NPG Records

Producer: Prince

Highest Pop Chart Position:
US - Nil
UK - Nil
 

Six months after the release of the (Internet only) Xpectation comes another quality jazz/fusion release from Prince. The current line-up of the NPG is best suited to this music genre and clearly Prince is taking advantage, making the most of the talents of John Blackwell, Rhonda Smith, Renato Neto plus the welcome return of Eric Leeds - raising the bar on the Madhouse concept ever further. NEWS takes you on a journey to all 4 corners, exploring musically different atmospheres and influences of each region. The 4 x 14mins tracks allow the musicians plenty of room to fully interact, play off and improvise with each other - the results are on the whole less structured but more experimental, improvisational, daring and complex. The jazz world has yet to take Prince seriously has a jazz musician - NEWS takes another step closer towards gaining that respect.

Standout Tracks: "East", "South"

Experience Rating: Miles D. is digging the scene from above the clouds.... (8/10)

St Paul Music/Celebration Records

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Gayle Chapman Records

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After all these years, almost forgotten and out of the blue, Prince's 1st lady touring band member Gayle Chapman hits us with her first solo project on her own indie label.  Now re-located in Boise, Idaho Ms Chapman, together with a talented bunch of session musicians, presents a collection of easy listening, self-written/produced, country/folk songs with an Irish flavor.
Her style comes across as mix of part Bonnie Ryatt, part Dixi Chicks and part The Corrs....  If laid-back, easy-listening, MOR country music's your bag, this one's for you.

Standout Tracks: "Love Theme", "Good Irish Girl", "You Can Count On Me"

Paisley Involvement: None

Experience Rating: Good old country girl doing her own thang...  (6/10)

Margie's Baby Records

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The "First Lady" of the mpls. music scene Margaret Cox makes a long overdue return with her new solo album release since the 1988 Jesse Johnson produced "Blueberry Gossip" LP [an early 1990's Prince produced Paisley Park album remains sadly unreleased].
Well known amongst her peers and having performed with various bands in and around mpls over the years, it's a shame that Margie's exceptional talents as a singer/songwriter remains seriously underrated.   The title of this album is perhaps misleading in that the quality of songs here are certainly not what one would describe as demos, but it nevertheless does the job of showcasing Margie's abilities.  Recorded at various studios in Minnesota (including Paisley Park), the set features the help of many ex-NPG band members including Michael Bland, Tommy Barbarella and Morris Haynes.  Margie's a lady with attitude whose strong, gutsy, bluesy, soulful vocals are a joy to listen to alongside the quality 'live-sounding' musicianship. The musical styles range from old skool funk n' blues, pop, rock and ballads with some strong memorable melodies on some tracks.  Standout songs being "I Wanna Start Over" (which would be a perfect song for BB King or Eric Clapton to cover), "Lucky To Love" (sounds almost like a Burt Bacharach song with a 70's pop summer feel), "The One That Got Away" (sounds like vintage Rufus/Chaka Khan - Margie plays drums, bass, keyboard and flute on this track!), "Millionaire" (has shades of "Standing At The Alter"), "Crazy Notion"  (is pure purple flavored Mpls funk) and "Sad Someday" is a supreme quality ballad. 
Over half of this set is outstanding....the rest is just standard, but overall this project is highly recommended.

Standout Tracks:  "I Wanna Start Over", "Lucky To Love", "The One That Got Away", "Crazy Notion", "Sad Someday"

Paisley Involvement: None

Experience Rating:  Go give the lady her dues.... (7/10)