Newpower Soul
Encyclopedia
Newpower Soul is a 1998 album by The New Power Generation, but is de facto
a Prince
album (his stage name at that time being an unpronounceable symbol). The album was announced as a "Prince"-album in a press release issued by his publicist, but mere days later his official website at the time claimed those were mere rumors.
The album title has a long history in Prince's songs. In 1988, "New Power Soul" was a lyric in the Lovesexy
top ten hit, "Alphabet St.
" and was also part of the album art (written in the form of an arrow). A year later, the hit "Batdance
" also had a segment repeating "Power Soul". This was sampled later on Carmen Electra
's debut album (which was primarily written by Prince). The 1992 song "Love 2 the 9's", from the Love Symbol Album, features the lyrics "Stay awake 4 4teen hours, Listen 2 the band play New Power Soul". In 1995, The New Power Generation's second album, Exodus contained a mostly instrumental track with the title "New Power Soul" and a spoken outtake from the album prompted the listener to await the next NPG album, Newpower Soul. "New Power" was contracted to "Newpower" for the later album and song. Indeed, the whole concept is most likely related to the New Power Generation, which was also mentioned back on Lovesexy.
Despite the negative reviews, the album is noted by fans for a few key tracks such as "The One", "Come On" (featuring vocals by soul legend Chaka Khan
) and the bonus hidden track "Wasted Kisses".
De facto
De facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...
a Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
album (his stage name at that time being an unpronounceable symbol). The album was announced as a "Prince"-album in a press release issued by his publicist, but mere days later his official website at the time claimed those were mere rumors.
The album title has a long history in Prince's songs. In 1988, "New Power Soul" was a lyric in the Lovesexy
Lovesexy
Lovesexy is the tenth studio album by Prince, released on May 10, 1988. Lovesexy was issued as a substitute record after the release of the infamous The Black Album had been suddenly cancelled. The Black Album and Lovesexy almost act as companion pieces, sharing the song "When 2 R in Love", but...
top ten hit, "Alphabet St.
Alphabet St.
"Alphabet St." was the first single from Prince's 1988 album, Lovesexy, and the album's only top 10 single, reaching the top-10 in both the UK and U.S.. The song includes a rap by Cat Glover and is full of samples, and generally repeats themes from Lovesexy...
" and was also part of the album art (written in the form of an arrow). A year later, the hit "Batdance
Batdance
"Batdance" is a song by Prince, from the 1989 Batman soundtrack. Helped by the film's popularity, the song reached number one in the U.S., becoming Prince's fourth number-one single, and first since 1986's "Kiss".-Song development:...
" also had a segment repeating "Power Soul". This was sampled later on Carmen Electra
Carmen Electra
Tara Leigh Patrick , professionally known as Carmen Electra, is an American glamour model, actress, television personality, singer, and dancer...
's debut album (which was primarily written by Prince). The 1992 song "Love 2 the 9's", from the Love Symbol Album, features the lyrics "Stay awake 4 4teen hours, Listen 2 the band play New Power Soul". In 1995, The New Power Generation's second album, Exodus contained a mostly instrumental track with the title "New Power Soul" and a spoken outtake from the album prompted the listener to await the next NPG album, Newpower Soul. "New Power" was contracted to "Newpower" for the later album and song. Indeed, the whole concept is most likely related to the New Power Generation, which was also mentioned back on Lovesexy.
Reception
The album sold relatively poorly despite promotional efforts and many of the reviews for the album were poor as well. The title track reuses the music from "Big Fun", from the album Exodus. The album is currently the last from the New Power Generation, as their own entity.Despite the negative reviews, the album is noted by fans for a few key tracks such as "The One", "Come On" (featuring vocals by soul legend Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan , frequently known as the Queen of Funk, is a 10-time Grammy Award winning American singer-songwriter who gained fame in the 1970s as the frontwoman and focal point of the funk band Rufus. While still a member of the group in 1978, Khan embarked on a successful solo career...
) and the bonus hidden track "Wasted Kisses".
Track listing
- "Newpower Soul"
- "Mad Sex"
- "Until U're in My Arms Again"
- "When U Love Somebody"
- "Shoo-Bed-Ooh"
- "Push It Up"
- "Freaks on This Side"
- "Come On"
- "The One"
- "(I Like) Funky Music"
- "Wasted Kisses" (3:07) – hidden trackHidden trackIn the field of recorded music, a hidden track is a piece of music that has been placed on a CD, audio cassette, vinyl record or other recorded medium in such a way as to avoid detection by the casual listener...
, following silent tracks 11–48.
Singles
- "Come On"
- "Come On" (Doug E. FreshDoug E. FreshDouglas E. Davis , better known by the stage name Doug E. Fresh, is an American rapper, record producer, and beat boxer, also known as the Human Beat Box...
Mix) - "Come On" (Remix)
- "Come On" (Album Edit)
- "Come On" (Hypermix)
- "Come On" (Latenitemix)
- "Come On" (Acapella)
- "The One" (Remix) only available on 1-800-NEW-FUNK1-800-NEW-FUNK1-800-NEW-FUNK is a compilation album by Prince's NPG Records meant to showcase artists signed to the label. It was released on July 20, 1994...
maxi-single