Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic (1999 Arista Records)
Rave In2 The Joy Fantastic (2000 NPG Records)
A Tale Of Two Princes
Remember when Arista’s Clive Davis miraculously transformed 52 year-old, past-his-commercial-prime Carlos Santana into a crossover radio superstar by hooking him up with youngsters like Rob Thomas? Believe it or not, the legendary record man tried the same idea with Prince. Like Santana, Prince’s sales had tanked in the 90s, despite recording some of his finest material during the decade. Surprisingly, Prince considered Davis’ superstar/cameo/duet idea worth trying. The result is one of Prince’s weaker albums – not without its moments (and a great single) – but clearly without a singular vision to give it what Prince fans buy Prince albums for. One of the reasons might have been that Prince didn’t totally commit himself to the concept, which explains why one needs a magnifying glass to even find Chuck D, Sheryl Crow, Eve, Ani DiFranco & Gwen Stafani in the liner notes. As for the material itself, inconsistent is the keyword – though, “The Greatest Romance Ever Sold” was another under-the-radar million seller for the singer. What many don’t know is that the following year, Prince re-issued Rave, with a slightly different track list, slightly different cover, slightly different title and slightly different mixes… with slightly better results. Tracks were tinkered with or extended, while a handful were substantially re-modified. “Strange But True” and “Everyday Is A Winding Road” were removed from Un2 and replaced with the unreleased “Beautiful Strange” on In2. Online CD sales still being new in 2000, Rave In2 The Joy Fantastic went pretty much unnoticed outside the hive. On Amazon and Ebay, Prince’s version sells for between $300 and $400, when you can find one. Personally, I’m partial to the remix, but you get a public option.
Un2 (1999 – Arista Records)
Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic (4:19)
Undisputed (With Chuck D) (4:20)
The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (5:30)
Segue (0:04)
Hot Wit U (5:11)
Tangerine (1:32)
So Far, So Pleased (With Gwen Stefani) (3:25)
The Sun, The Moon And Stars (5:16)
Everyday Is A Winding Road (6:13)
Seque (0:19)
Man O War (5:15)
Baby Knows (With Sheryl Crow) (3:19)
Love U, But Don’t Trust U Anymore (3:36)
Silly Game (3:30)
Strange But True (4:13)
Wherever U Go, Whatever U Do (8:51)
WebSite Promo (0:44)
Mr. Pretty Man (With Maceo Parker) (4:25)
In2 (2000 – NPG Records)
Rave In2 the Joy Fantastic (Remix) (5:15)
Undisputed (The Moneyopolis Mix) (5:46)
The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Extended Remix) (8:07)
Hot Wit U (Nasty Girl Remix) (4:24)
Tangerine (Extended Version) (2:14)
So Far, So Pleased (3:25)
The Sun, The Moon And Stars (5:19)
Man O’ War (Remix) (5:12)
Baby Knows (Extended Version) (3:54)
I Love U, But I Don’t Trust U Anymore (3:34)
Beautiful Strange (Previously Unreleased) (4:56)
Silly Game (3:29)
Wherever U Go, Whatever U Do (Original Version) (3:17)
Pretty Man (Extended Version) (5:36)
3 Comments
I think this album is much better than you are giving it credit for. There are a few weaker moments, granted…but I think there are enough great songs to highly recommend it. I think it should have been at least a decent size hit for him.
I have never owned nor been able to find the remix version….so thank you.
I was really just comparing it to his other work. This one and New Power Generation have always been low on my personal list. It should be a given that even Prince's worst is as good as some other artist's best. Which ones (not counting off-shoot albums like NEWS) would you rank lower?
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