The Hits/The B-Sides [Box] - Prince (CD 1993)

I have been an avid Prince fan since the day I first heard his single 'Soft and Wet' back when I was in 5th grade. I think the year was 1978 or 79. Anyway, what a lot of people(that is most Prince non-fans) do not know is that some of this artist best work was never released to the masses. Forever to be know as B-side songs.

This compilation album gives the listener the best of Prince, both worlds. It has something for those of you who are familiar only with the Hits, such as:

Disc 1: When Doves Cry, Pop Life, Soft And Wet, I Feel For You, Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?, When You Were Mine, Uptown, Let's Go Crazy, 1999, I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man, Nothing Compares 2 U - (previously unreleased, with Rosie Gaines, live), Adore, Pink Cashmere - (previously unreleased), Alphabet St., Sign O' The Times, Thieves In The Temple, Diamonds And Pearls, 7

Disc 2: Controversy, Dirty Mind, I Wanna Be Your Lover, Head, Do Me, Baby, Delirious, Little Red Corvette, I Would Die 4 U, Raspberry Beret, If I Was Your Girlfriend, Kiss, Peach - (previously unreleased), U Got The Look - (with Sheena Easton), Sexy M.F., Gett Off, Cream, Pope - (previously unreleased), Purple Rain.

But for me the best is Disc three, the B-side hits. Disc three starts off with Hello, a whimsical little song that takes a little getting used to, but listen closely enough and you start appreciating the musician. This song flows right into 200 Balloons which also highlights this artist musical ability.

Escape and Gotta Stop (Messin' About) and tracks 3 and 4 on this disc. Honestly off the top of my head, I can't seem to remember what escape sounds like, but Gotta Stop, I remember as the B-side to the Dirty Mind single. This song was one of his first in mass release and though rough around the edges, you can hear where this man was going with his music. To a whole new world.

Horny Toad, Feel U Up and Girl are lovely whimisical little songs. The beat of Horny Toad reminds me of Jack U off from the controversy Album. I Love U In Me is a beautiful little song that makes you think of young love, or at the very least young lust/erotica.
Erotic City, Shockadelica, Irresistible _itch, Scarlet Pus-) are Prince' early erotic sex songs. Erotic City being the best of the four and Scarlet P being, in my opinion the most difficult to listen to.

She's Always In My Hair, 17 Days, How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore, La, La, La, He, He, Hee - (with Sheena Easton, are easy to listen to and appreciate the artist behind the music. Prince' use of instruments and his voice as well as his use of other artist to enhance a song are impeccable

Another Lonely Christmas, God, 4 The Tears In Your Eyes, Power Fantastic - (previously unreleased) are Prince expressing his spirituality. Another Lonely Christmas, the First time you hear it you may cry as I did. This simple song manages to give us a glimpse into why many people have a hard time at Christmas. The blues seem to hit a lot people around this time of year. God definitely has a message, but Prince being so closely associated with sex, sexuality and other decadent worldly things, the listener may have a hard time relating to the Artist. The song however is really nice until Prince does his trademark scream. A bit scary right at this point.

For true Prince fans, this CD collection is a must have. For people new to his music or not that familiar with it, this collection can give you a quick overview of the artist and his work.