Listen to the title track, featuring Tal Wilkenfeld on bass, now
(Image credit: Kevin Mazur)
A never-before-heard Prince album, Welcome 2 America, has been scheduled for release on July 30.
Originally recorded in 2010, Welcome 2 America addresses Prince’s views on society, political division, disinformation and racial justice.
Ahead of the release, the album’s title track has been unveiled. A typically slinky arrangement of synth and bass – courtesy of bass guitar phenom Tal Wilkenfeld – Welcome 2 America sees the Purple One deliver a spoken-word vocal alongside some trademark wah vamping.
Although the album didn’t receive an official release back in 2010, shortly after its completion, Prince embarked on a tour of the same name, which included his ‘21 Night Stand’ at The Forum in Inglewood, California. The Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster Prince had made for the tour was sold at auction last year.
The new album release will be available in a number of formats, including a deluxe edition on CD and black vinyl, which includes a previously unreleased full concert video of Prince’s April 28, 2011 show at The Forum, as well as recreations of Welcome 2 America era ephemera, including an art print, poster, replica setlist, ticket, VIP invitation and backstage pass.
(Image credit: Mike Ruiz)
As well as Wilkenfeld, musicians performing alongside Prince on Welcome 2 America include drummer Chris Coleman and Morris Hayes on keys and percussion, as well as vocals from New Power Generation singers Liv Warfield, Shelby J. and Elisa Fiorillo.
Welcome 2 America is available to preorder now. The album’s full tracklisting is below:
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Prince – Welcome 2 America
Welcome 2 America
Running Game (Son of a Slave Master)
Born 2 Die
1000 Light Years From Here
Hot Summer
Stand Up and B Strong [Soul Asylum cover]
Check The Record
Same Page, Different Book
When She Comes
1010 (Rin Tin Tin)
Yes
One Day We Will All B Free
Prince – Welcome 2 America (Live at The Forum, April 28, 2011)
Joy In Repetition
Brown Skin (India.Arie cover)
17 Days
Shhh
Controversy
Theme From “Which Way Is Up” (Stargard cover)
What Have You Done For Me Lately (Janet Jackson cover)
Partyman
Make You Feel My Love (Bob Dylan cover)
Misty Blue (Eddy Arnold cover)
Let’s Go Crazy
Delirious
1999
Little Red Corvette
Purple Rain
The Bird (The Time cover – Prince composition)
Jungle Love (The Time cover – Prince composition)
A Love Bizarre (Sheila E. cover – Prince composition)
Kiss
Play That Funky Music (Wild Cherry cover)
Inglewood Swinging (cover of Kool & the Gang’s “Hollywood Swinging”)
Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and over a decade's experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.
