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NEW MUSIC WE LOVE: Prince’s “Welcome 2 America”

April 9, 2021 Patrick Corcoran
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Posthumous releases from the legendary Prince vault continue with the announcement of the forthcoming release of the Welcome 2 America album on July 30th.

Originally recorded in the Spring of 2010 and then shelved without reason, the unearthed album offers a chance to hear a prophetic set of songs, all aimed squarely at the state of the world through Prince’s eyes. A glance at the tracklist indicates Prince at his most socially conscious, with songs entitled “Running Game (Son Of A Slave Master),” “Stand Up And B Strong” and “One Day We Will All B Free” amongst the offerings.

The album is somewhat of a curio, given it marks the only work alongside bassist Tal Wilkenfeld and drummer Chris Coleman, but it also includes some familiar Princely friends like Liv Warfield, Shelby J and Morris Hayes. It marks the first previously unheard “proper” album of material to see the light of day in the wake of his passing in 2016 and to accompany the news, the title and opening track has been made available for streaming and download. 

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The jazzy groove and Prince’s lower spoken voice register offer a warm embrace, but the lyrical content sets the modern world’s foolishness in his sights (“everybody and they mama got a sex tape”). It's an intriguing first glance at what promises to be a prescient work, rife with wisdom. When the album eventually drops this summer, it will be available in a variety of formats across both standard and deluxe editions, including some with a Blu-Ray of Prince’s full April 28, 2011 performance at the Forum in Los Angeles. 

Those in charge of the Prince Estate most definitely know what they’re doing, as each subsequent release makes clearer and clearer.

PRE-ORDER Welcome 2 America from Prince’s Official Store

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