Xpectation

NPG Records

“New Directions In Music From Prince”

I’m not trying to shock the world with every record.

Xpectation is an instrumental album recorded at Paisley Park Studios in the Autumn of 2001, with the saxophone parts added that December. The album was originally intended for release as a CD named after and include the title track Xenophobia. It is Prince’s first instrumental project since Madhouse of 1987.

Xpectation was eventually released digitally in 2003 as a collection of nine MP3s offered for download from Prince’s official website NPG Music Club, as a surprise New Year’s Day gift to the club membership and was thusly not commercially available either digitally or physically. Xpectation comprises of nine tracks all named starting with the letter X; explanation handily given with the album artwork as follows: Xhalation – something, such as air or vapor, that is exhaled; Xogitate – to consider or think (something) out carefully and thoroughly; Xemplify – to illustrate or serve as an example; Xpectation – the expected value of a random variable; Xotica – curiously unusual or excitingly; Xogenous – derived or developed from outside the body; Xpand – to increase the size, volume, quantity, or scope; Xosphere – the outermost region of a planet’s atmosphere; Xpedition – a journey undertaken by a group of people with a definite objective.

You must surrender your xpectation.

The album’s tenth and title track Xenophobia was dropped from the final configuration since it appeared as a live version in the track listing of One Nite Alone… Live! released the previous year as was performed frequently during the tour.

As the subheading suggests, Xpectation explores a new direction in music inspired by the death of Prince’s father, jazz pianist John L. Nelson, on 25 August 2001. Xpectation features contribution from virtuoso violinist Vanessa Mae and is backed by Prince’s then touring band New Power Generation. In 2014, she competed in the Sochi Winter Olympics for the giant slalom.

This direction in jazz is considered by many fans the least accessible entry in Prince’s catalogue and yearned for his output to return to more familiar form, which in 2004 it did with Musicology which returned Prince to the top of the charts to boot.

Cover story

Because the album was digitally distributed, its cover art was made available to download and print. Prince’s brief to the designer, Sam Jennings, was “Make it look like jazz”. The concept Jennings created combines words with images to illustrate jazz. The full artwork created for the intended CD but never issued was finally revealed when the collection was reissued on the Tidal streaming service in 2015.

Performers

Keyboards/Guitar

Prince

Drums

John Blackwell

Bass Guitar

Rhonda Smith

Saxophone

Candy Dulpher

Violin

Vanessa Mae

Data

Production

Prince

Label

NPG Records

Distribution

NPG Records

Cover/Design

Sam Jennings

Released

21 years ago on 1 January 2003

Running Time

40:53

US Chart Peak

Ineligible

UK Chart Peak

Ineligible

Prince Album

#26

Orig. Format

Tracklist

1. Xhalation (2:02)
2. Xcogtigate (3:33)
3. Xemplify (5:52)
4. Xpectation (4:00)
5. Xotica (3:04)
6. Xogenous (4:11)
7. Xpand (6:10)
8. Xosphere (3:33)
9. Xpedition (8:23)

Singles from Xpectation

Xpectation produced no singles.

Xpectation – review

For the first time as a fan, Prince embarked on a musical trajectory I had no desire to accompany him on. Having felt him moving too far down the road of independence, self-indulgent, path of artistry, righteousness and detachment. Prince was not only isolating himself but his fans. I later realised it was cool to not blindly follow him down every path, that him like me are individuals at the end of the day. Yet even Prince was not convinced to put this music to CD. The nine MP3s that make up Xpectation forms (and making up) nine tongue twisters all beginning with X. Indeed, it was never worthy for CD in truth and was put out only in digital format uploaded to his NPG Music Club. Prince proves his musical fallibility and Xpectation provides unfortunately Exhibit A. Its saving grace Xenophobia was removed from the collection as had been released as a live version on One Nite Alone… Live!, an odd decision given its traction and would have been its best track, an honour which is instead shared by Xcogtigate and Xotica. It is strange to arrive here from The Rainbow Children, as take out Mae’s jarring violin and it’s quite a catchy Madhouse album; this case in point is the cheery Xemplify. Listen to that then compare against the title track or Xotica and we’ll agree which is the weaker. Was the the destination of the artistic voyage that also visited the isle of Dirty Mind? As it later turned out Prince got the taste for experimental music out of his system within a couple of years but all it achieved was a collection worthy for after dinner ambiance than a showcasing of Prince’s copious talent. Is this the really same guy who wrote Darling Nikki and Erotic City? Needless to say, it would be wrong to suggest the music is uninspired, yet it provides too few footholds to inspire the listener. Xpectation is acquired to complete the collection, not to love. Be clear, Xpectation needs a fair run, it will require a few listens. The late and outstandingly great John Blackwell is the shining performer – exhibited in Xogenous and Xpedition he is without a pause Prince’s best drummer. Xpand has some nasty moments – in a good way. The album ends with ‘some’ fire, with Xpedition, proving had this been a Madhouse project it would have scored higher. Prince’s releases of 2003 reside as strangers in his musical canon, his ‘skip-able’ year. Every artist has one.

Xpectation is rated 2.5 out of 5 by Goldies Parade.

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