Madhouse 8
Grant Stoner | Published on 2/18/2023
My album pic for this month is Madhouse 8 1987 Warner Brothers records vinyl.
Honestly, I bought the album a long time ago ‘cause I liked the cover. The music was cool, kinda funky jazz instrumentals. It wasn't ‘till many years later, looking at Prince's discography, that I found out this was him.
Actually, the lineup is Eric Leeds on sax and flute, and Prince on everything else. Listening more intently, it's really good funky, fusion jazz, a little reminiscent of Weather Report. The bass playing is especially phenomenal, but drums and keyboards are also virtuosic.
There are no credits for musicians in the record, and I read it debuted as a project from fictional Atlanta-based keyboardist, Austra Chanel. Other members were added to the fabrication, which lent a mystery to it.
Interestingly, there's no guitar on the album, which Prince is known for. But if you've seen him live, you've probably witnessed him sitting down at the drum kit, or keyboards and totally dominating them. He really was a rare talent. The sound on the album is quite good too, well recorded, very punchy, and clear. A fun, upbeat album...check it out.