The Hits 2

Performer: Prince
Artist: Sheila E.; Sheena Easton; Bernie Mac; Eric Leeds
Distributor: WEA (Distributor)

Notes: Personnel includes: Prince (vocals, various instruments); Dez Dickerson (vocals, guitar); Sheila E. (vocals, percussion); Bernie Mac, Sheena Easton, Camille (vocals); Eric Leeds (flute, saxophone); Mazarati (background vocals). The Revolution: Wendy Melvoin (vocals, guitar); Matt Fink (vocals, keyboards, synthesizer); Lisa Coleman (vocals, keyboards); Brown Mark (vocals, bass); Bobby Z. (percussion). The New Power Generation: Mayte (vocals); Rosie Gaines (vocals, organ, progamming); Tony M. (rap vocals, background vocals); Levi Seacer Jr. (rhythm guitar, bass, background vocals); Tommy Barbarella (keyboards, programming, background vocals); Sonny T. (bass, background vocals); Michael B. (drums); Kirk Johnson, Damon Dickson (percussion, background vocals). Producers: The Revolution, The New Power Generation, Prince. Engineers include: Bob Mockler, Mic Guzauski, Ross Pallone. Compilation producer: Gregg Geller. THE HITS 2 includes a booklet with photography by Herb Ritts, plus extensive liner notes by Alan Leeds, and track annotations about previously unreleased material. Upon their release in 1993, the shorthand descriptors were that THE HITS ONE contained the "clean" songs while THE HITS TWO had all the "dirty" stuff. It's not quite so simple. Such songs as "Controversy" delve into politics; "Purple Rain" and "I Would Die 4 U" explore Prince's deeply felt religious iconography. And, with only rare exceptions, Prince's songs tend to be more teasing and erotic than blatant. Even the most outrageous tunes, like "Head," have a sly wit that marks them as much more than Penthouse Forum titillation material. Bottom line: these 18 tracks are the very pinnacle of '80s and early '90s pop-funk. THE HITS TWO contains two previously unreleased tracks, the funky "Peach" and the calculated-to-shock "Pope." This disc and its companion volume are also available as a box set with an essential bonus third disc of b-sides.

Q (11/93, p.148) - 5 Stars - Indispensible - "...it's not just the high and mighty width of [Prince's] collection that startles: the sustained quality here is remarkable..."

The word "genius" may be used a little too freely when describing pop musicians, but many would have to agree that Prince is deserving of such an accolade. Since his 1978 debut album, the Minneapolis-based multi-instrumentalist/songwriter/singer has scored numerous hits with his sexually charged, original funk/pop/dance/rock style, penned big hits for other artists, and has even tried his hand at acting as well. In the early 1990s, Prince's name-changing antics and his messy break with Warner Brothers overshadowed his music, but his extensive back catalog of amazing songs has secured his place in musical history.

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