Reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
Prince's Musicology--his first major-label release for some time--doesn't disappoint. Most of the songs are produced, arranged, composed and "per4med" by the artist himself, with the occasional musician chipping in here and there.
This complete control for the most part works to great effect but there are moments when it does dip into a mire of self-indulgence. The ballad "A Million Days" suffers from simply too much: too much fuzz guitar, too much "ooooo" and way too much cheese--easily done with a slow song. Thankfully "Call My Name" doesn't follow the same route--Prince opts instead for the smooth soul that influenced latter-day artists such as D'Angelo.

The opener and title track is unabashed funk in a block-party style that the mainstream hasn't seen for many years. Namechecking Run DMC and Public Enemy while the music tips a nod to James Brown's backing band, the JBs, it already sounds like vintage rare groove. "Illusion, Coma, Pimp & Circumstance" sounds most like a session from the Revolution days, with a party vibe expressed in funky guitars, electro stabs and warm synths.

Like most Prince albums, when Musicology is good, it's incredible--when it's not, it just sounds like some recluse mucking about on his own in a recording studio. Thankfully, most of the twelve tracks fit into the former section. -- David Trueman

http://www.amazon.co.uk/e...B0001Z2R5K