Prince - The Very Best of Prince

Warner Bros - 2001 - 73 minutes

'The Very Best of Prince' is a strange title for an album that takes almost half its material from just two records: 1994's 'Purple Rain' and 'Diamonds and Pearls' from 1991. There's nothing from 'Controversy', no 'Delirious', 'If I Was Your Girlfriend' is MIA and, worst of all, no 'Sexy MF'. In short, if you're looking for the best of Prince you'll find it on the albums 'Hits 1' and 'Hits 2' which give a far more comprehensive (36 tracks as opposed to 17) introduction to his purple high and mightyness.

On a brighter note, we do get the down and dirty funk of 'Gett Off', '1999's party-on vibe and the social-commentary-wrapped-in-soul (à la Marvin Gaye) of 'Money Don't Matter 2 Night'. Put that together with classics like 'Raspberry Beret', 'Kiss' and 'When Doves Cry' and you've got funk, soul and rock all wrapped up in one small package - just like Prince himself as a matter of fact. Five stars for the music, minus two for the shameless cash-in.

Caroline Hennessy

Tracklisting: I Wanna Be Your Lover - 1999 - Little Red Corvette - When Doves Cry - Let's Go Crazy - Purple Rain - I Would Die 4 U - Raspberry Beret - Kiss - Sign 'O' The Times - U Got The Look - Alphabet St. - Thieves In The Temple - Gett Off - Cream - Diamonds And Pearls - Money Don't Matter 2 Night