--=[ Prince 4 ]=--

Prince - Controversy [1981]


Written, produced, arranged, and performed by that little old funkmaster, Controversy hit stores in 1981 and still rocks 27 years later. As the title suggests, the subject matter Prince tackles here was meant to spark discussion. From the nasty anthems "Sexuality" and "Do Me Baby", to the slice of '80s political commentary "Ronnie Talk to Russia" and "Annie Christian," Prince does just that. Oh, and he doesn't forget about the booty either, making this the ultimate agit-prop, sex-you-up soundtrack.
















Prince - Dirty Mind [1980]

On this 1980 tour de force, Prince produced the template for most of his '80s albums: a mixture of lust and longing, synth pop combined with gut bucket rock and roll. Although this was his third CD, Dirty Mind was the one that truly established "When You Were Mine," which still ranks as one of his best songs, ever. The gender- and race-bending Dirty Mind was nasty and freaky--and you could dance to it.

"Dirty Mind" sets the tone for the rest of Prince's unparalleled career. In fact, most people think it's his first album. It might as well have been because, despite his impressive first 2 LP's (For You and Prince), he really got recognized for the image he crafted through his music. But it's the great music that makes this album endure, for it created the "Prince sound."

This is an essential 80's record, an essential Prince record, and an undisputed classic.
















Prince - Prince [1979]

This LP has what all outstanding Prince LP's have: tremendous range. Prince, at a very early age, demonstrates the ability to master different genres of the day, which few artists of that era (Stevie, Curtis, EWF) were able to pull off.

There are great cuts to please any Prince fan. Of course, there is "I Wanna Be Your Lover," the unique cut with the killer guitar hook. Then there's "Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad," a nicely-paced guitar-pop ditty with a great solo. Move next to "Sexy Dancer," a synth-driven disco cut. Then of course, there is the original "I Feel For You," an uptempo, stripped-down piece which is just as enjoyable as the Chaka Khan version. As a matter of fact, the remaining cuts are very good too: the ballads "When We're Dancing Close and Slow" and "It's Gonna Be Lonely," the rockin' "Bambi," and "Still Waiting" (a hidden jewel that is SCREAMING for a country cover).















Prince - For You [1978]

Prince's first album (that is, if you don't count the "94 East" sessions recorded a few years earlier) is not bad at all. Pleasant, upbeat, sorta bouncy stuff that you wanna hear in your car on a long drive on a sunny day. The title cut, with our man Roger Nelson doing a multitrack acapella performance is quite stunning (it's also backtracked in the first few seconds-a trick he'd later repeat on end of the title cut to "Purple Rain."). "Just As Long as We're Together" and My Love Is Forver" are sunny little tunes that will make you smile while "I'm Yours" picks up where James Marshall Hendrix left off (although Prince went to great lengths to deny any Hendrix connection in the mid-80s). But either way, listen and you will enjoy.




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