The Rhino Records website has individual webpages for the three vinyl albums that are set to be reissued on May 10:

http://www.rhino.com/prin...rty-mind-2

http://www.rhino.com/prin...troversy-2

http://www.rhino.com/prince-1999-1

You can actually play samples of the individual songs, but I haven't yet tried to determine whether what you hear is different than the existing digital versions on iTunes. If they are streaming samples of new digital versions, that would obviously be huge news and point toward CD remasters coming our way, possibly in the near future. Take a listen and see what you think.

If nothing else, this is the strongest indication yet that these things really are coming out on vinyl next month.

Update: Changed thread title to reflect the fact that the reissues are now out and confirmed to be remastered.

[Edited 5/17/11 12:34pm]

Why would you doubt that they're coming out - if they've said they are, they are. Purple Rain was already done.

Also, I don't think this is any indication at all of CD remasters.

NouveauDance said:

Why would you doubt that they're coming out - if they've said they are, they are. Purple Rain was already done.

Also, I don't think this is any indication at all of CD remasters.

Because the release has already been delayed at least once.

If the digital versions they're streaming are just the ones we already have, then I agree it says nothing about CD remasters. However, if they are streaming new digital versions, that means the albums have already been remastered for digital release, as Prince himself said to the Peach & Black folks. That doesn't tell us when CD remasters would come out, but it would suggest that a deal has been worked out for at least these three albums involving eventual digital releases. Otherwise, how would Rhino have access to the new digital versions? On the other hand, if I were working for WMG, I wouldn't release CD remasters until they've met whatever demand there is for these vinyl reissues.

[Edited 4/23/11 10:16am]

There are a couple of additional reasons why we might see digital remasters sooner rather than later:

1. Most people who are interested in these vinyl reissues will buy them as soon as they come out. I already have them on pre-order. I think the vinyl sales will taper off quickly after the audiophiles and hardcore Prince fans have bought their copies.

2. I noted in another thread that Apple and WMG have reportedly reached a deal to allow Apple to store WMG albums on its new cloud service. Some have suggested that one advantage Apple will have over Amazon is that, because Apple is securing licenses from the record companies, they will be able to store just 1 copy of each standard album, which could mean quicker uploading for users and save money on storage. By contrast, Amazon will have to store unique files for each user. But if Prince fans are all putting vinyl drops in their iTunes folder instead of the standard versions because they don't like the original CD versions, Apple will have to store each file separately. So, if the Apple deal is finalized, they could put pressure on WMG to finish a deal with Prince on the remasters if they haven't already.

C-O-O-L thanks for the heads up and lets hope this a sign of things to come...

Elusive Disc just indicated that they have the 1999 reissue in stock and expect to have the other two in stock by Monday.

temptation68 said:

temptation68 said:

Should I just burn down my in laws home (NOT SERIOUS) for throwing away my PRINCE AND MORRIS DAY album collection. I started buying Prince in 79 age 11. These friggin lunatics tossed them because they said it was the DEVILS music. I have been the Devil towards my husband since I found out the horrid news..... Ugh! Rhino here I come.... Friggin fraggin lunatics

That's an extremely funny, yet somehow sad story.

Although not for you obsviously

temptation68 said:

Should I just burn down my in laws home (NOT SERIOUS) for throwing away my PRINCE AND MORRIS DAY album collection. I started buying Prince in 79 age 11. These friggin lunatics tossed them because they said it was the DEVILS music. I have been the Devil towards my husband since I found out the horrid news..... Ugh! Rhino here I come.... Friggin fraggin lunatics

That's an extremely funny, yet somehow sad story.

Although not for you obsviously

COPPED......did you hear me? COPPED!!!!

NouveauDance said:

Also, I don't think this is any indication at all of CD remasters.

I hope these projects materialize though, during my stay on earth that is.

xlr8r said:

jackmitz said:

Mine JUST arrived from Amazon....my poor neighbors

How do they sound? Are there any differences from the original vinyl pressings?

jackmitz said:

Just dropped the needle on 'dirty mind', and I am immediately taken with how much fuller the sound is. And the clarity of the drums is shocking.

Are you comparing it to the CD or to an original vinyl pressing?

I downloaded the Purple Rain Reissue in 24 bit, but I haven't figured out how to make a DVD-audio to hear the damn thing. These new reissues sound promising.

electricberet said:

jackmitz said:

Just dropped the needle on 'dirty mind', and I am immediately taken with how much fuller the sound is. And the clarity of the drums is shocking.

Are you comparing it to the CD or to an original vinyl pressing?

I'm comparing to both the (lousy) CDs and the original vinyl. And after making my way through all three reissues, I'm blown away. They took reverential care in remastering these albums. Here's hoping they get to 'Sign' and 'Lovesexy'

jackmitz said:

electricberet said:

Are you comparing it to the CD or to an original vinyl pressing?

I'm comparing to both the (lousy) CDs and the original vinyl. And after making my way through all three reissues, I'm blown away. They took reverential care in remastering these albums. Here's hoping they get to 'Sign' and 'Lovesexy'

I'm at a loss to understand how a new vinyl can sound any better than the original vinyl.

Marrk said:

jackmitz said:

I'm comparing to both the (lousy) CDs and the original vinyl. And after making my way through all three reissues, I'm blown away. They took reverential care in remastering these albums. Here's hoping they get to 'Sign' and 'Lovesexy'

I'm at a loss to understand how a new vinyl can sound any better than the original vinyl.

A new vinyl pressing can sound better if it was mastered from the original tapes and the mastering job was better the second time around. It was reported in the Steve Hoffman audiophile forum that the reissues have Bernie Grundman's initials BG in the deadwax:

http://www.stevehoffman.t...amp;page=2

I got my copies in the mail today and can confirm that Bernie's initials are there. Bernie mastered the original vinyl issues, but he did not write his initials in those, as explained in a post in that thread. The other writing in the dead wax is also different: for example, the original catalog number for Dirty Mind was BSK 3478, but the reissue says WB 3478 without the BSK. These details are important because they may be clues as to the source used for these pressings. If Bernie went back to the original masters for the reissues, that means (1) the original master tapes have not deteriorated to the point of being unusable, as some have speculated in other threads, and (2) Prince must have given the go-ahead to allow his master tapes to be used to create uncensored new pressings. If so, that would be great news for those of us hoping for uncensored digital remasters.

As for the quality of these reissues, I've listened to the A-side of Dirty Mind, and it sounds great. Really great. I haven't done a comparison to the original vinyl pressing, however.

[Edited 5/13/11 12:07pm]

This was also pressed on 180 gram compared to the original vnyl that was pressed on 120 gram. Audiofiles contend the heavier the vnyl, the more information can be cut into the disc, thus sounding superior to the originals.

I've now listened to all three albums. The sound quality on the reissues is excellent. I still haven't been able to compare them to the original vinyl pressings. But if you don't already have these albums on vinyl, and you want brand new vinyl pressings, these will suit that purpose very well if you think the price is reasonable. When I went searching online for Prince's 1980s albums on vinyl, I had the most trouble finding Dirty Mind and Controversy in mint condition. With these, everything is brand spanking new. You even get the poster of Prince in the shower with Controversy if that's a plus for you.

I dont get the appeal of vinyl reissues. I bought all Prince albums when they were released on records and tapes. I have kept them in pristine condition as a serious Prince collector since 1979. When I see the vinyl reissue of Purple Rain in Best Buy, it looks like my original but it just is not the same. And I didnt have to pay $30 for the original on purple vinyl.

purplenuts said:

I dont get the appeal of vinyl reissues. I bought all Prince albums when they were released on records and tapes. I have kept them in pristine condition as a serious Prince collector since 1979. When I see the vinyl reissue of Purple Rain in Best Buy, it looks like my original but it just is not the same. And I didnt have to pay $30 for the original on purple vinyl.

Good for you for keeping your collection in good condition. I also bought the albums when they were released starting in 1985, but I was 11 years old when I bought the first one and didn't exactly maintain my collection very well (in fact I don't know where it is, other than the original CDs). I had to buy them again in order to hear them on vinyl. And there are new fans on here who weren't even born when some of the albums came out but want to get the vinyl. So I'm glad that at least a few of them are back in print for a while.

[Edited 5/13/11 19:25pm]

Following up on a point I made in the dupe thread that has now been locked: I would suggest that anyone who buys these reissues take the LPs out of the custom inner sleeves for Dirty Mind and 1999 and put them in generic sleeves. Otherwise, the custom sleeves will be damaged by the LPs, particularly given their heavy weight. (Controversy has no custom paper sleeve because it has a poster instead.) The custom sleeves are pretty cool, if you haven't seen them: they have photos of Prince and the band, along with the lyrics in the case of 1999.

Note to WBR, if you're reading: Please release For You, Prince, Parade, Sign O' The Times and Lovesexy on 180 gram vinyl before Prince gets ahold of the masters. Thank you.

suomynona said:

Note to WBR, if you're reading: Please release For You, Prince, Parade, Sign O' The Times and Lovesexy on 180 gram vinyl before Prince gets ahold of the masters. Thank you.

Don't forget ATWIAD and the Black Album while you're at it. Also, it's not clear that Prince doesn't ALREADY have control of the masters to the first few albums. He claimed that he is getting them back after 30 years.

electricberet said:

Marrk said:

I'm at a loss to understand how a new vinyl can sound any better than the original vinyl.

A new vinyl pressing can sound better if it was mastered from the original tapes and the mastering job was better the second time around. It was reported in the Steve Hoffman audiophile forum that the reissues have Bernie Grundman's initials BG in the deadwax:

http://www.stevehoffman.t...amp;page=2

I got my copies in the mail today and can confirm that Bernie's initials are there. Bernie mastered the original vinyl issues, but he did not write his initials in those, as explained in a post in that thread. The other writing in the dead wax is also different: for example, the original catalog number for Dirty Mind was BSK 3478, but the reissue says WB 3478 without the BSK. These details are important because they may be clues as to the source used for these pressings. If Bernie went back to the original masters for the reissues, that means (1) the original master tapes have not deteriorated to the point of being unusable, as some have speculated in other threads, and (2) Prince must have given the go-ahead to allow his master tapes to be used to create uncensored new pressings. If so, that would be great news for those of us hoping for uncensored digital remasters.

As for the quality of these reissues, I've listened to the A-side of Dirty Mind, and it sounds great. Really great. I haven't done a comparison to the original vinyl pressing, however.

[Edited 5/13/11 12:07pm]

Interesting. thanks.