New Power Soul [Import]

Essentially a 'party-disc', the album is a collection of largely mid-tempo jams, which as the title track suggests should be played to get ya head bobbin', but (as with Emancipation) the album is plagued with some of the over-production that dominated Prince's records of the late 90's.
The plastic production (mainly thanks to Kirky J.) virtually buries some of the excellent bass and hornlines which feature throughout.

However, production aside 'New Power Soul' is still only a decent Prince album that contains 3 (count 'em) outstanding tracks.
The three songs in question being 'Come On', 'The One', and the hidden track 'Wasted Kisses'.
The terrific trinity aside, the album is pretty average for a Prince record.

The title track opens things up and is a simple party-anthem with a laid-back funky groove, more impressive though is the next track: 'Mad Sex', again the song is simple, but the bass is deeper and some menacing synth-stabs give the song an edge which is lacking in much of the album.

'Until U're In My Arms Again' is pure saccharine and is probably one of the most conventional ballads Prince has ever written, nonetheless it has a certain charm to it and is a very sweet (sickenenly at times) song.
'When U Love Somebody' is a catchy, if slightly repetitious, pop-soul song which borrows its keyboard line from 'In This Bed Eye Scream' (from Emancipation),but despite it being an impressive cut it's flawed by a slightly overlong running time.

'Shoo-bed-ooh' contains a cute chorus, but little else to distinguish it as a fine Prince track, 'Push It Up' is another mid-tempo jam which contains, amongst other things, a sample of 'Jam Of The Year' (also from Emancipation), there are some nice little horn flourishes throughout the track, but it never really takes off.
'Freaks On This Side' is the most unorthodox song on the album, containing only a quick audience chant as its chorus, it's a assault to the ears to say the least, in complete contrast; 'Come On' is a simple yet excellent funk track, driven by the best drum programming on the album. Containing a fluid synth-line the track manages to be catchy and funky at the same time, it was an obvious choice for a first single and it was very surprising it didn't do so well on the charts.

'The One' is easily the most original song on 'New Power Soul'... powered by some wonderful fretless-bass playing from Rhonda Smith, the track is a slow moving, sensual ballad featuring an inspired vocal performance from Prince.

The final 'tracked' song from 'New Power Soul': '(Eye Like) Funky Music' is, with the probable exception of 'Come On', the funkiest track on the record. As with the majority of the songs, the track features a chanted chorus, but a funky rhythm-guitar lick keeps the song intact and (as with most of the album) the horn work impresses throughtout.

Now, it would be a crime to stop the CD after the final track...as you would never hear what is probably the strongest song on the whole album: 'Wasted Kisses'.
Rumoured to be about the death of his son, 'Wasted Kisses' is the shortest and simplest track on the whole thing but it's a dramatic, and highly intriguing song, which doesn't deserve to be hidden at the end of an album.

On the whole 'New Power Soul' still remains, what is probably, Prince's weakest album. But, even aside from the standout tracks, there is alot of enjoyment to be had out of the album...just give it a bit of time.