After the (So-called) comeback album 'Musicology', Prince locked himself in the studio for a year with some of the greatest musicians. Michael Bland, Cora Coleman Dunham, Sonny T, Maceo Parker, Candy Dulfer, Sheila E, Clare Fischer to name a few.

Album sessions started in November 2004 with the recording of the song "3121" with Michael Bland and Sonny T. It became the first Prince album ever to debut at #1. The album was generally well received.

During this time Prince also recorded songs that would feature on the mediocre "Planet Earth" and the Gold selling "Lotusflow3r". To me this was a period where Prince was at his most creative since possibly 1992-93.

[Edited 1/8/11 9:37am]

It's hard to say since not much in the way of production information comes out of Paisley anymore. We really only know about the 3121/Lotus sessions from interviews with Michael B and the like. Prince has mentioned recently that he's "three albums ahead" which may or may not include the "Welcome 2 America" LP (which seems as stillborn as the 20TEN Deluxe CD) mentioned on the radio interview.

He's probably still making a song or two a day as he always has, but he's somehow not interested in releasing the music publicly - which is fourteen kinds of weird.

I'm sure we'll get an album sometime this year, a bone if you will. I don't think it would be a stretch by saying most fans would love a pile of carefully selected Vault material released along side any new material. I mean, he is "emancipated" now, right? What's the hold up?

squirrelgrease said:

It's hard to say since not much in the way of production information comes out of Paisley anymore. We really only know about the 3121/Lotus sessions from interviews with Michael B and the like. Prince has mentioned recently that he's "three albums ahead" which may or may not include the "Welcome 2 America" LP (which seems as stillborn as the 20TEN Deluxe CD) mentioned on the radio interview.

He's probably still making a song or two a day as he always has, but he's somehow not interested in releasing the music publicly - which is fourteen kinds of weird.

I'm sure we'll get an album sometime this year, a bone if you will. I don't think it would be a stretch by saying most fans would love a pile of carefully selected Vault material released along side any new material. I mean, he is "emancipated" now, right? What's the hold up?

20Ten and Mlpsound sound like they were made in a week.

I find it strange that Prince stated that he wanted to release 3 albums a year whilst with WB, but we are yet to see that happen....The NPGMC was perfect for that.

3121 was an exciting era, especially the release of a demo or new track once a week. The album was a return to form for me. '3121' track was daring, and Alternative.....something that is missed.

1998 was seen has a period of mass output.....BUT....To me alot of the 1998 work just sounds the same. 2004-5 was a period of different, and alternative sounds(well to some degree).

squirrelgrease said:

It's hard to say since not much in the way of production information comes out of Paisley anymore. We really only know about the 3121/Lotus sessions from interviews with Michael B and the like. Prince has mentioned recently that he's "three albums ahead" which may or may not include the "Welcome 2 America" LP (which seems as stillborn as the 20TEN Deluxe CD) mentioned on the radio interview.

He's probably still making a song or two a day as he always has, but he's somehow not interested in releasing the music publicly - which is fourteen kinds of weird.

I'm sure we'll get an album sometime this year, a bone if you will. I don't think it would be a stretch by saying most fans would love a pile of carefully selected Vault material released along side any new material. I mean, he is "emancipated" now, right? What's the hold up?

I don't have anything to confirm this suspicion, but I don't think Prince is anywhere near as productive as he used to be. Just as he doesn't drill the band in 8 hour rehearsals anymore, I don't think he lives in the studio at this point.

As for the larger subject, I'm really glad Andy qualified his statement with "since 92-93". Nothing about the 3121 era is even half as creative as 85-87. Also: Prince has never met Clare Fischer, so he certainly wasn't in the studio with Prince at the time.

andykeen said:

3121 was an exciting era, especially the release of a demo or new track once a week.

Didn't this amount to a total of 3 tracks in the end? "F.U.N.K.", the acoustic version of "Love" and the live recording of "Chaos & Disorder"?

TwiliteKid said:

squirrelgrease said:

It's hard to say since not much in the way of production information comes out of Paisley anymore. We really only know about the 3121/Lotus sessions from interviews with Michael B and the like. Prince has mentioned recently that he's "three albums ahead" which may or may not include the "Welcome 2 America" LP (which seems as stillborn as the 20TEN Deluxe CD) mentioned on the radio interview.

He's probably still making a song or two a day as he always has, but he's somehow not interested in releasing the music publicly - which is fourteen kinds of weird.

I'm sure we'll get an album sometime this year, a bone if you will. I don't think it would be a stretch by saying most fans would love a pile of carefully selected Vault material released along side any new material. I mean, he is "emancipated" now, right? What's the hold up?

I don't have anything to confirm this suspicion, but I don't think Prince is anywhere near as productive as he used to be. Just as he doesn't drill the band in 8 hour rehearsals anymore, I don't think he lives in the studio at this point.

You could very well be right, but unfortunately, even in the day of Twitter and instant access to most artist's goings on, Prince is more elusive than he ever was regarding past, current and future projects. Hell, speculation is all we have to keep us going most of the year.

I think he still makes songs, but just like anyone with a creative side, you get tired of giving it to people.. maybe he is getting bored with the world... Its like a writer's block,

I just wish he hadn't created any of those...

Has he not been putting out more studio material in the 2000's than he did in the 80's? Where's a list? You have to include things that showed up only on the internet too.

ufoclub said:

Has he not been putting out more studio material in the 2000's than he did in the 80's? Where's a list? You have to include things that showed up only on the internet too.

I don't think he has if u exclude 2001.

The list is in progress here: https://sites.google.com/...iscog/home

If u compare 2009 and 2010 (the only 2 2000's pages i've been able to make so far) to the 80's and early 90's pages, the answer is definitely no.

That doesn't mean at all that he records less, but he does release less.

As for this whole assesment about 2005 being P's most creative period, i don't think it makes any sense: P probably didn't record more than the usual.

databank said:

ufoclub said:

Has he not been putting out more studio material in the 2000's than he did in the 80's? Where's a list? You have to include things that showed up only on the internet too.

I don't think he has if u exclude 2001.

The list is in progress here: https://sites.google.com/...iscog/home

If u compare 2009 and 2010 (the only 2 2000's pages i've been able to make so far) to the 80's and early 90's pages, the answer is definitely no.

That doesn't mean at all that he records less, but he does release less.

As for this whole assesment about 2005 being P's most creative period, i don't think it makes any sense: P probably didn't record more than the usual.

You can't exclude a year! Lemme check out the link.

If u exclude all the old alternates and remixses it's not THAT less, xcept that a lot of the latest material is live stuff and also he doesn't compose for others anymore. We'd have to count the original studio tracks only... IDK really...

there's no 2000's on that list!

But just off the top of my head:

Planet Earth

Musicology

Rave into

Rave unto

3121

Prince ONA live

NEWS

Lotus Flower

MPLS

The entire Bria album

The lost Tamar album

High album (we got most everything romured to be on here)

Slaughterhouse

2010

The Rainbow Children

The Chocolate Invasion

C-Note

Xpectation

singles ?:

Summertime? what was it called?

Guitar demo

Love acoustic

FUNK

Mountains live version

SST

song for No Doubt album (Waiting Room?)

I don't remember this much shit from the 80's! and the bootlegs have been sealed up, since he assumedly got wise to the leaking joints in his studio plumbing.

ufoclub said:

there's no 2000's on that list!

But just off the top of my head:

Planet Earth

Musicology

Rave into

Rave unto

3121

Prince ONA live

NEWS

Lotus Flower

MPLS

The entire Bria album

The lost Tamar album

High album (we got most everything romured to be on here)

Slaughterhouse

2010

The Rainbow Children

The Chocolate Invasion

C-Note

Xpectation

singles ?:

Summertime? what was it called?

Guitar demo

Love acoustic

FUNK

Mountains live version

SST

song for No Doubt album (Waiting Room?)

I don't remember this much shit from the 80's! and the bootlegs have been sealed up, since he assumedly got wise to the leaking joints in his studio plumbing.

U left out a few:

In A Small Roo with No Light (how could you?)

Cause and Effect

Purple and Gold (sorry?!)

Rich Friends

Song from the Heart

Glasscutter

Feel Good, Feel etc

[Edited 1/9/11 11:23am]

Er... 2009 and 2010 is "no 2000's"? Well, ok there's still a lot of work to b done there ^^

And u're right about the amount of stuff but there was definitely at least as much in the 80's, c'mon, check the site's pages, it was quite impressive all the stuff we had back then.

ufoclub said:

Has he not been putting out more studio material in the 2000's than he did in the 80's? Where's a list? You have to include things that showed up only on the internet too.

1978 For You
1979 Prince
1980 Dirty Mind
1981 Controversy
1982 1999
1984 Purple Rain
1985 Around The World In A Day
1986 Parade
1987 Sign O' The Times

1988 Lovesexy

(1994) Black Album
1989 Batman

Associated Artists:

1981 The Time - S/T

1982 The Time - What Time Is It?
1982 Vanity 6 - S/T
1984 The Time - Ice Cream Castles
1984 Apollonia 6 - S/T
1984 Sheila E - Glamorous Life

1985 The Family - S/T
1985 Sheila E - Romance 1600

1987 Madhouse 8

1987 Madhouse 16
1987 Sheila E - S/T
1987 Jill Jones - S/T

1989 Mavis Staples - Time Waits For No One

____________________

1990 Graffiti Bridge

1991 Diamonds And Pearls

1992 Symbol
1993 Gold Nigga
1993 The Hits / The B-Sides

1994 1-800-New-Funk
1994 Come

1995 Exodus
1995 The Gold Experience
1996 Girl 6
1996 Chaos And Disorder
1996 Emancipation
1997 Crystal Ball
1997 The Truth

1997 Kamasutra
1998 Newpower Soul
1999 The Vault... Old Friends 4 Sale
1999 Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic

Associated Artists:

1990 The Time - Pandemonium

1991 Ingrid Chavez - May 19, 1992

1991 Eric Leeds - Times Squared
1993 Carmen Electra - S/T

1993 Mavis Staples - The Voice

1995 Mayte - Child Of The Sun

1999 Graham Central Station - GCS 2000

1999 Chaka Khan - Come 2 My House

____________________

2000 Rave In2 The Joy Fantastic

2001 The Very Best Of Prince
2001 The Rainbow Children
2002 One Nite Alone(Piano Demos)
2002 One Nite Alone... Live!/It Aint Over Box-Set

2003 Xpectation
2003 N.E.W.S

2004 The Chocolate Invasion

2004 The Slaughterhouse

2004 C-NOTE
2004 Musicology
2005 Ultimate
2006 3121
2007 Planet Earth
2008 Indigo Nights

2009 Lotusflow3r

2009 MPLSoUND

2010 20TEN

Associated Artists:

2006 Tamar - Milk And Honey

2009 Bria Valente - Elixer

I only included associated artists that Prince contributed at least half of the tracks and didn't include the NPGMC Ahdio Shows.

squirrelgrease said:

ufoclub said:

Has he not been putting out more studio material in the 2000's than he did in the 80's? Where's a list? You have to include things that showed up only on the internet too.

1978 For You
1979 Prince
1980 Dirty Mind
1981 Controversy
1982 1999
1984 Purple Rain
1985 Around The World In A Day
1986 Parade
1987 Sign O' The Times

1988 Lovesexy

(1994) Black Album
1989 Batman

Associated Artists:

1981 The Time - S/T

1982 The Time - What Time Is It?
1982 Vanity 6 - S/T
1984 The Time - Ice Cream Castles
1984 Apollonia 6 - S/T
1984 Sheila E - Glamorous Life

1985 The Family - S/T
1985 Sheila E - Romance 1600

1987 Madhouse 8

1987 Madhouse 16
1987 Sheila E - S/T
1987 Jill Jones - S/T

1989 Mavis Staples - Time Waits For No One

____________________

1990 Graffiti Bridge

1991 Diamonds And Pearls

1992 Symbol
1993 Gold Nigga
1993 The Hits / The B-Sides

1994 1-800-New-Funk
1994 Come

1995 Exodus
1995 The Gold Experience
1996 Girl 6
1996 Chaos And Disorder
1996 Emancipation
1997 Crystal Ball
1997 The Truth

1997 Kamasutra
1998 Newpower Soul
1999 The Vault... Old Friends 4 Sale
1999 Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic

Associated Artists:

1990 The Time - Pandemonium

1991 Ingrid Chavez - May 19, 1992

1991 Eric Leeds - Times Squared
1993 Carmen Electra - S/T

1993 Mavis Staples - The Voice

1995 Mayte - Child Of The Sun

1999 Graham Central Station - GCS 2000

1999 Chaka Khan - Come 2 My House

____________________

2000 Rave In2 The Joy Fantastic

2001 The Very Best Of Prince
2001 The Rainbow Children
2002 One Nite Alone(Piano Demos)
2002 One Nite Alone... Live!/It Aint Over Box-Set

2003 Xpectation
2003 N.E.W.S

2004 The Chocolate Invasion

2004 The Slaughterhouse

2004 C-NOTE
2004 Musicology
2005 Ultimate
2006 3121
2007 Planet Earth
2008 Indigo Nights

2009 Lotusflow3r

2009 MPLSoUND

2010 20TEN

Associated Artists:

2006 Tamar - Milk And Honey

2009 Bria Valente - Elixer

I only included associated artists that Prince contributed at least half of the tracks and didn't include the NPGMC Ahdio Shows.

When it comes to the albums it's kinda the same every decade

squirrelgrease said:

ufoclub said:

Has he not been putting out more studio material in the 2000's than he did in the 80's? Where's a list? You have to include things that showed up only on the internet too.

1978 For You
1979 Prince
1980 Dirty Mind
1981 Controversy
1982 1999
1984 Purple Rain
1985 Around The World In A Day
1986 Parade
1987 Sign O' The Times

1988 Lovesexy

(1994) Black Album
1989 Batman

Associated Artists:

1981 The Time - S/T

1982 The Time - What Time Is It?
1982 Vanity 6 - S/T
1984 The Time - Ice Cream Castles
1984 Apollonia 6 - S/T
1984 Sheila E - Glamorous Life

1985 The Family - S/T
1985 Sheila E - Romance 1600

1987 Madhouse 8

1987 Madhouse 16
1987 Sheila E - S/T
1987 Jill Jones - S/T

1989 Mavis Staples - Time Waits For No One

____________________

1990 Graffiti Bridge

1991 Diamonds And Pearls

1992 Symbol
1993 Gold Nigga
1993 The Hits / The B-Sides

1994 1-800-New-Funk
1994 Come

1995 Exodus
1995 The Gold Experience
1996 Girl 6
1996 Chaos And Disorder
1996 Emancipation
1997 Crystal Ball
1997 The Truth

1997 Kamasutra
1998 Newpower Soul
1999 The Vault... Old Friends 4 Sale
1999 Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic

Associated Artists:

1990 The Time - Pandemonium

1991 Ingrid Chavez - May 19, 1992

1991 Eric Leeds - Times Squared
1993 Carmen Electra - S/T

1993 Mavis Staples - The Voice

1995 Mayte - Child Of The Sun

1999 Graham Central Station - GCS 2000

1999 Chaka Khan - Come 2 My House

____________________

2000 Rave In2 The Joy Fantastic

2001 The Very Best Of Prince
2001 The Rainbow Children
2002 One Nite Alone(Piano Demos)
2002 One Nite Alone... Live!/It Aint Over Box-Set

2003 Xpectation
2003 N.E.W.S

2004 The Chocolate Invasion

2004 The Slaughterhouse

2004 C-NOTE
2004 Musicology
2005 Ultimate
2006 3121
2007 Planet Earth
2008 Indigo Nights

2009 Lotusflow3r

2009 MPLSoUND

2010 20TEN

Associated Artists:

2006 Tamar - Milk And Honey

2009 Bria Valente - Elixer

I only included associated artists that Prince contributed at least half of the tracks and didn't include the NPGMC Ahdio Shows.

Well-compiled.

You could add The War to the 90s, I think (it's EP size, no?)

squirrelgrease said:

ufoclub said:

Has he not been putting out more studio material in the 2000's than he did in the 80's? Where's a list? You have to include things that showed up only on the internet too.

1980 Dirty Mind
1981 Controversy
1982 1999
1984 Purple Rain
1985 Around The World In A Day
1986 Parade
1987 Sign O' The Times

1988 Lovesexy

(1994) Black Album
1989 Batman

Associated Artists:

1981 The Time - S/T

1982 The Time - What Time Is It?
1982 Vanity 6 - S/T
1984 The Time - Ice Cream Castles
1984 Apollonia 6 - S/T
1984 Sheila E - Glamorous Life

1985 The Family - S/T
1985 Sheila E - Romance 1600

1987 Madhouse 8

1987 Madhouse 16
1987 Sheila E - S/T
1987 Jill Jones - S/T

1989 Mavis Staples - Time Waits For No One

____________________

1990 Graffiti Bridge

1991 Diamonds And Pearls

1992 Symbol
1993 Gold Nigga
1993 The Hits / The B-Sides

1994 1-800-New-Funk
1994 Come

1995 Exodus
1995 The Gold Experience
1996 Girl 6
1996 Chaos And Disorder
1996 Emancipation
1997 Crystal Ball
1997 The Truth

1997 Kamasutra
1998 Newpower Soul
1999 The Vault... Old Friends 4 Sale
1999 Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic

Associated Artists:

1990 The Time - Pandemonium

1991 Ingrid Chavez - May 19, 1992

1991 Eric Leeds - Times Squared
1993 Carmen Electra - S/T

1993 Mavis Staples - The Voice

1995 Mayte - Child Of The Sun

1999 Graham Central Station - GCS 2000

1999 Chaka Khan - Come 2 My House

____________________

2000 Rave In2 The Joy Fantastic

2001 The Very Best Of Prince
2001 The Rainbow Children
2002 One Nite Alone(Piano Demos)
2002 One Nite Alone... Live!/It Aint Over Box-Set

2003 Xpectation
2003 N.E.W.S

2004 The Chocolate Invasion

2004 The Slaughterhouse

2004 C-NOTE
2004 Musicology
2005 Ultimate
2006 3121
2007 Planet Earth
2008 Indigo Nights

2009 Lotusflow3r

2009 MPLSoUND

2010 20TEN

Associated Artists:

2006 Tamar - Milk And Honey

2009 Bria Valente - Elixer

I only included associated artists that Prince contributed at least half of the tracks and didn't include the NPGMC Ahdio Shows.

You can't leave out the strudio tracks that were internet only, or the audio shows! Those were studio productions as well.

Oh yeah, 2040 radical man.

Also the albums in the 2000's have more tracks per record than the 80's albums.

For example Rave has 15 tracks, Purple Rain has 8 tracks. Lovesexy has 9. 3121 had 12.

wasitgood4u said:

squirrelgrease said:

1978 For You
1979 Prince
1980 Dirty Mind
1981 Controversy
1982 1999
1984 Purple Rain
1985 Around The World In A Day
1986 Parade
1987 Sign O' The Times

1988 Lovesexy

(1994) Black Album
1989 Batman

Associated Artists:

1981 The Time - S/T

1982 The Time - What Time Is It?
1982 Vanity 6 - S/T
1984 The Time - Ice Cream Castles
1984 Apollonia 6 - S/T
1984 Sheila E - Glamorous Life

1985 The Family - S/T
1985 Sheila E - Romance 1600

1987 Madhouse 8

1987 Madhouse 16
1987 Sheila E - S/T
1987 Jill Jones - S/T

1989 Mavis Staples - Time Waits For No One

____________________

1990 Graffiti Bridge

1991 Diamonds And Pearls

1992 Symbol
1993 Gold Nigga
1993 The Hits / The B-Sides

1994 1-800-New-Funk
1994 Come

1995 Exodus
1995 The Gold Experience
1996 Girl 6
1996 Chaos And Disorder
1996 Emancipation
1997 Crystal Ball
1997 The Truth

1997 Kamasutra
1998 Newpower Soul
1999 The Vault... Old Friends 4 Sale
1999 Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic

Associated Artists:

1990 The Time - Pandemonium

1991 Ingrid Chavez - May 19, 1992

1991 Eric Leeds - Times Squared
1993 Carmen Electra - S/T

1993 Mavis Staples - The Voice

1995 Mayte - Child Of The Sun

1999 Graham Central Station - GCS 2000

1999 Chaka Khan - Come 2 My House

____________________

2000 Rave In2 The Joy Fantastic

2001 The Very Best Of Prince
2001 The Rainbow Children
2002 One Nite Alone(Piano Demos)
2002 One Nite Alone... Live!/It Aint Over Box-Set

2003 Xpectation
2003 N.E.W.S

2004 The Chocolate Invasion

2004 The Slaughterhouse

2004 C-NOTE
2004 Musicology
2005 Ultimate
2006 3121
2007 Planet Earth
2008 Indigo Nights

2009 Lotusflow3r

2009 MPLSoUND

2010 20TEN

Associated Artists:

2006 Tamar - Milk And Honey

2009 Bria Valente - Elixer

I only included associated artists that Prince contributed at least half of the tracks and didn't include the NPGMC Ahdio Shows.

Well-compiled.

You could add The War to the 90s, I think (it's EP size, no?)

I work day and night on a website and looks who gets congrats (no offense Squirrel, u know u'll always b my man )

The War was featured as being an "album" on NPGonlineltd and NPGMC's official discographies, and added as such to the cancelled Chocolate Invasion boxset, but then Prince suddenly sold it as a "single" on the next version of NPGMC, so basically it's what u want it 2 b

ufoclub said:

squirrelgrease said:

1980 Dirty Mind
1981 Controversy
1982 1999
1984 Purple Rain
1985 Around The World In A Day
1986 Parade
1987 Sign O' The Times

1988 Lovesexy

(1994) Black Album
1989 Batman

Associated Artists:

1981 The Time - S/T

1982 The Time - What Time Is It?
1982 Vanity 6 - S/T
1984 The Time - Ice Cream Castles
1984 Apollonia 6 - S/T
1984 Sheila E - Glamorous Life

1985 The Family - S/T
1985 Sheila E - Romance 1600

1987 Madhouse 8

1987 Madhouse 16
1987 Sheila E - S/T
1987 Jill Jones - S/T

1989 Mavis Staples - Time Waits For No One

____________________

1990 Graffiti Bridge

1991 Diamonds And Pearls

1992 Symbol
1993 Gold Nigga
1993 The Hits / The B-Sides

1994 1-800-New-Funk
1994 Come

1995 Exodus
1995 The Gold Experience
1996 Girl 6
1996 Chaos And Disorder
1996 Emancipation
1997 Crystal Ball
1997 The Truth

1997 Kamasutra
1998 Newpower Soul
1999 The Vault... Old Friends 4 Sale
1999 Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic

Associated Artists:

1990 The Time - Pandemonium

1991 Ingrid Chavez - May 19, 1992

1991 Eric Leeds - Times Squared
1993 Carmen Electra - S/T

1993 Mavis Staples - The Voice

1995 Mayte - Child Of The Sun

1999 Graham Central Station - GCS 2000

1999 Chaka Khan - Come 2 My House

____________________

2000 Rave In2 The Joy Fantastic

2001 The Very Best Of Prince
2001 The Rainbow Children
2002 One Nite Alone(Piano Demos)
2002 One Nite Alone... Live!/It Aint Over Box-Set

2003 Xpectation
2003 N.E.W.S

2004 The Chocolate Invasion

2004 The Slaughterhouse

2004 C-NOTE
2004 Musicology
2005 Ultimate
2006 3121
2007 Planet Earth
2008 Indigo Nights

2009 Lotusflow3r

2009 MPLSoUND

2010 20TEN

Associated Artists:

2006 Tamar - Milk And Honey

2009 Bria Valente - Elixer

I only included associated artists that Prince contributed at least half of the tracks and didn't include the NPGMC Ahdio Shows.

You can't leave out the strudio tracks that were internet only, or the audio shows! Those were studio productions as well.

Oh yeah, 2040 radical man.

Also the albums in the 2000's have more tracks per record than the 80's albums.

For example Rave has 15 tracks, Purple Rain has 8 tracks. Lovesexy has 9. 3121 had 12.

Feel free to break it down by song and add what you feel should be on the studio list.

ufoclub said:

You can't leave out the strudio tracks that were internet only, or the audio shows! Those were studio productions as well.

Oh yeah, 2040 radical man.

Also the albums in the 2000's have more tracks per record than the 80's albums.

For example Rave has 15 tracks, Purple Rain has 8 tracks. Lovesexy has 9. 3121 had 12.

Neither can u leave out the 80's b-sides and the numerous songs he wrote 4 other artists in the 80's and 90's But in the end i really think that he records as much as he did, he just seems to favor releasing live stuff over studio stuff nowadays, i dunno why...

I think the amount of tracks that appeared under associated artists each decade are rather telling in regard to how much studio time he has been doing. IIRC, the associated bands were initially created because of all the overflow of material and recording time he was doing.

On the other hand, his own albums have grown in size since the 80's. He probably released more material under his own name in the 90's than either of the other decades.