AvocadosMax said:

Even though Bold sounds just slightly unfinished, New Power sounds like an over-produced mess compared to Bold. Bold Generation is raw and awesome. It accompanies the other Rude Boy songs very well. If Prince would have fleshed it out and fully realize it then and there then it would have been a 10/10 track. Instead I give it an 8.5/10... It’s weird because I never thought of New Power Generation as over-produced until Bold came out.

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Sounds a LOT unfinished to my ears... It's interesting in a 'rough draft' kinda way.

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But "New Power Generation" - for me - is just right. What an anthem. Except for that "big noise of the '90s" spoken part in the intro.

100% agree..more raw, more attitude & more funk!..also far more authentic as he was still in 'i need to prove myself' mode!

Wolfie87 said:

Yes it 100 % is! Because New Power Generation is in the Trinity of songs that started his downfall into the 90's. The other two would be Arms of Orion and Lemoncrush. He got lucky that Free didn't ruin his career back in 1982. [Edited 2/14/20 8:29am]

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Ridiculous!

not....released version just needs to be remastered

New Power Generation has always been personally one of my favorite tracks. Not every song has to be a hit to be a hit for me.

Bold Generation is way better than New Power Generation.

I always thought "New Power Generation" is very catchy, and it was one of the first songs that I "clicked with" as a teenager when I started listening to Prince, but yeah, it's just kitschy. It's like music from a Pepsi commercial from the early-90s.

"Bold Generation" is very close to late-70s Funkadelic. It's basically Prince's take on "One Nation Under A Groove" and "Knee Deep" type of stuff. Considering how similar "Bold Generation" and "New Power Generation" are musically, it's actually mind-boggling to me that they end up evoking such different associations. I know I am not alone in that respect.

Bold Generation is a nice little hybrid of different grooves by other bands, updated styles from previous tracks, and chords cherry-picked for future songs.

Take Your Time (Do It Right)

One Nation Under A Groove

Get It Up

I Don't Wanna Leave You

Strange Relationship

The Dance Electric

novabrkr said:

Bold Generation is way better than New Power Generation.

I always thought "New Power Generation" is very catchy, and it was one of the first songs that I "clicked with" as a teenager when I started listening to Prince, but yeah, it's just kitschy. It's like music from a Pepsi commercial from the early-90s.

"Bold Generation" is very close to late-70s Funkadelic. It's basically Prince's take on "One Nation Under A Groove" and "Knee Deep" type of stuff. Considering how similar "Bold Generation" and "New Power Generation" are musically, it's actually mind-boggling to me that they end up evoking such different associations. I know I am not alone in that respect.

100% this.

novabrkr said:

Bold Generation is way better than New Power Generation.

I always thought "New Power Generation" is very catchy, and it was one of the first songs that I "clicked with" as a teenager when I started listening to Prince, but yeah, it's just kitschy. It's like music from a Pepsi commercial from the early-90s.

"Bold Generation" is very close to late-70s Funkadelic. It's basically Prince's take on "One Nation Under A Groove" and "Knee Deep" type of stuff. Considering how similar "Bold Generation" and "New Power Generation" are musically, it's actually mind-boggling to me that they end up evoking such different associations. I know I am not alone in that respect.

Yes, I pretty much agree with this entirely. Like you I felt that N.P.G was catchy but found it over-produced and the whole New Power Generation mythology a little cheesy. I prefer the more general statement of rebellion of the original. Musically you’re spot on – very reminiscent of One Nation/Not Just Knee Deep.

The thing is, when I was young I’d assumed that N.P.G was Prince’s answer to Jam and Lewis after Rhythm Nation, but the essentials are all there in the original.

novabrkr said:

"Bold Generation" is very close to late-70s Funkadelic. It's basically Prince's take on "One Nation Under A Groove" and "Knee Deep" type of stuff.

The late Juni Morrison's groove.

Bold Generation is a rehearsal, very wide soundfield, cannot really compare it to a studio version. I do find myself coming back to this one often though. I would be interested in hearing an actual studio version of this song if it exists.

Wolfie87 said:

novabrkr said:

Bold Generation is way better than New Power Generation.

I always thought "New Power Generation" is very catchy, and it was one of the first songs that I "clicked with" as a teenager when I started listening to Prince, but yeah, it's just kitschy. It's like music from a Pepsi commercial from the early-90s.

"Bold Generation" is very close to late-70s Funkadelic. It's basically Prince's take on "One Nation Under A Groove" and "Knee Deep" type of stuff. Considering how similar "Bold Generation" and "New Power Generation" are musically, it's actually mind-boggling to me that they end up evoking such different associations. I know I am not alone in that respect.

I agree 100%

fen said:

I like them both, but I slightly prefer Bold Generation because it is has less commercial polish to it. I also think the timing of the formal release of New Poser Generation diluted it's impact given that it was at a time when Prince was losing his popularity among the new generation to rap, hip hop, and perhaps even grunge. So, the song seemed out of place and even a little desparate given that it didn't match what really was going on. The fact that it never caught on further confirmed his diminishing influence at the time.

I like the "Funky Weapon Remix" of New Power Generation the best.

I think the beat is to thick and heavy on the album version.

There is a demo of New Power Generation that has the natural drum sound that makes it closer to "Bold Generation".

But really they are all the exact same idea to me, musically speaking.

RJOrion said:

fen said:

The late Juni Morrison's groove.

the late GREAT Junie Morrison...one of the most overlooked artists in music history...from 1970-1974 leading The Ohio Players, and then his solo joints, then to his work with P-Funk, Junie Morrison is responsible for SEVERAL of the funkiest songs ever made. Ecstasy (O.P.) Pain (O.P.) Pleasure (O.P.) Paint Me (O.P.) Funky Worm (O.P.) Laid It (O.P.) Shake Like T Mofo (solo) Taste Of Love (solo) One Nation Under A Groove (Pfnk) (Not Just) Knee Deep (Pfnk) Aqua Boogie (Pfnk) Theme From The Black Hole (Pfnk)

Hell yeah... the late, GREAT Juni. Couldn't agree more - I'm huge Juni fan. I guess that he was just shy and unassuming, but yes he's massively overlooked outside of P-Funk fans (and even there he isn't always given the prominence that he deserves). He had such a unique, interesting "flow" - "Super Spirit" blows me away every time that I hear it. And then theres:

Shake Like T Mofo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4AlzBoe6n8

leadline said:

LoveGalore said:

leadline said:

Bold Generation is a rehearsal, very wide soundfield, cannot really compare it to a studio version. I do find myself coming back to this one often though. I would be interested in hearing an actual studio version of this song if it exists.

No, it isn't a rehearsal. It is a studio version sourced from a cassette. Prince and Morris are the only ones present on the song.

You are right, I am wrong.

ufoclub said:

I prefer Bold Generation, when I hear it in the time period it was meant for 1982-1983 period, 1999 What Time Is It? Purple Music, it clearly expresses an expressed vision of UPTOWN. And it lives through 1980's but New Power, stops right where it started. There was no New Power ... like there was a Revolution. I think if the Lovesexy band continued, New Power might have made more sense.

nextedition said:

nextedition said:

I think we think a lot of times older versions of songs are better because we never heard them before and we heard the known version hundreds of times. Im pretty sure whhen WDC with a baseline is released people will say its much better.

sometimes. I prefer 1986 Teacher Teacher to 1982 Teacher Teacher, I prefer the released Glamorous Life to the 1983 demo etc

I love the bass-less version of Around the World in a Day equally to the unreleased version with bass.

I've not listened to New Power Generation that much that I became tired of it.

I think the variables for someone like me are never cut in dry.

OldFriends4Sale said: