Prince Returns to Funky Form on '3121' By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY, AP Music Writer
Mon Mar 20, 4:10 PM ET



Prince, "3121" (Universal)

Unless you were the kind of Prince fanatic who subscribed to his Web site for musical downloads or stood in line for hours after hearing whispers of his low-key club performances, the only Prince music you probably heard during his self-imposed exile were golden oldies.

Maybe that's why his much-hyped return to the spotlight with 2004's "Musicology" — his first album on a major record label in years — was so disappointing. Compared to the classic Prince we'd been listening to, it was hard to deny that "Musicology" lacked the fire, passion and innovation that made him such a groundbreaking '80s force. One had to wonder whether his time away from the spotlight or his conversion to the Jehovah's Witness faith had tamed his Royal Badness for good.

Such concerns evaporate upon listening to his latest CD, "3121." Tantalizing, sexy, even uplifting, this Prince sounds like the vintage Purple One.

Well, almost. Though Prince ramps up the sex appeal on "3121" with the throbbing club track "Black Sweat," it's generally a pretty tame affair, unlike the salacious content of his prime. On "Lolita," he declares to a temptress, "You'll never make a cheater out of me," while on sensual, pillow-soft ballads like "Incense & Candles," it's true love, and not lust, being celebrated. In fact, some of the most passionate songs have nothing to do with romantic love, but a spiritual one, like the lovely "Beautiful, Loved & Blessed," a duet with his protege, Tamar. There's also an inspirational uptempo track, "The Word."

And unlike the Prince of old, he doesn't mine any new musical ground here. You'll still hear the dance grooves that are heavily reliant on synthesized funk or those that sound like you've dropped in on a free-for-all jam session. But with killer jams like the horn-and-drum centered "Get On the Boat," that's hardly a bad thing.

Whereas "Musicology" made you long for the Prince of old, "3121" leaves you excited about where Prince is today — and looking forward to where he might be going.

Cool!! Thanks for posting!!

There is a review sticky.

See sticky http://www.prince.org/msg/7/182000