[b]What's the deal Uall. So, R Crystal Ball, Kamasutra and The Truth in the same package, I mean, released the 5 of them 2gether? Im a bit confused, could Uall help me out?

PS.- LET'S JAM UALL

yep, all 5 in one, if you buy the see-through pack.

The square CB release doesn't have kamasutra in (one good reason to buy it) but it does have the Truth.

theodore said:

Yes, they were released together in the same package.

theodore said:

There, that's better.

Trying to recall all the details..

In Emancipation there was an ad that announced the CB project. I believe that there was also internet buzz about this too...via his website at the time love4oneanother.com.

This was the first major release after Emancipation that would translate the "freedom" he was feeling after being out from the WB thumb. Since CB was a dubunked project (with many boots of his unreleased songs at the time cirulating...and had been for a while) many of the fans were salivating at what this project could possibly be. We knew it would be unreleased material and most thought it would be the older material that was made around the time (or prior to) the original Crystall Ball project.

So all of the fans called the 1-800-New-Funk and placed our order. We found out that it would be 3 CD's and extra goodies. Something called the truth and something called Kamasutra. As I recall we knew these would be included with the online order.

While the project got all of the fans excited and was well underway, problems started to arise...this would be one of the first in major fiascos deriving from Prince's direct access to his fans without major record company backup. The first being that CB was to also arrive in stores...thus making it not as exclusive as we thought. But since we ordered thru his exclusive number, we were guaranteed Kamasutra would be the extra that would not be available in stores. Most of us knew what Kamasutra was at the time and as a bonus, it didn't seem all that anymore. Next, all of the store copies came out before the phone orders came out...making everyone FURIOUS that Prince could not ship these out to the fans quicker than the stores.

Another issue was the packaging. It was HORRIBLE. If you got the 5 disc deal, you got this weird hockey puck deal that scratched all your discs and didn't protect them at all. FOr a 50+ dollar package of rarities...one would think that the discs would be protected better. The Insert booklet was equally horrendous. No pictures, "incorrect" liner notes. He did release an online version with lyrics, if one wanted to make a "project" out of it.

Then there were the boots that came out at the time that had a better line up of songs (which and better packageing, which didn't help things as the CB set list was really a mixed bag to the fans.

Calls were made to cancel phone orders as you could now get it in the store and didn't have to wait. Prince decided that if you stuck with your phone order, you would get a special treat in the mail for waiting for the CB. This would turn out to be The War Cassette.

BTW...this is known as the Crystall Ball Fiasco.

superspaceboy said:

Is it out on DVD yet?

PANDURITO said:

I hope they don't make a sequel

Adding to what spaceboy said, I also received a 0(+> T-shirt w/ my order...

mirrorrorrimage said:

"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, by wearing my t-shirt"

theodore said:

Well back in 1997, I orderd "The Crystal Ball" Cd's
It was 3 Cd's for $60 [something like that]

The oporater Told Me , I would reseve O+>'s New Album "'The Truth" cd free
With my pre order...As if it would be separate from the "C.B"

Operator's told me,The cd's were Only available by Preorder..
Via phone..or the internet.....And would not be sold in ANY store..
And that they would be limited..

And befor i placed my order...
I was also told there was no Release Date for the album...
I later found out that...The Cds would not be pressed untill so many
had been sold [80,000 to 100,000 i think]


Well....8 months latter in 1998...
The Cd's arived in stores, Befor any 1 who pre-orderd got theres....
The select stores got the 4 cds set that inc.The Truth
It came a jewle case,with covers...for around $49 dollers

A week later...
People who pre-orderd Got The 5 cd set....That included "Kamasutra" ..
It came in a Round Clear Generic looking Case...
Just big enough to hold the cd's....With No Covers or Booklets at all
[just the cds]....They could easyly be moved around with a slight shake.

I also reseved a Free full color T-Shirt [2 sided]..not a cheap! one either...

Kamasutra was previous available only on cassette..[$20-25]

The Truth Album was available back in [96 or 97] from 1800-NEW-FUNK
For only a few days then was pulled.....[i belive...]

There was also a single sold feat..The Truth & Don't Play Me..around [$20]

Hope that helps u out

superspaceboy said:

They never told me anything about Kamasutra being included..and i called 2-3 times a month..for 8 month just to get a release date

superspaceboy said:

Im not sure when u orderd your..but they never said a word about Kamasutrs
to me...

superspaceboy said:

All 1st copys came with no booklet.....only later did they include a booklet

superspaceboy said:

I Never reseved "The War" cassette

Im not trying to doubt U superspaceboy...I could be wrong..But I never heard of what U said....Free goodies... Kamasutra & The War Included.....[ i wasnt]
Who knows mabye they told other people,different things, different times.
But i know back then i sometimes called more than 2-3 times a month

But u could be right about the free goodies...[I got a shirt]