PRINCE - THE HITS 1

So Prince finally puts together a greatest hits effort just as he prepares to close his Paisley Park label for good. In a way, it's a good ending to this amazing label and tribute to the music and artists it represented. The compilation was released in three different guises. There were two single disc editions 'The Hits 1' and 'The Hits 2' along with a 3-disc edition collecting to two single discs together and including a 3rd disc of b-sides. He planned the discs in a very specific way... The first disc was to include his more spiritual and uplifting music while the second disc was aimed at the more raunchy and physical stuff.

My biggest complaint with the compilation is the inclusion of so many edited versions of songs. It makes the disc sound and feel hurried. Also, unlike other specific albums, it sounds somewhat jumbled at times. Each one of these tunes, in and of itself, merits examination, but for the sake of time, I'll limit my discussion to the unreleased tracks...

On this particular disc, the new song is the incomparable 'Pink Cashmere'. It's a lovely tune with a relaxed groove and a beautiful falsetto vocal delivery. Of all the new tracks appearing in this collection, 'Pink Cashmere' is my favorite. I absolutely adore the song. It's lovely.

For Prince fans, the edits of some tracks are nice to own. The unreleased songs are also a bonus. The 3rd disc is the real treasure. For the casual listener, these discs are a wonderful glimpse into the work of a musical genius. My final word: WONDERFUL.

PRINCE - THE HITS 1
01. When Doves Cry
02. Pop Life
03. Soft And Wet
04. I Feel For You
05. Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?
06. When You Were Mine
07. Uptown
08. Let's Go Crazy
09. 1999
10. I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man
11. Nothing Compares 2 U
12. Adore
13. Pink Cashmere
14. Alphabet St.
15. Sign 'O' The Times
16. Thieves In The Temple
17. Diamonds And Pearls
18. 7