Prince - Lovesexy (LP) M

Personnel: Prince (vocals, various instruments); Cat (vocals); Miko (guitars, background vocals); Eric Leeds, Atlanta Bliss (brass, background vocals); Boni Boyer (keyboards, background vocals); Dr. Fink (keyboards); Levi Seacer, Jr. (bass, background vocals); Sheila E. (drums, percussion, background vocals).

With powerhouse drummer Sheila E. and synthesizer wizard Dr. Fink still remaining from Prince's classic mid-to-late-'80s band, LOVESEXY is an all-out funk assault, aimed squarely at the dancefloor. The elaborate, genre-crossing arrangements of PURPLE RAIN give way to an irresistibly propulsive dance-funk-rock aesthetic. Basic, primal rhythms, gritty sax and chattering, funky rhythm guitar help drive the long, foot-moving tunes. As usual, the lyrics tend toward the carnal, and as dance-oriented an album as LOVESEXY, that lascivious sensibility just helps to push the whole thing along. The romantic ballad "When 2 R In Love" provides an effective change of pace, but don't expect to sit down for long once LOVESEXY gets underway.

• Genre: R&B
• Format: Vinyl