CDNow review of The Rainbow Children(hope the link works)

http://www.cdnow.com/cgi-...cid=506862

"In the past, Prince's recordings have represented black music's eternal struggle between exalting the sacred and reveling in the profane, but the singer's newest album, The Rainbow Children, falls firmly on the spiritual side of the fence. Impressive and uncompromising, it's equal parts biblical allegory ("Muse 2 The Pharaoh," "Digital Garden"), born-again rapture ("The Work Pt. 1," "Everywhere," "The Everlasting Now") and higher consciousness metaphor ("Family Name").

A potentially heavy-handed conceit in less gifted hands, Rainbow transcends, thanks to an inspired convergence of '70s concept rock (a 14-song suite linked by wiggy narrative interludes) and an arsenal of signature grooves; Miles Davis-inspired funky jazz modes and neo-soul/hip-hop riffs abound. Throw in a couple of "conventional" Prince bombs ("1+1+1 Is 3") and sexy ballads ("She Loves Me 4 Me") and it's funk heaven.

Tom Terrell
CDNOW Contributing Writer"