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Thread started 09/08/16 7:46pm

26ten

NPG Music Club Tracks

Hey all - I saw a somewhat recent thread on these but for some reason it looked like they were closed, or at least I didn't seem to be able to post a reply for some reason so I'm starting this new thread. Sorry if this is redundant.

There are only a few things that I don't own for official studio releases of Prince. These remaining ones I've held off on - strictly because I won't get to see a new studio album with Prince around to give his blessing. Because of this I don't want to finish the collection yet - that would be too much finality for me just yet.

However, I'm thinking about Chocolate Invasion and Slaughterhouse a lot lately.

Even before he died the price for these was just ridiculous, but I'm getting more and more curious about them. I have a feeling that most people here will tell me they're solid but not worth the current eBay price.

I mean, people are selling burned copies for $40+ it's insane.

Thoughts on these albums in particular? It's strange for me to think they were even released as actual studio albums - so many fans aren't even aware of them. They're like little secrets, and I've honestly loved every single Prince album I've ever heard - I'm sure I'll love these too.

Am I missing out? Need some advice.

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Reply #1 posted 09/08/16 8:07pm

Doozer

avatar

Any copy of these albums on ebay are bootlegs.
.
You can buy the albums legitimately from Tidal. This is the only way to buy these releases and have the money go to the estate as it should.
.

The Chocolate Invasion
http://tidal.com/us/store...m/50828396
.
The Slaughterhouse
http://tidal.com/us/store...m/50835835

.

My advice - buy them both in FLAC, make a reliable backup of them, and decide when and where you want to listen to them.

Check out The Mountains and the Sea, a Prince podcast by yours truly and my wife. More info at https://www.facebook.com/TMATSPodcast/
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #2 posted 09/08/16 10:56pm

databank

avatar

Doozer said:

Any copy of these albums on ebay are bootlegs.
.
You can buy the albums legitimately from Tidal. This is the only way to buy these releases and have the money go to the estate as it should.
.

The Chocolate Invasion
http://tidal.com/us/store...m/50828396
.
The Slaughterhouse
http://tidal.com/us/store...m/50835835

.

My advice - buy them both in FLAC, make a reliable backup of them, and decide when and where you want to listen to them.

TCI on Tidal is a different configuration than the original release, though nod

A COMPREHENSIVE PRINCE DISCOGRAPHY (work in progress ^^): https://sites.google.com/...scography/
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Reply #3 posted 09/08/16 10:58pm

WhisperingDand
elions

avatar

1) Absolutely essential (and great) albums. I prefer The Chocolate Invasion to most of the 90s stuff.

2) Never pressed to CD. Ever. Only released and available digitally.

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Reply #4 posted 09/08/16 10:59pm

WhisperingDand
elions

avatar

databank said:

TCI on Tidal is a different configuration than the original release, though nod

Very true. I'll always prefer the original version of "The Dance" to the "My Medallion" swap.

[Edited 9/8/16 22:59pm]

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Reply #5 posted 09/09/16 11:33am

databank

avatar

WhisperingDandelions said:

databank said:

TCI on Tidal is a different configuration than the original release, though nod

Very true. I'll always prefer the original version of "The Dance" to the "My Medallion" swap.

[Edited 9/8/16 22:59pm]

I love both tracks equally, actually at the time I was totally pissed MM was left out, but now to me the "real" album is the one with TD, because it was the one that got released. Interestingly though the Tidal version is the scrapped, originally planned for release, version.

A COMPREHENSIVE PRINCE DISCOGRAPHY (work in progress ^^): https://sites.google.com/...scography/
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Reply #6 posted 09/09/16 11:42am

fortuneandsere
ndipity

I've heard everything he's done and these are his worst 2 albums imo. I only love 4 tracks and a few others are good, but most of the songs are 2/5. So they don't sound like proper Prince albums to me.

The world's problems like climate change can only be solved through strategic long-term thinking, not expediency. In other words all the govts. need sacking!

If you can add value to someone's life then why not. Especially if it colors their days...
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Reply #7 posted 09/09/16 11:56am

darkroman

These are not albums - just compilations.

.

neutral

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Reply #8 posted 09/10/16 2:05am

rob1965

avatar

databank said:

Doozer said:

Any copy of these albums on ebay are bootlegs.
.
You can buy the albums legitimately from Tidal. This is the only way to buy these releases and have the money go to the estate as it should.
.

The Chocolate Invasion
http://tidal.com/us/store...m/50828396
.
The Slaughterhouse
http://tidal.com/us/store...m/50835835

.

My advice - buy them both in FLAC, make a reliable backup of them, and decide when and where you want to listen to them.

TCI on Tidal is a different configuration than the original release, though nod

Yup, the artwork is from the first configuration, the TIDAL download doesn't match that one.

'Liberate My Mind'
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Reply #9 posted 09/10/16 2:08am

rob1965

avatar

Doozer said:

Any copy of these albums on ebay are bootlegs.
.
You can buy the albums legitimately from Tidal. This is the only way to buy these releases and have the money go to the estate as it should.
.

The Chocolate Invasion
http://tidal.com/us/store...m/50828396
.
The Slaughterhouse
http://tidal.com/us/store...m/50835835

.

My advice - buy them both in FLAC, make a reliable backup of them, and decide when and where you want to listen to them.

Yes, a back-up is always a good idea. I always burn anything on cd (I'm old fashioned I guess) and I always make a back up in the cloud. Just in case anything goes wrong in what way ever, I can always get back to that back-up.

'Liberate My Mind'
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Reply #10 posted 09/10/16 4:37am

Doozer

avatar

rob1965 said:



Doozer said:


Any copy of these albums on ebay are bootlegs.
.
You can buy the albums legitimately from Tidal. This is the only way to buy these releases and have the money go to the estate as it should.
.


The Chocolate Invasion
http://tidal.com/us/store...m/50828396
.
The Slaughterhouse
http://tidal.com/us/store...m/50835835


.


My advice - buy them both in FLAC, make a reliable backup of them, and decide when and where you want to listen to them.




Yes, a back-up is always a good idea. I always burn anything on cd (I'm old fashioned I guess) and I always make a back up in the cloud. Just in case anything goes wrong in what way ever, I can always get back to that back-up.



I have taken to storing one copy of files on a USB stick, another in the cloud. A 32 or 64 USB stick is faster than CDs (and no more expensive) and allows me to move files around after backing them up to keep related / same-era files together as things are added. Supposedly the my have a longer shelf life, too.
Check out The Mountains and the Sea, a Prince podcast by yours truly and my wife. More info at https://www.facebook.com/TMATSPodcast/
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Reply #11 posted 09/10/16 8:33am

databank

avatar

darkroman said:

These are not albums - just compilations.

.

neutral

Nonsense. Prince assembled those albums with as much care as he did any other, putting songs together in a way to make cohesive ensembles. The fact that most songs had been released before (albeit not all in the exact same form) does not make these albums "mere" compilations in the sense of, say, a greatest hits package.

A COMPREHENSIVE PRINCE DISCOGRAPHY (work in progress ^^): https://sites.google.com/...scography/
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Reply #12 posted 09/10/16 9:10am

26ten

I didn't know you could straight up buy them on Tidal - thought it was streaming only whaaaaaaat

Oh man that is frustrating - those people selling copies are all probably just people who have bought it on Tidal and are burning CDs now.

Gonna hit up Tidal today then - ah man I'm glad I made this post.

Thank you everyone!

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Reply #13 posted 09/10/16 9:36am

26ten

Already bought. Oh man - this is so glorious. Been wanting these for SO long. Gonna grab the instrumental albums too. Oh no haha wallet is crying and I just don't care haha

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Reply #14 posted 09/10/16 10:14am

rob1965

avatar

26ten said:

I didn't know you could straight up buy them on Tidal - thought it was streaming only whaaaaat



Oh man that is frustrating - those people selling copies are all probably just people who have bought it on Tidal and are burning CDs now.



Gonna hit up Tidal today then - ah man I'm glad I made this post.



Thank you everyone!



You can download them as mp3 or flac. €9,99 for The Slaughterhouse, as well as The Choc Invasion. Same goes for albums like N.E.W.S. (But you'll miss out on the fantastic art work).
The only albums that are more expensive are One Nite Alone...Live and The Crystall Ball. Enjoy the downloads!
'Liberate My Mind'
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Reply #15 posted 09/10/16 10:48am

feeluupp

whats the story with the SILVERLINE RECORDS digipack release of CHOCOLATE INVASION, SLAUGHTERHOUSE, C-NOTE, XPECTATION?

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Reply #16 posted 09/10/16 11:04am

26ten

Is the difference pretty apparent in audio quality between flacc and MP3? Bought them as MP3s without thinking and just noticed that as of know the flacc versions are like $18 as opposed to $10 for the MP3. Is there really... you know - an $8 difference in audio quality?

I should have asked beforehand but damn was I excited haha

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Reply #17 posted 09/10/16 3:18pm

fortuneandsere
ndipity

26ten said:

Is the difference pretty apparent in audio quality between flacc and MP3? Bought them as MP3s without thinking and just noticed that as of know the flacc versions are like $18 as opposed to $10 for the MP3. Is there really... you know - an $8 difference in audio quality?

I should have asked beforehand but damn was I excited haha

There is absolutely no difference in quality between high quality MP3 and flac/cd. Noone's been able to tell the difference in blind tests, period. You're simply wasting your money on the uncompressed versions, so count it as money saved.

The world's problems like climate change can only be solved through strategic long-term thinking, not expediency. In other words all the govts. need sacking!

If you can add value to someone's life then why not. Especially if it colors their days...
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #18 posted 09/10/16 3:23pm

fortuneandsere
ndipity

darkroman said:

These are not albums - just compilations.

.

neutral

They were defined as volumes on Prince's website, so technically i don't think they should qualify as albums.


Would you happen to know if fans/fams got to vote on what tracks should be included?

[Edited 9/10/16 15:23pm]

The world's problems like climate change can only be solved through strategic long-term thinking, not expediency. In other words all the govts. need sacking!

If you can add value to someone's life then why not. Especially if it colors their days...
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #19 posted 09/10/16 7:32pm

bigtimefan

avatar

Doozer said:

Any copy of these albums on ebay are bootlegs.
.
You can buy the albums legitimately from Tidal. This is the only way to buy these releases and have the money go to the estate as it should.
.

The Chocolate Invasion
http://tidal.com/us/store...m/50828396
.
The Slaughterhouse
http://tidal.com/us/store...m/50835835

.

My advice - buy them both in FLAC, make a reliable backup of them, and decide when and where you want to listen to them.

Thanks so much for posting this! I've never been to Tidal. Love that you can sample the tracks.

I'm old school and like physical c.d.'s but this will do! Can you tell me what is the difference between MP3 and FLAC downloads?

Also, do I need to be a Tidal member to buy them?

TIA

Eventually every cloud runs out of rain.
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Reply #20 posted 09/10/16 7:59pm

databank

avatar

feeluupp said:

whats the story with the SILVERLINE RECORDS digipack release of CHOCOLATE INVASION, SLAUGHTERHOUSE, C-NOTE, XPECTATION?

Here's your story: https://en.wikipedia.org/..._recording

A COMPREHENSIVE PRINCE DISCOGRAPHY (work in progress ^^): https://sites.google.com/...scography/
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Reply #21 posted 09/10/16 8:02pm

databank

avatar

fortuneandserendipity said:

darkroman said:

These are not albums - just compilations.

.

neutral

They were defined as volumes on Prince's website, so technically i don't think they should qualify as albums.


Would you happen to know if fans/fams got to vote on what tracks should be included?

[Edited 9/10/16 15:23pm]

"Volumes"? They were pretty much defined as studio albums on P's online NPGMC discography, being on par with other studio albums. I believe Prince was the one to decide whether his own releases are albums or not, and he obviously considered those as being albums. End of story.

A COMPREHENSIVE PRINCE DISCOGRAPHY (work in progress ^^): https://sites.google.com/...scography/
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Reply #22 posted 09/10/16 8:38pm

Doozer

avatar

bigtimefan said:



Doozer said:


Any copy of these albums on ebay are bootlegs.
.
You can buy the albums legitimately from Tidal. This is the only way to buy these releases and have the money go to the estate as it should.
.


The Chocolate Invasion
http://tidal.com/us/store...m/50828396
.
The Slaughterhouse
http://tidal.com/us/store...m/50835835


.


My advice - buy them both in FLAC, make a reliable backup of them, and decide when and where you want to listen to them.




Thanks so much for posting this! I've never been to Tidal. Love that you can sample the tracks.


I'm old school and like physical c.d.'s but this will do! Can you tell me what is the difference between MP3 and FLAC downloads?


Also, do I need to be a Tidal member to buy them?


TIA


.
You do not need a Tidal membership to purchase and download any albums Tidal offers.
.
FLAC is supposedly uncompressed, lossless versions of the tracks (same quality as you would find on a pressed CD).
.
MP3 is supposedly downsampled from the original lossless versions. Smaller file sizes, but with data missing from the files to achieve a smaller file size.
.
With FLAC files, you could burn to a CD without any loss of quality. With MP3s, you'd be starting with files of lesser quality.
.
Exactly how "lossless" the FLAC files are on Tidal and whether or not the audio quality is discernable is up for debate. But if I was purchasing today, I'd spend the extra money to have the FLAC files. It's the only place to get them and lossless files weren't even an option when the original albums were released in the NPG Music Club. You can convert the FLAC files to MP3 if desired, but always save the original FLAC files.

.
These albums / compilations / volumes were never released on pressed CDs, so download is your only option. Any CD you find for sale of these is a bootleg.
[Edited 9/10/16 20:40pm]
Check out The Mountains and the Sea, a Prince podcast by yours truly and my wife. More info at https://www.facebook.com/TMATSPodcast/
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Reply #23 posted 09/10/16 9:09pm

feeluupp

databank said:

feeluupp said:

whats the story with the SILVERLINE RECORDS digipack release of CHOCOLATE INVASION, SLAUGHTERHOUSE, C-NOTE, XPECTATION?

Here's your story: https://en.wikipedia.org/..._recording

so where in that link does it explain about silverline records

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Reply #24 posted 09/10/16 9:41pm

databank

avatar

feeluupp said:

databank said:

Here's your story: https://en.wikipedia.org/..._recording

so where in that link does it explain about silverline records

It's a bootlegs label, what more do u want? https://www.discogs.com/f...lverline-2

A COMPREHENSIVE PRINCE DISCOGRAPHY (work in progress ^^): https://sites.google.com/...scography/
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Reply #25 posted 09/10/16 9:50pm

feeluupp

databank said:

feeluupp said:

so where in that link does it explain about silverline records

It's a bootlegs label, what more do u want? https://www.discogs.com/f...lverline-2

yes i know it's a bootleg label.

i wanted to know what the deal or history of silverline records was with their relase of those prince albums...

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Reply #26 posted 09/11/16 12:48am

databank

avatar

feeluupp said:

databank said:

It's a bootlegs label, what more do u want? https://www.discogs.com/f...lverline-2

yes i know it's a bootleg label.

i wanted to know what the deal or history of silverline records was with their relase of those prince albums...

I'm not sure I understand ur question. If u look at their discography the deal seems to be the same as every other similar "label", i.e. make quick cash on the back of naive fans by selling out of print and/or digital only official releases, as well as outtakes and shows that are available for free download online. I can't figure out what's so special about them that u want to know anything more than that. What in the world else could there be to know? eek

[Edited 9/11/16 0:48am]

A COMPREHENSIVE PRINCE DISCOGRAPHY (work in progress ^^): https://sites.google.com/...scography/
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Reply #27 posted 09/11/16 3:15am

fortuneandsere
ndipity

databank said:

fortuneandserendipity said:

They were defined as volumes on Prince's website, so technically i don't think they should qualify as albums.


Would you happen to know if fans/fams got to vote on what tracks should be included?

[Edited 9/10/16 15:23pm]

"Volumes"? They were pretty much defined as studio albums on P's online NPGMC discography, being on par with other studio albums. I believe Prince was the one to decide whether his own releases are albums or not, and he obviously considered those as being albums. End of story.

Right, I don't remember but it doesn't give off album vibe to me when the front says 'volume'. There is external criteria on what constitutes LPs, EPs and the like. CI, TS didn't get a CD release, so maybe not end of story. Neither did Xpectation to be fair. But then Rave In2 the Joy Fantastic, New Power Soul, even Kamasutra all got a CD release. (I know you're going to say remix album, NPG album and NPG orchestra album- But hey Prince wrote all the music). NPS I believe at the time Prince intended as a Prince album, musically speaking. It was a way of circumventing the Warners contract, the band contributing less compositionally than on the other two NPG efforts.

The world's problems like climate change can only be solved through strategic long-term thinking, not expediency. In other words all the govts. need sacking!

If you can add value to someone's life then why not. Especially if it colors their days...
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #28 posted 09/11/16 3:20am

databank

avatar

fortuneandserendipity said:

databank said:

"Volumes"? They were pretty much defined as studio albums on P's online NPGMC discography, being on par with other studio albums. I believe Prince was the one to decide whether his own releases are albums or not, and he obviously considered those as being albums. End of story.

Right, I don't remember but it doesn't give off album vibe to me when the front says 'volume'. There is external criteria on what constitutes LPs, EPs and the like. CI, TS didn't get a CD release, so maybe not end of story. Neither did Xpectation to be fair. But then Rave In2 the Joy Fantastic, New Power Soul, even Kamasutra all got a CD release. (I know you're going to say remix album, NPG album and NPG orchestra album- But hey Prince wrote all the music). NPS I believe at the time Prince intended as a Prince album, musically speaking. It was a way of circumventing the Warners contract, the band contributing less compositionally than on the other two NPG efforts.

Digital releases are considered albums as much as physical releases. Format was never a criteria.

I've always believed NPS was a "NPG" album because P and Larry had a trip to release their albums at GCS and NPG instread of LG and prince, but this is pure speculation from my part. However it cannot possibly have anything to do with WB since we're in 1998. Also, people tend to overestimate the band's contributions on GD and Exodus: while they were maybe playing more on those 2 than on NPS, their involvement in terms of composition and concept was pretty much void, they didn't have a say on those projects any more than on NPS.

A COMPREHENSIVE PRINCE DISCOGRAPHY (work in progress ^^): https://sites.google.com/...scography/
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Reply #29 posted 09/11/16 3:52am

fortuneandsere
ndipity

databank said:

fortuneandserendipity said:

Right, I don't remember but it doesn't give off album vibe to me when the front says 'volume'. There is external criteria on what constitutes LPs, EPs and the like. CI, TS didn't get a CD release, so maybe not end of story. Neither did Xpectation to be fair. But then Rave In2 the Joy Fantastic, New Power Soul, even Kamasutra all got a CD release. (I know you're going to say remix album, NPG album and NPG orchestra album- But hey Prince wrote all the music). NPS I believe at the time Prince intended as a Prince album, musically speaking. It was a way of circumventing the Warners contract, the band contributing less compositionally than on the other two NPG efforts.

Digital releases are considered albums as much as physical releases. Format was never a criteria.

I've always believed NPS was a "NPG" album because P and Larry had a trip to release their albums at GCS and NPG instread of LG and prince, but this is pure speculation from my part. However it cannot possibly have anything to do with WB since we're in 1998. Also, people tend to overestimate the band's contributions on GD and Exodus: while they were maybe playing more on those 2 than on NPS, their involvement in terms of composition and concept was pretty much void, they didn't have a say on those projects any more than on NPS.

Well, to me if digital releases don't get CD release at some point, then there's a problem. Probably liquidity. The format should matter. This is why so many bands struggle to get widespread publicity- 'it's like we've done 7 digital LPs but still nobody knows who we are!' Just speculating, but maybe Prince thought at the last moment, this shit ain't good enough to get the full release! (they were intended for CD at one point). So he released Musicology instead, the others being afterthoughts.



He still had to fulfil the WB contract with one more release, hence Old Friends for Sale in '99. Warners were apparently pissed at Prince in '96 for releasing Emancipation through EMI.



Conventional wisdom has it GN and Exodus had a lot of NPG input. If I were Prince I would have included Kamasutra and NPS in the catalogue but that's just me.

The world's problems like climate change can only be solved through strategic long-term thinking, not expediency. In other words all the govts. need sacking!

If you can add value to someone's life then why not. Especially if it colors their days...
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
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