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CD review: Prince's 'Musicology'

By Leslie Gray Streeter, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Friday, April 23, 2004



Musicology, Prince (NPG)

If nothing else, the bluesy-funky Musicology, Prince's return to the spotlight, reminds you that all those bitter label-baiting, name-changing antics obscured a fundamental truth: The man is a mind-numbingly talented musician.

And his new CD is appropriately named, because at its best, it sounds like a studio jam session. You can hear the expertise but also the passion that goes into its effusive party anthems (Life 'O' the Party), funk-infused storytelling (Illusion, Coma, Pimp & Circumstance) and horn-laden valentines to the simple joys of having a good soul record, a good-looking dance partner and some time to celebrate one's own funkiness (the buoyant title track).

While nothing in Musicology is what you'd call innovative, its very old-school flavor sounds amazingly fresh, considering the lack of solid, tight musicianship on the current charts.

Not everything on the disc is a winner (the weakest track, the socially conscious Cinnamon Girl is a tepid Sign 'O' the Times retread).

But when he soars, as he does on the aforementioned great title track and Illusion, he's at the top of his game.

And lest you think the now-devout Jehovah's Witness has lost that sexy sass that made him a superstar, take a listen to On the Couch, a coy, bluesy come-on that includes the line "It's undignified to sleep alone."

Ultimately, Musicology is the kind of album you want playing at your next rib cookout or romantic dinner -- it's just fundamentally tasty.

GRADE: B+

leslie_streeter@pbpost.com