Last month I reviewed the first configuration of the New Power Generation's 1995 album "Exodus", captured on the Digital Funk Bitch release "The Exodus Has Begun". Now NPR Records has released the second early configuration of the album, from December 2, 1994. This version is drastically different from the June 19 line-up, with eight songs that were not on that early version. None of these eight songs made it to the released version of the album either, again making this a must have for Prince collectors.
Although everything here is in very good to excellent sound quality, it is pretty obvious this release was not taken from one source tape. A number of tracks clearly have better clarity than others, leading me to believe different sources were used to patch this together. It is, however, the correct tracklisting of this unreleased configuration and, unless you are listening with discerning ears through headphones, it is difficult to spot. I summarized the back story behind this album's release in my review of the first configuration, so here is a track by track review of "Exodus (V.2)":
"NPG Operator" - Just like the released version of the album, this configuration opens with this skit of Mayte instructing Prince how to free himself and his music from contractual obligations and evil record companies.
"Get Wild" - This is the exact same version as was released. So this configuration opens the same as the final album. but it definitely does not stay that way for long.
"Slave"/"Acknowledge Me" - Two separate songs but they are combined in one track. "Slave" (also known as "Slave 2 The System") is a 59 second unreleased burst of intense guitar, drums and keyboards as Sonny T. rails against a racist system. Prince re-recorded and fleshed out this song during the "Emancipation" sessions, but his version also remains unreleased. Prince did release a track called "Slave" on "Emancipation", but that is an entirely different song. This leads into "Acknowledge Me", a song Prince also recorded during sessions for "The Gold Experience". Prince's backing vocals are intact here, but Sonny T. handles the lead vocals. This is not a bad version, but Sonny cannot carry the rap at the end at all. Although retaining much of the musical elements from Prince's version, there are obvious differences on the NPG version, including a running chant under the music. This NPG version did not make the final cut, but Prince did end up releasing his superior version on the 1998 compilation "Crystal Ball".
"Super Hero" - Prince originally gave this song to Earth, Wind & Fire who released their version on the 1993 album "Millennium", but he re-recorded it with the NPG for possible inclusion on "Exodus". Prince handles the backing vocals while Sonny T. is on the lead. The ending of this track incorporates some of Billy Preston's "Outa-Space" as well. Oddly enough, a completely different version of this track, credited to the New Power Generation featuring The Steeles (who performed the vocals), was released in August of 1994 on the soundtrack to the movie "Blankman". This was the only NPG version of the song released as this one was dropped from "Exodus".
"Count" - This segue is the same as on the June configuration, slightly different from what was used on the released album as it contains an extra line of dialogue by Sonny T. that was cut for release.
"Count The Days" - As on the first configuration, this is the version that was used on the final released album.
"Sonny" - This segue is unique to this configuration of the album. Sonny T. demands to be put in the trunk of the car if "that no talkin' sorry motherfucker" Tora Tora is driving, asking "How can you see with that mask on?" This segue was not used on the released album and can only be found here.
"DJ Gets Jumped" - Another segue, but this one was used on the released album. No differences.
"New Power Soul" - A carryover from the first configuration, this song wound up on "Exodus" but in an edited version. This version is about 90 seconds longer.
"Mad" - A fantastic funk track that would have fit well on the released album but was left off. Prince is once again on backing vocals. Prince recorded his own version of this song as well, and eventually released it in 2001 as part of the first NPG Music Club series of downloads. In most cases, where there is also an existing Prince version of the song, Sonny T's vocals fall flat, but they work well on this track. It's a shame this was cut from the "Exodus" album.
"Love...Thy Will Be Done" - This Prince penned track was a Top Ten hit for Martika in 1991. Prince resurrected the song in this NPG version, with much more emphasis on heavy guitar work, much like he performed it live during this time. I love Prince's guitar playing on this, but Sonny can't pull off the vocal performance on such a tender song.
"Funky" - A cover of the 1970 song by The Chambers Brothers, that was also performed live numerous times during this era. It loses some of its energy on this studio version and it was for the best it remains unreleased. This segment of covers starts to drag this version of the album down.
"Proud Mary" - Starting with a wild stream of profanity from Sonny T. as he welcomes Derick Hughes to the album to perform co-lead vocals, this is another unnecessary cover that thankfully remains unreleased. This is the first time I have heard this in its entirety though, as other bootlegs I've had have this song cutting off abruptly at the end. This one can be left to CCR or Ike and Tina. No need for this version and it was the right decision to leave all these covers in the Vault.
"NPG Bum Rush The Ship" - Just like on the June configuration, this segue is the same as the released version other than missing a brief four second into with a voice saying "Meanwhile, somewhere in outer space."
"The Exodus Has Begun" - As on the June configuration, this is the basic version that was used for release. However, this is an earlier, rougher mix with less effects added, specifically the annoying turntable scratches that were put on the released version. It seems those scratches were specifically added over a sample they might not have gotten clearance for. Prince's electronically altered and slowed down lead vocal is also buried deeper in the mix on this version and the outro is longer and different from what was released. A song completely influenced by P-Funk, and one of Prince's funk classics to be sure. It would seem fitting this be the final song, as it was on the released album, but one last song was tacked on to the end.
"Funky Design" - Another song that Prince also recorded his own version of, and eventually released in 2001 through the NPG Music Club. The NPG version is very similar to Prince's, although this one contains a female led backing chant of "Blow your mind, blow your mind. Everybody's trippin' on the Funky Design" that Prince dropped from his version. Another great funk track that should have seen a wider release, but yet again Prince's vocals work better on this semi-rap than Sonny's do. It would have made more sense for this to appear earlier on the album also, so that "The Exodus Has Begun" closed the album out as it eventually did when released.
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