Difference between revisions of "Album: Electric Circus"

The single released from this album didn't contain a Prince contribution:

• Come Close

The album cover (deliberately reminiscent of The Beatles' 1967 album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band) shows images of many musicians, personalities, personal friends and family of Common, represents those directly or indirectly involved in, or influential to the making of the album. Prince appears (in a 1986 photo) in the top-left corner of the display.

Sessions and compiling

The album contained Star *69 (PS With Love), a track featuring Prince on keyboard and guitar (Prince is not credited for any writing input). Specific recording dates are unknown, but it is likely that basic tracking for Prince's contribution took place in the Summer of 2001 at Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, Minnesota (Common was one of the artists who played at Paisley Park Studios during the 2001 Prince: A Celebration week).

Promotion

The album produced one single, Come Close. The album reached number 47 on the US Billboard Pop Chart, and number 9 on the Billboard R&B Chart.

The compact disc version is the original issue.
Details given for Prince-related tracks only:

1. Ferris Wheel (2:48)
2. Soul Power (4:38)
3. Aquarius (4:54)
4. Electric Wire Hustler Flower (5:54)
5. The Hustle (4:20)
6. Come Close (4:35)
7. New Wave (5:08)
8. Star *69 (PS With Love) (5:30) ¹ - featuring Bilal
9. I Got A Right Ta (2:48)
10. Between Me, You & Liberation (6:23)
11. I Am Music (5:21)
12. Jimi Was A Rock Star (8:32)
13. Heaven Somewhere (10:24)

1. Ferris Wheel (2:48)
2. Soul Power (4:38)
3. Aquarius (4:54)
4. Electric Wire Hustler Flower (5:54)
5. The Hustle (4:20)
6. Come Close (4:35)
7. New Wave (5:08)
8. Star *69 (PS With Love) (5:30) ¹ - featuring Bilal
9. I Got A Right Ta (2:48)
10. Between Me, You & Liberation (6:23)
11. I Am Music (5:21)
12. Jimi Was A Rock Star (8:32)
13. Heaven Somewhere (10:24)
14. The Light (Radio Edit) (3:57)

The vinyl long play format and the long play cassette were released at same time as the CD.

Side 1:
A1. Ferris Wheel (2:48)
A2. Soul Power (4:38)
A3. Aquarius (4:54)
A4. Electric Wire Hustler Flower (5:54)

Side 2:
B1. The Hustle (4:20)
B2. Come Close (4:35
B3. New Wave (5:08)
B4. Star *69 (PS With Love) (5:30) ¹ - featuring Bilal

Side 3:
C1. I Got A Right Ta (2:48)
C2. Between Me, You & Liberation (6:23)
C3. I Am Music (5:21)

Side 4:
D1. Jimi Was A Rock Star (8:32)
D2. Heaven Somewhere (10:24)

¹ Written by Lonnie Lynn, Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson, James Poyser and James Yancey

• Common - vocals
• Bilal - vocals
• Prince - keyboards, guitar
• J Dilla - drums, electric guitar, Moog synthesizer
• James Poyser - keyboards, guitar, piano

• Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson - co-producer, co-executive producer
• J Dilla - co-producer
• James Poyser - co-producer
• Common - co-executive producer
• Derek Dudley - co-executive producer
• Tom Coyne - mastering

• THANK YOU – GOD IS LIFE – BELIEVE OR KNOT
• I thank you Most High just for being. I thank you for love, for life, for breath, for laughter, for hurt, for struggle, for creativity, for patience, for strength, for compassion, for faith, for music, for the experience. I thank you for each soul that you have allowed to touch, perform or inspire my music. I believer and know you are the source from which all things come so to you, I give back this piece of art, thanking you for it, and dedicating it to you. Do what you want with it!!
• To my family - I love y’all. I appreciate what each one of you bring to my life: My mother (Ma Ma – no words can describe the work and love you’ve instilled in me but I will spread it and I thank you for it so much). Ralph, my father, Omoye (young queen so beautiful and vibrant your spirit brings me up. You have work to do but Daddy will be there for you forever – I love you. Erykah (I thank GOD for you every day. You have been such a light in my life, inspiring me, opening me up, motivating me to be a better person. I never experienced such a beautiful love and such a beautiful person. I choose you forever - let’s laugh and grow together), Grandma, Bianca, Uncle Steve, Aiile, Aunt Mattie, Rachelle, Kim, Jon-Jon, Mrs. Kollen (Queenie) Wright, Mrs. Gipson, Uncle Mike, Uncle Dinky, Lil Lawrence, Lauren, Seven, Eevin, Skeet, Les Sims, Koko, the Boyd family, Murray’s, Dudley’s, Abraham’s, Everette, Dwayne, The Smith’s, Kenyetta, Alfredo, Big Mike, Lorraine, Ashaka and to all my ancestors and elders that came before me.
• To my family in music and creativity. I thank y’all for it was you who carried my dream and took my vision to where I never imagined it could go. I feel blessed to work with all of y’all. Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson (I don’t know how you do it, but you are a genius – a true king of what you do. The album wouldn’t be without you). James Poyser (I ain’t even goin to light you up man. You mean so much to music. You are a gift to this time and space. Never heard anyone write, compose or produce like you do. Thanks for taking it out – let’s keep it going). Jay Dilla (you kept me focused and remembering what our purpose was and is. If it weren’t for you, none of us would be where we are. You have impacted all music. You are a GOD at this love bra. Pino Palladino, Jeff Lee Johnson, Kariem (thanks for your ear and inspiration), The Neptunes (y’all brothers put such beautiful music out into the universe. I’m honored to work with ya), Erykah (you’re a genius – so gifted), Jill Scott (such a beautiful voice you have), Mary (your gift is glowing – keep on), Cee-Lo (love you bra – always fresh), Bilal (one of the freshest ever), Vinia (so powerful), Zap Mama, Marie, Prince (thank you for sharing your wisdom and gifts. You have enlightened the world), Chillz (the creator is with you), Sonny, Lonnie “P” Lynn, Nicholas Payton, Laetitia Sadier, Stereo Lab, Omar (I want the world to know you), Babu, Mista Sinista, Ty Tribbett, and G.A., Greg Tardy, Vincent Gardne, George Daniels, Mustapha Farrakhan, Bro. Abdul Mohammad, Rob Walker, Karen Ratchman, Liz Baker, Bob Power, Russell Elevado, Steve Mandel, Shonobu, Ary and the entire Electric Lady Studio family, Marilyn, Todd, Studio A, Right Track Studios, Paisley Park, Sony Studios, Patchwerk, Axis, The Studio.
• To Derek D (you have been one of the best friends and best business partners a person can have – nothing gets done without you- things wouldn’t be if you weren’t here. I’m proud of you and love you).
• My band: Kevin, June & Mark, Keyon, Omar, D.J. Dumi, Mike Love & The Diz, Tiffany Green, Dorsey Fuller, Steve Harvey, Big Boy, Felli Fel, Greg Street, DJ Enuff, Kelly G., Steven Hill, Melanie Massie, Penny he BET Family, Buttaman, Nolan Baynes, Dustin Prager, Tony Calderone and the MTV staff, Dana Sims, Cara Lewis, Robi Reed, Mike Jolicoeur, Phil Strong, Tyris Jones, Sanaa Hamn, Wendy Goldstein, MCA Family and Staff, Tim Reid, Alicia Graham, Jay Boberg, Jayne Simon, Michela Smith, Lilian Matulic, Erik Stein, Valerie Lewis, Jackie Gibb, Mike Chavez, Big D., Troy Marshall, Jeff Harleston, Marnie Nieves, Kami Broyles, Azim Rashid, Benny Pough, Dwayne McClary, Dennis Boemer, Don Clemons, Darren Wolf, Lexi Ben-Meir, Amy Neiman, Rita Tarin, Donald Nicholson, Don Pooh, Aaron Foreman, Jeff Becker, and Uumoiya Glass.

• Information needed.

• The Vault: The Definitive Guide to the Musical World of Prince (2004)