This 1986 release is not only a soundtrack to my favorite Prince movie, but stands as the most cohesive work he ever produced with The Revolution. The addition of guitarist Mico Weaver and horn players Eric Leeds and Atlanta Bliss is a touch of pure brilliance that lends the album a jazzy sophistication. The opening triumvirate of "Christopher Tracy's Parade", "New Position" and "I Wonder U" will hook even casual fans, but the treasures only begin there! The slow, almost somber title track is one of Prince's most effortless ballads, in which he wonders if he'll 'die young, like heroes die', and sports a lovely piano solo courtesy of Lisa Coleman. One of my personal favorites has always been the funky jazz of "Girls And Boys" with the most insistently catchy sax line ever put on a pop record, it'll have you pressing rewind several times! The remainder of "Cherry Moon..." is an adventurous grab bag of brittle, jittery funk (the classic "Kiss" comes to mind), light pop ("Life Can Be So Nice", "Mountains",) cabaret ("Do U Lie?") classical ("Venus De Milo"), bottom-heavy soul ("Anotherloverholeinyohead") and spare, acoustic balladry (the almost unbearably lovely "Sometimes It Snows In April") that is unabashedly eclectic, but works as a suite of songs versus a collection of singles strung together. There's not a bad song to be found here, and it will probably have you longing for the days when Prince was this diplomatic with his band members and let everyone join the fun. The joy of their collaboration is evident on this joyous album. A Classic.

Upon hearing the lush opening track, "Christopher Tracy's Parade," one might think Parade is a continuation and slight variation of Around The World In A Day. Well, that assessment is accurate, as evidenced by the lush backing vocals by Wendy And Lisa, who figure more prominently in accompanying vocals than in any Prince album, strings, and psychedelic sounds.

It's on songs like "New Position" that the is accompanied by a funky bass beat along with the bell-like synthesizers. The beat slows down towards the end, with the sounds of laughter seguing into "I Wonder U."

"Under The Cherry Moon," also the title to Prince's second movie, is a slow ballad with piano accompaniment. While it's not bad, Prince would record a similar but improved cousin on Sign 'O' The Times, "Slow Love."

Things get more upbeat with the next two songs: "Girls & Boys" and "Life Can Be So Nice." The first incorporates funk elements on a synthesizer and beat while maintaining the thematic lushness introduced on the first song. The chorus is accompanied by a catchy rhythm: "I love u baby, I love u so much/Maybe we can stay in touch/Meet me in another world, space and joy/Vous etes tres belle, mama, girls & boys." Sheila E. helps out on backing vocals and cowbells on "Life Can Be So Nice." It features the lyric, "Nobody plays the clarinet the way you play my heart."

Following the piano instrumental interlude "Venus De Milo" comes the best song on the album: "Mountains." That underrated classic begins with a heavy synth drums, followed by a gaggle of instruments and a majestic horns towards the end. Prince sings in his falsetto here, accompanied by backing vocals by Wendy and Lisa, who sing, "It's only mountains/there's nothing greater/you and me." Fantasy images come into mind with the psychedelic sound.

After the slow leisurely stroll of "Do U Lie?" comes "Kiss." Now don't get me wrong--"Kiss" is arguably one of Prince's best singles. I mean that tight funky synthesizer's so irresistible, but its presence here is somewhat oddball, considering the other songs. It's like finding a chocolate Easter egg among one's jelly babies--different but good all the same. That is followed by the third single, "Anotherloverholenyohead," a piece of strident and mid-paced funk-psychedelia.

And "Sometimes It Snows In April," accompanied by piano and mellow guitar, is one of the saddest and best ballads Prince has ever performed. In it, the character of Tracy has died. It's tragic beauty is such that its 6:50 running time is not a debit. It might as well be a somber postscript to the "Purple Rain" song. The chorus goes: "Sometimes it snows in April/sometimes I feel so bad, so bad/sometimes I wish that life was neverending/but all goods they say never last."

Part of what makes this album appealing is its closeness to Around The World In A Day. The psychedelia from that album has been mixed with the funk of Dirty Mind. Most of the songs are laid-back so nothing like Controversy or 1999 here, which means it wasn't that radio-friendly, but sometimes, albums like this can be great without pandering to radio.

In an era when a whole lot of bad music was being flung at the listening public, Prince stood out as one of a handful of artists who consistently and ferociously delivered. Parade is one of his two best albums, the other of course being 1987's Sign 'O' The Times. The record features the best of the soundtrack of his incredibly funny, utterly unappreciated, and beautifully filmed second movie, Under the Cherry Moon. The songs jump from lean tight funk to lush orchestration, all with playful and intelligent lyrics that are a far cry from his hackneyed recent work (Rainbow Children, et. al.). Everyone's favorite single, "Kiss", is here of course, but its chicken-scratch guitar and shoutable chorus are, despite their brilliance, totally overshadowed by the hot sexuality and true musicianship of the rest of the album. "New Position" makes the steel-drum seem sophisticated, "Christopher Tracy's Parade" flits and flirts with psychedelia without descending into head-trip nonsense, and "Mountains" stuns the listener with its blasting horn arrangement and slithery bassline. If you love funk and don't yet own this album, there's something wrong with you.

This is one of Prince's best concept records, not as popular with the masses as his other great records probably because he continued going in a totatlly different direction as he started to do with 'Around the world in a day.' Parade put the nail in the coffin for all those waiting for Purple Rain II. However, a true artist doesn't follow the public's opinion, pop singers do that.

Parade is his most diverse sounding CD, yet is the most cohesive of his eighties releases. The songs flow from one to the other smoothly(tracks 1-4), which is the best use of segues between songs that I have ever heard on record, even the abrupt changes don't disrupt the flow. The CD covers so many different moods and styles but all songs fit into place, including the hit 'Kiss', that Tom Jones later completely destroys. To say Prince was experimenting with different styles is an understatement. He takes the overall influence of French themes, related to the movie of course, and incorporates them into his style. The French flavor is there as a supplement, not as the overall influence which makes this recording even more unique and one of his finest. Lisa and Wendy stand out on this record as well with some great background instrumentation and voice. The record is perfect and the sound is crisp and clear... not for the casual pop music listener.

And concerning the movie; it is a very funny take on early movies from the 40s & 50s. Prince & Jerome display a cool chemistry as best friends. However, if you do not know the style or are familiar with Black & white comedies from the early years of film, then you didn't get the point of the film, especially in the mid-80s; hence all the negative comments.

This richly textured album consolidated the core fanbase after others had dropped off during "Around The World In A Day" and although "Under The Cherry Moon" the film was harshly criticized the soundtrack on the whole was received very well.

The obvious highlight is the pop-funk masterpiece "Kiss". Once mixed by David Z and Mazarati, this originally blues based song was given life. It's simple stripped down drums and funky wah-wah guitar lick couple with Prince's mischievious falsetto equal one of his trademark singles and most defining moments. NOTE: Tom Jones' version is to be avoided. Such a shame that some people associate the song with him before Prince.

The album as a whole contains a big French influence garnered in so small part from the movie, which was set on The Riviera. This is best displayed in the funky and fun "Girls & Boys". There is also a lot of intrumental experiementation, plenty of hand cymbals and even a Big Band on the opening cut "Christopher Tracy's Parade". Soul however is as always at the root, with the horn section helping Prince give an old school soul review vibe, particularly for the album's tour.

Another personal favourite of mine is "Anotherloverholenyohead". With it's P-Funk style title and swaying Stevie Wonder-esque sound it's a really cool track. The following "Somtimes It Snows In April" is a beatiful, patient, ode to a departed friend and good closure to the album.

In short don't associate this soundtrack with the negative feelings some hold about the film it's taken from. This album again showed Prince's rich diversity and ranks amongst his most essential work.