Anyone have more info on these albums: when were they recorded / released? who plays on them?

I have just obtained those two albums in digital form, and they come from a period of Princes career that comes over as a very fuzzy to me.
I mean: are those two albums follow ups to New Power Soul? I mean, soundwise they are in the same vein. But i have read somewhere that one of these albums was released around the same time as The Rainbow Children. Which seems weird to me, because The Rainbow Children is sound- and stylewise so different to this two albums.

Anyone some more info?

Both albums are compilations of songs released through the NPG Music club in 2000-2001. The songs mostly only exist in digital format and haven't been released on proper CDs (aside from a couple singles that were released during that period). Most of the music is credited to Prince alone with a few exceptions. In a few cases, versions of songs released on these albums are slightly different (i.e. different edits) of songs originally released through the NPG Music Club.

Housequake.com has the following info of interest:

The Slaughterhouse:
http://www.housequake.com...ghterhouse

The Chocolate Invasion
http://www.housequake.com...teinvasion

(both albums are listed as mp3 release which isn't entirely true...the original releases through the NPG Music Club in 2000-2001 were mp3s, but these albums were released as DRM-protected wma files through the music club in 2004.)
[Edited 6/23/07 11:04am]

My memory is fuzzy as well, but I think most of these songs were supposed to be on the "High" album which got shelved in favor of the TRC. A shame since I think with a bit more work, Prince was on to something with some of these tracks

When were they recorded?
- "HypnoParadise" was recorded either during the Emancipation sessions or later in 1997 or 1998. "S&M Groove" is from 1997 or 1998. "Y Should eye Do That..." was said 2 b a "Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic" outtake from 1999, but might b from the "High/Peace" sessions. All the other tracks were recorded in 2000, during sessions 4 Prince's "High" album & a fifth NPG album called "Peace", both canceled in early 2001 in favor of both a massive internet release of songs & "The Rainbow Children." Some of the songs r different on the albums than the original internet releases & it is not known if these alterations come from original alternate versions or if they were made in 2003, when Prince decided 2 compile these tracks in2 2 albums. If u like these albums, u should get these related releases from 2001's NPGMC: "When Will We B Paid", "My Medallion" (an instant classic) & "Jukebox With A Heartbeat" (from the "High/Peace" sessions), "Cybersingle", "One Song" & "Gamillah" (recorded 1999-2000), "Funky Design" & "Mad" (Gold Experience outtakes, but they fit), "Instrumental" & "Van Gough." (both from the Emancipation or immediate post Emancipation sessions.) With these 10 songs, Prince could (& should) have compiled a 3rd digital album.

When were they released?
- All the tracks but "The Dance" were released in MP3 in 2001 via NPGMC, along with dozens of other tracks (including those i mentioned above.) A few of them were pressed on (hard 2 find) CD singles. In the summer of 2003, Prince announced that he'd release a 7-CD box containing The Chocolate Invasion, The Slaughterhouse, One Nite Alone..., Xpectation, The War, Glam Slam Mix & C-Note. But as often Prince changed his mind & all these albums were eventually released (or, more accuratly, RE-released) in digital 4mat in early 2004.

Who plays on them?
Mostly Prince on all instruments & voices. Sheila E. can b heard singing on S&M Groove. Angie Stone is co-singer on "U Make My Sun Shine." Larry Graham sings on "Peace" & & possibly plays bass on "Peace" & "The Daisy Chain." The rapper on the Daisy Chain is from the late FonlyBaldHeads band (i ate his name, sorry.) Kip Blackshire (& possibly other NPG members) sings on "Peace", "The Daisy Chain", "2045 Radical Man" & "Northside"(i think) "High". I think i remember that Mr. Hayes once said he played keys on "High" & anyway it's likely that himself & Kirk Johnson are playing or programming on some tracks. The few horns that can b heard on both albums r by the Hornheadz.

Hope it helped.
[Edited 6/23/07 13:12pm]

shaomi said:

very cool info. 1 question: you referred to 'peace' as an album that was going to be the 5TH NPG album - the only other 3 i know of are 'gold nigga', 'exodus' and 'new power soul' - is there a 4th? and if so any info on it?
cheers

shaomi said:

Just a quick correction: It's Marva King singing backgrounds on SM Groove not Sheila E. The rapper on Daisy Chain is DVS.

FlamingRaindrop said:

I consider The War an album of its own: it's a cohesive & complete work, not related 2 another album, not either a remix EP, & it lasts 26 minutes which by pre-CD-era/vinyl's standards is enough 2 consider it an album.
Other people consider it a maxi-single & it was sold as being one on NPGMC so it's a question of points of view.

Jestyr said:

R u 100% sure of that?! I know Sheila's voice very well & it damn sound like her!!!

Yeah, DVS, that guy was DA BOMB!!!

shaomi said:

Gamillah is also in chocolate invasion.
I can remember other nice songs from NPGMC: 'Splash', 'Madrid 2 Chicago' and 'Breath' (from 'Roadhouse garden' and 'Madrid 2 Chicago' project albums, never released (sigh)), and some more or less interesting jams, like 'habibi', 'Rebirth of the flesh' and 'We'r gonn make it funky'.

shaomi said:

Someone hasn't listened to Newpower Soul enough. I'm absolutely 100% certain. Sheila wasn't working with Prince during this recording period.