Intimate, raw, and recorded at his home studio in one take… For those that caught Prince on his Piano & A Microphone Tour, this posthumous album is similar in format, except that it was created in 1983, when the Purple One was on the verge of international stardom. Discovered on a cassette tape at Paisley Park, the 9-tracker consists of RARE looks at early versions of career-defining numbers like "Purple Rain" (released a year later), and hearing Prince's voice over nothing but keys is simply sublime. Also included are "Strange Relationship" (from 1987's Sign O'The Times), "International Lover," and a cover of Joni Mitchell's "A Case of You." But this is an album that you need to enjoy in its entirety, "Mary Don't You Weep," "Cold Coffee & Cocaine"—all so good, timeless, and warranting repeated plays! This is the deluxe edition of the album, and it includes a 12" booklet w/ new liner notes from Prince's engineer, Don Batts," in addition to never-before-seen pictures of prince.

• 180g vinyl pressing
• CD version included
• deluxe hardbound gatefold cover
• 12" booklet w/ new liner notes + photo insert
• music label: Warner Bros. Records 2018

reviewed by rei kwondo 09/2018