With the passing of Prince Rogers Nelson two years ago, I feel compelled to express my appreciation and gratitude within my thoughts on what is my favorite album of his prodigious output in "Around the World In a Day". Following the blockbuster success of the classic "Purple Rain", Prince recorded this followup album and went the opposite approach in not reproducing that album's style and sound, although pivotal singles culled from this like "Raspberry Beret" and "Pop Life" do echo some of "Rain's" sound and feel, for the most part, this is an artistic and critical success showing the ever evolving musicality and finesse that Prince possessed. The title cut opens the record with a tribal-like, almost middle-eastern flavor with hand drums, flute, castanets and synthesizer flourishes with a chanted chorus backing from members of the Revolution. The organic, searching quality continues on throughout the recording, leading way for "Paisley Park" which was named after the studio he built and forever would record his future outputs until his untimely death. The number has an odd mix of electronic drums set against a melody that has a tinge of psychedelic flavor attached to its ilk, replete with a distorted/fuzz guitar tone that adds color and shade.

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"Condition of the Heart" is probably one of Prince's most harrowing and intriguing ballads he ever committed to tape and it is one of my favorite tracks of the album, if not of his storied career and his vocals are put to a test with the high falsetto he adopts throughout this extraordinary number. "Tambourine" is a quirky, funk workout and again displays Prince's wide vocal range most convincingly with a slapdash pumping bass set against a maniacal drum beat that grooves the funk out of your mind! "America" is a rave-up rocker showcasing the Purple One's guitar wares and also has strong harmony accompaniment from Wendy and Lisa, then current, members of the Revolution. "Pop Life" features Sheila E.'s percussion skills set against a piano driven melody that is contemporary, while Prince's vocals are sequenced with a reverb echo effect that adds much color and texture to this sparse, but rich number. "The Ladder" is the second ballad of the album and has gospel overtones set to a musical landscape that ponders the hallow ground from which it was born. Its my least favorite from the album, but that doesn't mean that someone else may not enjoy it within the rotation of the record. "Temptation" lyrically, treads the familiar ground of albums like "Dirty Mind" and "Controversy" with sex being the main subject matter, although deeper into the number, there contains a "good vs evil" concept within the writer's conscience and I have to admit, towards the end of the track, in light of his death, it was chilling to hear his blood curling scream for salvation within the number's climax. 

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I loved this album when it was first released all those years ago in 1985 and I love it to this day. I love it for its diversity and for its innovative aspects. God Bless You, Prince Rogers Nelson, RIP.

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Rating Grade- A+