Prince: 3121

Elly Roberts reviews

Prince: 3121
Distributed by
Universal

    Cover

  • Cat.no: 9852072
  • Released: March 2006
  • Rating: 4/10

When ‘Prince’ Rogers Nelson formed his own label NPG, it gave him artistic licence like he’d never experienced before.

It also gave him licence to be a tad self-indulgent. He even invented newmonikers like The Artist Formerly Know As Prince and Symbol. Prior to thathe rolled out some great singles – When Doves Cry, Little Red Corvette,1999, Kiss, Cream and his anthemic Purple Rain.That was his commercial purple patch. There’s been a fair share of hitand miss albums too.

So, after 25 years of pouting and posing, is his number up? Well, 3121has some of the best and worst of his expansive repertoire. For this, thepurple one decided to play most of the instruments, with a helping hand hereand there, written all the songs, and produced it.

The worst bits include the bump and grind of the title track, a mish-mashjam that grates at almost every level, so does the first UK single BlackSweat, a crunchy R&B blast that wanders aimlessly. Also off the commercialradar are Incense And Candles, the dire Love, and lacklustreThe Word, with Satisfied proving nothing more than a filler.


Back on traditional form, Fury is a welcomed arrival; with an almostaccessible dance beat (complete with rasping guitar solos): the first realpop song, which harks back to better days of the ’80s. Further on,Beautiful is a silky smooth delight, featuring a gorgeous duet withrising star Tamar.

In the same classy mould is the divine neuvo-jazzy monster The Dance,despite some over-stretched singing by Prince. Getting on the good foot,he rounds it off with a James Brown sassy-brassy assault as he Get’s On The Boatin style: and edited version would make a brilliant single.

It’s a great end to a less than impressive album.

Weblink:NPG Music Club.com


The full list of tracks included are :

1. 3121
2. Lolita
3. Te Amo Corazon
4. Black Sweat
5. Incense And Candles
6. Love
7. Satisfied
8. Fury
9. The Word
10. Beautiful, Loved And Blessed
11. The Dance
12. Get On The Boat

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