I just made a couple of phone calls and solved the Italian CD "mystery".

Lotusflow3r is imported by Giucar S.P.A. and distributed by Venus Distribuzioni Italia.

Giucar S.P.A. is the label listed on the S.I.A.E. sticker, not N.P.G. records.

Venus Distribuzioni Italia is huge, that's why the CD is pretty easy to find in Italy.

Interesting question then:

Were all the import cd's in Europe bought from Tower or did Prince somehow sell them DIRECTLY to the european importers?

In the first case: Did the european sales contribute to his US sales?
In the second case: he must have made a lot of $$$ then....

Last argument settles it, must have been that !

I don`t think they counted as sold in the USA. The sales must have been much higher.....just a guess....

france and AROUND THE WORLD BABY!!
.
...PARTY
..mzsexybaby

mzkqueen03 said:

Is this a dream or real

WTF?? He should have released "Dance 4 Me" here! I think it would have gotten decent play.

dannyd5050 said:

Especially on Urban AC formats.

As a UK orger I'm real excited about this. It at least suggests that P realises that this release has much wider potential than tapped in to presently.

Dance 4 Me is a great choice for single release IMHO. Classic Prince to my ears and could definately appeal to a wider audience.

80spfantwp said:

cant wait 4 the music video!!

This would be great for the album. Dance 4 Me deserves to be number 1. Also i didnt get the chance to go montreux so this would be amazing to see him in paris! Please happen and please release montreux on dvd!

Kinda weird, this 'offical release'.

I mean a few months ago the Lotusflower-set could allready be bought in most Dutch recordshops for 19.99 euro.

That release (import or not) was accompannied with (rather positive) reports and reviews in magazines and on websites.

the copies that you saw in europien record stores were all bought in us target stores and nowhere else! thats the reson the cd jumps up on the us charts 2 times... some import folks bought a couple that week..

zaza said:

Austria sounds ok

Riverpoet31 said:

That's exactly what I was trying to say with regard to France. I mean, most people don't know anything bout records distribution, companies, retailers and stuff... From this perspective, "of course" LF "has" already been "released" in Europe. To approx. 95% of the people it will just look like the album is released twice in one year. Still, kind of odd. And actually, I doubt it's gonna be much cheaper in September. Anyway, if it's a different pressing, I'll buy it, sucker I am..
[Edited 7/21/09 14:29pm]

Personally i think it is a dead end for him: 'rereleasing' Lotusflower in Europe.

I am sure many people will think: why does this set include a boring CD from some girl who can't even sing? (Bria Valente).

He better puts some effort in releasing a new, impressive single CD late 2009 or early 20120.

Desertflower said:

.
...nope..it is LA VIE EN ROSE!!!!....
.
...
..mzsexybaby

daPrettyman said:

Absolutely! In fact, Dance 4 Me was one of several such songs that would have been a hit on Urban AC radio.
Oh well, hope it kicks ass overseas.

european tour days would be freaking amazing.

dannyd5050 said:

I agree

If this set finally gets released in Denmark I hope the papers and magazines finally will make their reviews then....

So when is this Olympia concert supposed 2 b ? ..any1 got info, thanx

thedance said:

It's already been reviewed i gaffa, http://gaffa.dk/anmeldelse/32483
But that is the only danish review I have seen.

Militant said:

Damn right it will be Dance 4 ME has hit all over it i've not stopped playing it since i got the CD.....

Wow....I knew P would hit France

HonestMan13 said:

the France release is the release for Europe as a whole.... They played Prince's new single on Choice FM in London on Sunday...his people are pushing the CD maybe it will have IARWNL on it?

you guys are funny lotusflow3r is old news it will come out in france when pigs fly 2021...

lol sorry...prince is like a bad disease.. if he doesn't spread it within 2 weeks no worries you won't catch it...

Militant said:

It deserves to be. I wouldn't guarantee it with the shite that constitues the chart these days.

LondonStyle said:

w did they play on choice fm? dance 4 me or in a large room?

miniatureamazon said:

From Princevault.com:

Prince was been rumoured to be playing three shows at L'Olympia in Paris.

24 July, 2009 - L'Olympia, Paris, France (cancelled)
25 July, 2009 - L'Olympia, Paris, France (cancelled)
26 July, 2009 - L'Olympia, Paris, France (cancelled)
Conditions for the 3 shows could not be met on time and therefore the concerts are to be considered canceled. however a new schedule is currently being negotiated, possibly at the end of August/beginning of September (as of 21 July).

govinda said:

Cool thanx 4 the info govinda

any upd8 on the release?