The Minnapolis/California sound

[tvje]

I started another thread comparing Jody Watley and Karyn White. I said on that thread that both are from California and worked with Minnapolis producers.

It got me thinking. The Minnapolis sound, which was most made famous by Prince, and a big part of R&B music in the 80's, really had two homes, Minnapolis and Califonia.

The sound started in the 70's in the Minnapolis club scene, from mainly two bands Grand Central and Flyte Tyme.

But Califonia mainly Los Angeles, played such an important role. Prince recorded his early albums in Los Angeles, parts of Purple Rain was shot in Los Angeles.

Many Prince proteges such as Sheila E., Vanity, Wendy and Lisa, were from California.

And in the late 80's, there was a successful R&B formula, of Califonia artist with Minnapolis producer(s). Janet Jackson, Jody Watley, and Karyn White, are all from California and had their most success working with Minnapolis producers, who have all worked with Prince, and part of either Grand Central or Flyte Tyme.

It is like the Minnapolis sound, needed California to get it's sound from the underground Minnapolis clubs into the mainstream. It is ironic, because if you compare Minnapolis and California, they are so different.