Ultimate (Prince album)

Infobox Album |
Name = Ultimate
Type = Compilation album
Artist = Prince

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Released = August 22, 2006
Recorded = 1979–1992
Genre = R&B/Funk/Rock
Length = 2:36:20
Label = Rhino
Warner Bros.
Producer = Prince
Reviews = *Allmusic Rating|3|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=&sql=10:ysjw7ip6g7xr link]
*Pitchfork rating-10|8.6 [http://pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/21053/Prince_Ultimate_Prince link]
Last album = "3121"
(2006)
This album = "Ultimate"
(2006)
Next album = "Planet Earth"
(2007)

"Ultimate" is a 2006 greatest hits compilation album featuring the work of Prince.

The two-disc set contains one disc of hits in their single edit forms, of which only "My Name Is Prince" had not been on a previous hits collection. Disc two contains ten extended remixes of hits and a B-side, most of which have only been previously released as vinyl 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 prior to 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.

Track listing

Disc one

# "I Wanna Be Your Lover" (single edit) – 2:57
# "Uptown" (single edit) – 4:09
# "Controversy" – 7:15
# "1999" (single edit) – 3:37
# "Delirious" (single edit) – 2:38
# "When Doves Cry" (single edit) – 3:47
# "I Would Die 4 U" (single version) – 2:56
# "Purple Rain" – 8:40
# "Sign 'O' the Times" (single edit) – 3:42
# "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" (single edit) – 3:39
# "Alphabet St." – 5:38
# "Diamonds and Pearls" (single edit) – 4:19
# "Gett Off" – 4:31
# "Money Don't Matter 2 Night" – 4:47
# "7" – 5:08
# "Nothing Compares 2 U (Live)" – 4:57
# "My Name Is Prince" (single edit) – 4:03

Disc two

# "Let's Go Crazy" (Special Dance Mix) – 7:36
# "Little Red Corvette" (Dance Remix) – 8:22
# "Let's Work" (Dance Remix) – 8:02
# "Pop Life" (Fresh Dance Mix) – 6:18
# "She's Always In My Hair" (12" Version) – 6:31
# "Raspberry Beret" (12" Version) – 6:34
# "Kiss" (Extended Version) – 7:16
# "U Got the Look" (Long Look) – 6:40
# "Hot Thing" (Extended Remix) – 8:30
# "Thieves in the Temple" (Remix) – 8:08
# "Cream" (N.P.G. Mix) – 4:50

Alternate version

A promo version of "Ultimate" was sent to radio stations and record stores back in the Spring of 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. It is rumored that Prince wanted certain songs such as "Erotic City" and "Sexy Mutha" removed due to harsh language.

Disc one

# "Purple Medley"
# "I Wanna Be Your Lover"
# "Uptown"
# "Controversy"
# "1999"
# "Little Red Corvette" (Dance Mix)
# "Let's Go Crazy" (Special Dance Mix)
# "Erotic City" (12" Version)
# "Purple Rain"
# "When Doves Cry"
# "I Would Die 4 U"
# "Pop Life" - (12" Fresh Dance Mix)
# "She's Always in My Hair" (12" Version)
# "Raspberry Beret" (12" Version)

Disc two

# "Kiss" (Extended Version)
# "Sign 'O' the Times"
# "U Got the Look" (Long Look)
# "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man"
# "Hot Thing" (Extended Remix)
# "Alphabet St."
# "Thieves in the Temple" (Remix)
# "Diamonds and Pearls"
# "Gett Off"
# "Money Don't Matter 2 Night"
# "Cream" (N.P.G. Mix)
# "7" (Acoustic Version)
# "Sexy Mutha"
# "Nothing Compares 2 U"
# "My Name Is Prince"