Hits & B-Sides

Out of print in the U.S.! When an exceptional package like this hits the market (no pun intended), the world should join together and breathe a loud (and sensual) 'thank you' to everyone involved. The 56 tracks on this triple disc set are essential to any music lover's collection. Spanning the first decade-and-a-half of his career, every track is a classic or near-classic. The first two discs are the Hits 1 and Hits 2 compilations that were also available separately. Disc Three features many of his mot popular B-sides including 'Erotic City', 'Pink Cashmere' and his own version of 'Nothing Compares 2 U' (which Sinead O'Connor took to the upper regions of the charts). From his early synth-pop ("Dirty Mind," "Controversy"), through the golden middle-period of the Revolution ("1999," "Little Red Corvette," "When Doves Cry," "Raspberry Beret," "Kiss," "U Got The Look"), and on to such New Power Generation hits as "Gett Off" and "Sexy M.F.," this is a must-have. If you've never been moved or excited by at least one Prince song than you are either: A) Dead; B) Not Alive; or C) Both of the above. Warner.

Assignment: To write 100 words on 56 songs by the greatest artist the '80s produced. Even with single edits substituting for full-length versions in a handful of cases, The Hits/The B-Sides is a mighty testament to the man we once called Prince. (For that matter, we still do.) In addition to most of his singles, from "I Wanna Be Your Lover" to "Thieves in the Temple," from "When Doves Cry" to "7," this triple-CD set throws in some worthwhile new music and a full disc of the fantastic flips that made buying 7- and 12-inches a must even when you already owned the A-side. "You can be the side effect," he mutters herein. "I'd rather be the dope." Witness some of the funkiest pharmaceuticals around. --Rickey Wright