Crystal Ball Legacy - [Cached Version]
Published on: 5/26/1999 Last Visited: 5/11/2002
According to Steve Parke, the art director for "Crystal Ball," in an interview given to Replication News, the Artist wanted something different that would not only "catch the eye," but would "circumvent the bootleggers by putting out a package they can't replicate."Apparently the original plan was to come up with a package that would live up to the "Crystal Ball" name, but there was some concerns over breakage and the notion of packing and shipping a fragile piece.And then once it was decided that the package would be available in stores, Parke adds, "A lot of the time, retailers won't deal with it if they can't put it on their shelves."Therefore, if you'll pardon the pun, the "real" alternative packaging got shelved.What we ended up with instead is a 3-piece clear plastic contraption--shaped like a large pill--where the middle "half-moon" piece holds the 5 discs, and the two clear outer plastic dishes encapsulate the funk.In a wee bit ofirony, the discs themselves, much like the actual music contained within, don't fit the mould.In fact, you'll need the hands of a surgeon to get your 5-discs to fit in their proper slots without scratching them all to hell.And, make no mistake, no matter how hard you squint, the packaging doesn't look even remotely like a crystal ball.
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Parke explains, "We later changed our minds when we realised that not everyone had access to the Internet."Apparently then, this decision must have been made after the first batch of "Crystal Ball" albums were already manufactured and sealed, because fans who ordered via phone did not get the booklet, but those who purchased their copies in stores did.Why they couldn't have just printed up extra booklets and thrown in a copy with the FedEx package, I certainly can't understand.However, maybe it was for the best, as adding yet another element of possible confusion onto NewFunks' already shaky cardboard table, would no doubt have created even more confusion, and may have just collapsed the damn thing altogether!I can just imagine the look on the poor person's face who does not have access to the Internet or one of the Fanzines trying to figure out what music is on these 5 discs, when only the tracks contained on the fourth disc are labelled.Talk about your adventures!Somebody needs to send these folks at least a hand-scribbled note containing the track list, or else they might just have to make up names to all these songs for themselves; much like has already been done for years by bootleggers.

Kamasutra (Disc 5) isn't that good and isn't worth tracking down except for completist collectors. I have it and haven't thought of it for years (even though it's also in my iTunes). It's a one-time listen at best. If you're in the mood for instrumental, get N.E.W.S.

The Truth (Disc 4) is a gem. It has a few low points but overall it's a great album.

Yeah, i've since then heard it was a really big mess and that some people who pre-ordered never even got their copy. Man I know they had to be SALTY!!