Prince one of the few genuine pop starts who could do the lot, sing, write, dance, produce and play any instrument and in the 80’s seemingly release an album of original new material every year that always contained several pop gems.
The title track single arrived first. It had a minimal backing whilst Prince sang about the struggles of the world. It stormed the charts and was a man at the top of his game. Thirty-six years later it still thrills me when I hear it, minimal genius.
The double album arrived shortly after, sixteen tracks of pop, dance, funk, and ballads and let’s not forget Scotland’s own Sheena Easton, he was that good he managed to return Sheena back to the UK Top Ten with U Got the Look.
Of the sixteen I find Slow Love a bit dull but Play In the Sunshine, Starfish and Coffee, If I Was Your Girlfriend and I Could Never Take The Place are just genius enjoyable pop.
Special mention to The Cross a single guitar developing into a grunge like riff with powerful drums as Prince delivers a fantastic vocal over the top, few could touch him at this point.
Towards the end of his life his albums did not sell as well and he was not the huge star he was. Many people say double albums can be indulgent, remind yourself of his genius as this one certainly is not, enjoy.
9/10
GIVE IT A STREAM: The Cross