Musicology - review

From funk to monk, Musicology is proof that Prince is still the leader of the pack when it comes to the sonic-studio wizardry, instruments and sound, as well as the spiritual revival happening all over music right now. In recent times we've seen the likes of Mos Def (Muslim), Kanye West (Christian) and on the underground scene, Divine Styler (again, Muslim), all professing their faith, and placing it unashamedly at the centre of their music- just as it surely is at the centre of their lives, as a result, they come off looking more or less invincible. But now it's time for the man to step back into the spotlight. Prince done did it again, although he's made an album that is much more inclusive, less confusing than 2001's brilliant 'Rainbow Children', he has also managed to make the music just as progressive and funky, whilst this time making it much more 'pop' and clean at the same time.

Speaking of clean, we start with the old-school, not so clean rawness of the lead-single, 'Musicology'- a simple funk guitar-riff plays throughout the whole 4 minutes, however it's hypnotic, and will surely engrain itself into your head if it hasn't already. Also it's just the sort of James Brown type 1970's vibe that you would have expected Public Enemy to sample 'back in the days'. It is hot. More than that though, the lyrics sink their way into your intellect with Prince at his most accessible and straight-forward, his typically sharp persona in full swing as he also name-checks Chuck D, Jam Master J and Earth Wind & Fire, a typically eclectic mix that I suppose, is typical of the P-man.

Then we're treated to the main body of this interesting and quite brief affair. 'A Million days' is a brilliant title, and thankfully the music really matches the name, it has a sort of excitement and youth about its pace and energy that is very reminiscent of moments on Purple Rain, because it's so clear from listening to 90% of these songs, that once again, he has struck the balance so perfectly fine between expression, abstract lyrics, and pop music. His lyrics are still unique, undeniably Prince in their slight weirdness, and yet they could also be just as easily accepted by the mainstream. Talking of mainstream, 'Call my name' really should sound corny, I mean it's a ballad! And even the word ballad usually means crap music for me, but there it is again, that certain something about the way he's treated his guitar-sound, something rich about the wah wah effect, and most of all, something powerful and true about his voice. What you don't expect in the middle of a love song is for someone to start commenting on the war in Iraq, but he does just that in the second verse. And yes, do I need to say it? "It works!"

Commenting on the political situations of the day was always an important part of what made Prince special, he did it most touchingly for me, on 1991's hit 'Money don't matter 2nite', when he spoke explicitly about the first Gulf War and all the horrible images that make monetary gains look so small in comparison. Once again though, in 2004, the joyous and beautiful 'Cinnamon girl' is a comment on the persecution of Arab-Americans. It's something I would never have expected Prince to delve into (silly me for having pre-conceived expectations of this unexpected man), he often has this aura of being an isolated person who only wants to talk about his issues, and his religion, but here, (if I'm right about the meaning of this song that is!) he talks sincerely about a young girl, a Muslim-American girl caught up in the aftermath of September 11th.

"As war drums beat in Babylon,
Cinnamon girl starts to pray
I never heard a prayer like this one,
Never before that day
tearful words of love for people she had never met before,
Asking God to grant them mercy in this face of Holy War...

Cinnamon girl, fixed heritage, never knew the meaning of colour lines,
9/11 turned that all around when she got accused of this crime.
Some began a mass illusion, war on terror alibi,
What's the use when the god of confusion keeps on telling the same lie?"

You wouldn't think it to look at the lyrics, but it's an amazingly uplifting song, and you can attribute that to Prince's smiling vocals on the chorus, as well as his living guitar, which is starting to have a life of it's own, just like Miles Davis' horn did 'back in the day'. He speaks to the Cinnamon girl like a knowing father, whispering towards the end of the song, "Don't worry girl, it's gonna be all right.." And perhaps that's why he made this such a joyous song, because he knows that it will be all right. Just as the American Jews, Japanese and African-Americans endured (and yes, often still endure) a lot of racism from White-Americans, they have all now come out of those darkest hours with varying degrees of success. 'Cos we know how this movies ending' says Prince. Coming from an American-Muslim, and someone who was in Washington on the morning of September 11th, and who left partially because of the reactions of ignorant Americans, all I can say is that I'm glad Prince is alive to say things like this.

The next most interesting moment for most will be the next track, 'What do you want me to do?' It's a simple, rather silly tale of a girl who likes Prince, only poor Prince can't mess with her because "I got a woman, you got a man, so we got to do what's right." So, okay, this hardcore Prince fan will admit that it's probably not the most engaging song lyrically, but it's the music that will grip you. It's a subtle chorus, a loop, a hip-hop track and an electronica track mixed all together with Prince's Sesame Street style happy guitar sounds. It's a classic.

'Dear Mr. Man' goes much further into domestic politics, Prince telling the sad truth like it is, "Ain't no sense in voting, same soul with a different name, [we] might not be in the back of the bus, but it sure feels just the same.' Every black artist/musician and man who is not happy with the scraps the dominant and all-controlling white media moguls have offered them will surely agree with the Purple-one. As he says himself, "Things just got to get better." The album flows away with 'Reflection', a sweet piece of poetry whose music will take you all the way back to Otis Redding and simpler times. Things really are getting better for Prince. It's an unbelievable inspiration for this 20-something that at 45, a man can still be as passionate and loving as he clearly is. Listening to his longing for his wife on 'Call my name' it is clear to me that life is, and always will be, life. It doesn't go anywhere as long as you keep living it. I'm thankful that Prince is still around to keep those who are prepared to listen, smiling and nodding with affirmation at the good things he has to say.

Prince is my man, and I respect a man who stands up for what he believes in, but this album is more about his uncompromising talent, not his uncompromising/rebellious side. That you may not like him is one thing, but that he can still turn around and make a record as right as this, as accessible and yet as meaningful as Musicology, can only reaffirm his status as the leading figure in black music, and a speaker to all humans on the importance of SPIRITUALITY.

Y.Misdaq aka Yoshi, 11 Apr 2004