Planet Earth is the 32nd full-length studio album by Prince. It was initially available included on CD with the 15 July 2007 edition of the Mail on Sunday newspaper in the UK and Ireland (using simple slipcard packaging), with a retail release (using a full CD case containing a lenticular cover) following a week later in the rest of the world (sixteen months after the previous album, 3121).
The album (using slightly different slipcard packaging to the Mail on Sunday edition) was given to every audience member at each night of Prince's 21 Nights In London : The Earth Tour residency in August and September 2007.
Strangely, the album's packaging on each edition does not include a tracklist, indicating that the final tracklist may have been decided upon at a very late stage. Album credits only mention recording personnel by name, but do not specify which tracks feature each musician. The listing below reflects a best effort to compile accurate credits, but may not be completely accurate. Corrections will be made if further information becomes available.
Recording process
Little is known about the recording sessions for the album. It is likely that basic tracking for most tracks took place in 2006 or early 2007, at three locations: Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, USA; 3121 at The Rio Las Vegas, NV, USA; and Circle House, Miami, FL, USA.
Promotion
The album produced only one commercially-released single, Guitar (which preceded the album), but also produced three promotional singles, Chelsea Rodgers (in the USA only), The One U Wanna C (in France only) and Future Baby Mama (in Holland only).
Prince launched the 21 Nights In London : The Earth Tour residency, but rather than the tour promoting the album, the album was in essence a promotion for the tour, as a copy was given to every audience member.
The album entered The Billboard 200 at number 3 and the Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums Chart at number 1 but failed to be certified by RIAA.
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