Wil Key feat. Jill Jones | “Tracy’s Parade (We Thank U)”

New Prince Tribute feat. Jill Jones

Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Wil Key, has tapped legendary Paisley Park singer, Jill Jones, for a brand-new original song celebrating the life and legacy of Prince

The song was written by Key as part of his most recent double album entitled Globetrotter: Side B which was recorded in 15 different countries and features over 40 artists from around the world. The new cut has a melodic touch and chord progression reminiscent of Prince’s mid-tempo Sign O’ The Times sleeper – “The Ballad of Dorothy Parker,” but includes a nod to several other songs and licks from the purple repertoire.

To achieve the most authentic representation of the distinctive Prince sound, Key decided to produce the track using only real instruments save a vintage LINN drum machine which was designed by Roger Linn and used by Prince on so many of his major hits throughout the artist’s career. In keeping with this spirit of authenticity, Key did all of the LINN drum programming himself and also elected, in classic Prince style, to perform most of the musical parts as well including all of the male vocals, organ, synths and rhythm guitar parts.

Also contributing to the instrumental parts of the song are Andrew Gouche, one of Prince’s bass players and former Musical Director for Chaka Chan. Gouche’s bassline helps to galvanize the groove of the song by bridging the gap between the LINN drum rhythms and Key’s driving guitar work. Filling out the band on lead guitar, is Tori Ruffin of the Prince-formed group, The Time, who lays down a fiery, jazz-tinged guitar solo worthy of the purple one.

The vocal recording session took place at LA Studios in Hollywood – just around the corner from Prince’s beloved recording studio – Sunset Sound. Jill Jones is every bit as vibrant and soulful here as she has been on her Prince-produced albums of the 1980’s – singing the chorus parts effortlessly and then weaving in her signature adlibs around Key’s adlibbed vocal runs. The song closes with a touching and emotional spoken love letter from Jones to her old friend and musical partner.

The song will be released on Monday, June 7, 2021 which would have been the late artist’s 63rd birthday. It is available on all streaming platforms and will also be available on limited-edition vinyl in the near future. More information is available at: www.wil-key.com

Source: Larimar Records