Prince And The New Power Generation (October 5, 1992) – Love Symbol Album LP/MC/CD UK
Love Symbol Album is the fourteenth full-length studio album by Prince and the second and final album credited to Prince And The New Power Generation.
Released in October 1992, twelve months after Diamonds And Pearls, it would be the last Prince studio album credited to a band until One Nite Alone... Live! in 2002.
Because the album's title is represented by the unpronounceable Love Symbol, it is often referred to as Symbol or Love Symbol. The name Love Symbol appeared on the top seal of the original jewel case CD release and on the Peach single, which included My Name Is Prince as a B-side.
The symbol itself later became Prince's name in 1993, and he subsequently released six albums under that name between 1995 and 1999.
The album's cover photograph was taken from the 7 video. Early CD editions featured the Love Symbol embossed in gold directly into the jewel case, an unusual packaging concept for a CD release.
RECORDING
Recording took place primarily at Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, Minnesota, USA.
Most of the album's sixteen songs were written and recorded between September 1991 and March 1992. Unlike its predecessor Diamonds And Pearls, the album contained very little previously recorded material.
The Flow was the only track based on an earlier recording, being a re-recording of a song originally recorded in September 1990.
Blue Light was recorded in May 1991, making it the earliest recording included on the album.
Eye Wanna Melt With U was the final track recorded, completed in May 1992.
The final album sequence included two segues featuring actress Kirstie Alley portraying reporter Vanessa Bartholomew. Earlier configurations contained additional segues that provided more extensive narrative connections, but these were removed before release in favour of including Eye Wanna Melt With U.
The album retained much of the same lineup as Diamonds And Pearls. Rosie Gaines had departed, while Mayte was
introduced as a featured vocalist. William "Diamond J." Graves contributed scratching, while several tracks featured the New Power Generation and the NPG Hornz.
While eight tracks were largely solo performances by Prince, the remaining recordings featured Michael B., Sonny T., Tommy Barbarella, Levi Seacer Jr., Tony M., Damon Dickson, Kirk Johnson and the NPG Hornz.
STYLE & THEMES
Love Symbol Album combines solo Prince recordings with full-band performances by the New Power Generation, expanding the musical approach introduced on Diamonds And Pearls.
The album was constructed around a loose storyline linked together by the Vanessa Bartholomew segues. This concept later provided the basis for the Act I stage production, the Act I television programme, the 3 Chains O' Gold home video and the Three Chains Of Gold comic-book adaptation.
The project also marked an important transition period in Prince's career, introducing the Love Symbol identity that would become central to his public image from 1993 onward.
TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES
• My Name Is Prince — Album opener and one of the album's lead singles. Rap contributions were written and performed by Tony M.
• Sexy M.F. — Released as a commercial single prior to the album and features the New Power Generation lineup alongside the NPG Hornz.
• Love 2 The 9's — Features participation from the New Power Generation and vocals by Mayte.
• The Morning Papers — Released as the album's final commercial single.
• The Max — Features rap contributions from Tony M. and participation from members of the New Power Generation.
• Segue — Introduces part of the album's narrative through the Vanessa Bartholomew character performed by Kirstie Alley.
• Blue Light — Originally recorded in May 1991, making it the earliest track included on the album.
• Eye Wanna Melt With U — The final song recorded for the album and added after additional segues were removed from earlier album configurations.
• Sweet Baby — One of the tracks planned for release as a single in 1993 before being cancelled.
• The Continental — Includes an uncredited rap contribution from Carmen Electra.
• Damn U — Released as a commercial single in the United States and features string orchestration by Clare Fischer.
• Arrogance — Written by Prince and Tony M. and forms part of the album's narrative sequence.
• The Flow — Re-recorded from an earlier version originally recorded in September 1990.
• 7 — Released as one of the album's most successful singles.
• And God Created Woman — Features contributions from members of the New Power Generation and vocals by Mayte.
• 3 Chains O' Gold — Features orchestration by Clare Fischer and later
lent its title to the related home video project.
• Segue — Continues the narrative storyline featuring Vanessa Bartholomew.
• The Sacrifice Of Victor — Closing track of the album featuring additional vocal contributions and a sample of God Made Me Funky.
RELEASE HISTORY
The album was released in Europe on October 5, 1992 and in the United States on October 13, 1992.
Issued through Paisley Park Records and Warner Bros. Records, the release followed Diamonds And Pearls by twelve months and became the second and final studio album credited to Prince And The New Power Generation.
The album was released simultaneously on CD, cassette and double-vinyl formats. Initial CD editions featured a gold-embossed Love Symbol built directly into the jewel case packaging.
Five commercially released singles were issued from the album: Sexy M.F., My Name Is Prince, 7, Damn U and The Morning Papers.
Additional planned singles including Blue Light, Sweet Baby and Love 2 The 9's progressed to acetate stage but were ultimately cancelled.
The album's storyline later expanded into the Act I television special, the Act I and Act II tours, the 3 Chains O' Gold home video and the Three Chains Of Gold comic-book adaptation.
CHARTS & CERTIFICATIONS
AMERICA
Country | Chart | Peak Position | Weeks |
USA | Billboard 200 | 5 | 34 |
USA | Billboard Top R&B Albums | 8 | 35 |
USA | Billboard 200 (Re-entry) | 111 | 1 |
EUROPE
Country | Chart | Peak Position | Weeks |
Austria | Alben Top 75 | 1 | 16 |
Germany | Musikmarkt Top 100 Albums | 5 | 20 |
Netherlands | Nationale Top 100 | 6 | 16 |
Norway | VG-Lista Top 40 Albums | 10 | 3 |
Sweden | Top 60 Albums | 10 | 4 |
Switzerland | Schweizer Hitparade | 4 | 12 |
UK | UK Albums Chart | 1 | 21 |
PACIFIC
Country | Chart | Peak Position | Weeks |
Australia | ARIA Top 50 Albums | 1 | 15 |
New Zealand | Top 40 Albums | 4 | 14 |
CERTIFICATIONS
Country | Certification |
USA | Platinum |
UK | Silver |
UK | Gold |
UK | Platinum |
France | Gold |
Australia | Gold |
Australia | Platinum |
AWARDS
• No United States awards were recorded for the album.
PERSONNEL
Prince — vocals, instruments, producer, arranger
Michael B. — drums
Sonny T. — bass guitar
Levi Seacer Jr. — guitar
Tommy Barbarella — keyboards
Tony M. — rap vocals
Damon Dickson — background vocals and rap vocals
Kirk Johnson — percussion, background vocals, programming
Mayte — vocals
William "Diamond J." Graves — scratching
Michael B. Nelson — trombone
Kathy Jensen — baritone saxophone
Dave Jensen — trumpet
Brian Gallagher — tenor saxophone
Steve Strand — trumpet
Kirstie Alley — Vanessa Bartholomew character
Clare Fischer — orchestration
Eric Leeds — saxophone
Michael Koppelman — bass guitar and keyboards on Blue Light
Carmen Electra — rap on The Continental
PRODUCTION
Produced by Prince And The New Power Generation
Recorded by Prince And The New Power Generation
Engineered by Michael Koppelman, Dave Friedlander, Steve Noonan, Ray Hahnfeld and Brian Poer
Additional Production by Keith "K.C." Cohen and George Black
Mixed by Keith "K.C." Cohen, Michael Koppelman, Tom Garneau, Bob Rosa and Steve Beltram
Mastered by Brian Gardner at Bernie Grundman Mastering
Art Direction by Jeff Gold and Greg Ross
Creative Direction by Sotera Tschetter
Photography by Jeff Katz
Label: Paisley Park Records / Warner Bros. Records
Recorded At: Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, Minnesota, USA; Larrabee Sound Studios, North Hollywood, California, USA
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
Artist | Title | Label | Country | Cat No. | Date | Format |
Prince And The New Power Generation | Love Symbol Album | Paisley Park / Warner Bros. | Europe | WX 490 | October 5, 1992 | 2LP |
Prince And The New Power Generation | Love Symbol Album | Paisley Park / Warner Bros. | Europe | WX 490C | October 5, 1992 | Cassette |
Prince And The New Power Generation | Love Symbol Album | Paisley Park / Warner Bros. | Europe | WX 490CD | October 5, 1992 | CD |
Prince And The New Power Generation | Love Symbol Album | Paisley Park / Warner Bros. | USA | 9 45037-1 | October 13, 1992 | 2LP |
Prince And The New Power Generation | Love Symbol Album | Paisley Park / Warner Bros. | USA | 9 45037-4 | October 13, 1992 | Cassette |
Prince And The New Power Generation | Love Symbol Album | Paisley Park / Warner Bros. | USA | 9 45037-2 | October 13, 1992 | CD |
TRACKLIST TABLE
Format | Catalogue | Tracklisting |
CD | WX 490CD / 9 45037-2 | My Name Is Prince • Sexy M.F. • Love 2 The 9's • The Morning Papers • The Max • Segue • Blue Light • Eye Wanna Melt With U • Sweet Baby • The Continental • Damn U • Arrogance • The Flow • 7 • And God Created Woman • 3 Chains O' Gold • Segue • The Sacrifice Of Victor |
2LP | WX 490 / 9 45037-1 | LP1 Side One: My Name Is Prince • Sexy M.F. • Love 2 The 9's LP1 Side Two: The Morning Papers • The Max • Segue • Blue Light • Eye Wanna Melt With U • Sweet Baby LP2 Side One: The Continental • Damn U • Arrogance • The Flow LP2 Side Two: 7 • And God Created Woman • 3 Chains O' Gold • Segue • The Sacrifice Of Victor |
Cassette | WX 490C / 9 45037-4 | Same running order as above |
SINGLES RELEASED
A-Side | B-Side | Release |
My Name Is Prince | Sexy M.F. | October 7, 1992 |
Sexy M.F. | Strollin' | July 27, 1992 |
7 | Can't Stop This Feeling I Got | November 23, 1992 |
Damn U | 2 Whom It May Concern | February 8, 1993 |
The Morning Papers | Live 4 Love | March 22, 1993 |
Peach | Pope | August 16, 1993 |
Pink Cashmere | Soft And Wet (Live) | June 14, 1993 |
PROMOTIONAL SINGLES
Title | Release |
The Continental | 1993 (Promo Only) |
Sweet Baby | 1993 (Promo Only) |
NOTES
• Released twelve months after Diamonds And Pearls.
• Second and final studio album credited to Prince And The New Power Generation.
• The Love Symbol later became Prince's official name in 1993.
• Initial CD editions featured a gold embossed Love Symbol jewel case.
• The Flow was the only re-recorded earlier track on the album.
• Blue Light was the earliest recording used, dating from May 1991.
• Eye Wanna Melt With U was the final track recorded.
• Rosie Gaines had departed before recording the album.
• Mayte made some of her earliest appearances on a Prince project.
• The album's narrative concept later expanded into Act I, Act II, 3 Chains O' Gold and Three Chains Of Gold.
• Reached No. 1 in both the United Kingdom and Australia.
• Certified Platinum by the RIAA on December 17, 1992.
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.
Comments