoting anything other than his own WB releases ("The Most Beautiful Girl In The World" released on NPG Records being the only exception). That was then... Now that he's free he can do whatever he likes. Sticking his face on the cover of The NPG's "NewPower Soul" was just a statement of the freedom he now has to do whatever he wants. Tora Tora, along with his red scarf is dead and buried. The album, like previous NPG releases was a group effort, hence it's under the banner of 'The New Power Generation'... comprende ...[ Sorry...I just had to set the record straight for those who are a little confused.] Now... the music... Again.. like the previous albums by The NPG, this is a 'party album' (with the exception of a few ballads) and should be seen as nothing other than a funky jam session where everyone gets down and has a good time. The NPG horns feature very prominently in the mix on many of the tracks and The Artist (no longer having to hide behind the likes of Tony M or Sonny T) handles the vocals with guests, Chaka Khan, Marva King and Doug E. Fresh. Overall a more rounded and complete release compared to "Exodus". Standout Tracks: Mad Sex, Until U're In My Arms Again, Come On, The One, Wasted Kisses Paisley Involvement: High Experience Rating: It's a funky party 4 the freaks on this side! (8/10) |
|||
| Single Releases: Come On, The One (Promo Only) | |||
| Taja Sevelle - Toys Of Vanity | |||
Producers: RJ Rice, Carl B, Ron E
|
Notes | ||
| After a long absence
from the music scene Taja re-emerged on a new label (Sony) and a fresh new direction.
With all the songs written or co-written by Ms Sevelle, this critically
acclaimed set with its intelligent, dark, almost left-field, trip-hopish compositions,
made this Taja's most interesting and challenging album to date. Unfortunately, lack
of record company push and promotion made this release a commercial flop.
Listen up!.... Fans of music that makes you think, here's a piece
of treasure just waiting
for your minds to discover. Standout Tracks: I & I, A Lot Like You, Killing Time, Fleet Of Angels Paisley Involvement: None Experience Rating: Not instant, but ultimately rewarding. (8/10) |
|||
| Single Releases: I & I | |||
| Various - Do Me Baby! Austin Does Prince | |||
Producers: JP Riedie, Chris Garrigues, Darwin Smith, Brian Davis
|
Notes | ||
| The purpose of this CD
according to the compilation producer JP Riedie, was both to pay tribute and demonstrate
the vast eclecticism of Prince's music and to showcase the wide variety of musical talent
that resides in the state of Austin, Texas. Mainly acoustic country/folk/rock versions of Prince classics... very much an hit and miss affair, but still pretty interesting to hear other peoples interpretations nevertheless. Standout Tracks: Sometimes It Snows In April, Girls And Boys, Controversy, The Cross, Sexy MF Paisley Involvement: None Experience Rating: Sure is something different y'all... (7/10) |
|||
| Single Releases: None | |||
| Various - The Prince Songbook Symbolism | |||
Producers: Various
|
Notes | ||
| An excellent compilation
of almost every song Prince has written for (or covered by) other artists outside the
Paisley camp. For all you completists out there, a release like this saves a pretty
penny in tracing and owning these babies individually. Standout Tracks: Decisions, decisions..... Paisley Involvement: Medium Experience Rating: Pop Daddy, Daddy Pop. (7/10) |
|||
| Single Releases: | |||
| Ana Voog - Anavoog.com | |||
Producers:
Bobby Z, Gary Kurfirst
|
Notes | ||
| Formerly known as ‘Rachael’
from The Blue Up?, Anna Voog gained notoriety more for her webcam site,
after which this album is named, than for her music. This solo foray
maintains the odd approach of her work with The Blue Up?, but with a much
more electronic flavour. Bobby Z. once again produces, and both Dr. Fink
and Ingrid Chavez make appearances. A remake of an obscure Yoko Ono track
(Ask the Dragon) best typifies the album’s content, though traces of
funk can be found in "Backwards" and "Please God". Standout Tracks: Telepathic You, Ask the Dragon, Please God, Hollywood Paisley Involvement: None Experience Rating: Different, if not dazzling. Check out her website for REAL thrills… (6/10) |
|||
| Single Releases: Hollywood | |||
