Album releases

For once, an archive release that actually IS the jewel it purports to be – previously unheard Prince at his Purple Rain peak. His voice and thrilling piano playing make this truly precious. The sorely missed late superstar gives an early instruction to “turn the lights down” before the opening thrill ride, 17 Days. Elsewhere, covers of the spiritual Mary, Don’t You Weep, Joni Mitchell’s A Case Of You and future Sign O’ The Times classic Strange Relationship prove what we all knew – Prince was of a higher order.