| Newpower Soul is the third and final ’solo' album by the New Power Generation (although Prince is the only band member featuring on all three albums). It was released worldwide in June 1998.
Sessions and compling
The album was recorded between November 1996 and February 1998, at Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, USA. Although bandmembers are listed for the whole album, their contribution is uncertain in many cases, with the album largely recorded by Prince.
Indeed, while the two previous New Power Generation albums feature Prince in a back-up role, often hidden, uncredited, or using disguised vocals, Newpower Soul features him in a prominent role, and he is the only person shown on the cover.
As such, the album is often incorrectly referred to as a "Prince" or " " album, but the choice to release the album under the band name was intentional, and as such, it is featured here as it is credited.
Although the band is referred to as New Power Generation the album title uses "Newpower" as a single word. This is perhaps to differentiate it from the track New Power Soul, released on Exodus. Also of note is that "Newpower" in the album title is printed on the inlay card, visible using a clear CD tray; it is not printed on the album’s booklet, so images of the album cover using the booklet as a basis, such as the one used here, do not display the full album title.
Promotion
Prince (as ) toured extensively to support the album with the New Power Soul Tour and the New Power Soul Festival Tour, promoting this album and the 'companion' albums, Chaka Khan’s Come 2 My House and Graham Central Station’s GCS 2000. The tours were billed using the name , but the name "New Power Generation" was used commonly on promotion, and the images, the merchandise and the backdrop of the tour focused on the Newpower Soul album.
The album produced only one commercially-released single, Come On, although The One was available as a promotional single in the USA prior to the album’s release.
The album reached number 22 on the US Billboard 200 Chart, and number 8 on the Billboard R&B Albums Chart.
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Personnel
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| Musicians
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- Prince (as ) - all vocals and instruments, except where noted (credited for "all musical instruments and tantrums")
- Kirk Johnson - drum programming (credited for "drums, drum and synth programs", as "KAJ")
- Rhonda Smith - bass guitar (credited, but uncertain contribution), fretless acoustic bass guitar on The One
- Mr. Hayes - keyboards, background vocals (credited, but uncertain contribution)
- Rev. Scott - rhythm guitar (credited, but uncertain contribution)
- Hornheadz - horns on Newpower Soul, Mad Sex, Freaks On This Side
- DJ Brother Jules - scratches on Mad Sex and Push It Up
- NPG Orchestra - orchestra on Until U’re In My Arms Again and The One
- Pierre Baptiste - additional horns on When U Love Somebody
- Clark Gayton - additional horns on When U Love Somebody
- Wayne DuMaine - additional horns on When U Love Somebody
- Larry Graham - co-lead vocals on Push It Up (uncredited)
- Chaka Khan - vocals on Push It Up (uncredited), background vocals on Come On (credited for "laidback groundz")
- Marva King - background vocals on Push It Up
- Kim Berry - background vocals on Freaks On This Side (uncredited)
- Doug E. Fresh - rap on Push It Up (uncredited) and (
 Like) Funky Music
- Kat Dyson - bottleneck acoustic guitar on Come On
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| Production
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| Thanks
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- "TheNewPowerGeneration would like 2 praise God/Love/Truth 4 universal knowledge and preservation in the face of mendacity... thank u 4 everexpanding clarity. Chaka Khan, Larry Graham, Doug E. Fresh, Hornheadz and Kat Dyson: your contributions b da bomb... peace, at least! NPG Records thanx - , Mayte, Jacqui Thompson, Willie Donwell, Parke, Billy Sparks, Opnmind, Milv, Evolve2001, Manuela T. and Love4Oneanother Charities, Inc.. NPG Records is owned and operated by the New Power Generation. A word 2 all up and coming "artists" - the art u create is an xtension of u and your contribution is priceless. Don’t sell out. $is only paper and your picture ain’t on it, but a good song never dies. Much respect 2 the husbands and midwives and husbands - Chaka Khan, Larry Graham, Kirk Johnson 4 the drum and synth programs, Doug E. Fresh and the Hornheadz."
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Exodus ◄
All NPG Albums
