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Prince spent the latter half of the '80s courting the pop audience, and by the time of Graffiti Bridge, he had lost much of his R&B fan base. As a response, he formed the New Power Generation and recorded Diamonds and Pearls, his first record to reconnect with the urban audience since 1999, as well as his first to acknowledge the hip-hop revolution. Although he still has a problem with rap -- "Jughead" is simply embarrassing -- he manages to skillfully reinvent himself as an urban soulman without sacrificing his musical innovation. The New Power Generation is a more skilled band than the Revolution, and they are able to make Prince's funk jazzier, particularly on "Willing and Able," the breezy "Strollin'" and "Walk Don't Walk." It's clear that these subtly textured songs are where his heart is at, but the songs designed to win back his audience -- the slamming dancefloor rallying cry "Gett Off," the sexy T. Rex groove "Cream," the extraordinary Philly soul of the neglected masterpiece "Money Don't Matter 2 Night," and the drippy mainstream ballad "Diamonds and Pearls" -- are all terrific pop singles. However, much of the rest of Diamonds and Pearls is comprised of middling funk and R&B that sounds less like inspired workouts than stylistic exercises. Even with such weak moments, Diamonds and Pearls is a fine record, even though it's only marginally better than Lovesexy and Graffiti Bridge.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
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Prince, Composer, Producer, Arranger, Lead Vocals, Instruments - Prince & The New Power Generation, MainArtist - Steve Noonan, AssistantEngineer - Michael Koppelman, MasteringEngineer, MixingEngineer - Brian Poer, AssistantEngineer - The New Power Generation, Producer
© 2023 NPG Records, LLC, under exclusive license to Warner Records Inc., a Warner Music Group Company, for the world outside the U.S.A. All Rights Reserved. ℗ 1991, 2022 NPG Records Inc. under exclusive license to Warner Records Inc.
Levi Seacer, Jr., Backing Vocals - Prince, Composer, Producer, Arranger, Lead Vocals, Instruments - Prince & The New Power Generation, MainArtist - Keith Cohen, MixingEngineer - Michael Bland, Drums - KIRK JOHNSON, Percussion, Backing Vocals - Michael Koppelman, Engineer - Elisa Fiorillo, Additional Vocals - Tim Penn, AssistantEngineer - The New Power Generation, Producer - Tony Mosley, Backing Vocals - Damon Dickson, Percussion, Backing Vocals
© 2023 NPG Records, LLC, under exclusive license to Warner Records Inc., a Warner Music Group Company, for the world outside the U.S.A. All Rights Reserved. ℗ 1991, 2023 NPG Records Inc. under exclusive license to Warner Records Inc.
Tommy Barbarella, Keyboards - Rosie Gaines, Backing Vocals - Prince, Composer, Producer, Arranger, Lead Vocals, Instruments - Prince & The New Power Generation, MainArtist - SONNY THOMPSON, Bass - Michael Bland, Drums - Michael Koppelman, Mixer, Engineer - The New Power Generation, Producer
© 2023 NPG Records, LLC, under exclusive license to Warner Records Inc., a Warner Music Group Company, for the world outside the U.S.A. All Rights Reserved. ℗ 1991, 2023 NPG Records Inc. under exclusive license to Warner Records Inc.
Levi Seacer, Jr., Rhythm Guitar - Tommy Barbarella, Keyboards - Rosie Gaines, Keyboards, Backing Vocals - Prince, Producer, Arranger, Lead Vocals, Writer, Instruments - Prince & The New Power Generation, MainArtist - SONNY THOMPSON, Bass - Keith Cohen, Mixer - Michael Bland, Drums - Michael Koppelman, Engineer - Tim Penn, AssistantEngineer - The New Power Generation, Producer
© 2023 NPG Records, LLC, under exclusive license to Warner Records Inc., a Warner Music Group Company, for the world outside the U.S.A. All Rights Reserved. ℗ 1991, 2023 NPG Records Inc. under exclusive license to Warner Records Inc.
Levi Seacer, Jr., Bass - Prince, Producer, Arranger, Vocals, Writer, Instruments - Prince & The New Power Generation, MainArtist - Michael Bland, Drums - Michael Koppelman, Mixer, Engineer - Matt Larson, Engineer - Tim Penn, AssistantEngineer - The New Power Generation, Producer - David Friedlander, Engineer
© 2023 NPG Records, LLC, under exclusive license to Warner Records Inc., a Warner Music Group Company, for the world outside the U.S.A. All Rights Reserved. ℗ 1991, 2023 NPG Records Inc. under exclusive license to Warner Records Inc.
Jevetta Steele, Background Vocals - Levi Seacer, Jr., Writer, Bass - Tommy Barbarella, Keyboards - Rosie Gaines, Keyboards, Backing Vocals - Prince, Producer, Arranger, Lead Vocals, Writer, Instruments - Prince & The New Power Generation, MainArtist - Michael Bland, Drums - KIRK JOHNSON, Percussion - Michael Koppelman, Mixer, Engineer - Matt Larson, Engineer - Tim Penn, SecondEngineer - Fred Steele, Background Vocals - Jearlyn Steele, Background Vocals - The New Power Generation, Producer - JD Steele, Background Vocals - Tony Mosley, Rapper Vocals, Writer - Damon Dickson, Percussion - Janice V. Steele, Background Vocals
© 2023 NPG Records, LLC, under exclusive license to Warner Records Inc., a Warner Music Group Company, for the world outside the U.S.A. All Rights Reserved. ℗ 1991, 2023 NPG Records Inc. under exclusive license to Warner Records Inc.
Levi Seacer, Jr., Backing Vocals, Rhythm Guitar - Tommy Barbarella, Keyboards - Rosie Gaines, Keyboards, Background Vocals - Prince, Producer, Arranger, Lead Vocals, Writer, Instruments - Prince & The New Power Generation, MainArtist - SONNY THOMPSON, Bass - Michael Bland, Drums - Steve Noonan, AssistantEngineer - KIRK JOHNSON, Percussion, Background Vocals - Eric Leeds, Flute - Michael Koppelman, Engineer - The New Power Generation, Producer - Tony Mosley, Rapper Vocals - Damon Dickson, Percussion, Background Vocals - Ray Hahnfeld, AssistantEngineer
© 2023 NPG Records, LLC, under exclusive license to Warner Records Inc., a Warner Music Group Company, for the world outside the U.S.A. All Rights Reserved. ℗ 1991, 2023 NPG Records Inc. under exclusive license to Warner Records Inc.
Levi Seacer, Jr., Bass - Tommy Barbarella, Keyboards - Rosie Gaines, Keyboards, Vocals - Prince, Composer, Producer, Arranger, Lead Vocals, Writer, Instruments - Prince & The New Power Generation, MainArtist - Michael Bland, Drums - Tom Garneau, Mixer - Michael Koppelman, Engineer, MixingEngineer - Elisa Fiorillo, Additional Vocals - The New Power Generation, Producer
© 2023 NPG Records, LLC, under exclusive license to Warner Records Inc., a Warner Music Group Company, for the world outside the U.S.A. All Rights Reserved. ℗ 1991, 2023 NPG Records Inc. under exclusive license to Warner Records Inc.
Levi Seacer, Jr., Rhythm Guitar - Rosie Gaines, Keyboards, Background Vocals - Prince, Producer, Arranger, Lead Vocals, Writer, Instruments - Prince & The New Power Generation, MainArtist - Michael Bland, Drums - Steve Noonan, AssistantEngineer - KIRK JOHNSON, Percussion, Writer, Background Vocals - Michael Koppelman, Mixer, Engineer - Brian Poer, AssistantEngineer - The New Power Generation, Producer - Tony Mosley, Rapper Vocals, Writer, Background Vocals - Damon Dickson, Percussion, Background Vocals
© 2023 NPG Records, LLC, under exclusive license to Warner Records Inc., a Warner Music Group Company, for the world outside the U.S.A. All Rights Reserved. ℗ 1991, 2023 NPG Records Inc. under exclusive license to Warner Records Inc.
Levi Seacer, Jr., Bass - Rosie Gaines, Writer - Prince, Producer, Arranger, Writer, Instruments - Prince & The New Power Generation, MainArtist - Michael Bland, Drums - Michael Koppelman, Mixer, Engineer - Matt Larson, Engineer - Tim Penn, AssistantEngineer - The New Power Generation, Producer - David Friedlander, Engineer
© 2023 NPG Records, LLC, under exclusive license to Warner Records Inc., a Warner Music Group Company, for the world outside the U.S.A. All Rights Reserved. ℗ 1991, 2023 NPG Records Inc. under exclusive license to Warner Records Inc.
Rosie Gaines, Producer, Rapper Vocals, Writer, Background Vocals - Prince, Producer, Arranger, Lead Vocals, Writer, Instruments - Prince & The New Power Generation, MainArtist - Steve Noonan, AssistantEngineer - Michael Koppelman, Mixer, Engineer - Brian Poer, AssistantEngineer - The New Power Generation, Producer - David Friedlander, AssistantEngineer - Tony Mosley, Rapper Vocals
© 2023 NPG Records, LLC, under exclusive license to Warner Records Inc., a Warner Music Group Company, for the world outside the U.S.A. All Rights Reserved. ℗ 1991, 2023 NPG Records Inc. under exclusive license to Warner Records Inc.
Prince, Producer, Arranger, Lead Vocals, Writer, Instruments - Prince & The New Power Generation, MainArtist - Sylvia Massy, AssistantEngineer - Michael Koppelman, Engineer, MasteringEngineer - Tim Penn, Engineer, AssistantEngineer - Brian Poer, AssistantEngineer - The New Power Generation, Producer
© 2023 NPG Records, LLC, under exclusive license to Warner Records Inc., a Warner Music Group Company, for the world outside the U.S.A. All Rights Reserved. ℗ 1991, 2023 NPG Records Inc. under exclusive license to Warner Records Inc.
Prince, Producer, Arranger, Lead Vocals, Writer, Instruments - Prince & The New Power Generation, MainArtist - SONNY THOMPSON, Bass - Michael Bland, Drums - Michael Koppelman, Mixer, Engineer - Tim Penn, AssistantEngineer - Brian Poer, AssistantEngineer - The New Power Generation, Producer - Tony Mosley, Rapper Vocals, Writer
© 2023 NPG Records, LLC, under exclusive license to Warner Records Inc., a Warner Music Group Company, for the world outside the U.S.A. All Rights Reserved. ℗ 1991, 2022 NPG Records Inc. under exclusive license to Warner Records Inc.
Album review
Prince spent the latter half of the '80s courting the pop audience, and by the time of Graffiti Bridge, he had lost much of his R&B fan base. As a response, he formed the New Power Generation and recorded Diamonds and Pearls, his first record to reconnect with the urban audience since 1999, as well as his first to acknowledge the hip-hop revolution. Although he still has a problem with rap -- "Jughead" is simply embarrassing -- he manages to skillfully reinvent himself as an urban soulman without sacrificing his musical innovation. The New Power Generation is a more skilled band than the Revolution, and they are able to make Prince's funk jazzier, particularly on "Willing and Able," the breezy "Strollin'" and "Walk Don't Walk." It's clear that these subtly textured songs are where his heart is at, but the songs designed to win back his audience -- the slamming dancefloor rallying cry "Gett Off," the sexy T. Rex groove "Cream," the extraordinary Philly soul of the neglected masterpiece "Money Don't Matter 2 Night," and the drippy mainstream ballad "Diamonds and Pearls" -- are all terrific pop singles. However, much of the rest of Diamonds and Pearls is comprised of middling funk and R&B that sounds less like inspired workouts than stylistic exercises. Even with such weak moments, Diamonds and Pearls is a fine record, even though it's only marginally better than Lovesexy and Graffiti Bridge.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 13 track(s)
- Total length: 01:05:36
- Main artists: Prince
- Composer: Prince
- Label: Warner Records
- Genre: Soul/Funk/R&B R&B
© 2023 NPG Records, LLC, under exclusive license to Warner Records Inc., a Warner Music Group Company, for the world outside the U.S.A. All Rights Reserved. ℗ 2023 NPG Records, LLC, under exclusive license to Warner Records Inc., a Warner Music Group Company, for the world outside the U.S.A. All Rights Reserved.
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