As with all things Prince-ly, there was an air of mystery and celebrity about this night. Would The Artist show up himself to promote his album and lend his charismatic self to the festivities? Or would the revolving door of celebrities who came -- many hoping to chat it up with the ex-Prince -- have to suffice?

While everyone waited and watched stars such as rocker Joan Osborne, rapper Shock- G and R&B pioneer Stevie Wonder wander in, it was the new music that held the attention of many fans. The LP features performances by Larry Graham and Chaka Khan -- neither of whom attended the gala.

"To me, the Artist has been phenomenal since he started. I became a fan with Controversy. He's totally changed, too. I think it's great he's able to give us so much (of his work)," said thirtysomething Lisa Walker, a special-events coordinator from Queens. "I had a wonderful time."

Regardless of the fact that he just issued a three-disc set, Crystal Ball, about three months ago, The Artist apparently felt that it was important to celebrate his ever- expanding repertoire.

As cuts from the album, which sounds like a mixture of dance funk and protracted ballads, boomed loudly from the speakers of the trendy Spy Club (located fittingly at a cross section of Prince Street in Lower Manhattan), the Tri-State Area's music media, friends of The Artist and luminaries from the film and music worlds mingled and grooved to the beat.

"I don't want no mistress/ I want to be bound/ Let's find a preacher so we can get down," blasted the lyrics from "Come On" as guests trailed past photographers and walls adorned with posters of The Artist announcing the new album.

One of the first musical celebrities to arrive was Osborne, who quickly disappeared into an upstairs lounge. Actor Michael Rappaport soon followed, but cameras cut quickly to Shock-G, leader of the funk troupe Digital Underground, who appeared as his alter-ego, wearing his outlandish, trademark "Humpty Hump" mask. Pop songstress Samantha Cole also drew attention and Spice Girl Scary Spice sneaked in secretly and unnoticed by almost everyone.

But by 10:30 p.m., there was still no sign of The Artist.

"I'm not that into his music, but I think he's interesting," said Stephen Garone, 30, an editor from Brooklyn.

The first sign that The Artist might make it came with the arrival of soul legend Wonder, who had jammed with the Purple One earlier this year at a New York City club. A major star of the funk-rock genre in his own right, Wonder quietly was escorted into the lounge, smiling obligingly for paparazzi before he was led far back into the venue near a curtain decorated with an Egyptian drawing of an exotic woman.

The place began to buzz about whether The Artist would make it to his own party. He has been known to blow off such fetes in the past. The crowd was optimistic, though, since he was in town for an appearance on "Good Morning America" the following day to promote his record.

At 11 p.m. exactly, a long black limousine pulled up to the venue and in strode a thin, slight man along with an entourage of about five.

The small, dark figure looking very much like The Artist appeared dressed in a burgundy pantsuit with a choker around his neck and frosted hair. He was immediately ushered into the VIP section of the club.

Practically everyone in the club -- except Wonder and a few other celebrities -- was kept at bay.

It was clear that The Artist had arrived.

The music grew louder as the guest of honor, who declined to speak to the assembled, disappeared into the back room. Remaining in the rear of the room, he seemed to chat only with Wonder.

Miramax movie moguls Bob and Harvey Weinstein scurried in around midnight and headed straight for The Artist. Shortly before the party was scheduled to end at 1 a.m., comedian Chris Rock -- who has interviewed The Artist on music cable network VH1 and on whose HBO talk show the normally reclusive ex-Prince has guested -- appeared at the entrance to the club by himself and without fanfare.

The congenial Rock was pointed in the direction of The Artist, who greeted him with a smile.

As less-celebrated party-goers paraded out the door, The Artist's representatives handed out black caps emblazoned with the New Power Soul logo and black T-shirts picturing him with Khan and Graham.

For most of the attendees, this was as close to The Artist as they were going to get.

"I wish he had a name," commented Garone, who never got more than a glimpse.