I can't really think of any. Maybe Lenny Kravitz, Andre 3000, Chocolate Genius, or The Negro Problem. But those guys have so many different influences. I guess the point I'm trying to make is that there aren't that many artists (black or white or whatever) that are influenced by Prince's mid-80's Psychedelic/Funk/Pop period. You know, somewhere between "Around the World.." and "Dream Factory" (which would later become SOTT). He had some interesting sounds there and that's a very underrated period. Everybody seems to dig the dirtier, funkier side of Prince, but his psychedelic funk is just as cool too.

I think this is a fantastic period... ATWIAD and Parade have no bad cuts for me personally... I love the whole French sound... the strings... the instrumentation was the best....

This period is greatly influenced by David and Lisa Coleman, Wendy and Jonathon Melvoin.
[Edited 7/17/07 7:32am]

LOVE this period of his Music.
very original, CREATIVE & satisfying period in his musical DEVELOPMENT.
enjoy seeing it as interim PLAY between PR & what is to COME.

GoldiLocks said:

Yeah, it was a great time for Prince musically. But why aren't younger generations of cats trying to pick up on this. It's a shame.

When you listen to Karl Wallinger aka World Party you can hear a clear Prince influence, not only on his psychedelic poptracks but also on his dance-cuts.

But Karl also sounds very much influenced by the 'direct sources' (Beatles, Beach Boys, even Sly Stone), so its a bit of a mixed bag.

Riverpoet31 said:

the problem is that the influences at that time are too direct, so anything considered to be influenced by psychadelica is considered the influence of other artists, not prince. in fact, it is his funky sound, rythm guitar, the sounds of horns and his falsetto that is considered "Princey" these days.. I am a musician influence by Prince, but my psyadelic sound is definately due to the Beatles, and just see Prince's music as a nod to that style.

I've forgotten the artist, but I think it was one of the Beastie Boys, who said in an interview that they liked "Raspberry Beret" and Prince's whole psychedilic era, and they wished he would've explored it more.