About a week ago, the following was posted on alt.music.prince:



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From: ericl1973@aol.com (EricL1973)
Newsgroups: alt.music.prince
Subject: RAVEUN2THEJOYFANTASTIC... SEPT 28
Date: 10 Aug 1999 19:33:01 GMT
Message-ID: <19990810153301.16558.0000082@ng-fz1.aol.com>

Arista/NPG Records
Artist:
Title: "Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic"
Street Date: September 28, 1999

Selections:
Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic (6:22)
R U Ready? (5:12)
When It Mattered Most (3:44)
Heal U (6:02)
Blue Angels (4:12)
Church (3:09)
Everyday Is A Winding Road (5:05)
Residential (8:36)
I Need You (4:45)
Jigsaw (4:07)
The Easiest Way 2 4get (3:11)
Blass4me (6:56)
The Beginning (12:43)
I Can Love Again (6:21)

Produced arranged composed and performed by
with co production on several trax by LK, sc, Lh, JJ, tl, js and c.

first radio single (top 40 format): Jigsaw (duet w lh) - sept 9. 1999
first radio single (black.urban format) Blue Angels/Heal U- sept 13. 1999

commerically available single : jigsaw (duet w Lh)- sept 21, 1999
maxi single format only
selections:
Jigsaw (radio mix) / Jigsaw (wises mix) / Interlocking
groove (inst) / Baby gots ur love / Jigsaw (houses in
that)/ Jigsaw (1969 mix)/ Jigsaw (paisleytaste)/ Blue
Angels (I whatcha mix)

RAVE UN2 THE JOY FANTASTIC combines the feeling of the
PURPLE RAIN era and the imagination of the LOVESEXY period.
It is a deep structure of funk, rock, soul and jazz that
gives u the chance 2 explore. There r many special guests
and producers.... however b cuz of CONtracts there names
must remain a secret. But with one listen u can not help
but picture who they r.
The first single JIGSAW is a prime example of two
influential performers and their mixture of funk and
spirtuality. This song will not only invade the airways but
a special limited edition maxi single with 7 remixes will
be available at all record stores. JIGSAW is the first
taste of what RAVE is about. "life is ur own journey/love
that has been destined 2 stay/truth within the pieces and u
will see/ another jigsaw about children that play"

RAVE un2 the joy fantastic and u will see.

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It was assumed this was a hoax, because the poster had previously posted a tracklisting for Roadhouse Garden that never materialised.



However, today I was given confirmation by a very reliable source that the information as posted above is TRUE. And that Sep 28 is the actual release date.



I'm still very sceptical about it, but just in case... At least then you'd know where you heard it first: prince.org! (Well, a.m.p actually, but hey, who's still visiting that place?)



Please do not take the above as gospel, it is just a very strong rumor which someone (who I trust in these matters) confirmed today. When I had myb record dealer check it, the record was not in his release database.