Diamonds and Pearls

by Prince & the New Power Generation, Prince

Overview

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

Product Details

Release Date:	10/27/2023
Label:	Legacy / Sony Music
UPC:	0194399784013

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Prince & the New Power Generation   Primary Artist
Prince   Primary Artist,Keyboards,Vox Organ,Multi Instruments,Vocals (Background),Bass,Drums,Piano,Guitar,Vocals,Voices
New Power Generation   Primary Artist
Eric Leeds   Primary Artist,Flute,Saxophone
Sonny T.   Vocals (Background),Bass
Damon Dickson   Vocals,Vox Organ,Percussion,Vocals (Background)
JD Steele   Vocals (Background)
Sonny Thompson   Bass,Guitar,Bass
Steve Strand   Trumpet
Michael Nelson   Trombone
Janice Steele   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
William "Diamond J" Graves   Turntables
Michael B.   Drums,Drums
William Graves   Turntables
Miko Weaver   Guitar
Levi Saucer, Jr.   Guitar
Michael Bland   Drums
Margie Cox   Vocals
Tommy Barbarella   Sampling,Keyboards
Brian Gallagher   Sax (Tenor)
Kirk Johnson   Percussion,Vocals (Background),Drums,Vocals
Elisa   Vocals (Background)
Kathy Jensen   Sax (Baritone)
Steve Noonan   Vocals
Michael Koppelman   Guitar
Tony Mosley   Rap,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Jevetta Steele   Vocals (Background),Vocals
Dave Jensen   Trumpet
Fred Steele   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Jearlyn Steele Battle   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
J.D. Steele   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Jearlyn Steele   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Elisa Fiorillo   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Levi Seacer, Jr.   Bass,Guitar,Guitar (Rhythm),Vocals (Background),Keyboards
Robin Power   Vocals (Background)
Rosie Gaines   Rap,Organ,Vocals,Sampling,Keyboards,Vox Organ,Vocals (Background)
Tony M.   Rap,Vocals (Background)
Paul Peterson   Vocals (Background)
Susannah Melvoin   Vocals (Background)
Lloyd Thompson   Guitar (Bass),Vocals (Background)
Michael B. Nelson   Trombone
The Steeles   Vocals

Technical Credits

Jeff Gold   Art Direction
Damon Dickson   Dancer,Producer
Robyn Lynch   Make-Up
Tim Penn   Engineer,Producer,Second Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Keith "KC" Cohen   Mixing,Engineer
Chris James   Mixing
Sylvia Massey   Assistant Engineer
Stephanie Bennett   Logo
Matts Larson   Engineer
Eric Anset   Assistant Producer
Mike Koppelman   Mixing,Engineer
Rob Borm   Producer
Michael Koppelman   Mixing Engineer,Mastering Engineer,Mixing,Engineer,Mastering,Audio Engineer
New Power Generation   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Michael Bland   Arranger,Producer
Dave Aron   Assistant Producer
Tom Garneau   Mixing,Engineer
Tommy Barbarella   Engineer,Producer,Mixing Engineer
Tom Recchion   Art Direction
Brian Gallagher   Mastering
Mike Nelson   Horn Arrangements
Kirk Johnson   Lyricist,Producer,Composer
Kasha Breuning   Make-Up
D. Channsin Berry   Composer
Matt Larson   Engineer,Engineer,Audio Engineer
Kimm James   Assistant Engineer
Benny Medina   Executive Producer
Steve Noonan   Engineer,Second Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Prince   Musician,Producer,Instrumentation,Arranger,Composer,Lyricist
Martika   Composer
Matt Howe   Assistant Engineer
Mayte   Dancer
Aretha Franklin   Composer
Brian Poer   Engineer,Second Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Earl Jones   Hair Stylist
David Friedlander   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Francis Jules   Composer
Joel Larson   Photography
Greg Ross   Design
David Rivkin   Composer
Randee Saint Nicholas   Photography
Randee St. Nicholas   Cover Photo
Ted White   Composer
Susan Rogers   Engineer
Sylvia Massy   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Bernie Grundman   Remastering
Keith Cohen   Mixing,Producer,Remix Engineer,Mixing Engineer
Brad Blackwood   Mastering
Clare Fischer   Arranger
Dave Friedlander   Engineer
Levi Seacer, Jr.   Composer,Lyricist,Musician,Producer
Prince & the New Power Generation   Arranger,Composer,Lyricist,Producer
Rosie Gaines   Composer,Lyricist,Producer
Tony Mosley   Composer,Lyricist,Producer
Tony M.   Composer
Femi Jiya   Engineer
Jevetta Steele   Composer
Tony Maserati   Mixing Engineer
Sheila E.   Drum Fills
Stephen Marcussen   Mastering,Mixing Engineer,Mastering Engineer
Lloyd Thompson   Producer
Cheryl Nick   Make-Up
Craig Kostich   Executive Producer
Ray Hahnfeldt   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Frank Sposato   Composer