Ultimate Prince
Greatest hits album by
Prince
ReleasedAugust 22, 2006
Recorded1979–1992
Genre
Length156:20
LabelWarner Bros., Rhino
ProducerPrince
Prince chronology
3121
(2006)		 Ultimate Prince
(2006)		 Planet Earth
(2007)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Pitchfork8.6/10[2]

Ultimate Prince is a greatest hits album by American recording artist Prince. It was released on August 22, 2006, by Warner Bros. Records. The two-disc set contains a disc of some previously released hits (some in single edit form; only "My Name Is Prince" had not been on a previous hits collection), and another of extended remixes of hits and a B-side, most of which had only been previously released as 12-inch singles.

Release date controversy

The album was originally slated to be released in North America on March 14, 2006, but was canceled just days before its release. This is likely due to Prince not wanting competition with his new 3121, scheduled to be released only one week later. However, promo copies of the album had already been sent to some retailers and were sold before the album's recall. A second release date of May 22 was proposed, but was again canceled and the album's future was unknown for a time. Three months later, it was officially released on August 22, 2006, to generally positive reviews.[3]

Commercial performance

The album debuted at number 61 on the Billboard 200 the week of September 9, 2006; the next week it dropped to number one hundred twenty-three.[4][5] It remained on the chart for sixteen weeks.[6]

The week following Prince's death the album sold 40,000 units and hit a new peak of four on the Billboard 200 during the week of May 14, 2016; it was the first time that Ultimate rose into the top 10 of the chart.[7]

In the United Kingdom the album opened at number 24 on September 2, 2006; the next week, it fell to number 29 and left the chart three weeks later.[8] Almost one year later, it re-entered at number 6 during the week of August 11, 2007.[8] The week following Prince's death, the album re-entered on the chart at number 10 and the next week; on May 5, 2016, it reached and peaked at number three.[8] Ultimate remained on the UK Albums Chart for twenty seven weeks.[8] It was certified platinum by the BPI on January 24, 2014, denoting shipments of 300,000 units.[9]

Track listing

Disc one: The Hits
No.TitleOriginal albumLength
1."I Wanna Be Your Lover" (single edit)Prince (1979)2:57
2."Uptown" (single edit)Dirty Mind (1980)4:11
3."Controversy"Controversy (1981)7:16
4."1999" (single edit; performed by Prince & the Revolution)1999 (1982)3:38
5."Delirious" (edit; performed by Prince & the Revolution)19992:40
6."When Doves Cry" (single version)Purple Rain (1984)3:47
7."I Would Die 4 U" (single version; performed by Prince & the Revolution)Purple Rain2:58
8."Purple Rain" (performed by Prince & the Revolution)Purple Rain8:41
9."Sign o' the Times" (single edit)Sign o' the Times (1987)3:42
10."I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" (edit)Sign o' the Times3:41
11."Alphabet St."Lovesexy (1988)5:38
12."Diamonds and Pearls" (edit; performed by Prince & the New Power Generation)Diamonds and Pearls (1991)4:20
13."Gett Off" (performed by Prince & the New Power Generation)Diamonds and Pearls4:31
14."Money Don't Matter 2 Night" (performed by Prince & the New Power Generation)Diamonds and Pearls4:47
15."7" (single version; performed by Prince & the New Power Generation)Love Symbol Album (1992)5:08
16."Nothing Compares 2 U" (live; with Rosie Gaines)The Hits/The B-Sides (1993); originally performed by The Family5:04
17."My Name Is Prince" (single version; performed by Prince & the New Power Generation)Love Symbol Album4:04
Disc two: The Remixes
No.TitleOriginal albumLength
1."Let's Go Crazy" (special dance mix; performed by Prince & the Revolution)Purple Rain7:36
2."Little Red Corvette" (dance mix)19998:27
3."Let's Work" (dance remix)Controversy8:06
4."Pop Life" (Fresh Dance Mix; performed by Prince & the Revolution)Around the World in a Day (1985)6:18
5."She's Always in My Hair" (12" version; performed by Prince & the Revolution)"Raspberry Beret" single (1985)6:32
6."Raspberry Beret" (extended 12" version; performed by Prince & the Revolution)Around the World in a Day6:34
7."Kiss" (extended version; performed by Prince & the Revolution)Parade (1986)7:17
8."U Got the Look" (Long Look)Sign o' the Times6:43
9."Hot Thing" (extended remix)Sign o' the Times8:31
10."Thieves in the Temple" (remix)Graffiti Bridge (1990)8:08
11."Cream" (N.P.G. Mix Edit; performed by Prince & the New Power Generation)Diamonds and Pearls4:52

Personnel

Adapted from the AllMusic credits.[10]

  • Annette Atkinson – standup bass
  • Tommy Barbarella – sampling
  • Timothy Barr – standup bass
  • Don Batts – engineer
  • Allen Beaulieu – photography
  • Steve Beltran – mixing
  • Mathieu Bitton – art direction, creative director, design
  • Joe Blaney – engineer, mixing
  • Atlanta Bliss – brass, trumpet, vocals
  • Boni Boyer – Hammond organ, vocals
  • Gary Brandt – engineer
  • Denyse Buffum – viola
  • Keith "KC" Cohen – mixing
  • David Daoud Coleman – cello
  • Lisa Coleman – keyboards, vocals
  • David Z. – arranger
  • Damon Dickson – percussion, background vocals
  • Dr. Fink – keyboards
  • Shelia E – guest artist
  • Sheena Easton – vocals
  • Mark Ettel – assistant engineer
  • Dave Friedlander – engineer
  • Lowell Fulson – composer
  • Rosie Gaines – organ, sampling, vocals, background vocals
  • Tom Garneau – engineer, mixing
  • Ron Garrett – remix assistant
  • Mick Guzauski – engineer, remixing
  • Ray Hahnfeldt – engineer
  • Michael Hutchinson – engineer, remixing
  • Coke Johnson – engineer
  • Suzie Katayama – cello
  • Jeff Katz – photography
  • Michael Koppelman – engineer, mixing
  • Matt Larson – engineer
  • Eric Leeds – brass, flute, saxophone, vocals
  • David Leonard – engineer
  • Tony M. – rap, background vocals
  • Peggy Mac – engineer
  • Jimmy McCracklin – composer
  • Peggy McCreary – engineer, mixing
  • Wendy Melvoin – guitar, vocals
  • Michael B. – drums
  • Eddie Miller – engineer, mixing
  • Bob Mockler – engineer, remixing
  • New Power Generation – guest artist
  • Steve Noonan – engineer
  • Novi Novog – viola, violin
  • Sid Page – violin
  • Ross Pallone – engineer
  • Tim Penn – engineer
  • Shep Pettibone – editing, producer, remixing
  • Brian Poer – engineer
  • Prince – arranger, audio production, engineer, mixing, producer, remixing, string arrangements, various instruments, vocals
  • Prince & the Revolution – guest artist
  • David Rivkin – engineer
  • Susan Rogers – engineer
  • Bob Rosa – mixing
  • Levi Seacer Jr. – bass, rhythm guitar, vocals, background vocals
  • Sheila E. – drums, percussion, remixing, vocals
  • The Steeles – main personnel
  • Sonny T. – bass, background vocals
  • David Tickle – engineer
  • Junior Vasquez – editing
  • Larry E. Williams – tray photo
  • Laury Woods – viola
  • Bobby Z – percussion

Promo versions

A two disc promo version of Ultimate Prince was sent to radio stations and record stores in Spring 2006. This version has a different track listing from the official release. The promo features a few songs not on the official release, though it excludes the "Let's Work" remix. The promo also presents the songs in rough chronological order as opposed to separating out the remixes. The two disc version is speculated to be the first track listing; Prince later changed the track listing to remove some of the explicit language.

Two disc promo

Disc one
No.TitleOriginal albumLength
1."Purple Medley" (performed by The Artist Formerly Known As Prince)non-album single (1995)11:04
2."I Wanna Be Your Lover" (single edit) 2:57
3."Uptown" (edit) 4:11
4."Controversy" (LP version) 7:15
5."1999" (edit; performed by Prince & the Revolution) 3:38
6."Little Red Corvette" (Dance Remix; performed by Prince & the Revolution) 8:22
7."Irresistible Bitch" (performed by Prince & the Revolution)B-side to "Let's Pretend We're Married" (1983)4:11
8."Let's Go Crazy" (Special Dance Mix; performed by Prince & the Revolution) 7:35
9."Erotic City" (12" version)B-side to "Let's Go Crazy" (1984)7:22
10."I Would Die 4 U" (single version; performed by Prince & the Revolution) 2:57
11."When Doves Cry" (edit) 3:47
12."Purple Rain" (performed by Prince & the Revolution) 8:41
13."Pop Life" (Fresh Dance Mix; performed by Prince & the Revolution) 6:18
14."She's Always in My Hair" (12" version; performed by Prince & the Revolution) 6:32
15."Raspberry Beret" (12" version; performed by Prince & the Revolution) 6:32
Disc two
No.TitleOriginal albumLength
1."Kiss" (extended version; performed by Prince & the Revolution) 7:15
2."Sign "O" the Times" (single edit) 3:42
3."U Got the Look" (Long Look) 6:43
4."I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" (edit) 3:41
5."Hot Thing" (extended remix) 8:33
6."Alphabet St." 5:39
7."Thieves in the Temple" (remix) 8:08
8."Diamonds and Pearls" (edit; performed by Prince & The New Power Generation) 4:20
9."Gett Off" (performed by Prince & The New Power Generation) 4:31
10."Money Don't Matter 2 Night" (performed by Prince & the New Power Generation) 4:48
11."Cream" (N.P.G. Mix Edit; performed by Prince & the New Power Generation) 4:51
12."7" (acoustic version)B-side to "7" (1992)3:54
13."Sexy Mutha" (clean remix of "Sexy M.F."; performed by Prince & the New Power Generation)B-side to "My Name Is Prince" (1992)3:55
14."Nothing Compares 2 U" (live; performed with Rosie Gaines) 5:04
15."My Name is Prince" (single version; performed by Prince & the New Power Generation) 4:03

In-house promo sampler

  1. "Purple Medley"
  2. "I Wanna Be Your Lover"
  3. "Little Red Corvette" (Dance Mix)
  4. "Let's Go Crazy" (Special Dance Mix)
  5. "Erotic City" (12" Version)
  6. "Kiss" (Extended Version)
  7. "Money Don't Matter 2 Night"
  8. "Cream"

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for Ultimate Prince
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[34] Platinum 20,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[35] Platinum 15,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[9] Platinum 300,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ↑ AllMusic review
  2. ↑ Pitchfork Media review
  3. ↑ "Album: Ultimate". Prince Vault. Retrieved March 12, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Top 200 Albums". Billboard 200. Billboard. September 9, 2006. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  5. ↑ "Top 200 Albums". Billboard 200. Billboard. September 16, 2006. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  6. ↑ "Prince Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  7. ↑ Caulfield, Keith (May 3, 2016). "Prince Sets Record With Five Albums in Top 10 of Billboard 200 Chart". Billboard. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Prince | Artists | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  9. 1 2 "British album certifications – Prince – Ultimate". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Ultimate – Prince | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – Prince – Ultimate". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  12. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Prince – Ultimate" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Prince – Ultimate" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Prince – Ultimate" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Prince Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  16. ↑ "Danishcharts.dk – Prince – Ultimate". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  17. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Prince – Ultimate" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Prince: Ultimate" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  19. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Prince – Ultimate". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  20. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Prince – Ultimate" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  21. ↑ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2016. 18. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  22. ↑ "GFK Chart-Track Albums: Week 17, 2016". Chart-Track. IRMA. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  23. ↑ "Italiancharts.com – Prince – Ultimate". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  24. ↑ "Charts.nz – Prince – Ultimate". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  25. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Prince – Ultimate". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  26. ↑ "Portuguesecharts.com – Prince – Ultimate". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  27. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  28. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Prince – Ultimate". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  29. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Prince – Ultimate". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
  30. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  31. ↑ "Beyonce Earns Sixth No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart With 'Lemonade'". Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  32. ↑ "CAPIF Rankings Mensual" (in Spanish). CAPIF. Archived from the original (Select "Mayo 2016") on May 11, 2013. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
  33. ↑ "UK Year-End Charts 2007" (PDF). Official Charts Company. ChartsPlus. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  34. ↑ "Danish album certifications – Prince – Ultimate Prince". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved September 11, 2019. Scroll through the page-list below until year 2016 to obtain certification.
  35. ↑ "New Zealand album certifications – Prince – Ultimate Prince". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved May 20, 2016.
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