I've always really loved the Black Album and especially liked Eric Leeds' sax whenever it has appeared on Prince's music. ("and the saxonphone is the fault, check it out...") Is the Madhouse stuff really that similar to the black album and are they worth getting for any reason other than just getting a sense of completion? Are there any vocals on any of the tracks?

No vocal tracks, though there are some vocals here and there (mostly party noises or repeated phrases). If you like Eric's sax, then they are must buys, as well as his three solo albums.

The only similarity to the Black album is the production on '16' - Lots of frenetic synth-stabs and such.

2 Nigs isn't really all that similar to the Madhouse stuff, I'd say the 2 instrumentals on the Family LP were more like Madhouse.

To all intents and purposes, the Madhouse records are Prince records - Just like Sheila, Vanity/Apollonia 6, The Time, Jill Jones, The NPG, The Family, etc, etc, etc - IMHO these albums are essential as any record released under his own name(s).

....4 B MADHOUSE #1-#16 is truly part of my Must Have of Prince projects!!!

...this one always hears an artists personality/Spirit N the music so that makes it tasty overall....often the preference is instrumentally rather than lyrically on boyfriend's stuff....perhaps the way B hears things = the vibe of the words don't always match the music 2 B's ears....

....gave him a BDay gift ('88) with lyrics/vocals on one of the tunes....guess he wasn't feelin' B on that

...it definately has the funky jazzy flavor if thats your taste

Always had a touch of Emperor's new clothes for me.

If you're completing, leave them till last.

YES!!!!! YES!!!!! That's right.....YES!!!!! Both are gems!!! I met Eric Leeds once when Sheila E. & the E-Train performed in Buffalo. I asked him if Prince played on Madhouse 8 and if Sheila E. played on Madhouse 16. He just smirked. Funk oriented jazz 4 that ass!!!!! I have them both on vinyl and cassette, but ironically not on CD.

Yes. The Madhouse albums are some of my favorite music that Prince has released.

The Madhouse albums are Prince's best instrumental work , though personally I still prefer any and all his studio albums with vocals to any instrumental album hes ever made , so I'd never call 8 and 16 essential , but theyre definitely worth a listen .

YES!!! I think Madhouse was one of his best side projects. They are intrumentals...but they are funky and fun! If you find them GET them...8 and 16 are awesome.