I'd love to say "1999", but I'd have to go with "Controversy", because he was probably inspired by a lot more of that music at the time of production. I hard he was vibing on Gary Numan, Devo, Blondie, etc. I guess that's how Prince came up with his brand of Synth-Funk/New Wave/Punk-Funk. It's still very soulful, got a funky beat, and you can groove to it. But there's still that electro-pop sensiblity to it as well which permeates throughout the record.

NWF, dont forget influences Like Kraftwerk and Africa Bambata, Princes has opened his ears to other musicians, and incorporates a lots on influences in his music, like some kind of sponge, but to me you hear that more clearly on 1999 then on Controvery, that latter album is a transitional album for me, while he defined his basic-sound on Dirty Mind, on 1999 he really shows the 'guts' to mix that sound with that of other 'visionary' artists around him.

"controversy" is a new wave album and a half.

if Controversy is "New Wave", and Andre left just before Controversy to do "New Wave" music, I guess that means Controversy was somewhat inspired by Andre, maybe P felt he owed Andre by making the "AC" album for him

1999 is THE Prince album IMO, but Controversy is still my fav.