3121 [Digipak] by Prince (CD, Mar-2006, Universal Distribution)

Album Features
UPC:	602498520727
Artist:	Prince
Format:	CD
Release Year:	2006
Record Label:	Universal Distribution
Genre:	Contemporary R&B, R&B

Track Listing
1. 3121
2. Lolita
3. Te Amo Corazón
4. Black Sweat
5. Incense and Candles
6. Love
7. Satisfied
8. Fury
9. Word, The
10. Beautiful, Loved and Blessed
11. Dance, The
12. Get on the Boat

Details
Playing Time:	54 min.
Producer:	Prince
Distributor:	Universal Distribution
Recording Type:	Studio
Recording Mode:	Stereo
SPAR Code:	n/a

Album Notes
Personnel: Prince (vocals); Prince (various instruments); Tamar (vocals); Maceo Parker, Candy Dulfer (saxophone, horns); Ray Montiero (horns); Joshua Dunham, Sonny Thompson (bass guitar); Cora Coleman Dunham (drums); Ricky Salas, Ricky Salas (bongos, timbales, percussion); Greg Boyer (horns); Michael Bland (drums); Herbert Ureña (congas, bongos, percussion); Sheila E. (percussion).Recording information: 3121; Paisley Park Studios.Arranger: Prince.During the 1990s it looked as though Prince, once one of the most vital and inventive artists in the industry, was in all ways over. Yet 2004's MUSICOLOGY redeemed the man who seemed lost to obscure re-christenings and self-indulgent double-albums by proving he could still deliver the goods with strong songs and tight, funky musicianship. 2006's 3121 does MUSICOLOGY one better. Not only is it full of fine writing, superb production, and infectious, high-energy jams, it is Prince's most focused and consistent effort in a long time.That 3121 doesn't rival masterpieces like PARADE and SIGN 'O' THE TIMES is not surprising; Prince doesn't invent at such a furious pace here. Instead, he sticks with what he knows best--forward-thinking, idiosyncratic funk--and does it to perfection. The rolling stomp of the title-track opener, the synth-driven "Lolita," and the down-and-dirty "Black Sweat" tell us this will be an album full of body-movers, while beautifully downtempo tunes like "Te Amo Corazon" prove the man hasn't lost his sense of songcraft. MUSICOLOGY put Prince back in the driver's seat, and 3121 finds him revving up the engine.

Editorial Reviews
3 stars out of 5 -- It's a guitar-centric album, the Purple One strumming a rare acoustic....The album's penultimate track, 'The Dance', mixes slightly sinister voices with strings and a stirring grand piano solo.
Mojo

4 stars out of 5 -- [T]here are teases of samba, rhythms as heavy as James Brown, and slow jams as airy as prime Isleys.
Uncut

4 stars out of 5 -- As on MUSICOLOGY, the beats get pretty wicked here -- wildly canted, eccentric, exciting.
Rolling Stone