Wendy & Lisa

This budget-priced compilation of tracks by Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman (now major film and TV composers as well as a recording act) represents a select pick from the two albums they cut for Columbia in the '80s after leaving Prince's band during his most artistically inventive period -- with his blessing. Each cut here is a gem, offering the best of their sleek, sexy funk that was as much about songwriting and musical invention as it was the image of the day. These albums in and of themselves were fine, decent recordings but they were a tad uneven, so the best material, here is "Satisfaction," the ballad "Always in My Dreams," and the burning "Fruit at the Bottom." Unfortunately, none of the material from their classic Virgin album Eroica is included here, but that one should be heard in its entirety anyway. One thing this compilation reveals in spades is just how much Wendy & Lisa contributed to the sonic architecture of Prince's sound during those years. They were instrumental in his success at the time. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide