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Although I knew who most of the people in this movie were, I didn't actually see Krush Groove until it was released on DVD back in the early 2000's. But I knew a lot about the movie and I already had the soundtrack on cassette.
I won't go into the movie because it's not really important to this review. I mainly bought the CD because of the Sheila E. solo number which was co-written by Prince. It was released as a single, but this is the only place you can find it on CD.
There were a lot of great songs in the movie that didn't make the album. Sadly... But oh well. You can't always control what's going to happen with a soundtrack. There's some great material on this record, but there's also a lot of bad stuff too. This record basically shows you the development of Hip Hop and Rap. These were the artists who created the genre. And compared to the artists in the genre today, this stuff sounds amateurish and outdated.
There's not much to be said for the rap numbers except you can hear some really interesting music by rappers like LL Cool J and The Beastie Boys.
Right off the bat, you have Chaka Khan doing the main title number and it's a great song! A remix of the track closes the disc out. I quite like it and I really liked what she was doing during this whole time period. This was about the same time she covered 'I Feel For You' by Prince. It's followed by LL Cool J doing 'I Can't Live Without My Radio'. Not his best effort, but still kinda fun to listen to. Kurtis Blow is next and I don't like this song at all. In fact, I cringe when I hear it. I find it embarrassing. It's followed by the Fat Boys big hit, 'All You Can Eat'. You can tell most of these raps were written or produced by the same people because they have very similar rhyme schemes and beats. Of the tracks the Fat Boys performed on the film, this is not the best and I'm surprised the others were left off.
Debbie Harry is up next with 'Feel The Spin'. It's not her strongest or most memorable song, but it's a good one. I like it. This track has a mix at the end of the disc as well.
Sheila E.'s 'Holly Rock' kicks in and is easily the best track on the record. There's one other track that comes close but we'll discuss that in a minute. If you don't know 'Holly Rock', you need to hear it. NOW!
Beastie Boys are next with 'She's On It' and this is a great number. They do a really good job with this song. The Gap Band deliver 'Love Triangle' which has some good ideas but doesn't go anywhere. The next track is the 2nd best song on the album and it's phenomenal. 'Tender Love' by Force MD's is written and produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. It's beautiful.
The closing number is the entire cast performing 'Krush Groovin''. Another boring number that leaves me feeling flushed and slightly annoyed.
I'm happy this disc has finally seen a CD release and I'm enjoying it immensely, but I'll be honest with you, this is one disc that sounds super dated. You won't listen to this record and find yourself amazed at how well the sound has endured. Because most of the material you'll hear is trendy. They followed a pattern and structure created by a producer that never really evolved.
It's still worth it just for the good tracks because the good songs outnumber the bad ones. My final words: A BLAST FROM THE PAST THAT COULDN'T LAST...
KRUSH GROOVE - MUSIC FROM THE ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUND TRACK
01. Chaka Khan - (Krush Groove) Can't Stop The Street
02. LL Cool J - I Can't Live Without My Radio (Short Version)
03. Kurtis Blow - If I Ruled The World
04. Fat Boys - All You Can Eat
05. Debbie Harry - Feel The Spin
06. Sheila E. - Holly Rock
07. Beastie Boys - She's On It
08. Gap Band - Love Triangle
09. Force MD's - Tender Love
10. Fat Boys, Run-D.M.C., Sheila E., & Kurtis Blow (The Krush Groove All Stars) - Krush Groovin'
11. Debbie Harry - Feel The Spin (Extended Remix)
12. Chaka Khan - (Krush Groove) Can't Stop The Street (Extended Remix)
Spike Lee's film, "Girl 6" wasn't a huge hit as far as I know. But I found the movie heartwarming. I enjoyed it greatly. And it's not just because Prince provided the music for it.
If you watch the film, you'll hear Prince material all over the place. Virtually every Prince album can be heard throughout the film. Which leads me to my complaints.
1 - with so many Prince songs used in the film, why release a soundtrack with only 13 tracks? Many songs appearing in the film were left off the album.
2 - why not let Prince record all new material for the record? We know he's got a lot of unreleased material and you know he could easily write enough to fill a soundtrack album... Why poach from already released projects?
As it is, we end up with 3 new Prince songs. Two of which showed up on subsequent releases. 'She Spoke 2 Me' was released on his "Vault...Old Friends 4 Sale" disc; although with a different edit. 'Don't Talk 2 Strangers' was recorded and released by Chaka Khan on her NPG Records album, "Come 2 My House". The only track therefore left completely for the soundtrack is 'Girl 6'. The title number. Sadly, this track isn't the finest example of Prince's song writing ability. In fact, he doesn't even get credit for the music. Tommy Elm; or Tommy Barbarella as he's known in the NPG, wrote the music. Prince provided the lyrics. I have a hard time believing he didn't have a hand in the music. And I suspect there's a more Princely version somewhere. The music as it is on the release sounds more like a mix than an actual composition even though the tempo is slower than you'd expect.
Of the rest of the material, there are some bonus tracks here and there. The Family's, 'The Screams Of Passion' was never released on CD in the US, so its inclusion here is a long awaited bonus for fans. Also because it's so hard to find and expensive to buy, Vanity 6's 'Nasty Girl' is another welcome addition for many.
All in all, it's a nice package, but more like a greatest hits package of songs Prince wrote than a soundtrack. And considering how much material was left off, it's disappointing as a single disc. And considering 'Girl 6' had a single release, there's not a single song on this disc you can't find on another CD. That minimizes the value of the release in my mind.
I'll discuss songs more fully on their albums. For now let me close with my final words: AN INTERESTING COLLECTION OF PRINCE MATERIAL. ONE YOU COULD TAKE OR LEAVE.
GIRL 6 - MUSIC FROM THE MOTION PICTURE
01. Prince - She Spoke 2 Me
02. Prince - Pink Cashmere
03. The New Power Generation - Count The Days
04. Prince And The Revolution - Girls & Boys
05. The Family - The Screams Of Passion
06. Vanity 6 - Nasty Girl
07. Prince And The Revolution - Erotic City
08. Prince - Hot Thing
09. Prince - Adore
10. Prince - The Cross
11. Prince - How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore?
12. Prince - Don't Talk 2 Strangers
13. The New Power Generation - Girl 6
"Come 2 My House" is Chaka Khan's one and only release on NPG Records. Her relationship with Prince has been evident since she covered 'I Feel For You' from Prince's "Prince" album. If he wasn't acquainted with her before then, he certainly was after. Chaka Khan comes from that group of R&B/Funk bands Prince was hugely inspired by; so it's no wonder he returned her interest. A couple years later, he gave her some tracks on her new record and when he was promoting NPG Records, she was one of the first artists he embraced with his new found freedom.
I could go on for hours about the relationship from my point of view, but let's focus instead on what really matters... The music. This disc is an interesting blend of just about every style of music Prince is known for. From funk, to hip hop; pop to soul; gospel to jazz; the ground work is laid down with smart arrangements and flawless production styling. From the opening track, you get the impression this disc is going to be something truly interesting and unique. 'Come 2 My House' is a breezy flowing tune with laid back vocals and a mellow vibe. Even though there's a minor chord progression happening, the song is wrought with anticipation and seduction. Chaka invites the listener into her private world for an intimate experience. She promises a relaxing mood, a soothing sound and the chance to play into a climax unlike any you've ever experienced before. And play she does.
Old Prince collaborator Clare Fischer sweeps in with an orchestral segue between the opening track and 'This Crazy Life Of Mine'. Although written by Prince, it seems like an autobiographical number painting a picture of Chaka's childhood and what drew her to singing as a career. This ballad includes some orchestration from Fischer and not the most interesting or progressive number in the pack, it still holds up compared to other songs in a similar vein. 'Betcha n' is the first number to give you an idea what's really happening on this record. It kicks in with a wicked beat and never really lets you go. Chaka's vocals are highly animated and showcase her versatility. No doubt, one of the stronger numbers here. It's followed up by the equally impressive 'Spoon'. It's also the first non-prince composition on the disc. The beat is provocative and the lyrics are absolutely stunning. "You are just like my favorite spoon, cause you stir me up"... Could you think of a sexier compliment to give a lover?
Queen Latifah guests on 'Pop My Clutch'; another tense funk number that really grinds gears as it rocks your speakers. There's some punctuated horn playing giving the song a hint of jazz. When Latifah starts rapping, the horns become more prominent and a piano is heard up front and center in the mix. It's an exciting blend and the blending of rap, jazz and funk is awe inspiring. The next track is another number I'm excited about. 'Journey 2 The Center Of Your ♥' was an outtake I'd heard many times before, but never with such excellent sound quality. It's one of my favorite Prince songs and although I'd much rather hear him singing it, Khan delivers a powerful but faithful rendition. It's hardly worth scoffing at.
'n'll Never B Another Fool' features a deep bass and rocking rhythm guitar over a heavy drum beat and some improvisational vocalization from Khan. She really cuts loose with this one. Not only are the lyrics different and unusual, they're shocking without being naughty. The song deals with a woman finally facing the truth about her unfaithful lover and vowing never to let herself be used again. 'Democrazy' is a straight up pop effort criticizing government and the illusion of freedom in democracy. Those who listened to Prince at the time and since are well aware of his Jehovah's Witness inspired dislike of government. Surprisingly, it's actually a great tune and the music is really enjoyable. It's the sort of pop Prince rarely makes so when it happens, it's usually fun. The next number is positively heavenly. It's all about recognizing something in someone you've never met before. It's the whole, "Love-at-first-sight" theme but with some pre-existential religion just to make a point. She likens this kind of love to the kind of love a baby feels from its mother. It's just natural and present.
'Reconsider (U Betta)' is another funky number featuring typical Prince lyrics and music. It's got an incredible mid tempo beat and is common for Prince compositions from the mid-90's when he was flirting with some of the changes in Hip Hop sounds. He tried to incorporate it into his sound with varying degrees of success. This song is an example of one that turned out good. It's followed by 'Don't Talk 2 Strangers'; which was originally intended for the "I'll Do Anything" soundtrack. Prince's version has been floating around with collectors for years and he eventually released a version on the "Girl 6" soundtrack. Chaka's version is virtually identical to Prince's except hearing her sing these lines sounds more sincere. She identifies with the tune much more than Prince does.
The record is rounded out by the other two non-Prince compositions, 'Hair' (a cover of Larry Graham's song) and 'The Drama'. Both of the tracks are excellent and take the record out on a high note. They're both extremely enjoyable, with 'Hair' starting off almost on a psychedelic note. 'The Drama' has a deep and heavy drum track with Chaka once again demonstrating some amazing control and range. By the time the CD is over, you're ready for it to start again. Of the three discs NPG Records released that year, this was easily my favorite. Something about the blend between Chaka Khan and Prince just works. They connect and work very well together. I'd love to hear more. Sadly, there's no telling if it will ever happen.
All in all, this is one of the strongest Chaka Khan records to date. It's also one of the strongest side projects Prince has ever produced. It has all the elements you love of both artists and so much more. If you own it, you know what I'm talking about. If you don't, I suggest you find it before it becomes extinct. It's worth the money. My final words: I CAME, I LISTENED, I STAYED FOR MORE. IN FACT, I WANNA MOVE IN.
CHAKA KHAN - COME 2 MY HOUSE
01. Come 2 My House
02. (Intro)
03. This Crazy Life Of Mine
04. Betcha n
05. Spoon
06. Pop My Clutch
07. Journey 2 The Center Of Your ♥
08. n'll Never B Another Fool
09. Democrazy
10. n Remember U
11. Reconsider (U Betta)
12. Don't Talk 2 Strangers
13. Hair
14. The Drama
