"Cool (Part I)" by The Time

Song#:  0892
Date:  01/30/1982
Debut:  94
Peak:  90
Weeks:  7
Genre:  R&B, Funk



Pop Bits:  As Prince became more successful, his label allowed him to develop and produce new acts. He took advantage of this and decided to create a funk band that would perform his songs. Gathering musicians from various Minneapolis band and putting his childhood friend Morris Day on vocals, Prince introduced The Time with "Get It Up," the first single from their debut album. It got to #6 on the R&B chart, but failed at pop. This second single was another R&B Top 10 (#7) and this time it was able to get on the pop chart, albeit briefly near the bottom.

ReduxReview:  I think I may have seen a video for this when it came out. I remember during the song that the folks in the video would spell out "cool" with their hands. I really liked the song and got the single. With Prince on the project, I'm surprised this didn't get more attention and do better on the pop chart. I still think it's a great jam and I'll reference it on occasion. Not many people get it though, which is too bad. (The above is the full album track, which goes on way too long for me, but I couldn't find the single edit.)

ReduxRating:  8/10

Trivia:  Their debut album cover shows the full group and their credits are listed in the liner notes. However, this was basically a full-on Prince affair. He wrote or co-wrote most all the songs, played them, and did the production. The only real person from The Time who performed on the album was Morris Day. Using guide vocals already done by Prince, Day sang the songs as laid out by Prince. This would continue through their next albums as well. However, the band did perform live (mainly opening for Prince) and they had a reputation of being terrific in concert.

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