PRINCE JOINS "ROCK STEADY" CREW

NME.com - 09/25/01

No Doubt's fourth studio album, 'Rock Steady', is set to showcase a new dance-orientated direction amid a slew of special guest appearances - including Prince, NME.COM can reveal.

And having exclusively heard some of the works in progress, we can unveil that the diminutive superstar joins the band on a track entitled 'Waiting Room', bringing with him his trademark harmony arrangements.

The album's general feel sees No Doubt delving into dancehall reggae textures, with nods to electro-funk, synth pop and early-80s new wave.

"Fans are just going to be like, 'Get down!'," Gwen Stefani told NME.COM. "We wanted to make simple songs - fun, upbeat, happy songs. We're a live band first and foremost and we just wanted dance songs in our set. It's going to be great now when we go on tour."

For the full story on the album and exclusive Gwen Stefani interview, see this week's NME, issue dated September 29, for sale in London shops today and across the rest of the UK tomorrow (September 26).