I never really looked into what this is or what it sounds like before but

during one of the Lovesexy aftershows, Prince says something to the affect of

"use a new power beat" and Sheila E begins on the drums for the song Rave

I think it's definately a different feel from most Prince music drumming

During the Lovesexy era we hear the beginning of 'New Power' 'Power Soul' -Batdance 'We've Got the Power' -outtake and such, then early 1990s Prince's band is dubbed the New Power Generation NPG. The drumming is a lot harder, harder beats at times, definately a different sound from the linn drums, and diverse yet simple beats of songs like 777-9311 Let's Work Lady Cab Driver Let's Go Crazy Forever In My Life, Housequake

later in 1998 he comes out with a song/album called New Power Soul

It seems after the Lovesymbol/Come era and maybe till the Gold Experience the band had a particular feel/sound but after that band the 'NPG' members were playing something different.

.

Ok question being asked as simply as I can. What is the New Power sound, what defines the New Power Generations direction etc?

New Power is a theme just like the REvolution, Family, Vanity. The Revolution was a group that all contributed to the rise of Prince. You cannot have REvolution without a group. A revolution of one goes nowhere. The Family again was a family and Vanity was mostly about appearance. The time is a bit of a stretch, it may refer the rythmic aspects or it may be a more vague relation.

What is clear is that after revolution comes power, new power. Clearly after the revolution pushed prince to the top, he gained power and no longer needed them. The New Power is Prince. It's all about Prince being the only power source for his music. By lovesexy he had ditched his band and became in complete control of his own presence and ability to make music. Completely self reliant or perhaps a better word would be self obsessed. Either way, it was about prince being in power over his own realm. Gone were all the friends and relations that helped him into position. It was all new people. No one to threaten his judgement. No one to tell prince he had a bad idea. Everyone doing everything prince way or the highway.

Ultimately it was his quest for power that was his own demise. Discarding all that WB had done. Handing him a contract when he was 18 and by 'for you' standards, NOT a very good songwriter. Yet Prince was about PRince and now about being part of a great musical community trying to create art. His fight with wb completely decimated his career. It is only because of the heights he achieved with WB and REv, that he even has a career now at all.

Prince held onto that stupid NPG moniker for decades even when it meant nothing .. even tho it was much like the KIng of Pop still going by that moniker when he clearly was no longer on top. For prince NEW POWER meant he was the king of his world, he had acheived some supposed status greater than his pears and was completely in control of his world. And perhaps he still is. He is a lonely dictator with no peers only 'proteges' of who's flowers he often picks.

New Power represents a hollow accomplishment that prince still cherishes as tho it in itself is greater than his accomplishements he achieved with his group or family or whatever you call the wb years. Paisley Park is such a departure in theme from the NPG concept. Paisley Park is about community and beauty and sharing, New Power is about control and status.

NEW POWER still represents Prince. He is a different person now. Prince et morte. True story. Prince is now king on a lonely island of slaves. What a bore, but he has power, power he did not have before.

I don't think NEW POWER has anything to do with a type of music, just an attitude toward playing music. Prince discarded his family. Sheila E stepped up and was part of the New Power restructuring. NPG exodus days were again a flexing of prince new power.

While the first NPG was quite a group, clearly since he throws that NPG moniker all over every incarnation and even a completely solo album, it has nothing to do with the band.

That's my take. If you don't believe me .. just ask spooky and all that he crawls for ...

[Edited 7/3/14 12:16pm]

It's a power that has replaced another power that was previously in place.

We Got The Power is an unreleased track recorded on 15 October, 1988 at Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, USA (during a day of on the Lovesexy Tour, between shows in Atlanta, GA and Greensboro, NC). The song contains a robotic-sounding countdown that was later used on Live 4 Love (and was used as an intro to Controversy on the Lovesexy Tour a week after We Got The Power was recorded). It was included on a 27 October, 1988, configuration of Rave Unto The Joy Fantastic, but was not included on the late 1988 / early 1989 configuration. It was briefly considered for use on the Batman album, and was used in the background of an early unreleased trailer for the Batman movie. The chant of "hey, we got the power, oh, we got the soul, hey we got the sho'nuff get off to make the devil go go" was used in Batdance. Similarly, the chant "hey, we got the power, oh, we got the soul" was used in Carmen Electra's Power From Above. The track mentions some of Prince's band members from the time; "Junior" (Levi Seacer, Jr.) and "Doctor" (Dr. Fink), and mentions "an angel" for a drummer (Sheila E.'s name in the original Graffiti Bridge movie script was "Angel"), which may be a reason the track wasn't used once the group disbanded. Additionally, Prince refers to the unreleased track The Grand Progression by asking "is the progression grand?" (he refers to The Grand Progression similarly in F.U.N.K.). The track remains unreleased. -PrinceVault

.

Launch procedure commence
Power!
Listen now, the medley goes over the world
All the golden boys, all the golden girls
If U ain't feeling like U know U should
We got something 4 U that'll make U feel good
CHORUS:
Hey, we got the power
Oh, we got the soul (Hey, soul)
Hey, we got 2 sho'nuff get off
And make your body go-go
We start our days (Start our days) with a 45 (Not a gun)
We play it loud, so they know we're alive
If U're good feeling ain't feeling good if it ain't better than real
Then wave your hand somebody go, feel what I feel, uh!
CHORUS
Doctor Fink, show em!
Woo! That's what I'm talkin' about!
(Hey, we got the power)
Everybody got something that they're lookin' 4
Maybe they should look out their back door
And will it show a percussion grand?
All the funky people make a noise if U ain't a man
Hey, we got the power
Oh, we got the soul
I got an angel 4 my drummer
U know she 2 hot, uh
Junior funkin' on the bottom, uh
Gimme whatcha got, uh
(Launch procedure commence)
(Countdown start 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1)
(Hey, we got the power)
Know-a-know-a-know-a-know a guitar like the back of my hand
Everybody in this community, U'll understand
(Hey, we got the power) Go!
Move freak!
(Hey, we got the power)
Boom! In the back of the head
Like a stepchild, runnin' wild, looking 4 a style
I know what U're thinkin' so U better keep smilin'
(Power)
Everybody clean that vamp out, we're faded (No)
Know I'm now
CHORUS {fadeout}
(On my hairy leg, leg)

TrevorAyer said:

New Power is a theme just like the REvolution, Family, Vanity. The Revolution was a group that all contributed to the rise of Prince. You cannot have REvolution without a group. A revolution of one goes nowhere. The Family again was a family and Vanity was mostly about appearance. The time is a bit of a stretch, it may refer the rythmic aspects or it may be a more vague relation.

.

What is clear is that after revolution comes power, new power. Clearly after the revolution pushed prince to the top, he gained power and no longer needed them. The New Power is Prince. It's all about Prince being the only power source for his music. By lovesexy he had ditched his band and became in complete control of his own presence and ability to make music. Completely self reliant or perhaps a better word would be self obsessed. Either way, it was about prince being in power over his own realm. Gone were all the friends and relations that helped him into position. It was all new people. No one to threaten his judgement. No one to tell prince he had a bad idea. Everyone doing everything prince way or the highway.

.

Ultimately it was his quest for power that was his own demise. Discarding all that WB had done. Handing him a contract when he was 18 and by 'for you' standards, NOT a very good songwriter. Yet Prince was about PRince and now about being part of a great musical community trying to create art. His fight with wb completely decimated his career. It is only because of the heights he achieved with WB and REv, that he even has a career now at all.

.

Prince held onto that stupid NPG moniker for decades even when it meant nothing .. even tho it was much like the KIng of Pop still going by that moniker when he clearly was no longer on top. For prince NEW POWER meant he was the king of his world, he had acheived some supposed status greater than his pears and was completely in control of his world. And perhaps he still is. He is a lonely dictator with no peers only 'proteges' of who's flowers he often picks.

.

New Power represents a hollow accomplishment that prince still cherishes as tho it in itself is greater than his accomplishements he achieved with his group or family or whatever you call the wb years. Paisley Park is such a departure in theme from the NPG concept. Paisley Park is about community and beauty and sharing, New Power is about control and status.

.

NEW POWER still represents Prince. He is a different person now. Prince et morte. True story. Prince is now king on a lonely island of slaves. What a bore, but he has power, power he did not have before.

.

I don't think NEW POWER has anything to do with a type of music, just an attitude toward playing music. Prince discarded his family. Sheila E stepped up and was part of the New Power restructuring. NPG exodus days were again a flexing of prince new power.

.

While the first NPG was quite a group, clearly since he throws that NPG moniker all over every incarnation and even a completely solo album, it has nothing to do with the band.

.

That's my take. If you don't believe me .. just ask spooky and all that he crawls for ...

wow, ok that's deep

To me, it's nothing more than branding. New Power Soup sounded no different to me than any number of b-sides he would have never put on an album during the 80s.

New Power, The Dawn, etc... all just branding.

Blixical said:

To me, it's nothing more than branding. New Power Soup sounded no different to me than any number of b-sides he would have never put on an album during the 80s.

New Power, The Dawn, etc... all just branding.

Yeah I think he had some kind of concept late 1988-1989/90 but once the Lovesexy band disbanded there was no continuance in whatever it was to be

TrevorAyer said:

New Power is a theme just like the REvolution, Family, Vanity. The Revolution was a group that all contributed to the rise of Prince. You cannot have REvolution without a group. A revolution of one goes nowhere. The Family again was a family and Vanity was mostly about appearance. The time is a bit of a stretch, it may refer the rythmic aspects or it may be a more vague relation.

What is clear is that after revolution comes power, new power. Clearly after the revolution pushed prince to the top, he gained power and no longer needed them. The New Power is Prince. It's all about Prince being the only power source for his music. By lovesexy he had ditched his band and became in complete control of his own presence and ability to make music. Completely self reliant or perhaps a better word would be self obsessed. Either way, it was about prince being in power over his own realm. Gone were all the friends and relations that helped him into position. It was all new people. No one to threaten his judgement. No one to tell prince he had a bad idea. Everyone doing everything prince way or the highway.

Ultimately it was his quest for power that was his own demise. Discarding all that WB had done. Handing him a contract when he was 18 and by 'for you' standards, NOT a very good songwriter. Yet Prince was about PRince and now about being part of a great musical community trying to create art. His fight with wb completely decimated his career. It is only because of the heights he achieved with WB and REv, that he even has a career now at all.

Prince held onto that stupid NPG moniker for decades even when it meant nothing .. even tho it was much like the KIng of Pop still going by that moniker when he clearly was no longer on top. For prince NEW POWER meant he was the king of his world, he had acheived some supposed status greater than his pears and was completely in control of his world. And perhaps he still is. He is a lonely dictator with no peers only 'proteges' of who's flowers he often picks.

New Power represents a hollow accomplishment that prince still cherishes as tho it in itself is greater than his accomplishements he achieved with his group or family or whatever you call the wb years. Paisley Park is such a departure in theme from the NPG concept. Paisley Park is about community and beauty and sharing, New Power is about control and status.

NEW POWER still represents Prince. He is a different person now. Prince et morte. True story. Prince is now king on a lonely island of slaves. What a bore, but he has power, power he did not have before.

I don't think NEW POWER has anything to do with a type of music, just an attitude toward playing music. Prince discarded his family. Sheila E stepped up and was part of the New Power restructuring. NPG exodus days were again a flexing of prince new power.

While the first NPG was quite a group, clearly since he throws that NPG moniker all over every incarnation and even a completely solo album, it has nothing to do with the band.

That's my take. If you don't believe me .. just ask spooky and all that he crawls for ...

[Edited 7/3/14 12:16pm]

[img:$uid]http://weknowgifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/didnt-read-lol-gif-15.gif[/img:$uid]

New Power Soul: looking thru the lyrics of any evidence

2 the darkness - let there be light
2 the soundman - turn up my voice real tight
2 the N.P.G. - if U in this mother, scream
Show me how U all get down - 1 2 3, come on

Get freaky, let the head bob {x2}
We should all come 2gether 2 the Newpower Soul
Get freaky, let the head bob {x2} (Come on, come on)
It'll make U feel much better - come on, baby, let's go!

Every while in a great once there comes 2 town a show
That lives up 2 all your funkspectation no matter how high or low
A reason 2 get your freak on in a way U never freaked before
Newpower Soul lay claim 2 the booty - come on, let's go

(Lemme see U get down)
Let the head bob
Get freaky, let the head bob (Come on, come on)
We should all come 2gether 2 the Newpower Soul
(Lemme see U get down)
Let the head bob
Get freaky, let the head bob {x2} (Come on, come on)
It'll make U feel much better - come on, baby, let's go!

Every while in a day twice funky matters in our ear
As long as we keep our love strong, we'll never shed no tears
The brothas be threatenin' 2 jump off buildings, Newpower's what
they fear
Love 4 one another risin', Newpower Soul is here

(Lemme see U get down)
Let the head bob
Get freaky, let the head bob (Come on)
We should all come 2gether 2 the Newpower Soul (Come
2gether)
(Lemme see U get down)
Let the head bob
Get freaky, let the head bob (Come on, come on)
It'll make U feel much better (feel better) - come on, baby, let's go!
Newpower Soul

(We should all) {repeat sample}
Gemini rising on the 7th day
Makin' MAD SEX, UNTIL U'RE IN MY ARMS, OK?
Cuz WHEN U LOVE SOMEBODY like that, it's cool
U gots no need 4 the SHOO-BED-OOH-bed-ooh
The good life, yeah, we'll be livin'
PUSHIN' UP on every FREAK THIS SIDE of heaven
COME ON, come on, shake it, come on
U know I be's THE ONE with the FUNKY MUSIC, hon'
And I'm layin' phat claims 2 the booty
Phat claims 2 the Newpower booty
Keepin' the crowd movin', y'all, is my one and only duty, ooh wee!
With the NEWPOWER SOUL
Right on

We should all
We, we should all

Every while in the day 3 times my brother hit me on the one (Get
freaky)
Abuse like that'll either make U funky or make U wanna buy a gun
(We, we should all)
I'd much rather get my freak on and make U if I can
Newpower Soul lay claim 2 the booty - come on girl, let's jam!

Get freaky, let your head bob (Get freaky, let your head bob)
We should all come 2gether 2 the Newpower Soul (Come
2gether)
Come on, get your freak on
It'll make U feel much better - come on, baby, let's go!
(Lemme see U get down)
Oh!

Yeah, yeah, yeah
Come on horns, freak on
Yeah (We should all come 2gether)
Right on

Everybody's coming 2 the Newpower Soul
Let the head bob
Get freaky, let the head bob (Yeah)
(Lemme see U get down)
We should all come 2gether 2 the Newpower Soul (Come on)
(2 the Newpower Soul)
Let the head bob
Get freaky, let the head bob (Yeah, well come on)
(Lemme see U get down)
We should all come 2gether 2 the Newpower Soul (Come
2gether)
Right on

Lemme see U get down
Newpower Soul

I really liked your post (Trevor's) responding to the questioning of what New Power is. I followed what you said and feel there is truth to it. I just can't say how much because I just don't know Prince personally to understand his direction. I loved it when "New Power Soul" only existed as a cute logo on the lovesexy sleeve. And it probably was a phrase that suddenly popped in his head when rushing the Lovesexy album together after the Black Album.

Alphabet St. sounds like it to me. Meaning that I think Prince writes great stuff when under a kind of pressure like after an unwanted project, the Black album. Then he liked it and it bubbled to the top as a phrase that appealed to him and he named his band, etc. after it.

So here's Prince with all this "jams" and funky riffs etc bubbling along. Oh, I'll say this is my new album! Release it in 2 weeks. Wait wait wait, I'm just gonna go back to basics and throw in the project a "killer" song. Thus Alphabet St. just appeared and his brain raced and in the I won't say "jibberish" but funky phrasing, he thought of New Power Soul because of ushering in the rap of Cat.

Thoughts guys just thoughts.

SchlomoThaHomo said:

It's a power that has replaced another power that was previously in place.

Housequake is not a simple beat. It's a tricky beat (at least on the studio version). The kick drum pattern is offset from the stadium triple stomp pattern. Most people don't process that.

ufoclub said:

Housequake is not a simple beat. It's a tricky beat (at least on the studio version). The kick drum pattern is offset from the stadium triple stomp pattern. Most people don't process that.

Sorry I don't mean simple as in easy. Like the other examples I used, their constant throught the song, they don't change, there isn't a lot of craziness going on.

68686 said:

I really liked your post (Trevor's) responding to the questioning of what New Power is. I followed what you said and feel there is truth to it. I just can't say how much because I just don't know Prince personally to understand his direction. I loved it when "New Power Soul" only existed as a cute logo on the lovesexy sleeve. And it probably was a phrase that suddenly popped in his head when rushing the Lovesexy album together after the Black Album.

Alphabet St. sounds like it to me. Meaning that I think Prince writes great stuff when under a kind of pressure like after an unwanted project, the Black album. Then he liked it and it bubbled to the top as a phrase that appealed to him and he named his band, etc. after it.

So here's Prince with all this "jams" and funky riffs etc bubbling along. Oh, I'll say this is my new album! Release it in 2 weeks. Wait wait wait, I'm just gonna go back to basics and throw in the project a "killer" song. Thus Alphabet St. just appeared and his brain raced and in the I won't say "jibberish" but funky phrasing, he thought of New Power Soul because of ushering in the rap of Cat.

Thoughts guys just thoughts.

Cat, we need U 2 rap
Cat, we need U 2 rap
Don't give 2 us slow
Cause we know U know
New Power Soul
Gotta gotta gotta go!
.

.

lol forget that line in Alphabet St

almost like he's talking about or introducing 2 concepts:Lovesexy & New Power Soul

It's weird but I never registered New Power Soul back in 1988, I think I was too focused on what is Lovesexy

Welcome 2 the New Power Generation
The reason why my voice is so clear
Is there's no smack in my brain

Love Life, L♥vesexy -- the feeling
u get when u fall in love, not with a girl or boy but with the
heavens above. L♥vesexy -- endorphin. Camille figured out
what 2 feel. Glam Slam Escape -- the Sexuality Real.
Tonight we make love with only words. Girls first. This
feeling's so good in every single way.

God is alive! Let Him touch u and He will quench
every thirst. Let him touch u and an aura of peace will adorn u.
God is alive!
Let Him touch u and your own L♥vesexy will be born.
Let Him touch u, let Him touch u, and Heaven is yours.
Welcome 2 the New Power Generation.

I wish I could find a picture of the Lovesexy poster that was hanging on the front door of the Uptown NPG Store. I'm pretty sure it was a one-of-a-kind, as I've never seen it anywhere else. There were no pictures on it that I can remember, only illustration and text in the Lovesexy font that contained a much longer definition of the Lovesexy concept than just "the feeling U get when U fall in love...etc." The only details I remember are that he felt "trapped" by it (Lovesexy), and it ended with something to the effect of '4 those who don't this feeling - I feel 4 U.'

SchlomoThaHomo said:

I wish I could find a picture of the Lovesexy poster that was hanging on the front door of the Uptown NPG Store. I'm pretty sure it was a one-of-a-kind, as I've never seen it anywhere else. There were no pictures on it that I can remember, only illustration and text in the Lovesexy font that contained a much longer definition of the Lovesexy concept than just "the feeling U get when U fall in love...etc." The only details I remember are that he felt "trapped" by it (Lovesexy), and it ended with something to the effect of '4 those who don't this feeling - I feel 4 U.'

I need to scan thru my stash of Lovesexy stuff

I always wonder why he never really performance anything from this album. I mean with all this New Power and Girl Power and We Got the Power, it's just a mystery why he never touches the music

Prince: "New Power, New Power give it to me...."

Like he is connected to God or something..?

the early New Power look?

Scotsman1999 said:

'You're a wee bit apprehensive' I don't have the song to play back and confirm that lyric, but isn't that a bit Scottish? Do americans use the word 'wee'?

lol yeah he did use Wee

People use any kind of mixed language they choose, American or not

Remember in that 1980 period he imitated a lot of British accents too

kenkamken said:

Late at night, when the world is sleeping You are frightened 'cause the power's creeping In your room is something you're afraid of Life or doom is what this feeling's made of Power fantastic Is in your life at last You're a little apprehensive 'Cause what it is, is what you want and need Minor G is the chord of pleasure It will be played eleven measures You will see fire but you're cool as ice You lie if you say this isn't nice Power fantastic Is in your life at last You're a little apprehensive What it is, is what you want and need Power, power Power fantastic Is in your life at last You're a wee bit apprehensive 'Cause what it is, is what you want and need Power, power Power fantastic

Interesting, did not think of this one.

Prince's lyrics Lisa Colemans music-composition

Definately Revolutionary though lol no NPG

some more 1988/89 Power talk

Sheila E [work from her 4th album]

So what's up?
Did U forget I was here?
What makes U look when another comes near?
Everyone U see, U think U can get
If that was the case, I'd be a bracelet
Oh, hey hey, yeah
This is called girl power, yeah
This is called girl power and it's all because I love our ball
2night, my dear, U can sleep alone
U can beg and scream and moan
It's all because I love our ball
U can be mine or not at all
Girl power (Oh)
Girl power (Yeah)
Girl power (Yeah)
U can be mine or not at all
Girl Power (Oh)
Girl Power (Yeah)
Girl Power
It's all because I love our ball
Don't look now, here comes a blonde
2 minutes later U're Don Juan
Turned my head, U tried 2 grab it
How did I know she's in your lap?
U say it's your cousin from Omaha
U took that number - gave her a call
If we get in trouble 4 the lies we tell
Child, I do believe we're gonna burn in hell
Girl power - U will be mine or not at all
Girl power - It's all because I love our ball
Looka here
2night, my dear, U can sleep alone
U can beg, U can scream and moan
It's all because I love our ball
U can be mine or not at all
Girl power (Oh, yeah) (U can be mine or not at all)
Girl power
U will be mine or not at all
Girl power (Oh)
Girl power (Yeah)
Girl power
It's all because I love our ball
What makes U look when another comes near?
What makes the sun set in my hemisphere?
Girl power!
Powerful girl, wave your hands
(Girl power) {x4}
8 + 8 is 16
9 - 6 is 3
3 + 11 is 14
Come and make love 2 me
4 -1 is 3
3 - 1 is 2
2 - 1 is 1
Without U I can't have no fun
Girl power {x4}
Someone come play my guitar
Girl power {x3}
2night, my dear, U can sleep alone
U can beg, U can scream and moan
It's all because I love our ball (ball)
Make my drummer got somethin' 2 say
Lay it on me now in a Milky Way
Girl power {x2}
So what's up?
If we get in trouble 4 the lies we tell
Child, I do believe we're gonna burn in hell
Girl power!
Lay it on me (Ooh)
Girl power!
So what's up?
Did U forget I was here?
Uh, Girl power - lay it on me
Yeah!
Girl power - uh
Girl power - yeah
Girl power - U will be mine or not at all (Power)
Girl Power
Girl Power (Power)
Girl Power
It's all because I love a ball
Girl power {repeat}(power) {repeat}
Everybody sing {x2}
I'm talkin' about girl power, girl power, girl power
Yeah!
Ow
Yeah! (Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
No!
Power
All the girls, all the girls put your hands in the air
Yeah

Power From Above is an unreleased song recorded on 26 August, 1991 at Sunset Sound, Hollywood, CA, USA (the day before the release of the album Martika's Kitchen) for Carmen Electra's first album, which was planned to be called On Top. It was included as the first track on a configuration compiled on 15 June, 1992.

The track was credited as written by Prince, Karen "K-Dean" Cover and Chris Tyler on the credits printed for this configuration of the album. The song was ultimately rejected from the album, however, and the album was renamed Carmen Electra. Prince plays most of the instruments and can be heard reciting a few lines in the same voice as on Black M.F. In The House (although the use there was not a sample from this song).

The song reuses the phrasing "Hey, we got the power, oh, we got the soul" previously used in both We Got The Power and Batdance. One version of the song also contains a repeated spoken sample of "We will not give up the fight". A repeated phrase of "What are you thinking of, you need the power from above" is sung by Patti LaBelle.

Scotsman1999 said:

'You're a wee bit apprehensive' I don't have the song to play back and confirm that lyric, but isn't that a bit Scottish? Do americans use the word 'wee'?

Yup, we use it. This lil piggy went to market...mommy, I gotta go weewee...that's just a wee bit too...you get the idea.

Again, with Prince I just think it's branding.

New Power, 'experiences', Pfunk, etc.
Just branding.


Prince used to be really good at it. Every album had a new concept, new colours, new wardrobe, new hairdo, everything...