The early run of exceptional albums: Dirty Mind, Controversy, 1999 and Purple Rain are still pretty vital, I'd think. But if that seems like too much, you could maybe get away with the 3CD compilation The Hits/The B-Sides, which includes most of the hits from those albums (as well those from Sign, Diamonds and the symbol album), plus a good Prince version of "Nothing Compares 2 You," some decent new tracks and a slew of great B-sides, including one of his best songs ever, "Erotic City" (B-side of "Let's Go Crazy"). I'm personally also especially fond of Parade ("Kiss," "Mountains," "Boys and Girls," "Sometimes It Snows in April") and Lovesexy ("Alphabet Street," "Glam Slam," "Anna Stesia," "When 2 Are in Love"). I haven't paid enough attention to Come, clearly, if both Skip and Kurt are pushing it. But I'm fascinated by Kurt's inclusion of Rainbow Children, which on first listen sounded like a ponderous Jehovah's Witness concept album. Should I try again? Anyone heard One Nite Alone... Live!, the new 3CD box that just came out? Heard three or four cuts in a store the other day and was mighty impressed. The track list suggested a complete Rainbow Children tour show (which is why I didn't pull the trigger), but the stuff I actually heard was from earlier periods ("Starfish and Coffee," "Sometimes It Snows in April," "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore," "Anna Stesia") and sounded fine. And it turns out the third disc is compiled from Prince's famous after-show jams and features guests like George Clinton. And where did you find the Crucial boot, Michael? Steve Smith ssmith36@sprynet.com NP - David Bowie, "We Prick You," '1.Outside' (Virgin) (about which, don't ask me just yet, Joe... jury's still out...)