Prince and The New Power Generation (October 1 1991) Diamonds and Pearls - Album
Updated: May 26
Diamonds and Pearls is Prince’s thirteenth studio album and the first to officially credit his new backing band, The New Power Generation. Released in October 1991, it marked a vibrant return to form with a mix of funky, danceable tracks and soulful ballads.
RELEASE DETAILS
Artist: Prince and The New Power Generation
Label: Paisley Park / Warner Bros. Records
Date: October 1, 1991
Catalogue: 9 25379-1
Format: LP
Country: United States (worldwide release)
THE STORY
Diamonds and Pearls blends funk, new jack swing, pop, and R&B with upbeat energy and romantic themes. The album introduced the New Power Generation lineup and features Prince’s signature grooves alongside strong vocal performances. Standout tracks include the funky “Gett Off,” the sensual “Cream,” and the title track ballad “Diamonds and Pearls.”
CONTEXT & NOTES
Following the mixed reception of Graffiti Bridge, Prince delivered a more accessible and dance-oriented album that helped re-establish his commercial presence. It reached #3 on the Billboard 200 and produced multiple hit singles, becoming one of his most successful releases of the 1990s.
A1 Thunder — 5:45
A2 Daddy Pop — 5:16
A3 Diamonds And Pearls — 4:43
B1 Cream — 4:12
B2 Strollin' — 3:46
B3 Willing And Able — 4:59
B4 Gett Off — 4:31
C1 Walk Don't Walk — 3:06
C2 Jughead — 4:56
C3 Money Don't Matter 2 Night — 4:48 C4 Push — 5:56
D1 Insatiable — 6:37
D2 Live 4 Love (Last Words From The Cockpit) — 6:58
PERSONNEL Musicians
Prince — lead and backing vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, drums, programming
Rosie Gaines — co-lead vocals, keyboards, backing vocals
Tommy Barbarella — keyboards
Levi Seacer, Jr. — bass, guitar
Sonny T. — bass
Michael B. — drums
Damon Dickson, Kirk Johnson — percussion, backing vocals
Tony M. — rap
Elisa Fiorillo — additional vocals
Additional contributions from the New Power Generation
Production
Prince — producer, arranger
Various engineers at Paisley Park Studios
Bernie Grundman — mastering
CHARTS America
Country: Chart | Entry Date | Peak Position | Weeks in Chart
USA: Billboard 200 | October 19, 1991 | 3 | -USA: Billboard Black LPs | - | 1 | -
SINGLES RELEASED
“Gett Off”
“Cream”
“Insatiable”
“Diamonds and Pearls”
“Money Don’t Matter 2 Night”
“Thunder” (UK)
Diamonds and Pearls was released in the United States on October 1, 1991, and internationally two days later. It peaked at number three on the Billboard 200, number two on the UK Albums Chart, and number one on the Billboard Top R&B Albums and Australia's ARIA Albums Chart. It also peaked in the top 10 across several charts in Europe and New Zealand. The album gathered two top 5 singles: the title track, which peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, and his career-final Hot 100 number-one single, "Cream". "Gett Off" and "Money Don't Matter 2 Night" both hit the top 40 on the Hot 100, peaking at 21 and 23, respectively.
Diamonds and Pearls was reissued in remastered, deluxe and super deluxe versions on October 27, 2023. The super deluxe version contains a 2023 remaster of the album, 15 remastered versions of all the singles mixes and edits, 33 previously unreleased studio recordings, an unreleased live concert album of the official dress rehearsal of the Diamonds and Pearls Tour recorded at Glam Slam on January 11, 1992. The final disc, a Blu-ray, includes the Glam Slam performance; footage from a Special Olympics concert recorded on July 20, 1991, and the soundcheck the day before; and a restored version of the Diamonds and Pearls Video Collection. A limited edition 7" vinyl set of the singles from Diamonds and Pearls included the new single "Alice Through The Looking Glass."
SOURCES Wikipedia, Billboard, Sleevographia.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE All album artwork, photographs, logos, and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference.
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