Controversy: A Tribute to Prince

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Thursday, 31, Jan 2008 09:27

Rapster, February 4th.

In a nutshell.

Chilled. Different take. Classic songs.

What's it all about?

As Prince celebrates 30 years as a mainstream artist, a selection of musicians from a wide range of music genres have taken some of his classic songs and interpreted them in their own way.

Controversy: A Tribute To Prince includes new takes on a host of tracks from the pop legend's back catalogue, including Purple Rain, Condition of the Heart and Sexy Dancer.

Who's it by?

Thirteen artists have chipped in for this effort, including Soulwax, D'Angelo, Peaches, Stina Nordenstam and Hefner.

As an example...

"I never meant to cause you any sorrow/I never meant to cause you any pain/I only wanted to one time see you laughing/I only wanted to see you laughing in the purple rain" - Purple Rain

Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys

Prince has won many major awards, including at the Grammys, but this take on his work won't reach such dizzy heights.

What the others say

"As an artefact, it's splendid to have knocking around. Earthshattering though? Nah." - Subba Cultcha

So is it any good?

Compilation albums generally have mixed results. When a group of often polarising artists come together to re-record some of the most classic pop songs ever written, it could end up either hitting the spot or murdering them forever.

Luckily, Controversy does not completely murder the work of Prince. The Dynamics' version of Girls & Boys adds a bit of spice to a legendary song, while Stina Nordenstam's Purple Rain effort is so haunting that it is hard to recognise it as Prince's work - in a good way. Soulwax's Starfish & Coffee is also another highlight.

However, the point of it all is lost on me. Prince's first album was recorded in 1977, so a 30th anniversary special is a bit late. If it is not meant to be for that, then I'm lost as to why it exists.

Despite that, it's a decent collection. Die-hard Prince fans may cringe, but for the occasional listener, Controversy offers a unique take on the works of a legendary performer.

6/10

Richard Fox