Yeah, some people don't want something like "When 2 R In Love - The Ballads of Prince" but, if it was packaged like the "Ultimate Prince" compilation and all of those cuts remastered? I would buy that it. Even if the quality of certain songs were improved like "International Lover", I would buy it. U're gonna tell me that u wouldn't buy "When 2 R In Love - The Ballads of Prince" with that project getting the same treatment as "Ultimate Prince" with the booklet, CD quality, etc? I mean the "Ultimate Prince" album, we have all of that stuff already but, with some of it appearing on CD 4 the first time made people go out and buy it. I'm just saying, Spinlight. LOL!!

[Edited 10/29/10 12:55pm]

It has been speculated for a long time that the rights would turn over to Prince after 35 years. This was gleaned from a law regarding artist's rights of ownership which includes a "35 year clause" that was put in place to rectify older contracts that would have given rights to the label indefinitely. Obviously in Prince's case, this law and its effect on his/WBs contractual obligations are 5 years apart. Good for Prince. Still the same situation for we as fans.

How many NPG/(name the co-label) CDs are still in print, or have been re-pressed? None-point-zero. Look for the same amount of dust to collect on his WB years catalog as they revert back to the Vault.

Now, if Prince owned the rights to For You and Prince by 2009, how did those official repackaged Japanese SHM CDs make it through the pipeline? They were released in 2009 and indeed had those particular albums as part of the collection. Loophole? Is Prince being less than forthcoming regarding full ownership? Time, and lots of it, will tell.

He's gonna wait 'til he has the entire WB catalogue in his clutches, and then he's gonna make the lot of us purify ourselves in Lake Minnetonka!

I just hope it happens. Please God, please!

I'm really confused! Why would Prince need to gain ownership of those recordings for them to be remastered? Madonna's 80s albums were remastered nearly 10 years ago. Insight???

motherfunka said:

I'm really confused! Why would Prince need to gain ownership of those recordings for them to be remastered? Madonna's 80s albums were remastered nearly 10 years ago. Insight???

From what i understand, he doesn't need ownership to remaster them, (he has already done that) but he needs ownership to release them.

motherfunka said:

I'm really confused! Why would Prince need to gain ownership of those recordings for them to be remastered? Madonna's 80s albums were remastered nearly 10 years ago. Insight???

Adding to what Fraggle said, Prince had the masters in his possession all these years, but couldn't do anything commercially with them unless he and WB could agree to terms while his former label had the rights to release the recordings. What he could do was use the multi-tracks that he owned since day one and create new mixes, as long as they were different from what WB had on store shelves. He did this with 1999: The New Master EP. He could also completely re-record the albums from scratch, which he has said he did.

Prince is still beholden to Warners for most of his back catalog even though he's no longer under their management because the master mix-down recordings are theirs to exploit.

I doubt he's going to wait to release the back catalog, but prob. wants to shop around and find a company to distribute it through that he's comfortable with and can make money off of. Keeping in mind that this doesn't have to be a label he has to currently record for, and keep his post WB material separate, but he should try to get it all under one company.

The master tapes will be profitable when it comes to requests for using the original music for movies & TV.

The best type of company he can distribute his music through is a company where they will never let their label be bought out by a company, and if they do, Prince can break his contract with the company if that day comes.

It's only a year ago that the Rolling Stones have been able to put their back catalog under one record company.

But Prince might luck out regarding getting the rest of the catalog sooner rather than later, esp. if they've been pulled from WB's back catalog. They've made their money off of him.

Like I've said, there's no money in WB's music division (been to Best Buy lately? They've shrunk the CD section. Target's still the same.. ), but when it comes to their films, they have "Twilight" and "Harry Potter", as well as the merch they're involved in.

As far as re-recordings go, he should put both versions out. You get people upset when George Lucas tells people they can only have the revised version of "Star Wars" or Ozzy fans that wound up getting a re-recorded "Blizzard of Ozz". Sharon Osbourne's had to put both versions out, and Lucas of course put both versions of the trilogy out.

squirrelgrease said:

motherfunka said:

I'm really confused! Why would Prince need to gain ownership of those recordings for them to be remastered? Madonna's 80s albums were remastered nearly 10 years ago. Insight???

Adding to what Fraggle said, Prince had the masters in his possession all these years, but couldn't do anything commercially with them unless he and WB could agree to terms while his former label had the rights to release the recordings. What he could do was use the multi-tracks that he owned since day one and create new mixes, as long as they were different from what WB had on store shelves. He did this with 1999: The New Master EP. He could also completely re-record the albums from scratch, which he has said he did.

Prince is still beholden to Warners for most of his back catalog even though he's no longer under their management because the master mix-down recordings are theirs to exploit.

I just tend to believe that it is Prince who has been holding these remasters up and not WB. It just doesn't make sense that WB would not want to re-release these albums from one of it's biggest artists in the 80s. I'm thankful that he didn't go any further than 1999: The New Master EP, it sucked!

motherfunka said:

squirrelgrease said:

Adding to what Fraggle said, Prince had the masters in his possession all these years, but couldn't do anything commercially with them unless he and WB could agree to terms while his former label had the rights to release the recordings. What he could do was use the multi-tracks that he owned since day one and create new mixes, as long as they were different from what WB had on store shelves. He did this with 1999: The New Master EP. He could also completely re-record the albums from scratch, which he has said he did.

Prince is still beholden to Warners for most of his back catalog even though he's no longer under their management because the master mix-down recordings are theirs to exploit.

I just tend to believe that it is Prince who has been holding these remasters up and not WB. It just doesn't make sense that WB would not want to re-release these albums from one of it's biggest artists in the 80s. I'm thankful that he didn't go any further than 1999: The New Master EP, it sucked!

Of course he is holding them up..why should WB profit off of his work further? WHen he owns them and can re release...he gets what he deserves.

I dont blame him. He shouldnt have to wait 30 years to begin with.

The remasters will be released, but not for a longgggg time I think. I have a feeling Prince will wait until the rights of all his 80's albums are returned to him, and during a time he is low on cash & that will be when the remastered box set will be released

This is really weird...

I think a 35 years law is a 35 years law and i suspect that Prince is bullshitting us again. He likes to create this kinda buzz 4 nothing and it's actually a good marketing technics: it has fans and media talk about him and keeps him in the news even though nothing happens afterwards. Now the fact that For You is outta print in the USA is probably a clue of the coming 2013 shifting of copyright.

I don't really believe in remastering anyway: an album should be listened 2 the way it was released, period.

Now i wonder what Prince'll do with the awaited bonus tracks. After 1999, the album, its b-sides and its extended mixes will almost be enough to fill 2 CDs. Removing said tracks would be kinda silly, so we probably won't get too many outtakes. These should be kept 4 other kind of projects anyway (such as a vault kinda website or Crystal Ball kind of compilations).

And let's not forget that, starting in 2016, Prince will also start to get the rights to The Time and other side-projects, so these should be remastered as well.

databank said:

This is really weird...

I think a 35 years law is a 35 years law and i suspect that Prince is bullshitting us again. He likes to create this kinda buzz 4 nothing and it's actually a good marketing technics: it has fans and media talk about him and keeps him in the news even though nothing happens afterwards. Now the fact that For You is outta print in the USA is probably a clue of the coming 2013 shifting of copyright.

I don't really believe in remastering anyway: an album should be listened 2 the way it was released, period.

Now i wonder what Prince'll do with the awaited bonus tracks. After 1999, the album, its b-sides and its extended mixes will almost be enough to fill 2 CDs. Removing said tracks would be kinda silly, so we probably won't get too many outtakes. These should be kept 4 other kind of projects anyway (such as a vault kinda website or Crystal Ball kind of compilations).

And let's not forget that, starting in 2016, Prince will also start to get the rights to The Time and other side-projects, so these should be remastered as well.

lol, So you think that SOTT and Lovesexy should languish in their horrible transfers volume levels forever? You think that because the limitations on transfers existed back then, they should definitely exist today? Nope.

databank said:

I don't really believe in remastering anyway: an album should be listened 2 the way it was released, period.

I would liken it to motion pictures: the vinyl LPs Prince released in the 80s were the equivalent of a pristine, 35mm film print... the compact discs of those albums that were released are the equivalent of a pan n' scan, VHS cassette.

pretty please. I need those remasters. I would buy all.

1978 to 1988 (or better 1978 to 1995) would be just fine.

eyewishuheaven said:

databank said:

I don't really believe in remastering anyway: an album should be listened 2 the way it was released, period.

I would liken it to motion pictures: the vinyl LPs Prince released in the 80s were the equivalent of a pristine, 35mm film print... the compact discs of those albums that were released are the equivalent of a pan n' scan, VHS cassette.

Exactly. it's like VHS to DVD to Blu Ray. A world of difference in quality.

The sound of 70's/80's Prince needs dragging into this century.

blackbob said:

MikeyB71 said:

It is 30 years.

He already owns For You, Prince, and he obtained Dirty mind this year.

yes...as prince told the peachandblack team...with his own mouth... ...that he already has for you and prince....he will get dirty mind this year and every other album he released from its 30th anniversary...now he told the pb team that he has ALREADY remastered the first SIX albums so they are ready to go.....so this info means that the remasters will now almost certainly be released.....when...we dont know....will they extras....we dont know but its still big news that prince is prepared to release them at some point.....thanks..

He already just got Dirty Mind. I'm sure the reason why he remastered them himself is for the purpose to add extras. He already told them that "Adore" wasn't the full version(Hint Hint).

Prince is not stupid. He knows if he adds different full versions everyone is going to want to hear them & buy them. He is just waiting to get all of his masters back. So he can release all of them at once. Nobody is going to make a big mega deal with him unless he has all those WB masters....That is what he is waiting for. I'm sure that is why he keeps going back to WB to strike a deal with them. He knows he has a goldmine waiting to happen....

I am so happy he is starting to get them back. That means we are getting close to hearing them classic albums like they should be heard....Maybe he will make a deal with Rhino Records to distribute them......

thepope2the9s said:

motherfunka said:

I just tend to believe that it is Prince who has been holding these remasters up and not WB. It just doesn't make sense that WB would not want to re-release these albums from one of it's biggest artists in the 80s. I'm thankful that he didn't go any further than 1999: The New Master EP, it sucked!

Of course he is holding them up..why should WB profit off of his work further? WHen he owns them and can re release...he gets what he deserves.

I dont blame him. He shouldnt have to wait 30 years to begin with.

If he doesn't have proper distribution, advertisement, etc. nobody will know. If nobody knows, he still doesn't profit from it.

He historically hasn't distributed anything on his own that has had the success of his Warner's releases.

The general public remains unaware of what he's doing, it seems.

He still won't 'get what he deserves' if he continues on his path of 'Do-It-Yourself' promotion.

QuasarOfRock said:

thepope2the9s said:

Of course he is holding them up..why should WB profit off of his work further? WHen he owns them and can re release...he gets what he deserves.

I dont blame him. He shouldnt have to wait 30 years to begin with.

If he doesn't have proper distribution, advertisement, etc. nobody will know. If nobody knows, he still doesn't profit from it.

He historically hasn't distributed anything on his own that has had the success of his Warner's releases.

The general public remains unaware of what he's doing, it seems.

He still won't 'get what he deserves' if he continues on his path of 'Do-It-Yourself' promotion.

http://en.wikipedia.org/w...ince_song)

http://en.wikipedia.org/w...ng)#Charts

databank said:

QuasarOfRock said:

If he doesn't have proper distribution, advertisement, etc. nobody will know. If nobody knows, he still doesn't profit from it.

He historically hasn't distributed anything on his own that has had the success of his Warner's releases.

The general public remains unaware of what he's doing, it seems.

He still won't 'get what he deserves' if he continues on his path of 'Do-It-Yourself' promotion.

http://en.wikipedia.org/w...ince_song)

http://en.wikipedia.org/w...ng)#Charts

The Prince of 1994 is much different than the Prince of 2010....

I'd like to get my hands on said remasters, but I'm not hopeful.

With Princes mindset in recent years regarding swearing and anything blatantly smutty being frowned upon, I can't see how he's not going to start 'tampering' with chit.

If that turns out to be the case, I'll not be buying them anyway. Would be brilliant to be proven wrong however. I would give him kudos for that.

databank said:

(SNIP)

I don't really believe in remastering anyway: an album should be listened 2 the way it was released, period.

(SNIP)

Actually that is the goal. Listen to mint condition 'Sign O the Times' on the LP on a good system then listen to the CD.

the fact is when a song is recorded there are elements that are LOST. Now sometimes those lost elements are a good thing. Look at some of the Led Zeppelin remasters, with the bass drum peddle squeaking, but those are rare. (YES I know it can be heard in all the various versions but it has got more noticeable in the remasters)

but the goal is to get the best sound with the best balance.

databank said:

QuasarOfRock said:

If he doesn't have proper distribution, advertisement, etc. nobody will know. If nobody knows, he still doesn't profit from it.

He historically hasn't distributed anything on his own that has had the success of his Warner's releases.

The general public remains unaware of what he's doing, it seems.

He still won't 'get what he deserves' if he continues on his path of 'Do-It-Yourself' promotion.

http://en.wikipedia.org/w...ince_song)

http://en.wikipedia.org/w...ng)#Charts

My bad. There was that ONE song sixteen years ago.

blackbob said:

so from prince's own mouth...the remaster's from 'for you' to 'purple rain' are done and ready to go....prince already owns the rights to 'for you' and 'prince' albums....it is 30 years seemingly for the rights to revert back to prince so come july 2014....the 'purple rain' album will revert back to prince so ...fingers crossed....we could have the first wave of remastered albums sometime that year...

.

thanks to the peach and black podcast for this info....so it's looking far more likely to happen now

.

http://peachandblack.podbean.com/

Kwl....

I would be interested to see how much 'For You' 'Prince' and 'Dirty Mind' would move. For the serious fan we would grab it but how many 'non Prince folks will snatch this release?

I hope he starts with 1999 or Purple Rain. If the first releases don't fair well then we won't get too many more.

I thought the issue was who owned the master recordings, that isn't the same thing as copyright, is it?

OnlyNDaUsa said:

Google "copyright termination" that seems to say that the 35 year rule had a + or - 5 year window based on when the creator serves notice of termnation to the holder. So it may well be true that Prince is getting them back at 30 years.

READ:

"Termination of the grant may be effected at any time during a period of five years beginning at the end of thirty-five years from the date of publication of the work under the grant or at the end of forty years from the date of execution of the grant, whichever term ends earlier."

QuasarOfRock said:

I thought the issue was who owned the master recordings, that isn't the same thing as copyright, is it?

Yes it is. Owning the master = owning the copyright in the sound recording.

That's not the same copyright as the copyright in the underlying song and lyrics.