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Prince 3121
Universal Music, Cassette, Rs. 150
He pulled off the ultimate coup with Musicology, and anyone listening to his next 3121 will have to admit that Prince's comeback wasn't just some last-ditch effort to make the headlines again. After all, Prince has never had to run after the spotlight. No matter where it roved, it always gravitated back to him. And with 3121, it looks like he'll hold our attention for a long time to come.
Admittedly, the cryptic title isn't much of an eye-catcher, and kicking off the album might not have been the greatest idea in the world. It gets off to a slow start, what with all of the odd-sounding layers not quite creating the effect they should. Still, once things get going, the song does manage to work. And the fact that it is followed by "Lolita" makes all the difference.
However much Prince might deny it, he can sing about sex like few others can, and like he can about little else. His-look-but-don't-touch tribute to nymphets everywhere returns him to his rightful place as a master of funk. His ability to put the oomph in any groove he writes is finally visible again, after that long hiatus during his `The Artist Formerly Known As' period. The deal, of course, is sealed with "Black Sweat", a stripped-down, slick assertion of his bent of mind, strengthened by the silky vocals that the man is legendary for.
Of course, the album is not without its faults. "Te Amo Corazon" is a clunky ballad that would have fallen flat for anyone but Prince. Even with him leading the way, it struggles to even reach a passable level of quality. The other downer is "Beautiful, Loved and Blessed", a fairly decent song by itself, but not really up to standards.
Still, thanks to added bonuses such as a powerful wind section, excellent backing vocals by Tαmar and a distinct hip-hop influence to many of the songs, this album rocks in a way that only the final celebratory indulgence, "Get on the Boat", manages to portray.
Jack Johnson Sing-A-longs and Lullabies for the Film Curious George
Universal Music,
Cassette, Rs. 150
It isn't every day that a film can boast a completely original soundtrack album, when the norm is a mishmash of current and classic hits. And it isn't every day that an original album manages to sound this good. Jack Johnson is all the rage now, and listening to his Sing-A-Longs and Lullabies... it's easy to see why.
The album boasts all the usual characteristics that make him the best-selling artiste he is — smooth, dreamy vocals that have a unique ability of slipping quietly under your defences, backed by simple but well-written melodies and a pleasant acoustic guitar. What makes this a strong contender for his best work to date is the kind of variety he manages to bring to the table. And with the variety, comes an astounding consistency that ensures this album cannot be missed.
It's hard to pick favourites in this one. "Upside Down" comes instantly to mind, with its wonderfully upbeat chorus and opening percussion that is strongly reminiscent of Rolling Stones. But after listening to the rest of the album, one has to wonder if that's only because it has received so much airplay. After all, there are other great numbers like "Wrong Turn", which will almost surely put a lump in your throat, the more energetic "Broken", the brilliantly stylish "The 3 Rs" and the nicely harmonised "With My Own Two Hands", a duet with Ben Harper.
Fortunately, the Tiny-TV style song writing is kept to an essential minimum, in the form of two pleasant numbers, "The Sharing Song" and "Jungle Gym". For the rest, Johnson serves up an unbeatable combination of tight grooves, easily likeable licks and mature lyrics that are perfect for that lazy afternoon, or just about anytime you want to stop and smell the roses. Curiosity might kill the cat, but it surely works out well for the cute monkey.
RAKESH MEHAR
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