Publication: Blues & Soul [UK]
Date: October 15-28, 1991
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Title: Diamonds & Pearls Review
Reviewed By: Staff

Although I've always tried to make a conscious effort to stay clear of doing this, I guess subconsciously as a journalist, in order to give the reader an immediate picture of what you're describing, you try to compare it to something else which is familiar ie., this sounds like an early track from Fred Blogs and The Hedgehogs etc., etc.

Well the great thing by and large with this album and most of Prince's work is that it simply can't be compared to anything. It's uniquely Prince, and believe me, that type of individuality in this day and age, when musical plagiarism seems a prerequisite to get a recording deal is not only refreshing but essential.

There are the odd tracks on here which I think I could safely accuse Prince of wearing an influence on his sleeve, the most obvious being "Daddy Pop" which is so obviously Sly & The Family Stone I'm sure Prince would openly acknowledge the fact. Also, I don't really think prince's original mix of "Gett Off" using a bellowing P.E. type drum track even comes close to Steve Hurley's brilliant housed up "Urge Mix" which seemed to suit Prince's quirky sleazy style far better. Sure, if Chuck D or Ice Cube would have rapped on top it would have been a different story.

But generally other than that, it's tangent time as Prince takes a sharp left to orbit on his unique off centre plane. "Thunder" typifies this with defiant/aggressive chants/meshed with gospel and quite serene harmonies and rock guitar parts.

The title track is a fresh, free and loose sensitive ballad, whilst "Strollin'" is even more happy-go-lucky with a nonchalant jazz bass line. "Willing And Able" induces a slight country-ish feel into the proceedings with Prince's omni-present gospel like backings making another appearance. "Walk Don't Walk" is more nonchalant, pleasant funk with carhorn sounds sampled into the groove, with "Insatiable" being a beautifully erotic soul ballad and "Live 4 Love" mid-paced air-force funk with Prince questioning the moral validity of a pilot on a bombing raid: "My mission, so they said, was 2 drop the bombs. Just like I got no conscience, just like I got no qualms".

Undoubtedly the best track on here has to be the relaxed, melancholy and completely melodic "Money Don't Matter 2Night", with Prince again questioning, "So what if we're controlling all the oil. Is it worth a child dying 4?" "Cream" in it's sleazy, kinky way comes a close second in terms of album highlights. It's also refreshing, I must add, to have an obviously live band laying down the grooves, which allows ever evolving songs instead of simple looped sections as is often the case with today's heavily sequenced/programmed dance sounds. Good to have him back. (Rating: 8/10)