Description

Personnel: Prince, Kirk Johnson, Rosie Gaines, Scrap D., Steppa Ranks, Michael Mac.
The New Power Generation: Mr. Hayes, Tommy Barbarella, Sonny T., Michael B.
The NPG Hornz: Michael Nelson, Steve Strand, Brian Gallagher, Kathy Jenson, Dave Jenson.
Recorded at South Beach Studios, Miami, Florida and Paisley Park, Chanhassen, Minnesota.
For his farewell to Warner Bros., Prince digs into his vast musical closet and emerges with a guitar-led rock ensemble to rival his earlier (think PURPLE RAIN), harder-edged albums. As with any fashionable dresser, Prince realizes the importance of accessorizing, and what he presents is rock-tinged with elements of funk and the blues.
He kicks off with the title track, tongue-in-cheekily dubbing himself a “no name reporter” and commenting on today’s world: “Carjack/Used to fix flat tire.” The mixture of guitar and organ riffs, samples and record scratching on this song may seem chaotic, but it works. Prince’s wailing vocals and heavy guitar riffing are right at home in the straightforward “I Like It There.” The album’s longest song, “I Rock, Therefore I Am,” is a masterfully funky affair that combines both West Coast and reggae rap styles with jazzy horns and rocked-out guitar soloing.
Prince has always been an icon of style, and his music has reflected his eclectic tastes. CHAOS AND DISORDER is a well-crafted piece tailored to enigmatic guitar-rock specifications. From Prince’s closet to your ears.