Prince And The New Power Generation (October 1, 1991) – Diamonds And Pearls Album
Released: October 1, 1991 (USA)
Diamonds And Pearls is the thirteenth full-length studio album by Prince and the first album credited to Prince And The New Power Generation.
Released on October 1, 1991, the album followed Graffiti Bridge by thirteen months and marked Prince's first album credited to a band since Parade by Prince And The Revolution in 1986.
The release date was postponed several times, moving first from August 27 to September 10, then to September 17, before finally arriving in October 1991.
The album represented a major creative reset for Prince. Rather than relying on older vault recordings, every track included on the final release had been written and recorded during the fifteen months immediately preceding the album's release.
The project also introduced a largely new lineup of musicians appearing under the New Power Generation banner and established the identity that would define Prince's music throughout the early 1990s.
SESSIONS AND COMPILING
Unlike many previous Prince albums, Diamonds And Pearls did not use updated vault recordings. All thirteen tracks were recorded specifically for the project between July 1990 and May 1991.
The earliest recordings were Daddy Pop and Walk Don't Walk, both recorded in early July 1990 while Prince was in London, England during the Nude Tour.
In early September 1990, sessions moved to Warner Pioneer Studios in Tokyo, Japan during the final dates of the Nude Tour, where Money Don't Matter 2 Night, Strollin' and Willing And Able were recorded.
Insatiable followed in October 1990 at Larrabee Sound Studios in North Hollywood, California.
In mid-November 1990, Prince recorded Diamonds And Pearls and Live 4 Love. These sessions marked the first participation of Tommy Barbarella with the developing New Power Generation lineup.
Additional recording sessions took place at Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, Minnesota:
• Cream was recorded in early December 1990.
• Thunder, Jughead and Push were recorded during late January and early February 1991.
• Gett Off was recorded in May 1991 and became the final track added to the album.
At least four known early configurations of the album existed prior to the final running order, demonstrating the extensive development process that shaped the finished release.
NEW POWER GENERATION INPUT
The album introduced an almost entirely new band lineup, although an earlier version of the same group had toured with Prince during the Nude Tour.
Michael B. handled drums on much of the album, while Sonny T. and Tommy Barbarella became central members of the recording lineup. Tommy Barbarella replaced Dr. Fink on keyboards, while Levi Seacer, Jr. moved from bass guitar to rhythm guitar.
Rosie Gaines played a significant role through vocals and keyboards, while the Game Boyz trio of Tony M., Damon Dickson and Kirk Johnson added rap performances, percussion and backing vocals throughout the project.
The stronger participation of the New Power Generation helped distinguish the album from Prince's previous studio releases and established a collaborative identity reflected in its official billing.
Kirk Johnson would remain an important member of Prince's organisation for many years, later serving as drummer, confidant and eventually Prince's best man during his marriage to Mayte.
PROMOTION
Diamonds And Pearls generated six commercially released singles and one promotional radio-only release, making it one of the most extensively promoted albums of Prince's career.
Prior to the album's release, Gett Off and Cream were issued as advance singles and helped establish the new identity of Prince And The New Power Generation
Following the album's release, Insatiable, Diamonds And Pearls and Money Don't Matter 2 Night were released internationally. In the United Kingdom, Thunder received a commercial single release, while Willing And Able was serviced to American radio stations as a promotional-only release.
Prince further supported the album through the extensive Diamonds And Pearls Tour, which visited Europe, Japan and Australia. The tour concentrated heavily on material from the new album and formally introduced the New Power Generation as Prince's primary touring and recording band.
RELEASE HISTORY
Originally scheduled for release on August 27, 1991, the album underwent a series of postponements.
The project was subsequently delayed to September 10, then September 17, before finally arriving worldwide in October 1991.
Released by Paisley Park Records and Warner Bros. Records, the album appeared on CD, cassette and double-LP formats.
With a running time of 65 minutes and 48 seconds, it became one of Prince's longest studio albums to that point.
In 2023, the album was remastered by Bernie Grundman under the supervision of the Prince Estate for the Diamonds And Pearls (Super) Deluxe Edition reissue programme.
SINGLES RELEASED
Single | B-Side |
Gett Off | Horny Pony |
Cream | Horny Pony |
Insatiable | I Love U In Me |
Diamonds And Pearls | Q In Doubt |
Money Don't Matter 2 Night | Call The Law |
Willing And Able (Promo Only) | Willing And Able |
Thunder (UK Only) | Thunder |
CHARTS & CERTIFICATIONS
AMERICA
Country | Chart | Entry Date | Peak | Weeks |
USA | Billboard 200 | October 19, 1991 | 3 | 45 |
USA | Billboard Top R&B Albums | October 19, 1991 | 1 | 42 |
USA | Billboard 200 (Re-entry) | May 14, 2016 | 80 | 1 |
EUROPE
Country | Chart | Peak | Weeks |
Austria | Alben Top 75 | 4 | 32 |
Germany | Musikmarkt Top 100 Albums | 8 | 57 |
Netherlands | Nationale Top 100 | 6 | 50 |
Norway | VG-Lista Top 40 Album | 5 | 9 |
Sweden | Top 60 Albums | 8 | 14 |
Switzerland | Schweizer Hitparade | 3 | 30 |
UK | UK Albums Chart | 2 | 57 |
PACIFIC
Country | Chart | Peak | Weeks |
Australia | ARIA Top 50 Albums | 1 | 41 |
New Zealand | Top 40 Album | 5 | 38 |
CERTIFICATIONS
Country | Certification |
USA | Platinum |
USA | 2× Platinum |
Canada | Platinum |
UK | Silver |
UK | Gold |
UK | Platinum |
UK | 3× Platinum |
France | Gold |
France | Platinum |
Germany | Gold |
Australia | Gold |
Australia | Platinum |
Australia | 3× Platinum |
Australia | 4× Platinum |
AWARDS
Institution | Date | Award |
11th Annual Minnesota Music Awards | May 10, 1992 | Album Of The Year |
CHART SUCCESS
The album became one of Prince's most commercially successful releases of the 1990s.
In the United States it reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200 while simultaneously reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart.
Internationally the album achieved particularly strong results, reaching No. 1 in Australia, No. 2 in the United Kingdom and Top 10 positions throughout much of Europe.
Its worldwide success helped re-establish Prince as a major commercial force following the more modest performance of Graffiti Bridge and launched one of the most successful periods of the New Power Generation era.
REISSUE
The album was remastered by Bernie Grundman under the supervision of the Prince Estate for the Diamonds And Pearls (Super) Deluxe Edition reissue project.
The expanded edition revisited the original album and documented the extensive recording history surrounding its creation.
PERSONNEL
Prince And The New Power Generation
Prince — all vocals and instruments except where noted; all vocals and instruments on Thunder; all vocals and instruments on Insatiable
Michael B. — drums on Daddy Pop, Diamonds And Pearls, Cream, Strollin', Willing And Able, Gett Off (uncertain), Walk Don't Walk, Money Don't Matter 2 Night and Live 4 Love
Levi Seacer, Jr. — bass guitar on Daddy Pop, Diamonds And Pearls, Strollin', Willing And Able, Walk Don't Walk, Jughead and Money Don't Matter 2 Night; rhythm guitar on Cream and Gett Off
Sonny T. — bass guitar on Diamonds And Pearls, Cream, Gett Off and Live 4 Love
Tommy Barbarella — keyboards on Daddy Pop, Diamonds And Pearls, Cream, Willing And Able, Gett Off and Walk Don't Walk
Rosie Gaines — co-lead vocals on Diamonds And Pearls and Push; co-lead vocals and keyboards on Walk Don't Walk and Jughead; background vocals and keyboards on Daddy Pop, Cream, Willing And Able and Gett Off
Tony M. — rap vocals on Daddy Pop, Willing And Able, Gett Off, Jughead, Push and Live 4 Love
Damon Dickson — background vocals and percussion
Kirk Johnson — background vocals and percussion
Additional Musicians
Elisa Fiorillo — additional vocals on Daddy Pop and Walk Don't Walk
Bernard Purdie — sampled drum loop on Daddy Pop
Sheila E. — synth drum fills on Diamonds And Pearls
Bonnie Raitt — sampled slide guitar on Cream
Fred Steele — background vocals on Willing And Able
JD Steele — background vocals on Willing And Able
Jearlyn Steele — background vocals on Willing And Able
Jevetta Steele — background vocals on Willing And Able
Janice Steele — background vocals on Willing And Able
Eric Leeds — flute on Gett Off
Steve Noonan — manager voice on Jughead
Clare Fischer — sampled orchestration on Push
Tim Penn — vocals on Live 4 Love
PRODUCTION
Produced by Prince And The New Power Generation
Arranged by Prince And The New Power Generation
Michael Koppelman — recording and mixing engineer
Tom Garneau — mixing engineer
Keith "K.C." Cohen — mixing engineer
Matt Larson — engineer
Brian Poer — assistant engineer
Steve Noonan — assistant engineer
Tim Penn — assistant engineer
Ray Hahnfeld — assistant engineer
David Friedlander — assistant engineer
Stephen Marcussen — mastering
Jeff Gold — art direction
Tom Recchion — art direction
Greg Ross — design
Stephanie Bennett — eye logo
Joel Larson — photography
Earl Jones — hair
Cheryl Nick — make-up
Kasha Breuning — make-up
Chris Mahne — hologram
Sharon McCormack — hologram
Peter Sorbo — hologram
ALBUM DETAILS
Released: October 1, 1991 (USA)
Length: 65:48
Label: Paisley Park Records / Warner Bros. Records
STUDIOS
• Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, Minnesota, USA
• Olympic Studios, London, England
• Warner Pioneer Studios, Tokyo, Japan
• Larrabee Sound Studios, North Hollywood, California, USA
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
Artist | Title | Label | Country | Date | Format |
Prince And The New Power Generation | Diamonds And Pearls | Paisley Park / Warner Bros. | USA | October 1, 1991 | CD |
Prince And The New Power Generation | Diamonds And Pearls | Paisley Park / Warner Bros. | USA | October 1, 1991 | Cassette |
Prince And The New Power Generation | Diamonds And Pearls | Paisley Park / Warner Bros. | USA | October 1, 1991 | Double LP |
TRACKLIST TABLE (ALL FORMATS)
Format | Catalogue | Tracklisting |
CD | — | • Thunder (5:45) • Daddy Pop (5:16) • Diamonds And Pearls (4:43) • Cream (4:12) • Strollin' (3:46) • Willing And Able (4:59) • Gett Off (4:31) • Walk Don't Walk (3:07) • Jughead (4:56) • Money Don't Matter 2 Night (4:46) • Push (5:52) • Insatiable (6:39) • Live 4 Love (6:59) |
Double LP | — | SIDE ONE: • Thunder (5:45) • Daddy Pop (5:16) • Diamonds And Pearls (4:43) SIDE TWO: • Cream (4:12) • Strollin' (3:46) • Willing And Able (4:59) • Gett Off (4:31) SIDE THREE: • Walk Don't Walk (3:07) • Jughead (4:56) • Money Don't Matter 2 Night (4:46) • Push (5:52) SIDE FOUR: • Insatiable (6:39) • Live 4 Love (6:59) |
Cassette | — | SIDE ONE: • Thunder • Daddy Pop • Diamonds And Pearls • Cream • Strollin' • Willing And Able SIDE TWO: • Gett Off • Walk Don't Walk • Jughead • Money Don't Matter 2 Night • Push • Insatiable • Live 4 Love |
SONGWRITING CREDITS
All songs written by Prince and credited to Prince And The New Power Generation except:
• Willing And Able — Prince, Tony M. and Levi Seacer, Jr.
• Jughead — Prince, Kirk Johnson and Tony M.
• Push — Prince and Rosie Gaines.
• Live 4 Love — Prince and Tony M.
ALTERNATE ALBUM CONFIGURATIONS
Throughout its development, Diamonds And Pearls underwent numerous revisions before reaching its final October 1991 form. Several substantially different versions of the album are known to have existed.
27 NOVEMBER 1990 CONFIGURATION (as "Diamonds & Pearlz")
Something Funky (This House Comes)
Daddy Pop (alternate version)
Walk Don't Walk (alternate version)
Diamonds And Pearls (alternate version, without Rosie Gaines)
Schoolyard
Strollin'
Willing And Able (drum intro version)
Insatiable (extended version)
Money Don't Matter 2 Night (alternate mix)
Horny Pony (alternate version)
Live 4 Love (alternate version)
DECEMBER 1990 CONFIGURATION
Daddy Pop
Walk Don't Walk
Schoolyard
Strollin'
Willing And Able
Diamonds And Pearls
Insatiable
Money Don't Matter 2 Night
Horny Pony
Live 4 Love
Something Funky (This House Comes)
Call The Law
The Flow
2 FEBRUARY 1991 CONFIGURATION
Thunder
Daddy Pop
Diamonds And Pearls
Tony Interlude
Cream
Strollin'
Willing And Able
Horny Pony
Jughead
Old Friends 4 Sale
Walk Don't Walk
Money Don't Matter 2 Night
Insatiable
Live 4 Love
1 MARCH 1991 CONFIGURATION
SIDE ONE
• Thunder• Daddy Pop• Diamonds And Pearls
SIDE TWO
• Cream• Strollin'• Willing And Able• Horny Pony
SIDE THREE
• Walk Don't Walk• Jughead• Money Don't Matter 2 Night• Push
SIDE FOUR
• Insatiable• Live 4 Love
8 MAY 1991 CONFIGURATION
This version retained the same running order as the March 1991 configuration, although some tracks existed in alternate edits or mixes. The most notable change was the continued refinement of Diamonds And Pearls, Gett Off, Jughead and several production elements before final mastering.
NOTES
• Diamonds And Pearls was the first Prince album officially credited to Prince And The New Power Generation.
• It was Prince's first album credited to a band since Parade in 1986.
• All thirteen songs were newly recorded during the fifteen months before release.
• No previously recorded vault tracks were used on the finished album.
• Daddy Pop and Walk Don't Walk were the earliest recordings, dating from July 1990.
• Gett Off was the final track added to the album in May 1991.
• Recording sessions took place in London, Tokyo, Chanhassen and North Hollywood.
• Tommy Barbarella made his first major appearance in Prince's recording band during the album sessions.
• The project introduced the definitive early-1990s New Power Generation lineup.
• Rosie Gaines became one of the most prominent collaborators on the album through both vocals and songwriting contributions.
• The album produced six commercial singles and one promotional radio single.
• Cream and Gett Off were released before the album itself.
• The album was supported by the extensive Diamonds And Pearls Tour.
• The release reached No. 1 in Australia and No. 1 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.
• The album reached No. 2 in the United Kingdom and No. 3 on the Billboard 200.
• It became one of Prince's strongest-selling releases of the 1990s.
• The project achieved Platinum or multi-Platinum certification in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and France.
• The album won Album Of The Year at the 11th Annual Minnesota Music Awards in May 1992.
• Several notable tracks including Horny Pony, Call The Law, Schoolyard, The Flow, Old Friends 4 Sale and Something Funky (This House Comes) appeared in early configurations but did not make the final album.
• Diamonds And Pearls (Super Deluxe Edition) was released in 2023 following a complete remaster supervised by the Prince Estate and remastered by Bernie Grundman.
SOURCES Prince Vault, Discogs, sleevographia2.
All single artwork, photographs, labels, 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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