New release in purple reign
Mar. 23, 2006. 01:00 AM
STAFF STAFF

POP & ROCK

Prince
3121 (NPG/Universal)
(3 1/2 stars our of 4)

Prince sure knows how to keep us on our toes ­ refusing advance copies of his latest disc for music critics, giving Tower Records eight hours' notice for a midnight, in-store performance at its Sunset Blvd., L.A., location on Monday night. But it's all good, because the new record is simply irresistible. While the best thing about 2004's Musicology was the title track and comeback tour, 3121 (the release date ­ 3/21 ­ see?) features His Purple Highness at his funkin' sexy best, with more dance hooks and engaging melodies, the musicans we love ­ Maceo Parker and Candy Dulfer on horns ­ and a new protégé, Tamar, assisting on vocals.

I'm hot and I don't care who knows it/ I got a job to do, he declares on the groovy, stripped down "Black Sweat," then promises you'll scream like a white lady. Also strong are the bluesy "Satisfied," foot-tappingly cheeky "Lolita" (You're sweeter but you'll never make a cheater out of me ­ Nabokov would be proud) and guitar-driven "Fury." Less appealing are the jazzy, but boring "Te Amo Corazon" and the mid-tempo "Incense and Candles" with its Destiny's Child type chorus. Bring on the tour. Ashante Infantry

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