The Time: What Time Is It? CD Track Listing

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The Time What Time Is It? (1982)
Originally Released 1982\nCD Edition Released 1987\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: Despite only releasing three albums in the early '80s, the group thought of primarily as Prince's opening act by many at the time proved to be an influential group in retrospect. And if there is one album that illustrates why the Time deserve such praise, it's What Time Is It? First of all, the group only released a trilogy of early-'80s albums, with the other two -- The Time (1981) and Ice Cream Castle (1984) -- each somewhat flawed. Thankfully, What Time Is It? proves itself to be a perfect medium. The group's patented aesthetic that first became clear on "Give It Up" from their formative debut album blossoms here, and the ridge between Morris Day's wannabe-Prince megalomania and the musicians' enormous talents hasn't quite become an issue yet. Secondly, the group doesn't try anything too ambitious here; in fact, they almost seem to rewrite their debut album, fixing its flaws and expanding upon its strengths. Again, they offer six songs, this time going with more epic jam-orientated songs. Furthermore, Morris Day even manages to offer a respectable ballad with "Gigolos Get Lonely Too." But, for the most part, the Time are at their best when they're jamming -- which they do plenty of here -- and not when Day is singing or indulging in one of his many ideologically questionable skits. But what makes this album the Time's best isn't so much its highlights but rather its lack of poor moments. Both The Time and Ice Cream Castle have moments of brilliance that rival even this album's best; however, those two albums are burdened by lackluster moments -- this album has none. From beginning to end, What Time Is It? is nothing but fun music, driven largely by brilliant funk riffing and also by some catchy hooks. -- Jason Birchmeier\n\n\nAmazon.com Editorial Review\nJunking '70s-funk cliches for a stripped-down sound (keyboards and synthesizers replaced the horns) built around a hard-rockin' guitar and a tougher-than-tough rhythm section--all topped off with a heapin' helping of humor--this Minneapolis-based sextet was once the best funk band in the land. This second LP is the best single album from the act, which soon imploded, owing to an over-abundance of talent. Bug-eyed vocalist Morris Day and guitarist Jesse Johnson went on to semi-successful solo careers; keyboardist Jimmy Jam and bassist Terry Lewis became a mega-platinum writing/production team (Janet Jackson, most notably); drummer extraordinaire Jellybean Johnson and keyboardist Monte Moir were the other members. Co-produced by Day and Jamie Starr (a.k.a. Prince), this six-song 1982 effort sports three wall-rattling party-starters: the self-explantory "Wild and Loose," the tongue-in-cheek dance tune "The Walk," and the still-percolating, knotty-but-nice rhythms of "777-9311." Toss in a "New Wave"-style rocker, a droll take on the obligatory love-man ballad, and the band's straight-faced answer to the titular question ("Time to fix your clock!") is O-B-V-I-O-U-S. --Don Waller \n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nPrince is an amazing genius, July 26, 2006 \nBy J. bell "just call me j" (yonkers, ny United States)\nYes folks everything you hear on this album and the previous is all Prince with the exception of a couple of songs writing credits. Prince and Dez Dickerson wrote "Wild & Loose" (Matt Fink on Keyboards). On the rest of the tracks Prince wrote, arranged and produced and played all the instruments (and sang background vocals) with Morris on lead. Prince even does his Morris Day impersonation on "The Walk" ("and honey you know you can't dance with those tight jeans on"). That's right allegedly none of the members of the Time were involved, which makes sense. Why not get a product out quicker a talented genius doing it all in the time he had to do it. Listen to the guitar solo on "777-9311", no it is not Jesse Johnson, its Prince. They did however play on the Pandemonium album. On the Ice Cream Castle album it was mostly Prince, Jesse and Morris, except on "The Bird". But I love this album. My favorite is "I Don't Wanna Leave You". The drums machine reminds me of "1999" if you listen carefully. Buy this album, you won't be disappointed. \n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nAlways On Time, May 24, 2005 \nBy Myles Bearden (Virginia)\nCreatively, WHAT TIME IS IT? should be recognized as The Time's debut album. With all due respect to Prince, The Time's acknowledged debut album was no more than Prince and Morris Day attempting to duplicate the feel of a real band. Though some of the music their sessions produced were on-point ("Get It Up" and "Cool"), WHAT TIME IS IT? demonstrated that when it came to creating the sound The Time would come to be known for, the two didn't even come close. Don't get me wrong, it was a valiant effort on their part. However, it's obvious that they were only pouring the foundation for what was to come. \n\nThe Time, in my opinion, was the premier band of the '80's. With long-winded jams like "Wild And Loose," "The Walk" and the classic "777-9311," they set a standard in the music business that has yet to be repeated. This album showcases just how tight these seven cats (including Jerome Benton) were. With Morris Day leading the way, The Time took us all on a musical journey with an energy and a flair that hasn't been seen in R&B music since. And if the uptempo jams weren't enough, they bestowed upon us the unforgettable "Gigolos Get Lonely Too," a sort of player's serenade to the ladies. Although not considered a hit, one can't deny that even "I Don't Wanna Leave You" had something infectious about it. The entire feel of this album is timeless. One listen and it easily takes you back to a period when it was all right to let your hair down and just party. \n\nWhether it was keeping us moving on the dance floor or slow-grinding in the bedroom, this Minneapolis-based musical powerhouse was always on time. WHAT TIME IS IT? is more than enough proof of this. Real music by a real band ... believe me, young'uns, they don't make records like this anymore. \n\nSomebody Bring Me A Mirror! \n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nThe Time..., October 8, 2003 \nBy WILLIE A YOUNG II "willow" (Houston, TX.)\nI was only 12 when this was first issued, but even then I knew I was listening to something different and brilliant. When "777-9311" was the biggest thing on Black Radio ( I hate that term) in my native Houston, everybody was singing the hook, but few paid attention to the slippery arrangement, popping, rubbery bass line or Jesse Johnson's wailing guitar. This expansive, almost jazz fusion funk jam is reason enough to own this Classic LP, but everything here works, the lyrics, the skits, all the arrangements and the healthy dose of humor injected into every song. 6 tracks, all extended jams and positively no filler. This kind of music should be the rule nowadays, not the exception.\nEssential. \n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nGreat Stuff, Grace, February 20, 2003 \nBy Andre M. "brnn64" (Mt. Pleasant, SC United States)\nOne of the best R&B albums of the early 80s. Morris day's wacky humor and the Time's skilled musicianship really make this work. The last part of 777-9311 contains my favorite guitar solo outside of Prince's 'Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad" and anything by James Marshall Hendrix. The songs are funny and funky almost to a one. One minor complaint-those who remember this from the first time out will fondly recall "Grace," the b-side to the original 45 of "777-9311." That tour-de farce had Morris at his most comically conceited holding a bizzare interview in which the female reporter ultimately submits to his "charms." It wasn't on the original album, but since this is the CD age, PUT THAT BAD BOY ON THERE! \n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nOld School Funkmeisters, Minneapolis Style, April 10, 2000 \nBy Casey Stewart "kcfoxy: accept no substitute" (San Joaquin Delta)\nFor me, this album will always be the greatest example of the R&B and Funk of Morris Day and the Time. What a line-up of talent! Jamie Starr (aka Prince) production, writing and amazing bass licks, the pop-eyed spectacle of Day on vocals, (with Jerome, his personal assistant), Jimmy Jams, Jesse Johnson and Jellybean Johnson, then Terry Lewis stepping in on bass...it was a whole lotta talent in one magical band that helped define 80's funk.\nThe songs are funky with a rockin' guitar and rhythm that made you want to get up and dance. From the famous "phone song" to The Walk, it doesn't get much better...except live and in person! Prince wrote a lot of music, and The Time was the vehicle for the baddest and nastiest funk of it's time. No filler, all groove, and their best, if not most famous, LP. \n\n\nHalf.com Details \nContributing artists: Vanity 6 \nProducer: Morris Day, The Starr Company \n\nAlbum Notes\nThe Time: Morris Day (vocals); Jesse Johnson (guitar, vocals, drums); Jimmy Jam, Monte Moir (keyboards, vocals); Stacy Adams, Terry Lewis (bass, background vocals); Jellybean Johnson (drums, percussion).\n\n"What time is it?" shouts Morris Day to kick off the album of the same name. "Time to get Wild And Loose!" is the resounding response he gets from The Time, the often unjustly overshadowed funk outfit from Minneapolis.\n\nThis album oozes attitude. From its opening "Wild And Loose," Morris never quits with his rantings ("Ain't nobody cool but me"). But his real talent, aside from his alleged sexual prowess, is his ability to get the most out of his band. What makes these grooves timeless are the immensely musical and tight players Mr. Day gathered. "777-9311," for instance, features some super cymbal work from Jellybean Johnson, and a frenzied guitar solo from Jesse Johnson. This is funk, early eighties style, with a certain Prince-ly flavor and plenty of humor. "Somebody get me a mirror!"\n\n\nROLLING STONE REVIEW\nWe might have expected ersatz Abbas, but Minneapolis has produced a sort of R&B vanguard of young blacks who are trying to ally funk with the white rock and pop they grew up listening to in that Scandinavian stronghold. The feisty singer Sue Ann Carwell, Lipps Inc.'s Cynthia Johnson and smooth Rockie Robbins have all broken out of the local scene, but the reigning act is surely Prince, and new performers continue to spin out of his whirling vortex. Unfortunately, the new records by two reportedly Prince-masterminded groups, the Time and Vanity 6, seem like outlet stores for Prince's damaged goods.\n\nThe second LP by the Time, What Time Is It?, is a dreary followup to the band's debut, which featured two black-radio party-up hits in "Cool" and "Get It Up." But even that strong first record took some knocks for sharing the same instrumental sound (double keyboards) and content (teenage sex) as Prince's music, and the new LP confirms that the Time is being set according to Prince's Dirty Mind. Yet all their talk of girls in camisoles is just not the same as the bursting adolescent sexual energy that makes Prince's records feel tumescent, and What Time Is It? is a lot of not-so-hot jams that degenerate into raps about how terrific it would be to meet the band (because they're so "wild and loose") or how comfortable baggy jeans are. After twice announcing out of nowhere that "we don't like New Wave," it's no surprise that they bungle "One day I'm gonna be-somebody," a rocker that revs its motor but never goes anywhere.\n\nThen there's Vanity 6, three women brought together by Prince to pool their talent. It's a shallow pool, if this record is the best they can do. Like the Time, Vanity 6 tries to pull together rock, funk and disco with a sound that's light on guitar and heavy on organ. For subjects, Vanity 6 leans on its brazen-girl image, rapping sassily in "If a Girl Answers (Don't Hang Up)" -- "Did he just take out the trash?" "No, that's something he used to do"--and reversing the girl groups' man-on-a-pedestal attitude in "He's So Dull." With other song titles like "Nasty Girl" and "Wet Dream," they seem to be trying to be as sexually forthright as Prince--they'll perform live in lingerie, they say--but there's little to seduce you into these weak songs, and there isn't a voice in the trio that's as strong as the come-on. (RS 381 -- Oct 28, 1982) -- DEBBY MILLER
This rock cd contains 6 tracks and runs 38min 49sec.
Freedb: 4d091706
Buy: from Amazon.com

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