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I saw this movie long before I realized my interest in the soundtrack. Let me state for the record... This film is absolutely brilliant. The soundtrack is another matter entirely. Although it has moments of absolute brilliance, it isn't a complete collection in that it leaves out a large number of songs appearing in the film. The tracks it does include seems to consist of the songs the producers thought would make the most money. Not always the smartest move when it comes to compiling a soundtrack.
The Ini Kamoze track opens the disc and it's ok. I remember it got some airplay and I saw the video on VH-1 a couple times. The Supercat track is awesome. It's a nice bluesy 50's number with a great beat. I quite like it. I really love the Salt-N-Pepa track, 'Here We Come'. It's funky, straight up and in your face. Salt-N-Pepa have always interested me and this track is a wonderful addition to the record. M People's contribution is cool, but somewhat standard fare for house records at the time. I'm sure it was mixed like crazy. Janet Jackson's number is lackluster but also fairly common for her during this time. This is right about the time I checked out on her. She became boring and everything sounded largely the same.
The Rolling Stones number is laughable and unwelcome. It's place in the movie is also annoying. It's the one song I absolutely feel has no business anywhere near this project. The Sam Phillips cover of 'These Boots Are Made For Walkin'' is wonderful. She captures the intensity of the original number with a folksy twist.
For years, I dished The Cranberries. I just hated them. Every song sounded like a broken record. Then I saw this film and heard this number. I think this song is incredible for a number of reasons... First and foremost, I love the message. "You're so pretty the way you are..." What an amazing statement in both the film and the music. Plus the mix is absolutely riveting. The Deep Forest song called 'Martha' is actually the track 'Marta's Song' from their album 'Boheme'. I like this track quite a bit as well. There is a slight difference in the bass track, but otherwise, it's the exact same number.
The Brand New Heavies tune is interesting but not remarkable. I enjoy the vocal delivery and although I've never invested much time or energy into this band, I'm interested in hearing more. The Cece Peniston song is pretty typical of her stuff, but it's fun and I really like the song. I can sing along and tap my feet. That's a great feature in a tune.
Now here's the reason I should've bought the disc. There's a Prince composition by The New Power Generation here. 'Get Wild' appears on the 'Exodus' record, but this version is quite different in a number of ways. There's different effects happening throughout the song. Specifically, Mayte in the background saying stuff in Spanish. There is a different vocal take as well. It really is worth having. It shows some of the progression in the way Prince writes and records music.
TTD clocks in with 'Supermodel Sandwich'. I have to be honest, as much as I normally enjoy his work, this is one of my least favorite numbers ever. The Perfecto Mix of 'Lemon' by U2 is pretty interesting though not incredible by any means. It's got a nice rhythm and flow. But the gasping cries of Bono detract from the overall effect of the song. It's all beat and no substance.
Overall, it's an interesting collection, but hardly one that goes well together. Like the fashions in the film, this disc is all over the place. You'll probably pick this up for one or two numbers you're interested in rather than the entire collection.
If that's the case, save the money and buy the tunes online individually. Check that... I just saw how much this disc was selling for on Amazon... If you want more than two songs, you might as well go ahead and buy the disc online. With prices like $.01... You can't get it cheaper. My final word: INTERESTING.
READY TO WEAR - MUSIC FROM THE MOTION PICTURE
01. Ini Kamoze - Here Comes The Hotstepper (Heartical Mix)
02. Supercat - My Girl Josephine
03. Salt-N-Pepa - Here We Come
04. M People - Natural Thing
05. Janet Jackson - 70's Love Groove
06. The Rolling Stones - Jump On Top Of Me
07. Sam Phillips - These Boots Are Made For Walkin'
08. The Cranberries - Pretty (Remix)
09. Deep Forest - Martha
10. The Brand New Heavies - Close To You
11. Cece Peniston - Keep Givin' Me Your Love (West End Mix)
12. The New Power Generation - Get Wild
13. Terence Trent D'Arby - Supermodel Sandwich
14. U2 - Lemon (Perfecto Mix)
This disc is supposed to be the naughty disc. Where more of the sexual lyrics are present. There are also some rather unexpected additions to this disc like 'Purple Rain'.
Like 'The Hits 1' this is a rather strong release. All of the songs are well known and representative of Prince's body of work. It covers his career in a satisfying way without neglecting any particular part. Like the previous disc, the album suffers most from the edited versions of songs. Everything seems hurriedly clipped together to make room.
I could easily spend hours discussing the merits of these tracks on their own, but I'll do that on their individual releases. In the interim, I'll simply say, it's worth it.
The two new tracks on this release, 'Peach' and 'Pope' are worth a look. 'Peach' was the song most promoted by Paisley Park at the time. They shot a video for it, released it as a single, etc. etc. It certainly showed the new direction Prince was taking his music. It fit the NPG format and featured Mayte strongly in the video. Still, it's one of my least favorite Prince tunes. I find it rather gesticulating and trollish. It's kinda gross listening to Prince lust after a young girl. My one word review of this track is... "Ew."
'Pope', on the other hand, is an entertaining piece. It too has elements of the upcoming NPG sound but these particular elements I enjoy. I think it's witty and catchy. The samples are fun and it has a wonderful beat. I give this one a thumbs up. My final word: GREAT!
PRINCE - THE HITS 2
01. Controversy
02. Dirty Mind
03. I Wanna Be Your Lover
04. Head
05. Do Me, Baby
06. Delirious
07. Little Red Corvette
08. I Would Die 4 U
09. Raspberry Beret
10. If I Was Your Girlfriend
11. Kiss
12. Peach
13. U Got The Look
14. Sexy M.F.
15. Gett Off
16. Cream
17. Pope
18. Purple Rain
Make no mistake... The disc may be credited to The New Power Generation, but it's definitely a Prince record. This incarnation of The NPG are pictured on the album cover in cartoon form and are (from left to right): Michael Bland (drums), Tommy Barbarella (real name Thomas Elm, keys), Sonny Thompson (bass), Tora Tora (actually Prince wearing a mask, all instruments), Mayte (vocals and dancing), Morris Hayes (keys). How much of this album is really a band effort is unknown. Prince often credits his musicians for contributions they don't actually make. All of the songs on this disc are credited as full band input, but the Prince sound is unmistakable. Makes me wonder just how true that claim is.
The disc starts off with Mayte as the NPG Operator talking to Prince (whose voice is distorted) as a caller wanting more information about NPG Records. The next track is a funky number called, 'Get Wild'! Originally, it appeared in the Robert Altman film, "Ready To Wear". The version appearing on the soundtrack is somewhat different than 'Exodus'. I personally think the 'Exodus' version is superior. The next two tracks are skits involving the band taking over a night club (with Prince's 1986 composition 'Dream Factory' playing in the background), and introducing a live band sound with an instrumental jazz number called 'New Power Soul'. Up to this point, the music is wonderful, but not different from what Prince was doing at the time. After a couple more segues, a trio of songs play. 'The Good Life', 'Count The Days' and 'Cherry, Cherry' are all wonderful tunes that stand out. 'Count The Days' is particular in that it starts a re-occurring theme on the album. During this point in time, gangsta and hard rap was really catching on. Lyrics were becoming more violent and sexual imagery was filtering into everything. The New Power Generation avoided the blatant imagery and more unsavory trends in rap music, but on this record it focuses on some more disturbing aspects of that social network: gun usage and other forms of violence. In 'Count The Days', Sonny says before he can bring peace to the people, he's gotta take his gun and blow some *blankety-blank* away. In 'Cherry, Cherry' a similar theme occurs when Sonny again suggests he'll take his .45 to get rid of a guy who hurts his woman. She ends up committing suicide. The intensity of the subject matter is extreme and yet the music is so compelling you simply accept what's playing and go along for the ride.
'Return Of The Bump Squad' is an amazing funk workout. Unrelenting in rhythm and complexity, this is one of three outstanding funk numbers. The other two are 'Big Fun' and 'The Exodus Has Begun'. Both are diverting and enjoyable to listen to. I could sit here for hours and break them apart, analyzing and dissecting them; but the simple fact is they are thrilling pieces of music that encompass a range of influences and sounds. It's funk at it's finest!
There are a few segue tracks that feature skits with Prince playing various characters along with other members of The NPG. They're so funny, I laugh every time I listen to them. The one track that's somewhat lacking is 'Hallucination Rain'. The storyline behind the song (which is loosely built in previous segues), is ridiculous and boring. The song has an amazing instrumental build and crescendos in a screeching guitar performance completely unparalleled. The biggest drawback on 'Exodus' is Prince's flawed belief that the people he surrounds himself with are as interesting as he is. Sonny Thompson doesn't possess the presence of Prince and his performance leaves a lot to be desired. Perhaps the themes, sounds and feel of 'Exodus' are too Prince-ish for Sonny to successfully pawn off as his own. And who do they think they're fooling? Most of those who actually bothered to track down the disc already know it's a Prince record. 'Hallucination Rain' for one, would've benefited from Prince rather than Sonny on vocals. He also frequently alludes to his situation with Warner Brothers Records. If you know Prince's history, you understand this little drama. These days, the lyrics are outdated and seem untimely. But that's the danger of writing such personal lyrics. Time's change.
Still, this is easily one of my most favorite and satisfying Prince projects in a long time. I dance, sing, stomp and freak out to it with every listen. For those of you interested in hearing this overlooked gem, be forewarned... It was never picked up by an American Distributor. 'Exodus' was only available in Europe except for a small number sold directly to the public through Prince's 1-800 number.
If I had a rating system, this would get all the stars, or the highest number available. I absolutely love this album. My final word: FUNK-TACULAR!
THE NEW POWER GENERATION - EXODUS
01. N.P.G. Operator Intro
02. Get Wild
03. Segue
04. DJ Gets Jumped
05. New Power Soul
06. DJ Seduces Sonny
07. Segue
08. Count The Days
09. The Good Life
10. Cherry, Cherry
11. Segue
12. Return Of The Bump Squad
13. Mashed Potato Girl Intro
14. Segue
15. Big Fun
16. New Power Day
17. Segue
18. Hallucination Rain
19. NPG Bum Rush The Ship
20. The Exodus Has Begun
21. Outro
I was living in Switzerland when this disc came out. I wasn't sure I'd even find it there as it was in an American magazine I learned of it. I originally bought it because it had a Prince track on it, but I quickly moved past my motivation and embraced the disc. Though not a strong vocalist, Mica has an interesting voice and knows how to showcase it in the best possible way. The record features some interesting and exciting songwriting. I've not heard most of the contributors before or since, but I quite like what they did here. 'Contribution' is an anthem of sorts and should have been a single. Most of the tracks on here have a Soul II Soul sound. Those urban drum beats highly typical of the late 80s early 90s are strongly present. The Prince song is quite interesting though somewhat subdued compared to the rest of the music. And yet, 'If I Love U 2 Nite' fits in nicely with the flow of the record while simultaneously maintaining its identity as a Prince composition. The track was later recorded by Prince's first wife, Mayte on her solo disc for NPG Records.
The Smokey Robinson cover is also an outstanding cut. It's very exciting arrangement helps move the album forward with a number of stand-out tracks. 'You Can Make A Wish' and 'Just Make Me The One' are among the many amazing songs. The only downside is the socially conscious track 'Who Can We Blame'. Even though it's a reflective tune based on highlighting awareness on social indifference, it ends up sounding more like a whine than proclamation. The closing track, 'One World' is essentially a reprise of 'Contribution' this time being performed by a gospel choir complete with whoops and shouts of praise. A fulfilling conclusion. Rakim donates the rap in the opening track but doesn't appear on the rest of the disc.
The final word is great disc by an exciting artist who has lots of potential and recorded a lovely disc. Not sure what's happened to her. I'll have to pull her up on Wikipedia and read up. One thing I'd like to mention... This disc has a strong European sound to it. It's almost typical British pop, but satisfying in the round. Well Worth the effort to track down. My final word: GROOVY.
MICA PARIS - CONTRIBUTION
01. Contribution
02. South Of The River
03. If I Love U 2 Nite
04. Just To Be With You
05. Take Me Away
06. Truth & Honesty
07. Deep Afrika
08. More Love
09. You Can Make A Wish
10. Just Make Me The One
11. I Can't Stop Loving You
12. I've Been Watching You
13. Who Can We Blame
14. One World
