Publication: Yush [?]
Date: November 27, 1996
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Title: Yush Review
Reviewed By: Staff

TAFKKAP [Sic]
Emancipation
(EMI)

Now that His Purpleness has managed to shake free his former label, Warners, the title of his triple-album debut for EMI finds him celebrating his artistic freedom.

Pleasant isn't a word normally associated with The Artist's output, especially considering the brilliance of past works such as Sign of The Times. But for the most part, Emancipation is exactly that. This new-found maturity seems to have dulled the sexy, rapier edge which sliced through Get Off. Also, a supercharged one-hour would have been more definitive than the meandering three hours of Emancipation.

Even so, there are flashes of past form such as the op-along, summery funk of Jam Of The Year, Get Yo Groove On and the big, biting bassline that makes a very funky Mr. Happy. Soul numbers such as Somebody's Somebody are sung with rare conviction and sweet restraint. Emale, with its surprising key changes, is one of the most original laid-back grooves ever. The hip hop flavoured Joint 2 Joint is a piece of smutty cleverness we all know Prince is particularly good at - pity it's the only one.

Now TAFKAP is on the road to enlightenment, maybe he'll adopt a name we can all pronounce.