Details
Track Listing
1. My Name Is Prince
2. Sexy M.F.
3. Love 2 the 9's
4. Morning Papers, The
5. Max, The
6. Segue
7. Blue Light
8. I Wanna Melt With U
9. Sweet Baby
10. Continental, The
11. Damn U
12. Arrogance
13. Flow, The
14. 7
15. And God Created Woman
16. 3 Chains O' Gold
17. Segue
18. Sacrifice of Victor, The
Album Notes
Prince & The New Power Generation: Prince, Levi Seacer Jr., Tony M., Tommy Barbarella, Kirk Johnson, Damon Dickson, Sonny Thompson, Michael Bland, Mayte.
Additional personnel: Carmen Electra (rap); Eric Leeds (saxophone); Mike Nelson, Kathy J., Dave Jensen, Brian Gallagher, Steve Strand (horns); Michael Kopelman (bass); Airiq Anest (programming); D.J. Graves (scratches); Jevetta Steele, Jearlyn, J.D., Fred (background vocals).
Producers: The New Power Generation, Keith "KC" Cohen, George Black, Prince.
Engineers: Michael Koppelman, Dave Friedlander, Ray Hahnfeldt, Brian Poer, Steve Noonan.
Recorded at Paisley Park Studios, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
All songs written or co-written by Prince.
This album followed Prince's debut with the New Power Generation, DIAMONDS AND PEARLS, and marked a turning point in the career of one of the most talented, prolific, and successful pop stars of the '80s and '90s. For many, the album introduced a new Prince whose music now encompassed rap and other contemporary radio-friendly sounds. For others, SYMBOL signaled the beginning of Prince's downward spiral into self-indulgence and lack of focus. After the album's release, Prince changed his name to the unpronounceable symbol emblazoned on the cover.
It is hard to argue with Prince's innovative, accessible, and utterly singular musical vision. While not everything on this double-length set is strong, SYMBOL offers such an abundance of material that there is sure to be something here for everyone. Dance floor booty-movers like "The Max" and "Damn U" alternate with atmospheric ballads ("Sweet Baby") Other tracks (the chaotic free-funk of "Arrogance;" the dark gospel pulse of "7") are more resistant to categorization. The hit singles "My Name Is Prince" and the irresistible James Brown-style jam (complete with JB's-ish horns) of "Sexy M.F." provide sing-along dance anthems. There is enough intensity and diversity here to prove that Prince is still a force to be reckoned with.
Industry Reviews
Included in Q's list of the 50 Best Albums Of 1992.
Q (01/01/1993)
Ranked #19 in Spin's list of the `20 Best Albums Of The Year' - ...the ultimate gas. Prince has finally caught up with the new jack culture...
Spin (12/01/1992)
Ranked #14 in the Village Voice's list of the 40 Best Albums Of 1992.
Village Voice (03/02/1993)
Highly Recommended - ...some of Prince's buggiest doo-doo in years...[Sexy MF is] his first party-tape must-have since Housequake from 1987's SIGN O' THE TIMES. And most of the rest of this record cream-sh-boogie-bops with aggressive aplomb...
Spin (11/01/1992)
...Prince is funky, funkier than ever before, maybe even the funkiest musician around right now...irrepressibly catchy... - Rating: A-
Entertainment Weekly (10/23/1992)
3.5 Stars - Very Good - ...he's funkier than he's been in ages...recalls the glory days of James Brown and the JB's...rarely has his protean musicality been more pleasurable...
Rolling Stone (11/26/1992)
4 Stars - Excellent - ...Prince bounces back with 75 minutes' worth of music celebrating his irrepressible libido...The New Power Generation have developed into a formidable unit...a barrage of full-blooded funk workouts...this collection is as robust as any in Prince's career...
Q (12/01/1992)
9 - Excellent - ...it's funny, funky, brilliant, kooky, sexy and cosmopolitan, all things synonymous with Prince...a work of genius...
Vox (12/01/1992)
...ranks with his most enjoyable albums...
Stereo Review (01/01/1993)
...Prince's musical vision is positively hallucinogenic...
NME (11/07/1992)
Highly Recommended - ...some of Prince's buggiest doo-doo in years...[Sexy MF is] his first party-tape must-have since Housequake from 1987's SIGN O' THE TIMES. And most of the rest of this record cream-sh-boogie-bops with aggressive aplomb...
Spin (11/01/1992)
Ranked #19 in Spin's list of the `20 Best Albums Of The Year' - ...the ultimate gas. Prince has finally caught up with the new jack culture...
Spin (12/01/1992)
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