Prince featuring Margie Cox - Flash (1989)

Flash is an unreleased studio album by Flash / MC Flash (both names were considered for use), recorded between late 1987 and early 1989, and initially tentatively planned for release in 1990. The project began when Prince, during a day off from the Lovesexy Tour in November 1988, attended a concert by Dr. Mambo's Combo at Fine Line, Minneapolis, and after the gig he asked the group's singer, Margie Cox, if she would be interested in recording with him. They went to nearby Paisley Park Studios that night and recorded 'We Can Hang', with additional work being carried out on the track in late December 1988, when 'Warden In The Prison Of Love' and 'Curious Blue' were also recorded. 'Brand New Boy' was laid down soon after in early January 1989, while 'R U There?' was recorded in mid-January. 'Girls Will Be Girls' was also recorded at some point in January, with vocal overdubs added later that month, and there then followed a six month break before the reconvened in July to record 'Good Man', written by Levi Seacer Jr. and Rosie Gaines. 'Bed Of Roses' and 'Whistlin' Kenny' were recorded later that month, with 'Good Body Every Evening' being the final track recorded for the project, in late 1989. Nine of the album's ten tracks contained lead vocals by Margie Cox, with Billy Franze singing on 'Good Man', and Prince played the majority of instruments on each track, with some contributions by other musicians, including drums on some tracks played by Sheila E. Several record label representatives were brought to Paisley Park Studios in early 1990 to listen to the album, but none were very enthusiastic about the music, and no record deal was signed. Flash was the opening act for two Prince shows in Spring 1990, possibly to generate interest in the group, but he opted to use Mavis Staples as the opening act on the Nude Tour which followed soon after. The project was then put on hold, but Prince and Margie Cox did work together again in 1991, although this time it was on a Margie Cox solo project, rather than an album to be released by Flash. Most of these tracks remain unreleased, although 'Whistlin' Kenny' was included as the b-side of Margie Cox's single 'Standing At The Altar' in 1995. As with many of these unreleased albums turned down by cloth-eared record company executives, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it, and I'm sure fans of Prince will find much to enjoy here.   

Track listing

01 R U There?
02 Brand New Boy
03 Warden In The Prison Of Love
04 Bed Of Roses
05 Good Man
06 Whistlin' Kenny
07 We Can Hang
08 Curious Blue
09 Girls Will Be Girls
10 Good Body Every Evening