Newpower Soul

Last updated

Newpower Soul
Prince n-s.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedJune 30, 1998
RecordedMay 1997 – February 1998 [1]
Studio Paisley Park, Chanhassen, Minnesota
Genre
Length60:03
Label NPG
Producer New Power Generation (de facto  Prince)
New Power Generation chronology
Exodus
(1995)
Newpower Soul
(1998)
Singles from Newpower Soul
  1. "The One"
    Released: April 13, 1998 (promotional single)
  2. "Come On"
    Released: October 16, 1998

Newpower Soul is the third and final studio album by the New Power Generation, but is considered a de facto 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.

Contents

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. The concept is most likely related to the New Power Generation, which was also mentioned back on Lovesexy.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [2]

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.

The album is noted by fans for a few key tracks such as "The One", "Come On" (featuring vocals by Chaka Khan) and the bonus hidden track "Wasted Kisses".

Track listing

  1. "Newpower Soul" – 5:01
  2. "Mad Sex" – 5:13
  3. "Until U're in My Arms Again" – 4:47
  4. "When U Love Somebody" – 5:56
  5. "Shoo-Bed-Ooh" – 3:24
  6. "Push It Up" – 5:28
  7. "Freaks on This Side" – 5:42
  8. "Come On" – 5:59
  9. "The One" – 7:05
  10. "(I Like) Funky Music" – 4:32
  11. "Wasted Kisses" – 3:07 (hidden track, following silent tracks 11–48)

Charts

Chart performance for Newpower Soul
Chart (1998)Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA) [3] 47
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) [4] 24
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [5] 15
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) [6] 45
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) [7] 23
French Albums (SNEP) [8] 45
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [9] 34
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista) [10] 40
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) [11] 57
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [12] 22
UK Albums (OCC) [13] 38
US Billboard 200 [14] 22
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [15] 9

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References

  1. "Album: Newpower Soul".
  2. https://www.allmusic.com/album/r366375/review
  3. "Australiancharts.com – The New Power Generation – New Power Soul". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  4. "Austriancharts.at – The New Power Generation – New Power Soul" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  5. "Ultratop.be – The New Power Generation – New Power Soul" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  6. "Ultratop.be – The New Power Generation – New Power Soul" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  7. "Dutchcharts.nl – The New Power Generation – New Power Soul" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  8. "Lescharts.com – The New Power Generation – New Power Soul". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  9. "Offiziellecharts.de – The New Power Generation – New Power Soul" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  10. "Norwegiancharts.com – The New Power Generation – New Power Soul". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  11. "Swedishcharts.com – The New Power Generation – New Power Soul". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  12. "Swisscharts.com – The New Power Generation – New Power Soul". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  13. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  14. "Prince Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  15. "Prince Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2022.