This review of The Very Best Of Prince is from Blues & Soul (UK) magazine's latest issue:

Most disciples of Minneapolis's reclusive, pint-sized musical genius are mighty relieved that the man born as Prince Rogers Nelson has reverted to his original moniker. But making sense at this late juncture isn't likely to salvage the wee man's waning career. The fact is that all that pointless and tedious messing around with his name has done irrevocable damage. People stopped listening to Prince in droves and only the blinkered faithful bother to listen to what he releases these days. Ironically, Prince blamed Warner for stifling his creativity, but the truth is - as this new greatest hits package amply testifies - that Prince produced his best work for the loony tune label, hitting a purple patch between the years 1984-1991. Quite simply, this 17-track CD reminds us why pop's musical chameleon proved the most regal of black superstars in the 1980s. From infectious R&B ditties ("I Wanna Be Your Lover"), epic rock ballads ("Purple Rain"), futuristic party-funk ("1999"), whimsical pop excursions ("Raspberry Beret") to bludgeoning hip-hop grooves ("Gett Off"), Prince could do it all. He could funk like James Brown and rock like Little Richard. Although he has been an innovator and exerted a profound influence on musicians everywhere, Prince's eccentricity eventually alienated him from his audience. At his peak, though, Prince was unique, peerless and the jewel in black music's crown. A portrait of the artist as a genius. 4/5.