By DAN AQUILANTE

http://www.nypost.com/ent.../22992.htm

April 20, 2004 --
PRINCE
"Musicology"
NPG Records

Prince is back and he's bad - and that's good.

With the precision of a debutante at her coming-out party, the fuchsia funkster has masterfully orchestrated his re-emergence into the mainstream with high-profile appearances at the Grammys and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Today's release of "Musicology" is the cherry on the top of a nutty Prince sundae.

While his last two albums - the instrumental "N.E.W.S." and the lame jazz/funk "Rainbow Children" - came off as experimental searches for a new direction, on "Musicology" Prince rediscovers his groove.

He's also learned that a single-disc album with a dozen good tunes is preferable to a double disc packed with fillers.

"Musicology" is more focused than any record Prince has done in more than a decade - and every song's a winner.

Here are nods to funk, pillow-talk R&B and gut-busting soul - all the stuff that drenched "Purple Rain," minus the overt sexuality.

Maybe that notion of salvation through sex doesn't mesh with the old-fashioned sounds he's toying with.

More than likely, these new songs reflect the domestic bliss of the newlywed Prince.

"When You Call My Name" is an open valentine to his bride. Here Prince sounds seductive, devoted and believable as he sings, "I just can't stop writing songs about you 'cause I love you so much."

The album's final track, a medium-tempo pop ballad called "Reflection," is more about the everyday business of being in love - not the fireworks of falling in love. This is the big difference between the now 45-year-old Prince and the kid who shook the pop world 25 years ago.

But it's the title track that's the album's stand-out. With its balance of syncopated bass work and sax blasts, "Musicology" is a funked-up homage to the musicians Prince believes he owes a debt to - Sly Stone, James Brown and Public Enemy mastermind Chuck D.

When you know the artists Prince bows to, the rest of the album's easy to understand.