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:	Sony Legacy
UPC:	0194399783528

Album Credits

Performance Credits

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

Technical Credits

Rosie Gaines   Composer,Lyricist,Producer
Femi Jiya   Engineer
Jevetta Steele   Composer
Matt Howe   Assistant Engineer
Mayte   Dancer
Aretha Franklin   Composer
Brian Poer   Engineer,Second Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Tony Maserati   Mixing Engineer
Sheila E.   Drum Fills
Stephen Marcussen   Mastering,Mixing Engineer,Mastering Engineer
Ted White   Composer
Susan Rogers   Engineer
Sylvia Massy   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Bernie Grundman   Remastering
Keith Cohen   Mixing,Producer,Remix Engineer,Mixing Engineer
Prince & the New Power Generation   Producer,Arranger,Composer,Lyricist
Matt Larson   Engineer,Audio Engineer,Engineer
Craig Kostich   Executive Producer
Ray Hahnfeldt   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Frank Sposato   Composer
Robyn Lynch   Make-Up
Tim Penn   Engineer,Producer,Second Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Prince   Arranger,Composer,Lyricist,Musician,Producer,Instrumentation
Martika   Composer
Michael Koppelman   Mixing,Engineer,Mastering,Audio Engineer,Mixing Engineer,Mastering Engineer
New Power Generation   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Tony M.   Composer
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
Kirk Johnson   Composer,Lyricist,Producer
Kasha Breuning   Make-Up
D. Channsin Berry   Composer
Brad Blackwood   Mastering
Clare Fischer   Arranger
Dave Friedlander   Engineer
Levi Seacer, Jr.   Composer,Lyricist,Musician,Producer
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 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
Tony Mosley   Composer,Lyricist,Producer
Kimm James   Assistant Engineer
Benny Medina   Executive Producer
Steve Noonan   Engineer,Second Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Jeff Gold   Art Direction
Damon Dickson   Dancer,Producer
Lloyd Thompson   Producer
Cheryl Nick   Make-Up