Ultimate 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
Promo versions A two disc promo version of Ultimate was sent to radio stations and record stores in Spring 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. The two disc version is speculated to be the first track listing; Prince later changed the track listing to remove some of the explicit language.
Two disc promo
In-house promo sampler "Purple Medley" "I Wanna Be Your Lover" "Little Red Corvette" (Dance Mix) "Let's Go Crazy" (Special Dance Mix) "Erotic City" (12" Version) "Kiss" (Extended Version) "Money Don't Matter 2 Night" "Cream"
Charts
Weekly charts +Weekly chart performance for Ultimate Chart (2006–2016) Peak position
Monthly charts +Monthly chart performance for Ultimate Chart (2016) PeakpositionArgentine Monthly Albums (CAPIF) 9
Year-end charts +Year-end chart performance for Ultimate Chart (2007) Position UK Albums (OCC) 156
Certifications
References