Publication: USA Today [US]
Date: November 21, 1996
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Title: "'Emancipation' proclamation: Outstanding"
Reviewed By: Edna Gundersen

Only a slave to the beat could create the liberating sonic spree on Emancipation (**** out of four). Released Tuesday, the three-hour, three-CD set by the artist formerly known as Prince is astounding in both its stylistic breadth and disciplined focus.

The Artist freely roams genres, moods and themes in 36 songs that capture his funk essence and distill his vision while showcasing a rare ability to master and manipulate any motif. In addition to honing his familiar rock/soul signature, he boldly tackles rap in Mr. Happy, Spanish rhythms in Damned If (Eye) Do, jazz swing in Courtin' Time, techno in Slave and house music in Sleep Around.

As usual, the sexual and the sacred intermingle in his tunes, though now there's a compelling emphasis on the joys of monogamy and commitment, from the sweet piano ballad Let's Have a Baby to the achingly devotional Friend, Lover, Sister, Mother/Wife.

The sprawling collection, produced, arranged, composed and performed almost entirely by The Artist, is rife with crunch and simmer, pelvic thrusts and fluttery heartbeats, euphoria and pique. Savion Glover of Broadway's Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk tap dances the percussion on a show-stopping, polyrhythmic Joint 2 Joint. A silky falsetto pierces Get Yo Groove On, and a sultry sway defines Sex in the Summer and the grinding In This Bed (Eye) Scream.

He reinvents four diverse songs popularized by other artists, including a playful cover of the 1972 Stylistics hit Betcha By Golly Wow! and a loving (Eye) Can't Make U Love Me, the Mike Reid tune Bonnie Raitt made famous.

The Artist's gutsiest move may be unleashing a triple album, even one that's attractively priced at $25, mere months after Chaos and Disorder stiffed, selling only 100,000 copies. If Emancipation flops, it could signal the end of his Purple reign, but only commercially. Artistically, the royal funkster has lost none of his majesty.