Rating: 9 out of 10

On The Rainbow Children, Prince takes us on an exploration of his many talents. Floating between jazz on the title track, to fusion on "Everywhere," to his trademark funk on "The Work Pt. 1," "1+1+1=3," and "The Everlasting Now," Prince has come up with two of his most brilliant pieces of work - this recording, and drummer John Blackwell. Throughout Rainbow Children, Prince gives Blackwell the opportunity to shine. John plays whatever style he's challenged to, as Prince himself says, magnificently. Whether dancing lightly on his cymbals, ferociously powering fills, or laying down feel-good funky beats, Blackwell can claim this record to be as much his as it is Prince's. The two musicians complement each other wonderfully throughout The Rainbow Children, especially in trippy-funky "Family Name." Check it out, Rainbow Children, it's time to rise!