The Rainbow Children album is released after being previewed in June during a Paisley Park celebration and released as a NPG Music Club download in October 🌈Although its tone was divisive amongst some of the purple community the album features some stand out tracks and its supporting tour, One Nite Alone is seen by many as one of Prince’s best.
"The Rainbow Children" is Prince's 24th full-length studio album. Released globally in November 2001, it came two years after "Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic" and five months following "The Very Best Of Prince" compilation album. A month prior, it was made available as an untracked single audio file, known as NPG Music Club Edition No.9, replacing the usual monthly NPG Ahdio shows and downloads for October. The album's first unveiling occurred at the Celebration festival held in June 2001 at Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, USA, where Prince gathered audience feedback post-playback. Redline Entertainment handled the worldwide distribution of the album.
Album sessions took place in late 2000 and early 2001 at Paisley Park Studios. Horns were added to five of the tracks in February 2001.
The album was primarily a solo effort by Prince, with John Blackwell contributing drums to the majority of the tracks, debuting on a Prince album. Larry Graham played bass on "The Work Pt. 1" and "Last December." The Hornheadz added their touch to five tracks, while Najee featured on saxophone and flute for several songs. Milenia, Kip Blackshire, Mr. Hayes, and Femi Jiya provided background vocals and spoken segments throughout the album.
Storyline
The album begins with a narrative delivered in a distorted, low voice by Prince, a feature that persists across several tracks. It sets the stage for the tale of the "Rainbow Children," who embark on the mission to establish a new nation, guided by a precise comprehension of God and His laws. "The Wise One" and his partner face temptation by "The Resistor," as was foretold. The partner yields to temptation and, along with five others, is exiled from the realm, thus becoming "The Banished Ones." This narrative was long believed to be an allegory for Prince's separation from his first wife, Mayte, a theory she confirmed in her 2017 biography, "The Most Beautiful."
The Wise One placed his faith in God to provide him with another companion (referring to Prince's future second wife, Manuela Testolini). The phrase "Rainbow Children" appears to denote a collective that has reached a form of spiritual awakening, "soaring on the wings of the New Translation" (presumably alluding to the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures utilized by Jehovah's Witnesses, the denomination Prince was a member of during the recording period).
The Banished Ones seize control of the world, save for the palace of the Rainbow Children, which they encircle with a "digital garden" in an attempt to dethrone The Wise One, the ruler of the Rainbow Children. Ultimately, The Wise One performs an "invisible deed," prompting The Banished Ones to retreat to their birthplace, "Menda City," a pun on "mendacity."
The Rainbow Children are prepared to go door-to-door to find those ready to undertake the task of dismantling the digital garden. The Wise One entices "The Muse," who is destined to become his wife, into "the sensual everafter." He imparts to her a "seed of knowledge," prompting her to declare, "1 plus 1 plus 1 equals 3." The Banished Ones are expelled by the Rainbow Children, who then dismantle the digital garden. With the garden's removal, "the haze was finally lifted," and it became clear that no one could claim the treasures of the Rainbow Children. The Muse awakens as a queen, culminating in her marriage to The Wise One.
The narrative concludes in 'The Everlasting Now,' with the narrator proclaiming, "From this day forward, until time indefinite, those who love Christ shall reap the benefits. All the players' ice fused into a single platinum chain, which spiraled downward and trickled into the drain."
The album featured a commercially-released single, "The Work Part 1," which debuted six months before the album without any mention of the album in its artwork. Additionally, two promotional singles, "She Loves Me 4 Me" and "Last December," were distributed to radio stations. To promote the album, Prince embarked on the extensive One Nite Alone... Tour across North America, Europe, and Japan, primarily showcasing songs from the album, despite the tour being named after a subsequent release.
The album peaked at number 109 on The Billboard 200 and at number 33 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. However, it achieved greater success on the Billboard Independent Chart, securing the 4th position and staying on the chart for 17 weeks.
Outside of the USA, The Rainbow Children failed to chart, except in Japan and France.
On 29 May 2020, The Prince Estate reissued the album through Sony’s Legacy Recordings. The re-release included 'One Nite Alone...', 'One Nite Alone... Live!', and 'One Nite Alone... The Aftershow: It Ain’t Over!' on vinyl. Additionally, a 4CD+DVD box set titled 'Up All Nite With Prince - The One Nite Alone Collection' was released, featuring the aforementioned albums and the 'Live At The Aladdin Las Vegas' DVD.
Track Listings
CD
The CD version represents the initial retail release.
Rainbow Children (10:04)
Muse 2 The Pharaoh (4:21)
Digital Garden (4:07)
The Work Pt. 1 (4:28)
Everywhere (2:55)
The Sensual Everafter (2:58)
Mellow (4:24)
1+1+1 Is 3 (5:17)
Deconstruction (2:00)
Wedding Feast (0:54)
She Loves Me 4 Me (2:50)
Family Name (8:17)
The Everlasting Now (8:18)
Last December (7:58)
untitled track (0:38) (uncredited Last December reprise)
Download
The digital version is considered the original issue.
The Rainbow Children (68:49)
Includes the below tracks in continuous sequence:
Rainbow Children (10:04)
Muse 2 The Pharaoh (4:21)
Digital Garden (4:07)
The Work Pt. 1 (4:28)
Everywhere (2:55)
The Sensual Everafter (2:58)
Mellow (4:24)
1+1+1 Is 3 (5:17)
Deconstruction (2:00)
Wedding Feast (0:54)
She Loves Me 4 Me (2:50)
Family Name (8:17)
The Everlasting Now (8:18)
Last December (7:58)
untitled track (0:38) (uncredited Last December reprise)
LP
The vinyl long play format was not released at the same time as the CD.
Side 1:
Rainbow Children (10:04)
Muse 2 The Pharaoh (4:21)
Digital Garden (4:07)
Side 2:
The Work Pt. 1 (4:28)
Everywhere (2:55)
The Sensual Everafter (2:58)
Mellow (4:24)
Side 3:
1+1+1 Is 3 (5:17)
Deconstruction (2:00)
Wedding Feast (0:54)
She Loves Me 4 Me (2:50)
Family Name (8:17)
Side 4:
The Everlasting Now (8:18)
Last December (7:58)
untitled track (0:38) (uncredited Last December reprise)
Cassette
The cassette Long Play (LP) format was released at the same time as the CD.
Side 1:
Rainbow Children (10:04)
Muse 2 The Pharaoh (4:21)
Digital Garden (4:07)
The Work Pt. 1 (4:28)
Everywhere (2:55)
The Sensual Everafter (2:58)
Mellow (4:24)
Side 2:
1+1+1 Is 3 (5:17)
Deconstruction (2:00)
Wedding Feast (0:54)
She Loves Me 4 Me (2:50)
Family Name (8:17)
The Everlasting Now (8:18)
Last December (7:58)
untitled track (0:38) (uncredited Last December reprise)
Musicians
Prince - all vocals and instruments, except where noted (credited as "All other instruments - digital or otherwise, lead and co-lead vox, percussion and sound FX per4med by Prince ...and U.")
John Blackwell - drums on Rainbow Children, Muse 2 The Pharaoh, Digital Garden, The Work Pt. 1, Everywhere, The Sensual Everafter, Mellow, 1+1+1 Is 3, Deconstruction, She Loves Me 4 Me, Family Name, The Everlasting Now and Last December(credited as "John Blackwell, the Magnificent")
Najee - soprano saxophone on Rainbow Children, flute on Rainbow Children and Mellow (credited for "soprano sax appeal & flute")
Niyoki White - background vocals on Rainbow Children, The Work Pt. 1, 1+1+1 Is 3, Wedding Feast and Last December, background shouts on Digital Garden and Deconstruction, co-lead vocals on Everywhere (credited collectively as Milenia)
Mikele White - background vocals on Rainbow Children, The Work Pt. 1, 1+1+1 Is 3, Wedding Feast and Last December, background shouts on Digital Garden and Deconstruction, co-lead vocals on Everywhere (credited collectively as Milenia)
Tia White - background vocals on Rainbow Children, The Work Pt. 1, 1+1+1 Is 3, Wedding Feast and Last December, background shouts on Digital Garden and Deconstruction, co-lead vocals on Everywhere (credited collectively as Milenia)
Malikah White - background vocals on Rainbow Children, The Work Pt. 1, 1+1+1 Is 3, Wedding Feast and Last December, background shouts on Digital Garden and Deconstruction, co-lead vocals on Everywhere (credited collectively as Milenia)
Clare Fischer - orchestration on Rainbow Children (assumed, sampled)
Kip Blackshire - background shouts on Digital Garden and Deconstruction, background vocals on The Work Pt. 1 and 1+1+1 Is 3, co-lead vocals on Wedding Feast
Mr. Hayes - spoken vocals on Family Name
Femi Jiya - spoken vocals on Family Name
Larry Graham - bass guitar on The Work Pt. 1 and Last December
Michael B. Nelson - trombone on The Work Pt. 1, Everywhere, Mellow and The Everlasting Now (credited collectively as The Hornheadz)
Kathy Jensen - baritone saxophone on The Work Pt. 1, Everywhere, Mellow and The Everlasting Now (credited collectively as The Hornheadz)
Dave Jensen - trumpet on The Work Pt. 1, Everywhere, Mellow and The Everlasting Now (credited collectively as The Hornheadz)
Brian Gallagher - tenor saxophone on The Work Pt. 1, Everywhere, Mellow and The Everlasting Now (credited collectively as The Hornheadz)
Steve Strand - trumpet on The Work Pt. 1, Everywhere, Mellow and The Everlasting Now (credited collectively as The Hornheadz)
Production
Prince - producer and arranger (no production credits officially given)
Femi Jiya - engineer
Brian Gardner - mastering (Bernie Grundman Mastering, Los Angeles)
Joe Lepinski - mastering assistant (Bernie Grundman Mastering, Los Angeles), Protools editing
Cbabi Bayoc - cover art and illustrations (credited as "C’Babi")
Jeremy Gavin - design
"Jr. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. License granted by Intellectual Properties Management, Atlanta, Georgia, as exclusive licensor of the King Estate."
"Strings samples courtesy of The Vault"
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