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Dec 05, 2013 Various Artists By Tom Fenwick

Purple Snow: Forecasting the Minneapolis Sound looks back to a forgotten generation of Minnesotan musicians—1970s purveyors of R&B, soul, and funk—who fuelled the trajectory, filled the ears and paved the way for a youthful Prince Nelson Rogers.

Marking the 50th release from The Numero Group—accompanied by a lavish, monolithic coffee table book and a hefty price tag—this is an immersive, two-hour snapshot of a forgotten age. Unearthing 32 songs from a wide range of artists, some of whom would go on to great success—including future super-producers Jam & Lewis and funk legend Alexander O’Neal—while others such as Michael A. Dixon & J.O.Y, Sue Ann Carwell, and Orville Shannon are left ripe for rediscovery.

This compilation is an undoubtedly comprehensive overview of the scene and—while perhaps a little obscure in places for the casual listener—is a dream come true for aficionados of deep cuts and rare grooves. A vibrant testament—part love letter, part field guide—not only to Prince’s influences, but to a lost age, a groundbreaking collective of artists and a city that inspired them all. (www.numerogroup.com)

Author rating: 8.5/10