New Power Soul, Come and Lotus deserve more appreciation from the Prince community. High quality compositions and some of the most cohesive albums he produced.
It’s not an album I listen to often, but I think The One is a top shelf Prince classic that everyone should listen to. Clare Fischer strings are gorgeous as always on that track. Also, it’s nice to see you again!
@@PrincesFriend precisely. This isn’t a favorite album but it definitely has a vibe. It’s also very mysterious as is much of the symbol era stuff. Big fan of When U Love Somebody.
I absolutely love this album. I'm always amazed at the number of people who still don't think Prince wrote Come On. The man was timeless. The One is one of the best unheard of Prince ballads of all time. I put it up there near the top with U Make My Sun Shine. Wasted Kisses was a bonus. He had great songs coming out of everywhere.
Man I been waiting so long for the review to this album!! I finally got to listen to the album a few years ago. This era was so fun and I’ve seen many interviews and appearances Prince did during this time and it was amazing for any fan just to see where he was going. Also, it was the start of his path towards down the more religious side of him, Uber clean and spiritual side of him once Larry came on to the scene. But this definitely going back to his funk roots and just having fun with it. Freaks on This Side is everything!! The One is so romantic and just Breathtakingly beautiful!! Mayte directed a brilliant and gorgeous video. New Power Soul is a 90s funk paradise!!! Prince and the NPG was the baddest!! Favorite tracks: The One, Come On, New Power Soul, Mad Sex, ShoBedDoo, Push it Up, Wasted Kisses, Freaks on this Side 🔥🔥
NPS was the album that got me into the Prince world, having caught a TV special celebrating his 40th year which featured performances of tracks from this record live at the Cafe de Paris in London, that TV show was a game changer for me, and so this album remains as one of my all time favourites. Musically, lyrically, sonically, there's so much to find in here.. 'when u understand everything in every book, congratulations you're in the New Power Generation', I'm still reading...
Man I couldn't get enough of this album when it was released. Although every song wasn't in my top tier list, I loved Until U're In My Arms Again, New Power Soul, Shoo-Be-Doo, When You Love Somebody, Come On, The One, Wasted Kisses and Freaks On This Side. I guess that's basically the entire album lol. Just his clever wording has always been genius. I still reach back from time to time for this album. Great review my friend 💜💜💜
Welcome back. I missed your reviews. Love hearing your perspective. However I think Until you’re in my arms again is about the loss of his child . Great job as always
This album was never really one I was huge into. I remember all of the lyrics seeming to be the exact same and then that hidden song, Wasted Kisses, was really weird considering all of those super-dark rumours that were going around about his child.
I love your album reviews, and you have dared to talk about a very underrated album. My first Prince concert was Marbella 98, and it started with Push It Up. The entire show was amazing, as the album is IMHO. By the way: wasn't The One a single? It had even a great video, with an instrumental intro that is absolutely wonderful. This song is one of his best, I think.
I love this album, mostly because It was the album that brought my then girlfriend around to Prince. Oh, and the last moments in "When U Love Somebody" Whoa. Also "Freaks On This Side" is one that makes alot of my Prince playlists. The One is one of my favorite Prince love songs of all time also. LOL
Love this album 💜💜💜 With regards to your interpretation of Until ur'e in my arms again, I'll disagree as I've always thought he wrote this about the loss of his child. Ive always felt that emotion in this song. The way he sings the verses is almost nursery rhyme-like, it's gentle, soothing. Like he's singing to a child. That's always given me that feel, that he wrote it for Amir. Also, he roughly wrote it late 1997, which lines up with that time line. It's quite heartbreaking, but he knows he will be in his arms again....... Beautiful 💜💜💜
"Comeback" was the song notably written for his son. Everything I've read about this album, and all contextual signs point to that hypothesis not being correct. In the end, however, only Prince will ever truly know. 💜
I remember that NewPowerSoul have the biggest promotion of all Prince albums released in Poland. In Warsaw where i live, in summer of 1998 there was many posters and billboards with CD cover all over the center of the city. :-) I know that information is not some big important Prince fact, but i just want 2 share it with U. ;-)
I liked this album. My favorite track is Come On. Keep in mind that this album was released in summer of '98, on the heels of the release of Crystal Ball in Best Buy a few months earlier. 1998 was a busy year for Prince.
i view albums from a musical perspective first n foremost and this album was a masterpiece imo. i love every song on this album, and it's so well balanced. that neo soul and avant-garde funk spoke to me in a language i never heard but immediately understood. my favorite song is "the one" with "wasted kisses" a hair close 2nd, but they're all near the top for me.
I bought this album when it was released without any idea about it, it was a surprise, I didn´t know anything about it, but I bought it because it's Prince... And my 1rst impression was a little low, inmediatly love C Mon, The One and the hidden track, also Freaks on This Side, but the rest had nothing new or wonderful to me at ths time... But it grows with time and since a few years I love it, just a fun album, with a few incredible songs, and a whole spirit of fun, so I listen it very much now that then... Not a masterpiece, but a real funny funky hour to enjoy...
Excellent! Love this CD 💿 with the hidden track! I believe it was the Tonight Show when I first heard the song “Come On”. Went out the next day and bought the CD! Played it to no end! The lady I was dating at the time got sick of me playing it over and over. Got rid of her! Like so many others I discovered the hidden track by accident! After the last song track 11 I just let it play. Till track 49! Wasted Kisses! Still play it from time to time! However I start with track 49! Play on!
This probably deserves another listen. I haven’t really listened to it in many years. At the time I was 18 and going to clubs and listening to Madonna’s “Ray of Light” album, so this wasn’t really what I wanted from Prince at the time
I have never understood the H8 4 this album.......it is brilliant! Super funky, brilliantly mastered, The Hornheadz were slaying, Marva King is on point throughout, & Chaka, Larry, & Doug E. Listen 2 this on a really good system. Top 10 Prince album 4 me.
I'm glad to see this album given another look, even if I don't agree. Your review reminded me of just how much promotion Prince did for this one. He was over in the UK a lot for this (The video to Come On was even recorded in the UK) and it made it more disappointing as a result. I can handle a "throwaway" album, but he really came to plug it with this? I don't remember him spending so much time in the UK for Sign O' The Times. I have to be honest, despite the video, I haven't felt like giving the album another go after hearing the tracks... I remember the disappointment of the hidden track (I waiting all that time for THAT?) and the fact that the video for Come On cost £10.59 to make.
Price =\= quality 😂 (re: video). I think half the reason I love doing these review years later is that expectations and hype can be removed from the equation. Now you can just listen and enjoy without anything getting in the way. 💜
@@PrincesFriend You've definitely reframed it in a way I can appreciate. As a bit of fluff between major releases, it's okay, but he really hit the promotional tour hard on this one, at least in the UK. That was the horrible part, too... I was so pleased to see him on so many TV stations, but he was bringing with him something that was far from his best. I was dating a girl at the time, too, who I was desperately trying to get into Prince, so it was a good way to get her to see lots of him, and... well... I do remember his stock was really low, at least over here, at the time. When I bought Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic one of the people working in the record store actually laughed... I was so shocked I didn't say anything. Not even "If you're going to laugh, I'll put it back and get it from the store down the road..." 😀
Favorite song is The One. I could dedicate that to a lot of ladies. I wish it got more play, especially Mad Sex, Freaks On This Side, Come On and Push It Up.
Great review ! I enjoyed this album back then, but I think it is a minor album except for two or three songs. Whats about "The good life" in the songs list? Thank you (from Argentina 🇦🇷)
@@PrincesFriend yes, i líke Exodus more than NPS. But I wonder why The Good Life is on the NPS track list (book) too. It seems that another version of that song was made for this álbum but at the last moment he removed it. Thank u
I enjoyed the album. Understood why it wasn't considered a commercial success in comparison to his others, but I really enjoyed it and linked to it personally then and throughout the years and the ups and downs of dating and living the single life back then... before marriage and kiddies 😆 LOL
Still have my copy that I bought from “Circuit City” back in the day 😂 Prince’s interview with Tavis Smiley on BET Tonite was an event !!! I tape it 😂 Come On (with Chaka Khan) was my instant fav. Push It Up was another song I kept on replay. But my #1 was “The One”. 🎵 If you’re lookin for a man, that will have ten woman …confuse it all with his wealth….listen here I ain’t that one …no no no wait a minute 😂 This was the strongest track which Prince would perform in later years. While it was nice to have a new Prince album, I didn’t enjoy this one as much as Emancipation. “Come To My House” (Chaka Khan) was more enjoyable but not among her best. “The Vault” aka Old Friend 4 Sale released in 99, became one of my highly revisited albums. The elements lined up a bit better for “Rave”.
@@PrincesFriend I have never been able to comprehend the negativity around it … I think it’s assumed tbh, my partner laughed at his rapping until he actually heard him…. He’s got nothing bad to say now! I said he’s not being a hardcore rapper he wanted to learn and then it became a thing he does and man it’s sexy… haha just heard what you said about him coughing on a track , yeah I’ll accept whatever he does I guess 😂 … I won’t get lost in or search for those moments like I do his ‘prince rap’ tho in my defence
That one is more of a medley than a push, but I like where your head is at. And med sex might be about Mel b, only Prince knows. That’s why in the review I just say “the woman” 😂
I bought this CD in the fall of 1998. It was almost two months before I discovered the bonus track because I would turn the cd player off after " I love Funky Music"
I don't know, to me it seems like 'Come On" could be about Second wife. She was dating somebody else at the time. And the song starts off ' i know you got a young man' he's pretty much telling/convincing her instead of dating these young fools, that she should date someone like him. 'i got the butter for your muffin" He doesn't want a mistress he wants to make it right and marry her so that they can get down. Manuela is in the video at the very end and she was in London with the band her name appears in the credits at the end of the London tour.
@@PrincesFriend He tried to work through stuff with Mayte so much that he was flaunting Manuela in front of Mayte's face lol 🤣remember Mayte mentioned Manela in her book? She said Prince invited Manuela to PP and that he couldn't take his eyes👀👁 off of her. Anyway i don't want to get into all but he was spending less and less time with Mayte i never seen her during this era. Prince was solo during interviews and the touring with this album having Manuela there instead. Pretty much giving Mayte hints that he wanted out.😄
Tha Dogg Pound! I feel it! Made their song "Don't Stop" pop into my head. LOL. Would've been cool if Prince hooked up with some harder rappers. Doug E Fresh, Eve and Q Tip are cool, but not as hard and funky as what could've been made. Just sayin''.
I love UUAIMAA, i feel like it was about Amiir. Overall, is a great album, but as a NPG album it dissapoints me, it kinda lose what made Goldnigga and Exodus special.
Okay. I’ve never heard that theory before posting this video. Context clues would tell me that it’s not about Amir. “Comeback” was a beautiful song and spoke it very clearly. You could possibly interpret “UUIMAA” as about their son, but I’m just not convinced. Prince was big into album sequencing and the order of the songs matter. A song about a dead child just doesn’t fit there.
Sorry, not a fan of this one. There are highlights. Freaks on this Side and When U Love Somebody the two best for me. Mad Sex and Until Ure in my Arms Again pretty good too. But just something not quite there overall for me at least. I was working in London around the time of release. I remember waiting for the Northern Line Underground train from Euston to Waterloo. Normally at nearly 10pm it would be practically empty. This night it was packed. And then they all got off at Leicester Square and the train was back to practically empty. Turns out Prince was playing a surprise gig at the Cafe de Paris in Leicester Square. No social media then, just word of mouth. Good news spreads fast, at least back then.
I like this album, but I felt like it recycled too many musical concepts from songs that worked better on Exodus or Emancipation. I also was really turned off by the whole Larry Graham thing, even before Prince went full JW on Rainbow Children. But there are some good tracks here all the same. I love Come On and Wasted Kisses.
Those two are great highlights for sure! But the album really only recycled those two concepts that I mentioned, so is 2 too many? And Larry Graham and Prince are still both amazing musicians regardless of their religious activities, imo. It’s about the music in the end.
@@PrincesFriend I think I was still bitter about him letting Sonny T, Michael B and Tommy Barbarella go too. I never liked him calling any other group of musicians The NPG.
Not my favorite Prince album but it does have its moments... Prince's then engineer, Hans Martin-Buff, considers it his worst album... while I'm not sure about that, I understand where he's coming from. "On Newpower Soul they're all rough mixes... and I think you can really hear that. 'When You Love Somebody' could have been so much more. Mike Nelson of the Hornheadz offered to pay to have it mixed again, (but) he (Prince) wouldn't have any of it, and I know why, because he screwed up something for once. But you couldn't remix it. It's one of those mixes that just sounded like a rough mix". It definitely has the feel of a one-take album that could have been more... I feel some of the live instrumentation doesn't mesh especially well with the programming but ultimately that's just my opinion... it has some of Prince's most clever lyrics. 'Do it 'til your tattoo's dizzy... and the stud in your mouth turns gold'.
The beginning of Larry Grahams influence on Prince which looking back was the beginning of his downfall. That leech really changed Prince for the worse.
I can only play snippets because I do not own the copyright to the songs. The Prince estate does. Wanna start a letter campaign to the Prince estate to let me use songs in my video? 💜😂
Sorry.... the was my least favorite era of Prince. Very unbalanced and lacked focus. The Larry Graham influence drove allot of fans away during that time,
Very funky album. Love it all except for the cheesy until you’re in my arms again which is corny cheap and not fun or sensual The rest is not groundbreaking and not as good as EXODUS but far better than the crappy Tony M gold nigga (yuk!) The one wasted kisses come on I like funky music freaks on this side are excellent and different from what everyone else was doing back then.
You are kind, this album is easily his worst - funk lite trend chasing. Come On and the One are the only 2 decent songs - meaning they are C grade - barely acceptable. Not great. This album was so bad it stopped me being a fan from 1998 to 2005 - in fact you will find most fans see this album as a joke. It is just one filler track after another, - poor syrupy ballads and dancy chants. Prince is a musical genius - but this is plastic sounding dross. No wonder many of us say its not a Prince album, but an NPG one. Still I respect you may like it. Captain from Peach and Black said this was a "filler album" and he is right. Its got more filler than a Hungarian bank.
Hungarian Florin is made up of 100 filler and its like 250 Florins to $1, so imagine how much filler in a Hungarian bank and that is still below this album!!!
You know me. I like to like things. If there was nothing I liked about this album I would have just skipped it. But there’s some great stuff on here. We all have different ears though. It’s definitely not just filler, imo. 💜
WATCH NEXT: My Prince Jam Of The Year Tour Story (Prince's Friend) ruclips.net/video/x4QkVGk6jPg/видео.html
New Power Soul, Come and Lotus deserve more appreciation from the Prince community. High quality compositions and some of the most cohesive albums he produced.
Agreed! 💜
‘Come On’ is one of my favourite Prince songs of the 90s. And up their with many many brilliant Prince songs from his whole career.
that is certainly a great choice! 💜
It’s not an album I listen to often, but I think The One is a top shelf Prince classic that everyone should listen to. Clare Fischer strings are gorgeous as always on that track. Also, it’s nice to see you again!
I totally agree!
Yesss
Yes, such a beautiful song! 😢💜
I spoke to several people who didn’t discover the hidden track till I told them! Fell in love with the song!
yup! if you combed through the liner notes there's a hint, but otherwise... yeah, very hidden.
Holy crap, randomly looked up this album to play it today and you just so happened to review it on the same day. Great minds.
Small world 💜
@@PrincesFriend precisely. This isn’t a favorite album but it definitely has a vibe. It’s also very mysterious as is much of the symbol era stuff.
Big fan of When U Love Somebody.
I absolutely love this album. I'm always amazed at the number of people who still don't think Prince wrote Come On. The man was timeless. The One is one of the best unheard of Prince ballads of all time. I put it up there near the top with U Make My Sun Shine. Wasted Kisses was a bonus. He had great songs coming out of everywhere.
Love puch it up..one of my all-time favorites..live the live video too...❤
I ment come on...lol😅😅😅
This hole album rules🎉
Man I been waiting so long for the review to this album!! I finally got to listen to the album a few years ago. This era was so fun and I’ve seen many interviews and appearances Prince did during this time and it was amazing for any fan just to see where he was going. Also, it was the start of his path towards down the more religious side of him, Uber clean and spiritual side of him once Larry came on to the scene. But this definitely going back to his funk roots and just having fun with it. Freaks on This Side is everything!! The One is so romantic and just Breathtakingly beautiful!! Mayte directed a brilliant and gorgeous video. New Power Soul is a 90s funk paradise!!! Prince and the NPG was the baddest!! Favorite tracks: The One, Come On, New Power Soul, Mad Sex, ShoBedDoo, Push it Up, Wasted Kisses, Freaks on this Side 🔥🔥
💜🙏🏽 fave for me too
NPS was the album that got me into the Prince world, having caught a TV special celebrating his 40th year which featured performances of tracks from this record live at the Cafe de Paris in London, that TV show was a game changer for me, and so this album remains as one of my all time favourites. Musically, lyrically, sonically, there's so much to find in here.. 'when u understand everything in every book, congratulations you're in the New Power Generation', I'm still reading...
we all are, and it's a beautiful thing #studentofprince Thanks for sharing! 💜
I missed U!!!!!!!!!!!!SO GLAD UR BACK!!!!!
Thank you! 💜
Man I couldn't get enough of this album when it was released. Although every song wasn't in my top tier list, I loved Until U're In My Arms Again, New Power Soul, Shoo-Be-Doo, When You Love Somebody, Come On, The One, Wasted Kisses and Freaks On This Side. I guess that's basically the entire album lol. Just his clever wording has always been genius. I still reach back from time to time for this album. Great review my friend 💜💜💜
same 💜
Thanks for the upload, Eloy!! Good to have you back and get your commentary on another underrated Prince/NPG album.
My pleasure! 💜
Prince feat Eloy - "Freaks On This Side"
aint that the dream? 💜
Welcome back. I missed your reviews. Love hearing your perspective. However I think Until you’re in my arms again is about the loss of his child . Great job as always
Thank you much! As for WUIMAA, context tells me it’s not about their kid but I can see that interpretation 💜
Oh my goodness The One😢😢😢😢😢💜💜💜💜 makes me cry! Pure Prince brilliance xxo
Right?!?!?!?
For some reason I had low expectations, but I was pleasantly surprised when I heard the album decades ago and I still like it - a lot.
Always baffled me why people dump on this album, it's got some killer stuff on it and works as a solid album.
One of the new albums I recently discovered. Thanks for your review, Glad you are back.
No problem! Glad you enjoyed it! 💜
Before I hear your content, I can’t wait to hear what you’ll say about the hidden track!
it does change the landscape of the album, for sure. enjoy the review! 💜
This album was never really one I was huge into. I remember all of the lyrics seeming to be the exact same and then that hidden song, Wasted Kisses, was really weird considering all of those super-dark rumours that were going around about his child.
I love this album. Played often. Never understood the hate.
I get it, but I also don't get it. it's a complicated thing, I think 💜
@@PrincesFriend Thanks for keeping the vibe alive.
I love your album reviews, and you have dared to talk about a very underrated album.
My first Prince concert was Marbella 98, and it started with Push It Up. The entire show was amazing, as the album is IMHO.
By the way: wasn't The One a single? It had even a great video, with an instrumental intro that is absolutely wonderful. This song is one of his best, I think.
It was a video but I didn’t think it was a single. I’ll double check 💜
When I 1st heard the album, I didn't care for it. I've grown to like it over the years. The One and Come On are great.
Really nice to see you again!
You too! 💜
Look who’s back!!!
Arhhhh everything is good … watching my favourite channel regularly again … sending much love E 💜💜
good to be back 💜
I've had this album in heavy rotation since it was released. Very jazzy and fonky 💜💜💜
Wow, cool! 💜
I can't wait to hear Rainbow Childern next that's one of my favorite Prince albums after Batman,Diamonds and Pearls and Emancipation.
I love this album, mostly because It was the album that brought my then girlfriend around to Prince. Oh, and the last moments in "When U Love Somebody" Whoa. Also "Freaks On This Side" is one that makes alot of my Prince playlists. The One is one of my favorite Prince love songs of all time also. LOL
RE: WULS.... exactly!
Love this album 💜💜💜 With regards to your interpretation of Until ur'e in my arms again, I'll disagree as I've always thought he wrote this about the loss of his child. Ive always felt that emotion in this song. The way he sings the verses is almost nursery rhyme-like, it's gentle, soothing. Like he's singing to a child. That's always given me that feel, that he wrote it for Amir. Also, he roughly wrote it late 1997, which lines up with that time line. It's quite heartbreaking, but he knows he will be in his arms again....... Beautiful 💜💜💜
"Comeback" was the song notably written for his son. Everything I've read about this album, and all contextual signs point to that hypothesis not being correct. In the end, however, only Prince will ever truly know. 💜
@@PrincesFriend yes, we will never know, only Prince does. The beauty of art, is the variation of interpretation! 💜
My favorite song 👉🏿THE ONE 💜💜💜💜💜
💜👍🏽
I remember that NewPowerSoul have the biggest promotion of all Prince albums released in Poland. In Warsaw where i live, in summer of 1998 there was many posters and billboards with CD cover all over the center of the city. :-) I know that information is not some big important Prince fact, but i just want 2 share it with U. ;-)
he went HARD on promotion for this one, that is true 💜
I liked this album. My favorite track is Come On. Keep in mind that this album was released in summer of '98, on the heels of the release of Crystal Ball in Best Buy a few months earlier. 1998 was a busy year for Prince.
I like the *come on* maxi single...especially the REmiX with the prince rap 🥰
i view albums from a musical perspective first n foremost and this album was a masterpiece imo. i love every song on this album, and it's so well balanced. that neo soul and avant-garde funk spoke to me in a language i never heard but immediately understood. my favorite song is "the one" with "wasted kisses" a hair close 2nd, but they're all near the top for me.
I bought this album when it was released without any idea about it, it was a surprise, I didn´t know anything about it, but I bought it because it's Prince... And my 1rst impression was a little low, inmediatly love C Mon, The One and the hidden track, also Freaks on This Side, but the rest had nothing new or wonderful to me at ths time... But it grows with time and since a few years I love it, just a fun album, with a few incredible songs, and a whole spirit of fun, so I listen it very much now that then... Not a masterpiece, but a real funny funky hour to enjoy...
Yessss! Welcome back PF!! Also he pulled a push on Rave in2 the joy fantastic, title track on the remix album 💜
Yes! He did, thank you
I appreciate your thoughts on this one. I do enjoy it.
Thanks much! 💜
Excellent! Love this CD 💿 with the hidden track! I believe it was the Tonight Show when I first heard the song “Come On”. Went out the next day and bought the CD! Played it to no end! The lady I was dating at the time got sick of me playing it over and over. Got rid of her!
Like so many others I discovered the hidden track by accident! After the last song track 11 I just let it play. Till track 49! Wasted Kisses! Still play it from time to time! However I start with track 49! Play on!
I wonder what the story is like in reverse 😂 thanks for sharing your story
This is one of my favorite albums! 💜💜💜
This probably deserves another listen. I haven’t really listened to it in many years. At the time I was 18 and going to clubs and listening to Madonna’s “Ray of Light” album, so this wasn’t really what I wanted from Prince at the time
I have never understood the H8 4 this album.......it is brilliant! Super funky, brilliantly mastered, The Hornheadz were slaying, Marva King is on point throughout, & Chaka, Larry, & Doug E. Listen 2 this on a really good system. Top 10 Prince album 4 me.
💜💜💜
I had to pause you to go back and listen to the all "titles rap" on New Power Soul. Yep, I totally missed that.
💜👍🏽 glad to have pointed it out for you
I must say that I really enjoyed this album with the right sounding music to play in on its really good
💜👍🏽
One of my personal favorites album
Oh yeah? That’s awesome! 💜
@Prince's Friend this entire album was fun, funky & fresh.....I wish it was available to stream....all of my CD's are packed away 😫
maybe one day
I'm glad to see this album given another look, even if I don't agree. Your review reminded me of just how much promotion Prince did for this one. He was over in the UK a lot for this (The video to Come On was even recorded in the UK) and it made it more disappointing as a result. I can handle a "throwaway" album, but he really came to plug it with this? I don't remember him spending so much time in the UK for Sign O' The Times.
I have to be honest, despite the video, I haven't felt like giving the album another go after hearing the tracks... I remember the disappointment of the hidden track (I waiting all that time for THAT?) and the fact that the video for Come On cost £10.59 to make.
Price =\= quality 😂 (re: video). I think half the reason I love doing these review years later is that expectations and hype can be removed from the equation. Now you can just listen and enjoy without anything getting in the way. 💜
@@PrincesFriend You've definitely reframed it in a way I can appreciate. As a bit of fluff between major releases, it's okay, but he really hit the promotional tour hard on this one, at least in the UK. That was the horrible part, too... I was so pleased to see him on so many TV stations, but he was bringing with him something that was far from his best.
I was dating a girl at the time, too, who I was desperately trying to get into Prince, so it was a good way to get her to see lots of him, and... well...
I do remember his stock was really low, at least over here, at the time. When I bought Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic one of the people working in the record store actually laughed... I was so shocked I didn't say anything. Not even "If you're going to laugh, I'll put it back and get it from the store down the road..." 😀
Favorite song is The One. I could dedicate that to a lot of ladies. I wish it got more play, especially Mad Sex, Freaks On This Side, Come On and Push It Up.
Great review ! I enjoyed this album back then, but I think it is a minor album except for two or three songs.
Whats about "The good life" in the songs list? Thank you (from Argentina 🇦🇷)
“The good life” is on exodus… love that one
@@PrincesFriend I love that song too. Do you think that was another version for NPS ?
both are pretty distinctly different albums. both awesome though.
@@PrincesFriend yes, i líke Exodus more than NPS. But I wonder why The Good Life is on the NPS track list (book) too. It seems that another version of that song was made for this álbum but at the last moment he removed it.
Thank u
Mad Sex is one of my favorite Prince songs ever.
Push It Up and Freaks On This Side are 2 of my favorite ear worms... 😎
💜👍🏽
Shoo be doo takes me back to his earlier albums right back to the 70s
love that song
I remember getting the cassette single of Come On. Those were the days!
CD for me by this time in my life, but I had a good handful of Prince cassettes at the time handed down from my mom. 💜
I enjoyed the album. Understood why it wasn't considered a commercial success in comparison to his others, but I really enjoyed it and linked to it personally then and throughout the years and the ups and downs of dating and living the single life back then... before marriage and kiddies 😆 LOL
Still have my copy that I bought from “Circuit City” back in the day 😂 Prince’s interview with Tavis Smiley on BET Tonite was an event !!! I tape it 😂 Come On (with Chaka Khan) was my instant fav. Push It Up was another song I kept on replay. But my #1 was “The One”. 🎵 If you’re lookin for a man, that will have ten woman …confuse it all with his wealth….listen here I ain’t that one …no no no wait a minute 😂 This was the strongest track which Prince would perform in later years. While it was nice to have a new Prince album, I didn’t enjoy this one as much as Emancipation. “Come To My House” (Chaka Khan) was more enjoyable but not among her best. “The Vault” aka Old Friend 4 Sale released in 99, became one of my highly revisited albums. The elements lined up a bit better for “Rave”.
Love Prince’s ‘rap voice’ I guess bc his voice is naturally so deep…. I just get lost in those moments arhhh nice
you and I are in the minority 🤣
@@PrincesFriend I have never been able to comprehend the negativity around it … I think it’s assumed tbh, my partner laughed at his rapping until he actually heard him…. He’s got nothing bad to say now! I said he’s not being a hardcore rapper he wanted to learn and then it became a thing he does and man it’s sexy… haha just heard what you said about him coughing on a track , yeah I’ll accept whatever he does I guess 😂 … I won’t get lost in or search for those moments like I do his ‘prince rap’ tho in my defence
Third favorite prince song is the one, i got the cd off of Amazon 13 dollars, I like album better than other ones.
"The One" is really high up for me too
It has been said that Until ur in my arms again is about his son Amiir.
it's been mentioned a few times in the comments so far. I'm not really buying it, but only Prince knows for sure. 💜
Ah, feels like old times... 😎🖤
same 💜
Saw this sho in DC...funky
I love the Jay Leno Come On performances. He had the whole place rockin and had to teach Jay how to clap on time. 👏🏽😅
oh yeah! 💜
He did a “push” 3 times. Remember To whom It May Concern. Mad Sex is about Mel B. from The Spice Girls.
That one is more of a medley than a push, but I like where your head is at. And med sex might be about Mel b, only Prince knows. That’s why in the review I just say “the woman” 😂
I bought this CD in the fall of 1998. It was almost two months before I discovered the bonus track because I would turn the cd player off after " I love Funky Music"
Hahahah! I think it was like the fourth listen for me, so same day I got it obviously 😂
"Freaks on this side" Funky!!!
I like this record it's ok. My favs are Push it up, Freaks on this side and Come on
Great choices! 💜
I don't know, to me it seems like 'Come On" could be about Second wife. She was dating somebody else at the time. And the song starts off ' i know you got a young man' he's pretty much telling/convincing her instead of dating these young fools, that she should date someone like him. 'i got the butter for your muffin" He doesn't want a mistress he wants to make it right and marry her so that they can get down. Manuela is in the video at the very end and she was in London with the band her name appears in the credits at the end of the London tour.
Could be about her, great catch there. Though, he was still technically with and trying to work through stuff with Mayte at this time
I was thinking the same. Manuela appears at the end of the video as well
@@PrincesFriend He tried to work through stuff with Mayte so much that he was flaunting Manuela in front of Mayte's face lol 🤣remember Mayte mentioned Manela in her book? She said Prince invited Manuela to PP and that he couldn't take his eyes👀👁 off of her. Anyway i don't want to get into all but he was spending less and less time with Mayte i never seen her during this era. Prince was solo during interviews and the touring with this album having Manuela there instead. Pretty much giving Mayte hints that he wanted out.😄
Underrated imo
agreed entirely 💜
For some reason, I could always hear Dazz and Kurupt on a Mad Sex remix. Lol.😆
Tha Dogg Pound! I feel it! Made their song "Don't Stop" pop into my head. LOL. Would've been cool if Prince hooked up with some harder rappers. Doug E Fresh, Eve and Q Tip are cool, but not as hard and funky as what could've been made. Just sayin''.
I love UUAIMAA, i feel like it was about Amiir. Overall, is a great album, but as a NPG album it dissapoints me, it kinda lose what made Goldnigga and Exodus special.
Until you're in my arms again, is about his lost son,
Is it though?
@@PrincesFriend Yeah, Mayte said that
Can you link me to her saying that? As far as I knew, the song “Comeback” was the one he wrote for their son.
@@PrincesFriend I just remember her saying that after he-Prince-died, I don't actually have a link to anything. Sorry
Okay. I’ve never heard that theory before posting this video. Context clues would tell me that it’s not about Amir. “Comeback” was a beautiful song and spoke it very clearly. You could possibly interpret “UUIMAA” as about their son, but I’m just not convinced. Prince was big into album sequencing and the order of the songs matter. A song about a dead child just doesn’t fit there.
Sorry, not a fan of this one. There are highlights. Freaks on this Side and When U Love Somebody the two best for me. Mad Sex and Until Ure in my Arms Again pretty good too. But just something not quite there overall for me at least.
I was working in London around the time of release. I remember waiting for the Northern Line Underground train from Euston to Waterloo. Normally at nearly 10pm it would be practically empty. This night it was packed. And then they all got off at Leicester Square and the train was back to practically empty.
Turns out Prince was playing a surprise gig at the Cafe de Paris in Leicester Square. No social media then, just word of mouth.
Good news spreads fast, at least back then.
I like this album, but I felt like it recycled too many musical concepts from songs that worked better on Exodus or Emancipation. I also was really turned off by the whole Larry Graham thing, even before Prince went full JW on Rainbow Children. But there are some good tracks here all the same. I love Come On and Wasted Kisses.
Those two are great highlights for sure! But the album really only recycled those two concepts that I mentioned, so is 2 too many? And Larry Graham and Prince are still both amazing musicians regardless of their religious activities, imo. It’s about the music in the end.
@@PrincesFriend I think I was still bitter about him letting Sonny T, Michael B and Tommy Barbarella go too. I never liked him calling any other group of musicians The NPG.
Not my favorite Prince album but it does have its moments... Prince's then engineer, Hans Martin-Buff, considers it his worst album... while I'm not sure about that, I understand where he's coming from. "On Newpower Soul they're all rough mixes... and I think you can really hear that. 'When You Love Somebody' could have been so much more. Mike Nelson of the Hornheadz offered to pay to have it mixed again, (but) he (Prince) wouldn't have any of it, and I know why, because he screwed up something for once. But you couldn't remix it. It's one of those mixes that just sounded like a rough mix". It definitely has the feel of a one-take album that could have been more... I feel some of the live instrumentation doesn't mesh especially well with the programming but ultimately that's just my opinion... it has some of Prince's most clever lyrics. 'Do it 'til your tattoo's dizzy... and the stud in your mouth turns gold'.
The beginning of Larry Grahams influence on Prince which looking back was the beginning of his downfall. That leech really changed Prince for the worse.
I like come on I saw a video of him singing the song .also new power soul a prince album? 🤔 weird.
Very underrated LP
For me it reminds me of 1999 Don’t you think so?
Nice commentary, but you should show the songs so we can hear.
I can only play snippets because I do not own the copyright to the songs. The Prince estate does. Wanna start a letter campaign to the Prince estate to let me use songs in my video? 💜😂
Sorry.... the was my least favorite era of Prince. Very unbalanced and lacked focus. The Larry Graham influence drove allot of fans away during that time,
It’s his worst album
Say new power soul live in Cleveland
Saw
Very funky album. Love it all except for the cheesy until you’re in my arms again which is corny cheap and not fun or sensual
The rest is not groundbreaking and not as good as EXODUS but far better than the crappy Tony M gold nigga (yuk!)
The one wasted kisses come on I like funky music freaks on this side are excellent and different from what everyone else was doing back then.
You are kind, this album is easily his worst - funk lite trend chasing. Come On and the One are the only 2 decent songs - meaning they are C grade - barely acceptable. Not great. This album was so bad it stopped me being a fan from 1998 to 2005 - in fact you will find most fans see this album as a joke. It is just one filler track after another, - poor syrupy ballads and dancy chants. Prince is a musical genius - but this is plastic sounding dross. No wonder many of us say its not a Prince album, but an NPG one. Still I respect you may like it. Captain from Peach and Black said this was a "filler album" and he is right. Its got more filler than a Hungarian bank.
Hungarian Florin is made up of 100 filler and its like 250 Florins to $1, so imagine how much filler in a Hungarian bank and that is still below this album!!!
You know me. I like to like things. If there was nothing I liked about this album I would have just skipped it. But there’s some great stuff on here. We all have different ears though. It’s definitely not just filler, imo. 💜
A very good album with an horrible cover!
What’s wrong with the cover? 😂
new power soul is one of prince's underrated albums it's one of those albums that grows on you
still waiting for the reviews for the rest of the prince albums
Cool!
Mad Sex, tho'. Dope af. And I can't imagine being disappointed with Wasted Kisses. To each his own, I guess.
Not disappointed with the song. I love the song. It puts a downer on the story of the album though
@@PrincesFriend Oh, not you! LOL. It was in one of the comments.
Talkin' 'bout "I waited for this?!" LOL
Oh 😂