Prince

“3121” (Universal)

Sounds like: Err . Prince?

REVIEW: 4 / 5

In short: Musically diverse yet commercially sound, “3121” is fun, experimental and definitely Prince.

His name is Prince, and he is funky. The Purple One, never shy of experimentation (and titillation), brings an inviting collection of different sounds on “3121.”

“Black Sweat” is the most accessible track, with a club beat that has shades of the Neptunes, funkified with a distinct Prince feel.

The rest of the album is no slouch, either. Ballad “Te Amo Corazon,” the first single off “3121,” brings in a Spanish flavor that shows a man, now in his 40s, concerned with what he likes instead of what others do.

That’s not to say “3121”‘s experimentation alienates everyone but the devout.

What Prince has managed to do with his recent efforts is keep things interesting instrumentally without going off the deep end in Lake Minnetonka – a situation the “enslaved” Prince found himself throughout most of the ’90s.

Some tracks are more conventional than others. For example, some of the voice-distortion used may raise a few eyebrows, but just remind yourself, “This is Prince, the guy that wore a leopard-print assless suit. Oh, right.”

Whether it is Prince’s newfound faith (including the omission of “dirtier” songs from his recent tour) or an attempt to be a tease, “3121” is restrained with use of bedroom talk – “Darling Nikki,” it’s not. You won’t notice the lack of moaning and songs about orgasms, as each track delivers, if not initially, after a second play through.

Now, who wants some pancakes?

– Rob Lombardi