Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic [ENHANCED]

Prince

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 9, 1999)
• Original Release Date: November 9, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Arista
• ASIN: B000028U0T
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (208 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #33,920 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Leave it to Prince to put the best music of Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic, his return to major-label status, on a hidden track. That would be No. 18, a.k.a. "Pretty Man." A deep-fried groove and sax by guest Maceo Parker underpin a hilarious mock self-celebration ("I write a check and the bank bounce") that proves the Artist can flow at full power any time he wants to. And whether Rave will prove as durable as 1995's vastly underrated Gold Experience, it's a fine Prince album. Despite his current affiliation with Clive Davis, who returned Carlos Santana to Billboard's No. 1 slot by pairing him prominently with a number of guest stars, Prince employs the likes of Sheryl Crow, Ani DiFranco, and Eve to season his own blend, not to run off with the whole steaming pot. (Just to show who's boss, he includes a funky re-creation of Crow's hit "Everyday Is a Winding Road" that renders the song nearly unrecognizable.) The sounds here, from the Parade-style balladry of "[Eye] Love U, But [Eye] Don't Trust U Anymore" to the frenetic title track, won't surprise longtime followers, but they won't find a lot of reasons to complain, either. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice work, Prince., November 9, 1999

By A Customer

"Rave un2 the Joy Fantastic" contains some of Prince's best work ever. One of the first things I noticed about the album is the breadth of musical styles. Prince effortlessly jumps from dance-funk to sweet, beautiful ballads, pop/rock, even a touch of reggae.

This album is impressive in several other ways. There are several top level cuts -- old school Prince Dance music (Rave), Hip-Hop (Hot Wit U), Euro-Rock (So Far, So Pleased), Reggae (The Sun, The Moon and Stars), soulful ballads (Man O' War), blues rock (Baby Knows) and even 80's-made for a Top Gun/The Breakfast Club! soundtrack rock (Wherever U Go, Whatever U Do). Pure 80's cheese, man!

The album flows well, is eccentric, accessible, funky and fun. While people may not like every song (will rock fans get into the hip-hop stuff? will hip-hop/soul fans get into the blues?), this album is a shining example of Prince's master of music.

Add to that great guests like Chuck D, Gwen Stefani, Maceo Parker, Larry Graham, Sheryl Crow, Ani Difranco and you've got a must have album. The albums' best song is "I Love U, But I Don't Trust You Anymore." A stunning, cryptic, heartfelt piano ballad with Ani Difranco on acoustic guitar. Words can't describe the beauty of this song. An instant classic that you can listen to all day and it'll still get to you. One of those rare songs were you just stop and listen, feel it in your soul, and appreciate life more. I haven't even mentioned the Joni-Mitchell like "Tangerine," or some of the other solid cuts on the album... check this album out and escape the mediocrity of today's chart-topping, empty music (Mariah Carey, BSB, N'Sync, Puff Daddy).

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Fantastic!, January 21, 2005

By	blusapphireiceangel "PrinceLover" (Denver Colorado) - See all my reviews

Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic is undoubtedly a remarkable album. Once again, we hear the true funk that Prince (then The Artist) displays. There is great diversity and catchy songs you can't help but sing along to.


1.) The title track is a song that didn't fit the criteria for the Batman album back in '89, so he kept it for this long and decided to title his album the same. Good choice. It is a funky song, with great guitar and a raging chorus. A very fun song.

2.) "Undisputed" is the funkiest song on the album to me. It was my favorite song when I first heard purchased the CD. It's a song about himself, so you know it's funky.

3.) "The Greatest Romance Ever Sold" was the first single I heard and saw the video on TV about 2 years ago. This, along with the cool cover *yeah* prompted me to purchase the CD. This song is romantic and there is something about the song I can't resist. This musical interlude near the end is one of my favorite parts, along with, "I know you can hear me (uh) I know you can dance..."

4.) Segue (8 seconds of nothing that kinda threw me off track).

5.) "Hot Wit U", a fun duet with rap princess Eve, that reminds us that Prince is still a ladies man. The funky, "Eye want to get hot wit u..." 's remind me of pure Funkadelic funk.

6.) "Tangerine" is a cute song with a wonderful acoustic sound. I really wish it was longer, though.

7.) Oh yes, "So Far, So Pleased", and duet with No Doubt punktress Gwen Stefani (whom I also like) with a rocking theme you can't help but love.

8.) Yay!! "The Sun, the Moon, and Stars"...is absolutely a must-listen to if you don't like anything else. It just has a mood that moves you and the reggae interlude is a great part to have you dance or sing with (if you catch what he's saying).

9.) "Everyday is a Winding Road" is a funky, soulful remake of Miss Sherly Crow's. He adds the New Power Soul to adopt this song as one of his own.

10.) Segue (a wonderful instrumental interlude by the NPG Orchestra).

11.) "Man 'O' War" may be the most personal song on this album, concerning Prince's love life. It talks about some relationship problems that I wonder about his former relaionship with Mayte. Great Song.

12.) "Baby Knows" is the second track that I heard to attract me to this album. A chic, fun song that gives props to women- Prince's second favorite thing, music being first. :)

13.) "Eye Love U, But Eye Don't Trust U Anymore" is the second most personal song concerning Prince's relationship life. Just his lovely voice and his piano (some guitar, too, I think) give this sad love song and A+.

14.) "Silly Game", with it's catchy beat and mellow groove gives this song a second listen. Another song I recommend, if not anything else.

15.) "Strange But True" is a different, yet familiar work by The Man. He is speaking throughout the song in a Def Jam Poetry sort of way with it's funky beats to accompany his repeating, "ALL NEGATIVITY BOWS!" This song is also very positive.

16.) "Wherever U Go, Whatever U Do" has a great introduction that draws me to the song with wonderful lyrics and guitar. This song displays Prince's caring side. This song also deserves a push on the repeat button.

17.) About 5 minutes of nothing, then an advertisement for Prince's 1-800-NEW-FUNK number. He disguises his voice, but it's sounds typical of something he would say. :)

18.) --Hidden Track-- "Prettyman"! Don't hate him cuz he's beautiful! (lol) I don't know if I like this song more because I love the James Brown-like funk, or because I agree to the fact that he is indeed...a pretty man. But, seriously, I love his sounds and funky lyrics and the ending with the hilarious 'pretty' he says. This song has me smiling from beginning to end.

~A MUST-HAVE album whether it's in the category for Prince, or The Artist.
(This is Pre-Musicology. I recommend this album even more if you loved Musicology.)

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Do you want a level headed review?, November 24, 1999

By	Kevin Prince (Athens, Georgia, United States of America) - See all my reviews

It is interesting reviewing the comments of the previous reviewers of The Artist's newest CD, RAVE UN2 THE JOY FANTASTIC. I have to admit I was very suspect of the value available to this album since best efforts by The Artist in recent years was not in my opinion his highest quality. This is not to say that they were not creative or imaginative; rather, they did provide the commerical kick needed to make money. As an respectful admirer of The Artist's work over the years, I enjoyed this work very much. This is not a CD where one genre will meet the needs of a monolithic listener. However, it meets the multiple tastes of the popular music scene. There is everything available to the taste bud except country and latin music. This is probably an example of his limitations rather the value of those genres.

Nonetheless, the music proves to be well thought out and inviting to the ear. I sang along to many of the songs. Some came out immediately as enjoyable and very singable with ballads, catchy tunes while driving a lonely highway, and poetic heart-felt words that fill the soul. However, The Artist does not spend too much time trying to force feed some higher message except for a blurb on the inside jacket of the CD.

Songs that come out immediately for me: Unidsputed; Hot wit U; Tangerine; So far, so please; The sun, the moon and the stars; ironically titled, ManOWar; Silly game; and the very inspirational, Wherever U go, Whatever U do.

These are my choices. They are not necessarily objective, but opinionated pieces that have been consistently supported by other fans and non-fans introduced to The Artist. All my friends, prince fans or not have enjoyed this album as did folks with DIAMONDS AND PEARLS back not too long ago. However, RAVE UN2 THE JOY FANTASTIC provides far more meat to an industry that continues to lack any substance.

Thanks for reading KP