Publication: Gavin [US]
Date: December 6, 1996
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Title: Gavin Review
Reviewed By: Staff

Emancipation (NPG Records)

Music has been called "the organization of sound toward beauty." The elements of sound consist of rhythm, melody, texture or harmony, tone color or timbre, form, and tonallity. Great composers are masters at directing each element toward a single purpose: creating their own sound. In popular music, artists who have developed their own distintive sound have always risen to the top; Stevie, Elton, Bruce, Aretha, Witney, the Beatles, Michael, and the Aritst who used to be called Prince. The Aritst is back with an amazing three-CD set that instantly says two things about him: 1) He can make a great album anytime he feels free to create, and 2) He's very much in love with his wife. To list the titles of great, good, and interesting songs on Emancipation or to compare these discs to his past work is a waste of time. The real story here is how this man has dedicated his musical life and talent to reaching out to mankind. His music is both deeply personal and meaniful to the world. Given his recent recording history, this CD package could eaisly have been called Revenge. But Emancipation really speaks to the higher level that the Artist has stepped up to, leaving childish feuds behind and maturing as a businessman with a definitive global view. It's a scary thought, but as wonderful as this CD is, the Artist still hasn't reached the peak of his artistic powers. His new freedom will continue to reach immeasureable heights of beauty.