The previous year's double-album "1999" had catapulted him to genuine mainstream success with the title track and Little Red Corvette. Building upon that breakthrough, he took it a stage further with a scintillating collection of songs that still stand among the best he's ever produced.

Absurd as it may seem now, Purple Rain was considered a somewhat left-field success at the time. Once it had cast its spell over audiences across the globe thanks to some truly awesome single releases (When Doves Cry in particular), it of course entered modern pop-culture history...but only then. In Britain, the album was a slow-starter. It took several months to reach its peak position of # 7, but ended up spending almost two years on the chart.

Take Me With U's brilliantly inventive cascading drum motif remains a highlight, allied to one of Prince's sweetest, most uncomplicated love songs performed as a duet with one of his many female associates, Apollonia (who also starred in the movie). "Don't care where we go, I don't care what we do...I don't care pretty baby, just take me with U". It's worth noting that Prince, unless I'm mistaken, was the first artist to actively and repeatedly use shorthand terms in his work..."U", "2", and "4", a practice that's now widespread and it has to be said, almost too much so.

Perhaps wisely, the next two tracks are something of a recovery period for the listener, and could be the album's least-loved moments. Computer Blue is two songs melded into one, that grooves along quite pleasingly but would never be considered Prince's greatest 4 minutes. It does have the erotically ambiguous spoken intro from the 'are-they-or-aren't-they-lesbians' duo of Wendy & Lisa, who formed part of The Revolution - "Wendy? Yes, Lisa? Is the water warm enough? Yes Lisa. Shall we begin?".

Most people will know When Doves Cry. That distinctive opening, all strangulated axework and hollow drum patterns, sounded like nothing else around - and, in fact, like nothing on Earth. Deliberately avoiding any use of bass whatsoever, Prince created a remarkable slice of crisp pop-funk. "Dig if u will the picture, of u and I engaged in a kiss..". Sexy, almost tangibly dripping with sweat, it was the pivotal song on the album. Accompanied by a suitably evoactive video, When Doves Cry (the sound likened in the lyrics to screams of quarrelling lovers, though why only he knows) sent Prince's popularity high into the stratosphere.

I Would Die 4 U segued straight into the brazen Baby I'm A Star, still the best example of The Revolution's key role in the creation of Prince's barnstorming live shows, not to mention their participation in the most productive and inspired pahse of his career. "Hey, look me over. Tell me do you like what you see?". In late 1984, and throughout 1985, the overwhelming response was in the affirmative when it came to Prince and Purple Rain.