I’ve long been enamored with this progression. It involves “bVI” going to “V7″ to “i,” usually with a turnaround or walkdown back to “bVII.” It was most prevalent in late 70s and early 80s soul recordings. You’ve definitely heard it before. Some examples:

“What You Won’t Do For Love” by Bobby Caldwell

“Got to be Real” by Cheryl Lynn

“Between the Sheets” by the Isley Brothers

“I Like It” by DeBarge

“Just the Two of Us” by Bill Withers and Grover Washington Jr.

“Do Me Baby” by Prince

I’ve been looking for more recent examples of this most powerful progression. I’ll post them as I come across them.

“I Don’t Wanna Die Anymore” by the New Radicals

Today marks the first time I have listened to Prince’s eponymous album. I’m really enjoying it. I had heard Prince’s original version of “I Feel For You,” but hadn’t heard anything else from this record.

A brief Wikipedia expedition has revealed that Prince was recorded and released at nearly the same time as Michael Jackson’s Off The Wall. The bassline in “I Wanna Be Your Lover” by Prince reminded me of that of “Off The Wall” and I subsequently checked on those facts.

Prince played most of the instruments on this album. The production is very tight, subsequently. Every so often, there is a musical curveball, which I like. The early syncopation of the main riff of “Bambi” (1, &2, 3) caught me off guard. The track as a whole is more rock than the funk/disco inspired first half of the album, which is a good change of pace.

There is a strong presence of the IV-iii-ii progression, which I am fond of and have used sometimes in my own pop music.

I will certainly be giving this album repeated listens. Minnesota music is something that I have been increasingly interested in in recent years.