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.
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. It remained on the chart for sixteen weeks.
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.
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. Almost one year later, it re-entered at number 6 during the week of August 11, 2007. 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. Ultimate remained on the UK Albums Chart for twenty seven weeks. It was certified platinum by the BPI on January 24, 2014, denoting shipments of 300,000 units.
Track listing
Personnel
Adapted from the AllMusic credits.
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