Tracks
1. My Name Is Prince
2. Sexy M.F.
3. Love 2 The 9's
4. The Morning Papers
5. The Max
6. Blue Light
7. Wanna Melt With U
8. Sweet Baby
9. The Continental
10. Damn U
11. Arrogance
12. The Flow
13. 7
7.
14. And God Created Woman
15. 3 Chains O' Gold
16. The Sacrifice Of Victory
Performer 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.
- 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 Koppelman (bass); D.J. Graves (scratching); Airiq Anest (programming);
- 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 by Prince & The New Power Generation.
- 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 Koppelman (bass); D.J. Graves (scratching); Airiq Anest (programming); 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 by Prince & The New Power Generation.
- Personnel: Prince (vocals, guitar, keyboards, drums, background vocals); Tony M. , Carmen Electra (rap vocals); Eric Leeds (saxophone); J.D. Steele , Jearlyn Steele Battle, Jevetta Steele (background vocals).
- Recording information: MN (1991-1992); Paisley Park Studios, Minneapolis, MN (1991-1992).
- Arrangers: New Power Generation; 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.
Professional Reviews
Rolling Stone (11/26/92, p.70) - 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..."
Spin (12/92, p.69) - 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 (11/92, p.109) - 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..."
Entertainment Weekly (10/23/92, p.62) - "...Prince is funky, funkier than ever before, maybe even the funkiest musician around right now...irrepressibly catchy..." - Rating: A-
Q (1/93, p.72) - Included in Q's list of the 50 Best Albums Of 1992.
Q (12/92, p.124) - 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..."
Village Voice (3/2/93, p.5) - Ranked #14 in the Village Voice's list of the 40 Best Albums Of 1992.
Stereo Review (1/93, p.84) - "...ranks with his most enjoyable albums..."
Vox (12/92, p.65) - 9 - Excellent - "...it's funny, funky, brilliant, kooky, sexy and cosmopolitan, all things synonymous with Prince...a work of genius..."
NME (Magazine) (11/7/92, p.38) - "...Prince's musical vision is positively hallucinogenic..."