It's official: Billboard article on Sony/Columbia releasing Musicology April 20th-Updated

http://www.billboard.com/.../index.jsp

Sony To Release New Prince Album
March 23, 2004
Prince has signed a P&D deal with Sony Music Entertainment, which will issue his "Musicology" album on April 20, sources say. The album, which will likely carry an $18.98 list price, should prove an interesting sell at stores, since the artist is also giving away the album for free as part of the ticket price for fans who attend his concerts.


P.S. i got this from billboard, but as I was bout to post it to housequake, it was already posted there.


Updated: http://www.billboard.com/...1000469910


Prince Inks With Columbia, Expands Tour

Columbia Records has completed a deal to release "Musicology," the new album from Prince, Billboard.com has learned. The deal brings Prince back into the major label fold for the first time since his 1999 album "Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic," released by Arista. In 2001, he pacted with Sony's Red Distribution for the album "The Rainbow Children." Sources say the new deal offers Columbia the possibility to work with Prince on future releases.

Meanwhile, Prince's Musicology tour has grown to include a July 12-14 stand at New York's Madison Square Garden, a return trip to Los Angeles' Staples Center and a June 16-17 engagement at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn., near the artist's Minneapolis homebase. Tickets for nearly every show are on sale via Ticketmaster.

As previously reported, the trek will be presented in the round and will find Prince performing full versions of some of his classic hits for what he claims is the final time.

Prince's March 29 concert at Los Angeles' Staples Center will be broadcast live to select U.S. Regal Entertainment Group movie theaters in 43 cities. The $15 ticket price includes a copy of "Musicology."
[This message was edited Tue Mar 23 15:42:48 2004 by jseven]

P&D = Piss-on & Destroy?



Isnt the free CD at the concerts just the single? Cant see him giving away the album, he needs the $$$ for Mani's new hat!
[This message was edited Tue Mar 23 13:42:20 2004 by jagshrapnel]

p & d= press & distribute
[This message was edited Tue Mar 23 13:59:15 2004 by jseven]

jagshrapnel said:

P&D = Piss-on & Destroy?



Isnt the free CD at the concerts just the single? Cant see him giving away the album, he needs the $$$ for Mani's new hat!
[This message was edited Tue Mar 23 13:42:20 2004 by jagshrapnel]

The cd given away at the concerts and simulcast movie theater shows is the whole album. That's why the simulcast shows are $15.00 instead of the usual $8.50 movie price. The cost of the cd is included in there. Probably included in the concerts ticket price as well, as was discussed earlier when all this came about. Everybody involved is gonna make their money. Sony definitely would not have put their $$ in if they saw no potential for profit. Contrary to what some folks may think here, I believe that Prince has put a lot of thought into 2004, and he's probably gonna have a frickin' party (cha-CHING!)with his accountant (cha-CHING!) after all is said and done .

OdysseyMiles said:

I read on www.velvetrope.com that Sony also takes over the catalogue from WB and will remaster the lot, but personally i don't blieve that for a second. Anyone?

i just talked to a buddy at columbia and they said that everyone is psyched about the new single.. and contrary to what i have read in some corners the warner bros. catalog did not come with him.

yeah it has 2 b the ful album. He didnt need Sony 2 release them via the NPG, it doesnt need a barcode on it. I dunno.

Hope Sony do/did get the back catalog - theyre fast-ish at getting stuff remastered onto SACD, altho WB did a stellar job with Fleetwood Mac's Rumours 24/96 remaster.

So George Michael leaves Sony and goes to the Internet and Prince leaves Internet and goes to Sony, who saw that coming?

By all accounts, this isn't a record deal in the regular sense. This is an Emancipation/Rave type distribution/promtion deal.

Presumably based on this release only?

Title track to be released to radio on Monday.

http://www.usatoday.com/l...lbum_x.htm

Now the question is:
What kind of bonus material will be included on the Sony release?

He can't just give away tens of thousands of albums. There has to be something that will make the Sony release special. Ya know, something that will make us want to buy it again.

http://www.mdexrecordings.com
http://www.soundclick.com...ndID=96013

http://www.myspace.com/djmarcdeon

U get a Jehova pamphlet with the CD

SpcMs said:

Okay, Excellent - Anyone know what kind of style this cd will be?

facedown7 said:

Okay, Excellent - Anyone know what kind of style this cd will be?

Someone 2 xplain the meanin' of "P & D" deal, please?????

packaging and distribution

facedown7 said:

Okay, Excellent - Anyone know what kind of style this cd will be?

The "first" single....hmmmm

I am impressed that there have been no leaks as to what is on this CD, aside from the title track of course. Will we be pleasantly surprised, or expectedly disappointed? (this is a tough crowd U know)

Just hope it's funky funky funky -

no more jazz or piano solo stuff -

it's time to get back to the FUNK!

Yeah , its too tough.

I am impressed with Prince and the ability to walk off the street and release an album.Clearly the folks see some potential in the album and hopefully do it "right".

However ! Prince can release the next Purple Rain, SOTT, 1999 and people here will cry,bitch,and moan because ...."it wasn't like_____!"


Peace to Prince !

Oh yeah, some people keep wanting Purple Rain and 1999 over and over again. And it just isn't going to happen

I think this is great news!

YES it is excellent news - long over due

marcdeondotcom said:

jagshrapnel said:

U get a Jehova pamphlet with the CD

marcdeondotcom said:

Now the question is:
What kind of bonus material will be included on the Sony release?

He can't just give away tens of thousands of albums. There has to be something that will make the Sony release special. Ya know, something that will make us want to buy it again.

and the beat goes on...

I'm gettin a copy of Musicology on Monday & I can't wait 2 buy the Sony copy