The discography of Prince is so extensive and complex that it would be difficult to generalize his works, as he boasts a very significant musical richness. Today, we analyze The Versace Experience, originally released in 1995 and given as a gift to all attendees of Paris Fashion Week, later reissued in 2019 for Record Store Day.
The Versace Experience serves as the prelude to his subsequent 1995 album, “The Gold Experience,” where the latter is explored through remixes and B-sides.
What can we hear?
Pure sensuality accompanied by a series of funk rhythms that venture into the electronic realm, all while maintaining the rich instrumentation that always characterized Prince. Undoubtedly, it’s an album worthy of a high-caliber fashion runway. We encounter highly danceable passages like “Get Wild In The House,” combined with the sensuality that Prince always sought to exude, as he does in “Shh,” where we can even hear samples of a woman seemingly engaged in intimate relations, approached in a completely artistic manner.
The album possesses the sensibility and groove that envelops Funk and all its variations. The instrumentation is very pleasing; for instance, in songs like “Eye Hate U” or “Billy Jack Prince,” we hear an interesting section of winds and brass, along with incredible keyboards reminiscent of the ’80s and ’90s, all produced by Prince himself.
The work is a rollercoaster of emotions, striking a balance between danceable rhythms, more sentimental and melodic passages, and abrupt shifts that remind us we are listening to ‘The Versace Experience.
The magic of Prince on the instruments
The execution of Prince on the guitar and bass is something to pay close attention to and enjoy in each of the songs, with notable highlights such as the bass in ‘Billy Jack Bitch’ and the guitar solo in ‘Shhh,’ or the rhythmic guitars in ‘Shy.’
The songs focus on groove rather than complex progressions. We can even hear songs based solely on one note, making the listening experience straightforward. However, one must pay attention to the execution of each instrument to immerse oneself in the atmosphere of the experience, as the arrangements are delicate. For example, in ‘Rootie Kazootie,’ we are presented with a ‘Jam’-like structure that gradually builds, accompanied by these subtle arrangements that enrich the song.
The album’s track order is also highly important, as it presents ‘different colors expressed on the same canvas without prior notice.’ The changes are somewhat radical, making it quite entertaining, as the listener cannot anticipate what comes next.
Even better than 'The Gold Experience
For our taste, ‘The Versace Experience’ expresses itself in a more straightforward manner than its subsequent album, ‘The Gold Experience,’ as it gets straight to the point. However, we are aware that it’s a matter of personal preference.
From a marketing perspective, this work seems like an excellent idea from both Versace and Prince, where both parties were likely generously compensated. Versace couldn’t have chosen a better artist to represent their art, someone who is extroverted and unabashed.
Prince never ran out of ideas; he was always innovative and true to his Funk and Soul roots, creating sounds that no one else dared to explore. He dedicated his entire life to creating music, regardless of whether it was widely accepted or not. A true example for all those involved in making music today.
And what do you think of this album? If you haven’t listened to it, you’ve missed out on a lot. It’s a rarity that is absolutely worth it.
