On June 7th, the soulful duo Back 2 Basics, featuring acclaimed musicians Eddie M and John Paris, will release a stunning re-imagination of the classic ballad “The Beautiful Ones.” The single is timed to debut on what would have been the birthday of the legendary artist Prince, serving as both a tribute to his enduring legacy and a fresh exploration of one of his most emotionally raw compositions.
The Collaboration
Back 2 Basics brings together two powerhouse veterans of the music industry who share a deep, personal and professional history within the Prince musical universe:
- Eddie M: A world-renowned saxophonist whose soulful phrasing became a staple of the funk and R&B scene, notably through his extensive work with Sheila E. and the Revolution.
- John Paris: A versatile multi-instrumentalist and long-time drummer for the legendary Earth, Wind & Fire.
Paris holds a unique place in the "Minneapolis Sound" history as the drummer for Madhouse, the jazz-fusion project released under Prince’s own Paisley Park label. A Birthday Tribute Originally featured on the 1984 masterpiece Purple Rain, “The Beautiful Ones” is widely considered one of the most poignant love songs in music history. For Eddie M and John Paris, re-envisioning this track was an opportunity to honor Prince's genius by highlighting the timelessness of his songwriting through a new, sophisticated lens. About Back 2 Basics Back 2 Basics is a collaborative project born from a desire to return to the fundamental elements of great music: melody, rhythm, and soul. With decades of experience performing on the world’s largest stages, Eddie M and John Paris combine their technical mastery with a shared passion for genre-bending arrangements.
