I am thinking about buying Emancipation, Crystal Ball and Scandolous Sex Suite. The last album I bought (besides Musicology) was New Power Soul and I was disappointed. I would hate to buy three more albums that I wasn't crazy about, even if I am a hardcore fam. I would be grateful if some fams could give me any thoughts/opinions they have on these albums. Thanks.

Do you have the Batman soundtrack? If so, then you already know whether you like "Scandalous." The Suite consists of a 30 minute version of the song, broken down into 3 parts. I think it's fantastic.

The CD also includes "Sex," a great little Camille-type track, and "When 2 R In Love" from Lovesexy. So understand that it's not a proper album.

As far as Emancipation and Crystal Ball, I would wait on shelling out all that money until I had all the earlier albums, if I were you. Do you own all the 80s albums (Dirty Mind, Controversy, 1999, etc....) ?
[Edited 10/6/04 10:32am]

First off: The Scandalous Sex Suite. . .see if you can find the Japan release. It has the Partyman remixes along with The Scandalous Sex Suite [18 minutes, divided into 3 parts], Sex, and When 2 R In Love. . .

Second, I would recommend Crystal Ball, especially if you already have all of the 80's albums. There are some killer tracks on there and some real disappointments. . .Plus you get The Truth.

Last, get Emancipation if you already have most of his stuff. . .It's long and takes a little while to get into, but In This Bed I Scream and The Love We Make makes it all worth it. . .

Hope that helps. . .

FunkMistress said:

I don't have the Batman soundtrack. I thought Scandalous was short but I wasn't sure. I don't have all the 80's albums, I have Purple Rain, of course, and 1999. I also have The Hits and B Sides collection, and like almost every song. Alot of the B sides R from the 80's. Thanks for the suggestion, maybe I will buy the other earlier albums B4 I buy Emancipation & Crystal Ball.

1sexymf said:

That could be a wise choice, some may argue. There is a great body of work there. Have fun listening to it .

floralelephants said:

Do you happen 2 know hwere I might B able 2 find a Japan release of Scandalous? I have read that Emancipation tales a little while to digest, as it' 3 hours long. I wanted opinions from true Prince fams, though, not a CD review from a newspaper, magazine, etc. Thanks 4 the info.

Try collecting them all; there are quite a few musical treasures on every one of his CD’s. Every ones taste is different so what I like u may not like vice versa. I love Emancipation, Crystal Ball and Scandalous Sex Suite LOL…. NPS is a cool CD 2 me, but I notice some people hate that CD and time period. They hate the rape, etc. but am sure there r some songs u like on it.

Definitely get Emancipation. It's hard to get into, mainly because it is so long, but it has some really great tracks. "In this bed I scream", "Damned If I Do", "White Mansion". Almost all of CD 2, and a good part of CD 3. Worth buying. (and actually listening to the entire 3 hours of music)

Besides, I love the CD booklet.

I loved the Emancipation cd, yeah it took a little while to get in 2 but not very long. I think you should definatly buy it.

1sexymf said:

That's what you get for buying albums without consulting us first.

Buy everything. Then make your own mind up.

emancipation is a good album but I would not say great songs like in this bed I scream freindloversistermotherwife my computer are worth the price
Crystal ball I loved from start 2 finnish stand out tracks I would say dream factory she gave her angels movie star last heart.But what would make me buy crystall ball most of all is the fact that u get the truth album with this buy.the truth album is amazing every track on this album is a must imho

...remembering my suggestion for an "albums to buy" list...

Since you already have "1999" and "Purple Rain", you need to get "Prince", "Dirty Mind", and "Controversy" before you go any further. These albums and the two you already have, are Prince at his very best.

1sexymf said:

so you dont have Sign O The Times? Go and get it, it is the best and most critically acclaimed also (so this isnt just my opinion), and there is lot to digest...
You wont need Emancipation for a long time... first get ALL of the 80's albums, they are superior.

1sexymf said:

This topic, or similar topics, is/are exhausted like a chronic insomniac. But, I will still do my part. Cuz that's just the kinda guy I am.

Emancipation is two discs of crap and one decent disc (disc 3). Discs 1 & 2 sound like The Backstreet Boys or N'Sync. It's horrible (but disc three really is a winner). Crystal Ball has about 50% good songs. Lots of FUNK, rather than boring R&B bullshit. If you can get it with The Truth (an excellent acoustic album), it's worth the price. And you're right, Newpower Soul is utter crap.

Luv & Peace,
Alex
Remembering Christopher Reeve

sloopydrew4u said:

perfectly put....and to underline other posts; go out and buy the Eighties stuff before touching the bland mid to late Nineties stuff for heaven's sake...SoTT, Parade, Lovesexy, Controversy, Dirty Mind...

vainandy said:

I'd add SOTT and Parade to that list (my personal faves), as to the others, Emancipation does have some good songs on but overall it's a dissapointment for me. Crystal Ball is worth getting - the title track alone is a masterpiece, Crucial - lovely, The Ride (live) - very cool and there is so much more before u even get to The Truth which is a great Prince album and the acoustic set I'd waited years and years to hear. Just a shame he buried it with this package. Enjoy!

After looking at all these responses, I think I will buy Crystal Ball. Alot of people are saying that "The Truth" CD alone is worth buying Crystal Ball. I bought Dirty Mind the other day. I like it, though it's a short CD. I was hesitant about buying it and also om Sign of the Times since I already have The Hits & B Sides. Alot of the songs that R on those two Cd's R on The Hits & B Sides.

Thanks for all then input.

I still enocurage more feedback if anyone has any.

pennylover said:

Xactly -- ONE Great P song is worth an entire album of some bullshit artist, P does not know how to pick singles..... eye HATE most of the singles he puts out, he always leaves the good songs as B tracks.... so if eye were u eye would aim 2 get every album of his and find ur own gems.


Don't get me wrong..... P has some songs that r just pure crap LOL ex: "The Pope", "Pussy Control" and many many more.... but every album has a masterpiece in it!