Description:
Prince released Controversy, his fourth album, in 1981. Now it’s considered a bridge between his punk-funk beginnings and his poppier future. Yet only one song from that album, the title track in fact, appears on this compilation of cover versions of Prince’s greatest hits. 
Which means?
Controversy was the album that transformed Prince from a sex-obsessed multi-instrumentalist to a social commentator, albeit a resolutely prurient one. This compilation comes out in the year Prince turns 50 - and provides as good as reason as any to celebrate a career second probably only to David Bowie’s in terms of its musical diversity. Fittingly enough, a whole host of artists offer their interpretations of Prince’s oeuvre, from soul’s D’Angelo to reggae’s The Dynamics to electro rockers, Soulwax.
Is it much cop?
Cop, it is. Mucho. As they say down Mexico way.
How many good tracks?
D’Angelo sets the pace with opener ‘She’s Always In My Hair’. Later the likes of 7 Hurtz with Peaches, aka female Prince, on ‘Sexy Dancer’ and Soulwax on ‘Starfish & Coffee’ manage to keep up with him. If not overtake the slicker-than-your-average singer.
And the worst?
Stina Nordenstam is an enigmatic performer. The purveyor of the finest dream pop Sweden has ever manufactured, she lets her own high standards slip on her version of ‘Purple Rain’. Nightmare pop more like.
Biggest disappointment?
That Prince’s more recent stuff doesn’t measure up to his back catalogue. The fact that a lot of these track, especially Susanna & The Magical Orchestra’s ‘Condition Of The Heart’, sound nothing like the original comes as some consolation. For those wanting to hear Prince as they’ve never heard him before.
Verdict:
In spite of Stina Nordenstam’s murder most foul, most of these artists offer a sensitive retreading of Prince’s earlier steps. So much so that a follow-up album seems more inevitable than possible. Take a bow, your royal highness.
(4/5)