Album: Emancipation: Difference between revisions

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<b>Sessions and compiling</b>
<b>Sessions and compiling</b>


[[Prince]] (as [[File: SymbolSmallerBlue.png|link=Alias: Symbol]]) began recording songs for the album in January 1995, and work continued on the album until October 1996. [[Somebody’s Somebody]], [[Courtin’ Time]], [[The Plan]] and [[New World]] are the only songs known to have been recorded earlier. Three early configurations, from early 1995, July 1995, and an unknown date in 1995, are known, but all were single-disc sets and should be viewed as works-in-progress (see [[#Quotations and trivia|below]] for details).  
[[Prince]] (as [[File: SymbolSmallerBlue.png|link=Alias: Symbol]]) began recording songs for the album in January 1995, and work continued on the album until October 1996. [[Somebody’s Somebody]], [[Courtin’ Time]], [[The Plan]] and [[New World]] are the only songs known to have been recorded earlier. An album titled [[Album: New World|New World]] was compiled sometimes in 1995 and most of the songs were also at some point, considered for '''Emancipation'''. It is not entirely clear whether he viewed these two albums as entirely separate projects or simply saw these as two names for the same project; for clarity’s sake, information pertaining to '''Emancipation''' (including its early configurations) is listed here, and information regarding [[Album: New World|New World]] is listed on that album’s page.
 
Three early configurations, from early 1995, July 1995, and an unknown date in 1995, are known, but all were single-disc sets and should be viewed as works-in-progress (see [[#Quotations and trivia|below]] for details). According to [[Michael B.]], the idea of ​​releasing a triple album emerged when Prince saw how double-album sales were counted by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SoundScan SoundScan] with Michael Jackson’ album [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIStory:_Past,_Present_and_Future,_Book_I HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I] released in June 1995 (the sale of one 2-CD set is counted as two copies sold). On [[20_September_1995-am|20 September 1995 (a.m.)]], during a concert at [[Venue: Paisley Park Studios|Paisley Park Studios]], Chanhassen, MN, [[Prince]] announced that [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_Austin Dallas Austin] would co-produce his next album: ''"It’s called '''Emancipation''': 52 songs, 80 dollars. Save your money!"''. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_Austin Austin] is not known to have worked with Prince in the studio, and the advertised number of songs (52) was probably humorous, but it indicates that the idea of ​​going further than a single-disc set was in development.


The album was largely a solo work, although it also contains tracks showing [[Prince]]’s transition from the 1993-5 version of [[The New Power Generation]] (with [[Michael B.]], [[Sonny T.]], [[Tommy Barbarella]] and [[Mr. Hayes]]) to the new 1996, version of the band (containing [[Kirk Johnson]], [[Rhonda Smith]], [[Kat Dyson]], [[Mr. Hayes]] and [[Eric Leeds]]).
The album was largely a solo work, although it also contains tracks showing [[Prince]]’s transition from the 1993-5 version of [[The New Power Generation]] (with [[Michael B.]], [[Sonny T.]], [[Tommy Barbarella]] and [[Mr. Hayes]]) to the new 1996, version of the band (containing [[Kirk Johnson]], [[Rhonda Smith]], [[Kat Dyson]], [[Mr. Hayes]] and [[Eric Leeds]]).


The album is also [[Prince]]’s first to include cover versions of others' songs (indeed the first commercial single release, [[Single:_Betcha_By_Golly Wow!|Betcha By Golly Wow!]], was a cover version). He has occasionally included cover versions on albums since '''Emancipation'''. Each of the album’s three CDs contains 12 tracks and lasts exactly 60:00 - [[Prince]] mentioned in interviews that this was planned based on his studies of Egypt, "the building of the pyramids and how the pyramids were related to the constellations. They were a message from the Egyptians about how civilization really started."
The album is also [[Prince]]’s first to include cover versions of others’ songs (indeed the first commercial single release, [[Single:_Betcha_By_Golly Wow!|Betcha By Golly Wow!]], was a cover version). He has occasionally included cover versions on albums since '''Emancipation'''. Each of the album’s three CDs contains 12 tracks and lasts exactly 60:00 - [[Prince]] mentioned in interviews that this was planned based on his studies of Egypt, "the building of the pyramids and how the pyramids were related to the constellations. They were a message from the Egyptians about how civilization really started."




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[[Prince]] (as [[File: SymbolSmallerBlue.png|link=Alias: Symbol]]) toured extensively to promote the album on the [[Love 4 One Another Charities Tour]] and the [[Jam Of The Year World Tour]], although the tours focuses largely on past hits, with only a few songs from '''Emancipation''' played regularly. [[Prince]] (as [[File: SymbolSmallerBlue.png|link=Alias: Symbol]]) also made multiple television appearances and media interviews to support the album, and labeled it "the album I was born to make".  
[[Prince]] (as [[File: SymbolSmallerBlue.png|link=Alias: Symbol]]) toured extensively to promote the album on the [[Love 4 One Another Charities Tour]] and the [[Jam Of The Year World Tour]], although the tours focuses largely on past hits, with only a few songs from '''Emancipation''' played regularly. [[Prince]] (as [[File: SymbolSmallerBlue.png|link=Alias: Symbol]]) also made multiple television appearances and media interviews to support the album, and labeled it "the album I was born to make".  


The album reached number 11 on [[The Billboard 200]], and number 6 on the [[Billboard Top R&B Albums]] Chart.
The album reached number 11 on [[The Billboard 200]], and number 6 on the [[Billboard Top R&B Albums]] Chart. On [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/February_7|7 February 1997]], the album was certified 2x platinum by the RIAA in the USA based on the number of discs sold (666,666 3-discs sets).
 


On [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/September 13|13 September 2019]], the album was re-released by [[The Prince Estate]] and Sony’s [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legacy_Recordings Legacy Recordings] on the same day as reissues of [[Album: Chaos And Disorder| Chaos And Disorder]] and [[Album: The Versace Experience (Prelude 2 Gold)| The Versace Experience (Prelude 2 Gold)]].
On [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/September 13|13 September 2019]], the album was re-released by [[The Prince Estate]] and Sony’s [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legacy_Recordings Legacy Recordings] on the same day as reissues of [[Album: Chaos And Disorder| Chaos And Disorder]] and [[Album: The Versace Experience (Prelude 2 Gold)| The Versace Experience (Prelude 2 Gold)]].

Revision as of 20:39, 20 September 2022

1996: Chaos And Disorder ◄ All Prince Albums All Related Artists Albums ► 1998: Crystal Ball
Emancipation

Album details

Released: 19 November 1996
Length: 60:00; 60:00; 60:00
Label(s): NPG Records / EMI Records
Studio(s): Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, USA

Charts, Certifications & Awards

Charts
America
Country: Chart Entry Date Peak Position Weeks in Chart
USA: The Billboard 200 7 Dec. 1996 11 21
USA: Billboard Top R&B Albums 7 Dec. 1996 6 26
USA: Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Catalog Albums 28 Sept. 2019 (2019 Re-release) 2 1
USA: Billboard Internet Albums 28 Sept. 2019 (2019 Re-release) 21 1
USA: Billboard Vinyl Albums 28 Sept. 2019 (2019 Re-release) 19 1
USA: Billboard Tastemaker Albums 28 Sept. 2019 (2019 Re-release) 25 1
USA: Billboard Top Album Sales 28 Sept. 2019 (2019 Re-release) 66 1
 
Europe
Country: Chart Entry Date Peak Position Weeks in Chart
France: Top 50 Albums 16 Nov. 1996 9 4
Germany: MusikWoche Top 100 Albums 2 Dec. 1996 21 10
The Netherlands: Album Top 100 30 Nov. 1996 13 10
U.K.: UK Albums Chart 25 Nov. 1996 18 6
Certifications
Institution, Country Date Certification
CRIA, Canada 22 Nov. 1996 Gold (100,000)
RIAA, USA 31 Jan. 1997 Platinum (1 million)
RIAA, USA 7 Feb. 1997 Platinum x2 (2 millions)
Awards
Institution, Country Date Award
Minnesota Music Awards (USA) 17 Jul. 1997 Best R&B Recording

Singles released

Slave (promo only)
b/w New World
Given out as a promo cassette single at Paisley Park Studios concert, 9 Dec. 1995
Betcha By Golly Wow!
b/w Right Back Here In My Arms
The Holy River
b/w Somebody’s Somebody
Somebody’s Somebody (promo only)
b/w Somebody’s Somebody
NYC (Jam Of The Year live)
b/w Face Down live
Direct order only
Face Down (promo only)
b/w I Can’t Make You Love Me
Can’t Make U Love Me (promo only)
b/w None

See also

Love 4 One Another Charities Tour Jam Of The Year World Tour

Alternate Album Configuration

  • July 1995 configuration
  1. Right Back Here In My Arms
  2. Slave
  3. Slowly Candle Burns
  4. New World
  5. 2020
  6. Feel Good
  7. Journey 2 The Center Of Your ♥
  8. D.J.
  9. Emancipation



  • undated 1995 configuration †
  1. Slave
  2. New World
  3. Slowly Candle Burns
  4. 2020
  5. Feel Good
  6. Right Back Here In My Arms
  7. Journey 2 The Center Of Your ♥
  8. D.J.
  9. Goodbye
  10. Emancipation

† One-disc configuration given to Michael Van Huffel as a gift, complete with handmade artwork by Prince. Should technically not be considered a version of the commercially released album.

  • Fall 1995 configuration
  1. Emancipation
  2. Right Back Here In My Arms
  3. Slave
  4. (Slowly Candle Burns)
  5. 2020
  6. New World
  7. Feel Good
  8. Journey 2 The Center Of Your ♥
  9. D.J.
  10. (Excuse Me Is This) Goodbye



  • early 1996 configuration

Disc 1:

  1. Slave
  2. New World
  3. Journey 2 The Center Of Your ♥
  4. Right Back Here In My Arms
  5. Feel Good
  6. Courtin’ Time
  7. Betcha By Golly Wow!
  8. Get Yo Groove On
  9. Da, Da, Da
  10. She Gave Her Angels
  11. Emancipation

Disc 2:

  1. One Kiss At A Time
  2. Soul Sanctuary
  3. Extraordinary
  4. Coincidence Or Fate?
  5. Van Gogh
  6. Let’s Have A Baby
  7. A Thousand Hugs And Kisses
  8. (If It Ain’t) Gutbucket
  9. Will
  10. Saviour
  11. Goodbye

Disc 3:

  1. Into The Light
  2. Dig U Better Dead
  3. Face Down
  4. Stone
  5. Heart In My Hand
  6. One Of Us
  7. Mr. Happy
  8. The Holy River
  9. With God As My Witness
  10. Friend, Lover, Sister, Mother/Wife
  11. nǫiƨɘᗡ yʞnuᖷ



Emancipation is the 19th full-length studio album by Prince (his third using the name ) and the first album to be released following the end of Prince’s contract with Warner Bros., which ended less than a week prior to this album’s release. It is also Prince’s first released triple album. It was released worldwide in November 1996 (just four months after Chaos And Disorder).


Sessions and compiling

Prince (as ) began recording songs for the album in January 1995, and work continued on the album until October 1996. Somebody’s Somebody, Courtin’ Time, The Plan and New World are the only songs known to have been recorded earlier. An album titled New World was compiled sometimes in 1995 and most of the songs were also at some point, considered for Emancipation. It is not entirely clear whether he viewed these two albums as entirely separate projects or simply saw these as two names for the same project; for clarity’s sake, information pertaining to Emancipation (including its early configurations) is listed here, and information regarding New World is listed on that album’s page.

Three early configurations, from early 1995, July 1995, and an unknown date in 1995, are known, but all were single-disc sets and should be viewed as works-in-progress (see below for details). According to Michael B., the idea of ​​releasing a triple album emerged when Prince saw how double-album sales were counted by SoundScan with Michael Jackson’ album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I released in June 1995 (the sale of one 2-CD set is counted as two copies sold). On 20 September 1995 (a.m.), during a concert at Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, Prince announced that Dallas Austin would co-produce his next album: "It’s called Emancipation: 52 songs, 80 dollars. Save your money!". Austin is not known to have worked with Prince in the studio, and the advertised number of songs (52) was probably humorous, but it indicates that the idea of ​​going further than a single-disc set was in development.

The album was largely a solo work, although it also contains tracks showing Prince’s transition from the 1993-5 version of The New Power Generation (with Michael B., Sonny T., Tommy Barbarella and Mr. Hayes) to the new 1996, version of the band (containing Kirk Johnson, Rhonda Smith, Kat Dyson, Mr. Hayes and Eric Leeds).

The album is also Prince’s first to include cover versions of others’ songs (indeed the first commercial single release, Betcha By Golly Wow!, was a cover version). He has occasionally included cover versions on albums since Emancipation. Each of the album’s three CDs contains 12 tracks and lasts exactly 60:00 - Prince mentioned in interviews that this was planned based on his studies of Egypt, "the building of the pyramids and how the pyramids were related to the constellations. They were a message from the Egyptians about how civilization really started."


Promotion

The album produced two commercially-released singles, Betcha By Golly Wow! and The Holy River. Eleven months prior to the album’s release, Slave was given out as a cassette single to concert goers at a Paisley Park Studios show.

Additionally, following the album’s release, Somebody’s Somebody, Face Down and Can’t Make U Love Me were available as promotional releases. EMI Records went bankrupt during the album’s promotional run, however, stalling all promotion for the album. Prince (as ) also independently released a live single, NYC, containing live versions of Jam Of The Year and Face Down.

Prince (as ) toured extensively to promote the album on the Love 4 One Another Charities Tour and the Jam Of The Year World Tour, although the tours focuses largely on past hits, with only a few songs from Emancipation played regularly. Prince (as ) also made multiple television appearances and media interviews to support the album, and labeled it "the album I was born to make".

The album reached number 11 on The Billboard 200, and number 6 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums Chart. On 7 February 1997, the album was certified 2x platinum by the RIAA in the USA based on the number of discs sold (666,666 3-discs sets).


On 13 September 2019, the album was re-released by The Prince Estate and Sony’s Legacy Recordings on the same day as reissues of Chaos And Disorder and The Versace Experience (Prelude 2 Gold).



Track listing
CD MC

The compact disc version is the original issue.

  • Disc 1:
  1. Jam Of The Year (6:09)
  2. Right Back Here In My Arms (4:33) 1 
  3. Somebody’s Somebody (4:43) 2 
  4. Get Yo Groove On (6:31)
  5. Courtin’ Time (2:46)
  6. Betcha By Golly Wow! (3:30) 3 
  7. We Gets Up (4:17)
  8. White Mansion (4:47)
  9. Damned If Do (5:20)
  10. Can’t Make U Love Me (6:37) 4 
  11. Mr. Happy (4:46) 5 
  12. In This Bed Scream (5:40)
  • Disc 2:
  1. Sex In The Summer (5:56)
  2. One Kiss At A Time (4:40)
  3. Soul Sanctuary (4:41) 6 
  4. Emale (3:37)
  5. Curious Child (2:57)
  6. Dreamin’ About U (3:52)
  7. Joint 2 Joint (7:51) 1 
  8. The Holy River (6:55)
  9. Let’s Have A Baby (4:07)
  10. Saviour (5:48)
  11. The Plan (1:46)
  12. Friend, Lover, Sister, Mother/Wife (7:37)
  • Disc 3:
  1. Slave (4:51)
  2. New World (3:42)
  3. The Human Body (5:41)
  4. Face Down (3:16) 1 
  5. La, La, La Means Love U (3:58) 7 
  6. Style (6:40) 8 
  7. Sleep Around (7:41) 9 
  8. Da, Da, Da (5:15) 10 
  9. My Computer (4:36)
  10. One Of Us (5:19) 11 
  11. The Love We Make (4:38)
  12. Emancipation (4:12)


LP 2019 re-release

  • Side 1:
  1. Jam Of The Year (6:09)
  2. Right Back Here In My Arms (4:33) 1 
  3. Somebody’s Somebody (4:43) 2 
  • Side 2:
  1. Get Yo Groove On (6:31)
  2. Courtin’ Time (2:46)
  3. Betcha By Golly Wow! (3:30) 3 
  • Side 3:
  1. We Gets Up (4:17)
  2. White Mansion (4:47)
  3. Damned If Do (5:20)
  • Side 4:
  1. Can’t Make U Love Me (6:37) 4 
  2. Mr. Happy (4:46) 5 
  3. In This Bed Scream (5:40)
  • Side 5:
  1. Sex In The Summer (5:56)
  2. One Kiss At A Time (4:40)
  3. Soul Sanctuary (4:41) 6 
  • Side 6:
  1. Emale (3:37)
  2. Curious Child (2:57)
  3. Dreamin’ About U (3:52)
  • Side 7:
  1. Joint 2 Joint (7:51) 1 
  2. The Holy River (6:55)
  3. Let’s Have A Baby (4:07)
  • Side 8:
  1. Saviour (5:48)
  2. The Plan (1:46)
  3. Friend, Lover, Sister, Mother/Wife (7:37)
  • Side 9:
  1. Slave (4:51)
  2. New World (3:42)
  3. The Human Body (5:41)
  • Side 10:
  1. Face Down (3:16) 1 
  2. La, La, La Means Love U (3:58) 7 
  3. Style (6:40) 8 
  • Side 11:
  1. Sleep Around (7:41) 9 
  2. Da, Da, Da (5:15) 10 
  3. My Computer (4:36)
  • Side 12:
  1. One Of Us (5:19) 11 
  2. The Love We Make (4:38)
  3. Emancipation (4:12)

The MC was released at same time as the CD.

  • Side 1:
  1. Jam Of The Year (6:09)
  2. Right Back Here In My Arms (4:42) 1 
  3. Somebody’s Somebody (4:43) 2 
  4. Get Yo Groove On (6:31)
  5. Courtin’ Time (2:46)
  6. Betcha By Golly Wow! (3:30) 3 
  • Side 2:
  1. We Gets Up (4:17)
  2. White Mansion (4:47)
  3. Damned If Do (5:20)
  4. Can’t Make U Love Me (6:37) 4 
  5. Mr. Happy (4:46) 5 
  6. In This Bed Scream (5:40)
  • Side 3:
  1. Sex In The Summer (5:56)
  2. One Kiss At A Time (4:40)
  3. Soul Sanctuary (4:41) 6 
  4. Emale (3:37)
  5. Curious Child (2:57)
  6. Dreamin’ About U (3:52)
  7. Joint 2 Joint (7:51) 1 
  • Side 4:
  1. The Holy River (6:55)
  2. Let’s Have A Baby (4:07)
  3. Saviour (5:48)
  4. The Plan (1:46)
  5. Friend, Lover, Sister, Mother/Wife (7:37)
  • Side 5:
  1. Slave (4:51)
  2. New World (3:42)
  3. The Human Body (5:41)
  4. Face Down (3:16) 1 
  5. La, La, La Means Love U (3:58) 7 
  6. Style (6:40) 8 
  • Side 6:
  1. Sleep Around (7:41) 9 
  2. Da, Da, Da (5:15) 10 
  3. My Computer (4:36)
  4. One Of Us (5:19) 11 
  5. The Love We Make (4:38)
  6. Emancipation (4:12)

All songs written by Prince (as ) except where indicated.

1  Lyrics co-written with Ninety-9 (uncredited and sampled from other songs)
2  Written with Brenda Lee Eager and Hilliard Wilson
3  Written by Thomas Randolph Bell and Linda Creed
4  Written by Mike Reid and Allen Shamblin
5  Lyrics co-written with Scrap D. (uncredited); Contains a sample of What Can I Do? by Ice Cube (written by Leon Ware, Arthur Ross, Ice Cube, Mychal-Kaye Simmons and Victor Nathan Taylor)
6  Lyrics co-written with Sandra St. Victor, Johnny Kemp (uncredited) and T. Hammer (uncredited)
7  Written by Thomas Randolph Bell and William Hart
8  Contains a sample of Atomic Dog performed by George Clinton (written by Garry Marshall Shider, David Lee Spradley and George Clinton Jr.)
9  Contains a replay section from "Squib Cakes" (miscredited as "Squibcakes") by Tower Of Power (written by Chester Thompson)
10  Lyrics co-written with Scrap D. (uncredited)
11  Written by Eric M. Bazilian



Personnel
Musicians


Production


Thanks



Releases
LP, CD, Cassettes and Other versions
Country Format Cat. Number Comments Front Back Label 1 Label 2
This section is under construction

Variants, Special Editions and Reissues
Country Format Cat. Number Comments Front Back Label 1 Label 2
This section is under construction
 
Additional Information
Promotion (at time of release) Trivia
  • Prince (as ) promoted the album heavily with multiple interviews, television performances and concerts. Click here for more details.
  • The album marks the first time Prince released a cover version on a studio release.
  • Press release (NPG Records: 22 November 1996):

“The Freedom Train Rolls In Minneapolis; Live Performance And Video Simulcast Via Satellite.”

“Chanhassen, Minneapolis - “Free at last! Free at last! God Almighty, we’re free at last!” was the chant that began the birth of the Emancipation era. Broadcast live around the world by MTV, VH1 and BET in a rare show of cross-network unity, delighted millions with a liberating performance at his Paisley Park Studios. celebrating both his artistic freedom and the November 19th release of his new album Emancipation on NPG records, and his four-piece New Power Generation band performed selections from the new album on a heavenly all-white soundstage. The half-hour long set included new album tracks “Jam Of The Year”, Joan Osborne’s “One Of Us”, and “Get Your Groove On”, as well as old favorites “Purple Rain” and “If I was Your Girlfriend”. The video for the first single, “Betcha By Golly Wow” (directed by ) kicked off the broadcast. Among those swaying in gleeful attendance and snacking on ’s favorite cereal (Cap'n Crunch) were Boyz II Men, Donatella Versace, Phish, Bill Bellamy, Mavis Staples and D'Angelo.”

“At a press conference following his performance, commented:”
“The whole process of this record was different. I’m a free man, I’m a happy man, I’m a married man and I’m a clear man. All the tracks on this record are free, happy and clear. making this record was uplifting for me.”

“Emancipation is ’s historic celebration of personal freedom, the album he states he was “born to make”, times three: three discs, three hours of love, sex and liberty”.
References
1996
Chaos And Disorder 		All Albums All Related Artists Albums 1998
Crystal Ball
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