It's easy to dismiss this album as an unfocused mess--and many have. On GRAFFITI BRIDGE, Prince writes songs for colleagues to play; nine of the 17 cuts feature other artists such as The Time, Mavis Staples, Tevin Campbell and George Clinton. And it is indeed messy. But the record's merits must be acknowledged too. At the top of this list is the song "Joy in Repetition", a slight narrative idea clung to, wrapped in dreamy bluesiness, and beautifully delivered. Also notable is "We Can Funk". Many have tried to reclaim George Clinton's P-Funk contributions to butt-shaking music, but few have managed it without losing their own identity. Prince pulls it off.
Even some of Prince's missteps can be classified as brilliant mistakes, beautiful failures. The overtly Christian "Elephants and Flowers" is as preposterously rich and frothy as its title. "Thieves in the Temple's" sonic frou-frou has earned it fans, despite its greasy aftertaste. GRAFFITI BRIDGE is a funk experiment from a man who never rests on hislaurels

1. Can't Stop This Feeling I Got
2. Question Of U
3. Round And Round - Campbell, Tevin
4. Joy In Repetition
5. Tick Tick Bang
6. Thieves In The Temple
7. Melody Cool
8. Graffiti Bridge
9. Release It - Time (1)
10. Elephants And Flowers
11. We Can Funk
12. Love Machine
13. Shake - Time (1)
14. Latest Fashion
15. Still Would Stand All Time
16. New Power Generation