I am listening to "Ultimate Prince" 2CD right now.

I must say it is disappointing that there are NO LINER NOTES in this 2CD set. I don't know what's up with this, but just so you know, when you listen to disc 2, which is the reason you'd want to buy this set in the first place if you are on this board, you ain't getting shit in terms of interesting 411 on what's up with the remixed tracks, or just stories from people that were around when this shit was recorded, etc. I can't recall the cat's name that did the booklet essay(s) for the Hits/B-sides shit back in '93, but I thought that it was excellent and expected at least a similar, though certainly shorter, attempt at enlightenment for this package. Who cares if it's mostly secondhand information? In a way, it's the thought and effort that counts. You are releasing Prince's shit, do it right. A lot of the hardcore element are going to purchase this, people who in general know a little more about music than your average person, so show some respect and give what's due. This is WB's way of letting the public know that they really don't give a shit about us. I mean, it's possible Prince's audience has grown SIGNIFICANTLY amongst those under 30 since Musicology, and these folks may not have gotten the "hits and b-sides" so it's a real disservice to ALL to not have any liner notes. And for the old-school folks, it's not like the music on here is stuff we haven't heard before, so give up the extra shit. Warner Bros, what a bunch of cheap bastards. They probably just didn't want to pay anyone to do it. I'd have done the liner notes for Warner Bros for a few hundred bucks, as a labor of love, and they would have been good. There is a weak photo montage in the foldout insert and a couple of other weak photos. Overall the presentation and effort that was put into this package is bullshit and much shit needs to be talked about this. Especially considering they are gonna be hitting folks up for $20+ for this set. They need to be comin' correct, and they ain't.

Now having dissed the packaging, let me praise the music contained within!

The first CD is just old material you've heard a millions times, so I won't mention it.

The second disc:

Let's Go Crazy (Special Dance Remix)
Little Red Corvette (Dance Remix)
Let's Work (Dance Remix)
Pop Life (Fresh Dance Remix)
She's Always in My Hair (12" version)
Raspberry Beret (12" version)
Kiss (Extended Version)
U Got the Look (Long Look)
Hot Thing (Extended Remix)
Thieves in the Temple (Remix)
Cream (NPG Mix)

If you have the 12"s then you know these versions - I would have to check the vinyl and I am not at home at the moment, but I *think* all this stuff was on 12" at the time, and the track listings indicate such, but at any rate having them all together on CD is great. As an experience this is not on the level of disc 3 of "The Hits/The B-sides" in terms of a collection of Prince rarities just completely and totally kicking your ass, however it *is* really strong. Just for the moments (i.e. extra guitar and strings in "hot thing" or the extra piano in "pop life") that are unique in the music on these remixes, and there are *MANY*, it is worth the price. Some of these remixes do a great job of honoring the spirit of the orignial while going off into a different groove.

Ultimate Prince is not coming out anymore.

Militant said:

Who said that, i thought it was just delayed?

Militant said:

I just called Best Buy and the guy on the phone says he has them in stock, but he just can't put them out till Tuesday.

seanski said:

This Tuesday? Great because I thought it was delayed.

Prince specifically requested that there not be any liner notes.

the advertisement is on youtube,

http://www.youtube.com/wa...e%20prince


i recognise the guys name who posted it over there so props to him.

what's going on? what's going on?

explain!

the black album pt. II

They are still running the commerical so if it were delayed or cancelled someone is dropping the ball big time. I wish it would have been delayed so they could have fixed the shitty tracklist (paticularly disc 2) because if you are going to include only some of the 12 inch mixes they sure chose badly.

lovemachine said:

out of curiosity... what would you have chosen?

darkstranger521 said:

That cat was Alan Leeds, by the way.

Just another way for Warner Bros to make more money off of Prince. I'm sure he isnt getting anything from the sale of this CD.

facedown7 said:

I highly doubt Prince doesn't profit from the sale of his music.

facedown7 said:

are you serious? He made millions on the last one and will on this too. I can tell you 100%. The guy who started this thread obviously doesn't understand who this process worked. I don't care about him insulting my work at all but he should check his facts. I personally contacted Alan Leeds about this. If we could have done it, we would have.

BSK3601 said:

All of them. At least, I would. How many discs would that be?

I hope those Best Buy employees are not all confined to the storage room dipping the discs in shellac.

squirrelgrease said:

I called more that 1 store and they all told me the same thing. "Have it in stock, but can't sell them till Tuesday!"

seanski said:

I think if there is any possibility to get the discs, a mofo should get to Best Buy early, before they're yanked. And buy a spare for trading.

squirrelgrease said:

That's what I'm gonna do!

here is question:

Y wasn't been leaked yet???

I was going 2 buy it with the money I got 2day at my birthday

Just purchased a copy on ebay... described as being in stock!

I have sent an email to the seller asking if this is really the case or if it is a pre-release date order...explaining it has been deleated and to inform me if this is the case...before I send payment!

Will let you know the result!

Tangerine17 said:

don't take it personally, there are folks here who are never and will never be satisfied...

endorphin74 said:

Why don't people believe it? Prince did not want liner notes, he wanted Erotic City and others EXCLUDED from the release, and he doesn't seem to object to it much.

So this release isn't as dead as we thought?? Dang, wish I lived near one of those Best Buys!

Amazon.com says: "This title will be released on March 28, 2006."

BesyBuy.com says: "CD Release Date: 3/14/2006" (and it's only $19.99)
http://www.bestbuy.com/si...id=1517461
[Edited 3/12/06 3:08am]

CandaceS said:

Wow, I just clicked on your Best Buy link and it says the Ultimate Prince is already solded out.

Just flipped through the sales ads of the Sunday Boston Globe, and the department store, Target, has the Ultimate Prince CD to go on sale on Tuesday, March 14th. The price is $9.98.

Wasn't this release cancelled?

To put it another way:
I'm going to Target on Tuesday. Am I gonna be disappointed or not?

croweonbranch said:

i was thinking... if a store bought them and recived them unless it is specificaly stated in the contract that they have to return them in the event of a recal.. then they can sell them. Now what Rinho/WB doese to that company in terms of future deals is one thing but once you buy something in good faith it is yours.