Accidental star plunges ahead in unique tradition

By Jason Heller

Prince is a maverick alternative artist--simultaneously at the margin and the vanguard of his craft--and he always has been. The hits were accidents. Crystal Ball makes that clear. Three discs of odds-and-sods from his legendary vault
containing more than 500 unreleased songs, these tracks span almost his entire career, from 1982 until the present day. From the looks of this set, there wasn't a second during that time when the man wasn't busy recording.

Be forewarned: Crystal Ball is not for the uninitiated. Only established Prince fans or the adventurous few need apply. Prince has an enormous amount of talent that allows him to realize any musical idea, which is as much of a curse as it is a blessing.

Crystal Ball delivers up scorching funk numbers like "Calhoun Square" and "Interactive," from his mid-1990s New Power Generation era, all of which showcase the tightest funk band he has ever assembled. So good, it makes you marvel at what a man who is only 5'3" can accomplish.

He also serves up recent concert regulars like the epic funk of "Days of Wild," combining tight grooves with inane party chants. Then, the hip-hop attempts, like "P. Control," showcase nothing but his ability to write stupid lyrics and his inability to deliver them as rap, the one thing he never could do.

There are two standout tracks on the set, though. "Da Bang" shifts effortlessly (and humorously) from crunchy jazz to raveup rock on one of the most thrilling sonic rides Prince has ever taken us on. But perhaps the most interesting track of all is a 15-minute number entitled "Cloreen Bacon Skin." Consisting of only Prince and Morris Day on bass and drums, this infectious James Brown-like jam will have you enthralled in a funky trance throughout. And it has no melody. It's a particular kind of genius that only Prince is capable of, and maybe takes a certain sensibility to appreciate.

Despite some flashes of his trademark bad, bad self on the acoustically funky "Third Eye," the bluesy "Dionne," and the jazzy "Fascination," The Truth, an extra disc recorded last year that comes with Crystal Ball, really brings to light something that's been true of Prince for quite a few years: he's becoming irrelevant. None of this stuff will become popular; there are no hits anywhere on Crystal Ball or The Truth. It's all just Prince running wild with his own talent, and coming up with what he can. But maybe that's always been the point, and the hits really have been nothing more than coincidences.

Crystal Ball is only available through Prince's website, www.1800newfunk.com, phone order (same phone number as the website), and in selected chains, including Blockbuster Music. (NPG Records)

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