Crystal Ball cover

Crystal Ball

Prince

116 min · 22 tracks · contemporary R&B · funk · jazz

A kaleidoscopic journey through funk, R&B, and pop, marked by Prince's signature sensuality and experimental flair.

Why listen to this

Best for
kaleidoscopic sonic explorations playful grooves for dancing emotional depth in slow moments
Context
Released in 1998, 'Crystal Ball' came during a phase of artistic exploration for Prince, following his 1996 album 'Chaos and Disorder'. At this point in his career, he was delving deeper into the complexities of his sound while embracing a more independent approach to music production after leaving major labels.
If you like
contemporary R&B, funk, jazz

Crystal Ball is an album by Prince. A kaleidoscopic journey through funk, R&B, and pop, marked by Prince's signature sensuality and experimental flair. Though initially intended as an unreleased project, 'Crystal Ball' gained attention for its bold sonic experimentation and rich thematic content. It has since been recognized as a significant exploration of Prince’s Minneapolis sound and has influenced contemporary artists within the funk and R&B genres. Here's what makes it worth your time and what to listen to next.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Crystal Ball sound like?

A kaleidoscopic journey through funk, R&B, and pop, marked by Prince's signature sensuality and experimental flair. Rooted in contemporary R&B and funk.

What makes Crystal Ball by Prince notable?

Though initially intended as an unreleased project, 'Crystal Ball' gained attention for its bold sonic experimentation and rich thematic content. It has since been recognized as a significant exploration of Prince’s Minneapolis sound and has influenced contemporary artists within the funk and R&B genres. Released in 1998, 'Crystal Ball' came during a phase of artistic exploration for Prince, following his 1996 album 'Chaos and Disorder'. At this point in his career, he was delving deeper into the complexities of his sound while embracing a more independent approach to music production after leaving major labels.

Who is Crystal Ball for?

Crystal Ball works well if you're into kaleidoscopic sonic explorations, playful grooves for dancing and emotional depth in slow moments.

How many songs are on Crystal Ball?

Crystal Ball has 22 tracks, running approximately 116 minutes.

Tracklist

22 tracks·116:56

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 Rebirth of the Flesh 4:54
  • 2 Play in the Sunshine 4:56
  • 3 Housequake 4:42
  • 4 The Ballad of Dorothy Parker 4:01
  • 5 It 5:10
  • 6 Starfish and Coffee Standout 2:51
  • 7 Slow Love 4:22
  • 8 Hot Thing 5:39

Disc 2

  • 1 Crystal Ball 10:28
  • 2 If I Was Your Girlfriend Standout 4:59
  • 3 Rockhard in a Funky Place 4:32
  • 4 The Ball 4:35
  • 5 Joy in Repetition 5:09
  • 6 Strange Relationship 4:01
  • 7 I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man 6:28

Disc 3

  • 1 Shockadelica 6:11
  • 2 Good Love 5:11
  • 3 Forever in My Life 3:30
  • 4 Sign ☮ the Times 4:59
  • 5 The Cross 4:46
  • 6 It’s Gonna Be a Beautiful Night 9:02
  • 7 Adore (Until the End of Time) Standout 6:30

Genre

contemporary R&B, funk, jazz

More albums in contemporary R&B

Artist Origin

United States

Runtime

116 min 56 sec