Album: N.E.W.S.

2003: Xpectation ◄

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N.E.W.S.

Album details Released: 30 June 2003 (first NPG Music Club shipments arrive) 29 July 2003 (retail) Length: 56:00 Label(s): NPG Records Studio(s): Paisley Park Charts, Certifications & Awards Charts Europe Country: Chart Entry Date Peak Position Weeks in Chart Germany: Album chart 2003 (date needed) 93 1 The Netherlands: Album Top 100 23 Aug. 2003 83 2 Certifications This album has not received any certifications in the USA Awards This album has not received any awards in the USA Singles released None. See also North (music video)

N.E.W.S. is the 27th full-length studio album by Prince. It was initially available only to NPG Music Club members, with first shipments arriving on 30 June 2003 (almost six months after the previous album Xpectation), but it also received a low-key retail release the following month. In 2004, a digital download of the album was offered through the NPG Music Club. N.E.W.S. was the second instrumental album in succession, and contained only four tracks, each exactly 14:00 long. At the time of release, Prince's succession of releases from 2001-3 indicated that he was entering into a more permanent jazz/funk territory for his music, although his return to vocal pop music the following year with Musicology and later releases confirms that this was a more temporary era. Recording process The album was recorded all in one day, 6 February 2003, as indicated on the packaging, although it is likely that additional work took place later in February 2003. The inclusion of Eric Leeds providing lead saxophone on the complete instrumental album brought comparisons between this album and the 1987 Madhouse albums 8 and 16, but the structure and feel of the album is very different. It is notable that Prince chose to release this album under his own name rather than under a pseudonym. Promotion No singles were released from the album, and Prince did not tour to promote the album. In late May 2003, the newly-relaunched NPG Music Club's 'lobby area' featured the letters "N", "E", "W" and "S" on the floor on consecutive days. Soon after, N.E.W.S. appeared on the site's discography page, "The Vault". A short flash video containing a clip of East showed images similar to the album cover, and offering the date 19 June. At 12:01 am on 19 June 2003, a special 'room' opened in the NPG Music Club which streamed the track North, and a chatroom enabled club members to discuss the track. The album was then available for pre-order in the club's store. The stream and chatroom continued on consecutive days for East, West and South. This album did not enter the charts in the USA, and is currently out of print. It charted in Germany and the Netherlands albums charts, but at quite low positions and for a very limited time. N.E.W.S. was nominated for the 2004 Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Album, but lost to Mambo Sinuendo, by Ry Cooder and Manuel Galban (other nominees were Peace by Jim Brickman, Wishes by Kenny G. and Night Divides the Day: The Music of the Doors by George Winston). Prince performed at the ceremony, however, effectively launching his return to the spotlight in 2004 (see here for details). Track listing CD Digital The compact disc version is the original issue. North (14:00) East (14:00) West (14:00) South (14:00) The digital format is a reissue of the CD version, made available on 29 March 2004 on NPG Music Club "Musicology Download Store". North (14:00) East (14:00) West (14:00) South (14:00) All songs written by Prince (credits say only "directed by Prince") Personnel Musicians Prince - guitar, fender rhodes, digital keyboards and percussion John Blackwell - drums Renato Neto - piano and synthesizers Rhonda Smith - acoustic and electric bass Eric Leeds - tenor and baritone saxophone (written as "saxaphone" on first printing) Production Prince - producer and arranger (credited as "directed by..."), mixer, package design Jess Sutcliffe - Engineer Joseph Lepinski - musical technician Takumi - musical technician Jeremy Gavin - package design Thanks none

Releases
LP, CD, Cassettes and Other versions
Country Format Cat. Number Comments Front Back Label 1 Label 2 USA CD n/a Initial NPG Music Club run, with incorrect spelling of 'saxaphone' USA CD n/a Second NPG Music Club run, with correct spelling of 'saxophone' USA CD 8533770712-8 Standard card case with barcode for retail USA CD 8533770712-8 Jewel case Variants, Special Editions and Reissues Country Format Cat. Number Comments Front Back Label 1 Label 2 USA Digital download n/a .wma protected format

Additional Information Promotion (at time of release) Trivia The title N.E.W.S. is an acronym of the track titles' names. N.E.W.S. is most widely available in a folding card case, opening on all four sides of the back cover revealing the CD. The album was nominated in the Pop Instrumental Album category at the 2004 Grammy Awards. References The Vault: The Definitive Guide to the Musical World of Prince by Per Nilsen & jooZt Mattheij, with the UPTOWN Staff (Uptown, 2004) Charts: http://www.dutchcharts.nl

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