Various Artists: Dearly Beloved - A Prince Songbook 3CD Digipak

• This new 3CD digipack is the most comprehensive compilation to date of Prince’s songs as recorded by other artists. Among the 52 tracks are many written and produced specifically for other acts, plus hit cover versions and obscure homages to the songwriting genius.

• Featuring major pop hits penned for The Bangles, Sheena Easton, Martika and more, plus R&B smashes for Nona Hendryx, André Cymone and Meli’sa Morgan, as well as lesser- known latter-day collaborations with Shelby J, Ana Moura and Van Gogh.

• Artists showcased range from crossover superstars (Kenny Rogers, Pointer Sisters) to jazz- funk legends (Maceo Parker, Herbie Hancock), electro pop pioneers (Robyn, Peaches) to alt rock and country mavericks (Amanda Palmer, Lambchop) and beyond.

• With a full colour 32-page booklet that includes new interviews with many of the acts featured and historic quotes, plus essay by album curator ex-Attitude editor Adam Mattera

• A must for all die-hard Prince fans.

The most expansive compilation to date of the great Prince Roger Nelson’s deep and diverse songbook as covered by other artists with 52 tracks, spanning a wildly diverse range of styles from giddy pop to blistering R&B, sophisticated jazz to alt country balladry.

Disc 1 focuses on tracks he gifted specifically to other artists, including million-selling hits for The Bangles (‘Manic Monday’) and Sheena Easton (‘Sugar Walls’), songs crafted for his funk forebears (Patti LaBelle, Kid Creole) and longterm bandmates (Brownmark, Rosie Gaines), as well as rare, lesser- known cowriting collaborations with the likes of gospel powerhouse Shelby J and fado starlet Ana Moura.

Disc 2 collates a range of soul, funk and jazz-leaning covers that showcases major US R&B hits for Meli’sa Morgan (‘Do Me Baby’) and Stephanie Mills (‘How Come U Don’t Call Me Anymore’) alongside dynamic takes on Prince classics by Corinne Bailey Rae, Cypress Hill founding member Mellow Man Ace and more, plus heartfelt homages like Grammy-winning jazz star Bobby Sparks’ recording of ‘Sometimes It Snows In April’.

Meanwhile, Disc 3 widens the remit to feature more leftfield takes on his catalogue including 7 Hurtz’ punchy Peaches-led electro pop rework of ‘Sexy Dancer’, Hue & Cry’s bebop-inspired reimagining of ‘Sign O’ The Times' and alt rocker Amanda Palmer’s majestic take on ‘Purple Rain’.

TRACK LISTING

DISC ONE

1  Martika - Love… Thy Will Be Done (Single Version)

2  Sheena Easton - Sugar Walls

3  The Bangles - Manic Monday (Extended Version)

4 André Cymone - The Dance Electric (Single Version)

5  Patti LaBelle - Yo Mister (Single Version)

6  Elisa Fiorillo - Oooh This I Need

7  Kid Creole & The Coconuts - The Sex Of It

8  Monie Love - In A Word Or 2 (Paisley Park Mix)

9  Rosie Gaines - I Want U (Purple Version)

10  Kenny Rogers - You’re My Love

11  Mica Paris - If I Love U 2 Nite (Nellee’s Club U 2 Nite Edit)

12  Loïs Lane - Sex

13  Nona Hendryx - Baby Go- Go (7" Alge Mix)

14  Paula Abdul - U

15  Brownmark - Shall We Dance?

16  Van Gogh - Van Gogh

17  Ana Moura feat Herbie Hancock - Dream Of Fire

18 Shelby J feat Anthony Hamilton - North Carolina †

 

DISC TWO

1  Corinne Bailey Rae - I Wanna Be Your Lover

2  Stephanie Mills - How Come U Don’t Call Me Anymore?

3  Jonny Lang - I Am

4  Pointer Sisters - I Feel For You

5  Meli’sa Morgan - Do Me Baby (Single Edit)

6  Crystal Waters - Uptown

7  Valerie Carter - Crazy You

8  Traces Gospel Choir - Walk Don’t Walk

9  Tuesday Knight - Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?

10  Joe Roberts - Adore (Radio Version)

11  Debra Hurd - Gotta Broken Heart Again †

12  Passion - Gigolos Get Lonely Too (1996 Players Version)

13  N’Dambi - Soft And Wet

14  Mellow Man Ace feat Geo - Irresistible Bitch

15  Workshy - Damn U

16  Jordan Knight - I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man

17  Princess & Starbreeze - It’s Gonna Be Lonely

18  Bobby Sparks II feat Lizz Wright - Sometimes It Snows In April

 

DISC THREE

1 7 Hurtz feat Peaches & Bitch Lap Lap - Sexy Dancer

2 Sharon Jones & The Dap- Kings - Take Me With U

3  Hue & Cry - Sign O’ The Times

4  Lambchop - When You Were Mine †

5  Dead Or Alive - Pop Life

6  Robyn - Jack U Off

7  The Dirty Monroes - Vibrator †

8  Dayna Kurtz - Joy In Repetition

9  Michelle Mailhot - Love 2 The 9’s

10  Bilal - How Come U Don’t Call Me Anymore?

11  Surferosa - Controversy

12  Morgan James - Call My Name

13  Joe Stilgoe - Partyman

14  Maceo Parker - Other Side Of The Pillow

15  Anne Marie Almedal - Paisley Park

16  Amanda Palmer & Jherek Bischoff - Purple Rain †

† first time available on CD