...based on the new NPG website glimpse, what do you think is the likelihood it will succeed commercially and critically and how do you think it will fare amongst the previous NPG records?

*

On the latter point, this new incarnation of the New Power Generation will be competing against the likes of Tony M, Sonny T and Prince himself as lead band vocalists, so to begin with there is quite a mixed bag, vocally speaking, so it would be interesting to see how a new album fits within these specialist releases.

*

Turning to the quality of the songs themselves, there have also been some veritable highlights amongst the Prince discography. Starting with GoldNigga, my favourites were Call The Law, Johnny and Black MFs In The House. Continuing onto Exodus, the jams became relentless with my highlights being Big Fun, Hallucination Rain and The Exodus Has Begun, although a guilty favourite of mine being Cherry Cherry and of course there were the strong singles, Get Wild and The Good Life. Finally, with the Funkadelic/Parliament-inspired final outing, Newpower Soul, with some bonafide Prince classics, including Come On, Wasted Kisses and The One. Based on the strongest songs from these albums, that is quite a feast of funk and soul, so I wonder whether a potential newest NPG record would continue in that vein. I tend to associate the newest NPG band incarnation as featuring the "horns" far more prominently, as we can gather from their inclusion in the re-recorded Extralovable and the outtake Groovy Potential. In terms of the song, Funk N Roll, I could imagine it being on a new NPG record, in a similar vein to the Exodus sessions/outtakes.

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Anyway, of course this is merely a "specualtion" thread, but I was curious what you might enjoy from an NPG record's perspective and how you would consider it amongst the previous 3 records, as most attention this year has been on "the main band" i.e. 3rdEyeGirl. Either way, it certainly beats being asked how much you would want to pay for a new Prince album, so until we hear "official" news on that front, all we can do is imagine.

*

Personally speaking, I would DIG a new NPG album featuring PRINCE vocals exclusively and including new funk-based songs. Major emphasis on the DRUMS and BASS and featuring experimental jams, with a few melodic hooks sprinkled throughout and the Horns on BLAST throughout, kinda like N.E.W.S., but with Prince on vocals and heavier on the funk, plus a brilliant single or two (e.g. a heavily reworked BOYFRIEND as an EXTENDED 12" VERSION featuring a serious horns section a la Anotherloverholenyohead)

[Edited 10/2/13 2:52am]

bring it all on !

would love a:

new power generation - funk album

3rd eye girl - rock album

prince - pop album

and with a bonus disc of madhouse - jazzy instrumental (like kamasutra from crystal ball)

and since that had 5 discs in some forms - add in a disc of piano ballads (like one nite alone...)

specualtion is great isn't it

timmie said:

a bonus disc of madhouse - jazzy instrumental (like kamasutra from crystal ball)

Jazzy instrumental?

U must have a different Kamasutra CD than me.

Philly76 said:

timmie said:

a bonus disc of madhouse - jazzy instrumental (like kamasutra from crystal ball)

Jazzy instrumental?

U must have a different Kamasutra CD than me.

LOL - what I meant was adding in a jazzy instrumental album (madhouse style) the way kamasutra (an instrumental crapfest) was added to the crystal ball set

timmie said:

SuperSoulFighter said:

timmie said:

bring it all on !

would love a:

new power generation - funk album

3rd eye girl - rock album

prince - pop album

and with a bonus disc of madhouse - jazzy instrumental (like kamasutra from crystal ball)

and since that had 5 discs in some forms - add in a disc of piano ballads (like one nite alone...)

specualtion is great isn't it

Released as a CD box entitled: More of the Same vols. 1-5. What I really want from Prince is to get serious as a songwriter again.

What I really want from Prince is to get serious as a songwriter again. I have been more critical of him for his songwriting than even the music. I still believe Prince has it as a songwriter. Prince's best compositions always had great lyrics, melodies and harmonies. The production of those songs (how the songs were recorded) is the icing on the cake, but Prince certainly has enough humor, wit and imagination to start a new string of great songs.

SpiritOtter said:

...based on the new NPG website glimpse, what do you think is the likelihood it will succeed commercially and critically

Zero

I'm sure the us fans that still follow P will enjoy it though if it's any good.

SpiritOtter said:

...based on the new NPG website glimpse, what do you think is the likelihood it will succeed commercially and critically

Zilch.

and how do you think it will fare amongst the previous NPG records?

Likely the worst of the bunch, coupled with NPS -- which really is not an NPG album but a album, and it was even announced as a album until poopypants changed his mind and then blamed internet rumors for the confusion, ignoring that it was actually a communication from his press agent or even a press release that had announced the album as a one.

Just listen to that excerpt: an overdose of pointless horns over an uninspired groove that he has used so often. No song in sight anywhere.

On the latter point, this new incarnation of the New Power Generation

What new incarnation? There is no band. That was the point of the NPG: that it was a band, not a collection of mediocre musicians who cream their pants because they happen in the same studio as Prince.

Finally, with the Funkadelic/Parliament-inspired final outing, Newpower Soul,

Wash your mouth. NPS has got zilch to do with those two bands. Speaking them in the same breath is a cardinal sin.

bashraka said:

What I really want from Prince is to get serious as a songwriter again. I have been more critical of him for his songwriting than even the music. I still believe Prince has it as a songwriter. Prince's best compositions always had great lyrics, melodies and harmonies. The production of those songs (how the songs were recorded) is the icing on the cake, but Prince certainly has enough humor, wit and imagination to start a new string of great songs.

He has not shown any of that in 15+ years. Just look at how much he rehashed for 3rd Eye Girl.

SpiritOtter said:

...based on the new NPG website glimpse, what do you think is the likelihood it will succeed commercially and critically and how do you think it will fare amongst the previous NPG records?

No radio play will mean little commercial success, but the Prince regulars will buy it.. In terms of quality I expect it to be on par with 3121..

BartVanHemelen said:

SpiritOtter said:

...based on the new NPG website glimpse, what do you think is the likelihood it will succeed commercially and critically

Zilch.

What new incarnation? There is no band. That was the point of the NPG: that it was a band, not a collection of mediocre musicians who cream their pants because they happen in the same studio as Prince.

Finally, with the Funkadelic/Parliament-inspired final outing, Newpower Soul,

Wash your mouth. NPS has got zilch to do with those two bands. Speaking them in the same breath is a cardinal sin.

I believe it when I have the CD in my sweaty palms.

so again NOT a Prince album....NPG album and also a 3rd eye album

luvsexy4all said:

i don't care if there's horns on every single song, as long as he sings lead

on all the tracks. the last thing i want after waiting 3 years for another cd

is an album where everyone in the npg gets a shot at singing lead

/

i've once again lowered my expectations after all this confusing news that

has been circulating. right now i'd be happy enough if we'll be able to get

an albums worth of actual prince songs off both those projects coming up.

/

not that i mind any of those other people. for instance, andy allo's album

is very nice and i enjoy it. i would like the songs less if half of them were

on a prince album with her singing lead. that would just be irritating. you

buy a prince album you want it to be prince, give or take some backing

or a couple of lines here or there by someone else.

/

anywho, no telling what's up until we get more information. perhaps the

paisley park performance this weekend will lead to some reports of just

a bit more info on what's going on.

/

another thing, the beginning of Big City sounds similar to Extralovable,

so much so that they probably segue into each other on an album. plus

DF said something about prince still being totally stokes about that song

and so it probably would end up on an album (don't quote me though).

if so, then it's probably on the NPG album, with Big City and thus, there

is at least one song with Prince on lead vocals. so there, i just managed

to talk myself into a bit of hope again

Do you guys think FUNK N ROLL would be on a new NPG record or a new 3rdEyeGirl record? I am thinking the former, but then again, I didn't recall any horns on that performance, so it might be on the latter. I definitely consider BIG CITY and EXTRALOVEABLE will be contenders for the NPG record, which would then already stand it on a 'good enough' par to all previous NPG releases! If you then add AIN'T GONNA MISS U TILL U'RE GONE, GROOVY POTENTIAL and BOYFRIEND, I would say we have an absolute stellar NPG record on our hands, but who knows.

SpiritOtter said:

Do you guys think FUNK N ROLL would be on a new NPG record or a new 3rdEyeGirl record? I am thinking the former, but then again, I didn't recall any horns on that performance, so it might be on the latter. I definitely consider BIG CITY and EXTRALOVEABLE will be contenders for the NPG record, which would then already stand it on a 'good enough' par to all previous NPG releases! If you then add AIN'T GONNA MISS U TILL U'RE GONE, GROOVY POTENTIAL and BOYFRIEND, I would say we have an absolute stellar NPG record on our hands, but who knows.

SpiritOtter said:

[Edited 10/4/13 3:02am]

I think there is a strong possibility (what with the new record deal) that not only an new NPG album will drop but also 3rd Eye Girl, a solo Prince record and possibly solo projects from Elisa Fiorillo, Shelby J and Liv Warfield - I foresee a new dawn for Prince's empire.