databank said:

djThunderfunk said:

No they're not. Also out of print by George Clinton:

Some Of My Best Jokes Are Friends

You Shouldn't-Nuf Bit Fish

R&B Skeletons In The Closet

and of course

The Cinderella Theory

Hey Man Smell My Finger

Most of his solo material is out of print...

My mistake, sorry, it was written on a wikipedia page and I just didn't care to check. It's quite certain that P has them and not WB, though, as Hey Man was rereleased by Edel (and I believe -but not sure- to remember that Cinderella was among the planned Edel reissues from 1994).

It's a pity the Capitol albums are OOP too: they're bloody great

It looks like the ONLY studio album available (not counting compilations) is Computer Games...

Go "Atomic Dog"!

djThunderfunk said:

databank said:

My mistake, sorry, it was written on a wikipedia page and I just didn't care to check. It's quite certain that P has them and not WB, though, as Hey Man was rereleased by Edel (and I believe -but not sure- to remember that Cinderella was among the planned Edel reissues from 1994).

It's a pity the Capitol albums are OOP too: they're bloody great

It looks like the ONLY studio album available (not counting compilations) is Computer Games...

Go "Atomic Dog"!

What's even more interesting is that the classic Funkadelic albums on WB are also out of print, including One Nation Under a Groove. I'm guessing that has something to do with the copyright issues that are about to erupt when copyrights of post-1978 works start reverting next year.

Here's hoping for a remaster

But how will they get Tony M. out of all those tracks?

djThunderfunk said:

electricberet said:

I am going to go out on a limb here and predict (on the basis of no information) that we will get a deluxe Purple Rain 30th anniversary box set in 2014 that will include a remix of the original album plus some outtakes and other goodies as part of a package deal and peacemaking deal with Warner. Prince will release an album of new material on Warner at the same time and go out on tour to support both. Other reissues will follow in cheap cardboard sleeves. Fans will complain that the box could have been much better, the new album is lame, and the tour is just the same old material we've been hearing for years. Eventually a consensus will emerge that the original CD was much better than the remix. All of this is pure fantasy, but if it happens remember that I called it.

Wouldn't surprise me in the least... Hope you're wrong, though.

Scary but very probably true. Let's just hope the f**ck not. Otherwise we're waiting until 2024.

clbrooks said:

djThunderfunk said:

Wouldn't surprise me in the least... Hope you're wrong, though.

Scary but very probably true. Let's just hope the f**ck not. Otherwise we're waiting until 2024.

Or 2019, the 35th anniversary. But my bet is on 2014 because the window for making money on physical box sets is closing and both Prince and WMG know it. The basic model is what the Beach Boys have done for their 50th anniversary. Those guys don't really like each other but they have gotten it together to make some money before time runs out.

My thinking is that, in the case of Prince, the relevant parties have worked out a deal (or will work out a deal by 2014) to prevent legal squabbling after copyrights start to revert next year. Prince may get his masters back under the Copyright Act but that doesn't mean he will own the artwork to the albums, and the bandmembers may also have a claim. If all parties get their share from the proceeds of a major new album/reissue series/tour, those problems could go away. If it happens, I think it will start with Purple Rain because that's the album in his back catalog with the most mass appeal. I think the outtakes that would be included would likely be things that all the hardcore fans already have but would be new to those who have only a passing interest in Prince. By the time a box set comes out, we may already have everything that's included on it in excellent quality through "unofficial" sources.

Primce quotes? Haven't we all learned by now that Prince is the least reliable source for evidence when it comes to information about Prince or his music?

errant said:

Primce

Very close to what Uncle George always called him... "Primps"

electricberet said:

I think the outtakes that would be included would likely be things that all the hardcore fans already have but would be new to those who have only a passing interest in Prince. By the time a box set comes out, we may already have everything that's included on it in excellent quality through "unofficial" sources.

Probably. I'll still buy it, though...

djThunderfunk said:

So would I, of course. But I am a completist, to the extent that if Prince released a CD that consisted entirely of "Purple and Gold" remixes, I would complain like hell but buy it anyway.

electricberet said:

djThunderfunk said:

Probably. I'll still buy it, though...

So would I, of course. But I am a completist, to the extent that if Prince released a CD that consisted entirely of "Purple and Gold" remixes, I would complain like hell but buy it anyway.

I would like to say I wouldn't buy that. But, I'd be lying. I bought that Dance 4 Me single with all those horrible remixes, so....

electricberet said:

clbrooks said:

Scary but very probably true. Let's just hope the f**ck not. Otherwise we're waiting until 2024.

Or 2019, the 35th anniversary. But my bet is on 2014 because the window for making money on physical box sets is closing and both Prince and WMG know it. The basic model is what the Beach Boys have done for their 50th anniversary. Those guys don't really like each other but they have gotten it together to make some money before time runs out.

My thinking is that, in the case of Prince, the relevant parties have worked out a deal (or will work out a deal by 2014) to prevent legal squabbling after copyrights start to revert next year. Prince may get his masters back under the Copyright Act but that doesn't mean he will own the artwork to the albums, and the bandmembers may also have a claim. If all parties get their share from the proceeds of a major new album/reissue series/tour, those problems could go away. If it happens, I think it will start with Purple Rain because that's the album in his back catalog with the most mass appeal. I think the outtakes that would be included would likely be things that all the hardcore fans already have but would be new to those who have only a passing interest in Prince. By the time a box set comes out, we may already have everything that's included on it in excellent quality through "unofficial" sources.

OMG u're right I'd never thought about that!!!

Now if I understood correctly revertion of rights for masters isn't automatic, it has to be trialed and granted by a judge, so I guess in that case a good team of lawyers would obtain a revertion of artwork as well, or at least a right for the artists to use it even if they don't own it.

Bandmembers or ex-collaborators? I don't think so: none save Jam & Lewis can afford fighting Prince and his scandalously expensive lawyers in court, and Jam & Lewis have already shown that they don't give a fuck when accepting to rename The Time without a fuss.

Now the thing is that NO ONE, not a single bloody person in the whole world has the smallest idea of how these revertion issues are going to be solved: in some cases the ownership of a song, let alone a whole album, can involve so many people at so many levels that it's going to be a legal puzzle beyond imagination... The first cases are going to happen next year, so we'll see what happens with other artists before seing what happens with Prince, unless of course he's among the first ones to attack (which wouldn't be surprising).

electricberet said:

djThunderfunk said:

Probably. I'll still buy it, though...

So would I, of course. But I am a completist, to the extent that if Prince released a CD that consisted entirely of "Purple and Gold" remixes, I would complain like hell but buy it anyway.

I was a Prince completist, but not anymore. I would buy something like the PR set you speak of though.

databank said:

If Prince decides to fight rather than cut a deal then we could be in for a very long wait. His comment to the Peach and Black guys about the rights reverting after 30 years (rather than 35 under the statute) made me think there has already been a deal. But obviously I don't know anything, and neither do the other posters here. Those who have inside information would keep it confidential.

referring to PR: apart from the band members and the mixed up writing credits.

Prince pretty much wrote, recorded and produced the whole album. some concessions to the band are a no-brainer, but remember prince signed the contract with WB and as important as W&L et al were, they were just on a work for hire basis (as far as i know).

so in conclusion PR (and pretty much all other albums) are legally probably the easiest to sort out compared to other acts in the same predicament.

as for the artwork Prince could easily re-make the artwork to approximate standards.

PURPLE RAIN (3Oth Anniversary Remastered Edition)

1 disk (straight remaster)

2 disk set (disc 1 remaster with longer unedited tracklist/disc 2 b-sides and outtakes)

17 Days

God (Vocal)

Erotic City

I Would Die 4 U (12" Version)

Another Lonely Christmas (12" Version)

Wednesday

Father's Song

Let's Go Crazy (12" Version)

God (Instrumental)

Computer Blue (14min version)

Jungle Love

Modernaire

Sex Shooter

The Bird

3 disc luxury edition (same as 2disc set with additional disc of unreleased songs and versions)

Dandroppedadime said:

referring to PR: apart from the band members and the mixed up writing credits.

Prince pretty much wrote, recorded and produced the whole album. some concessions to the band are a no-brainer, but remember prince signed the contract with WB and as important as W&L et al were, they were just on a work for hire basis (as far as i know).

so in conclusion PR (and pretty much all other albums) are legally probably the easiest to sort out compared to other acts in the same predicament.

as for the artwork Prince could easily re-make the artwork to approximate standards.

PURPLE RAIN (3Oth Anniversary Remastered Edition)

1 disk (straight remaster)

2 disk set (disc 1 remaster with longer unedited tracklist/disc 2 b-sides and outtakes)

17 Days

God (Vocal)

Erotic City

I Would Die 4 U (12" Version)

Another Lonely Christmas (12" Version)

Wednesday

Father's Song

Let's Go Crazy (12" Version)

God (Instrumental)

Computer Blue (14min version)

Jungle Love

Modernaire

Sex Shooter

The Bird

3 disc luxury edition (same as 2disc set with additional disc of unreleased songs and versions)

If he did this he would make a lot of money. Even the general public might be interested in outtakes from the classic Purple Rain.

Dandroppedadime said:

referring to PR: apart from the band members and the mixed up writing credits.

Prince pretty much wrote, recorded and produced the whole album. some concessions to the band are a no-brainer, but remember prince signed the contract with WB and as important as W&L et al were, they were just on a work for hire basis (as far as i know).

so in conclusion PR (and pretty much all other albums) are legally probably the easiest to sort out compared to other acts in the same predicament.

as for the artwork Prince could easily re-make the artwork to approximate standards.

PURPLE RAIN (3Oth Anniversary Remastered Edition)

1 disk (straight remaster)

2 disk set (disc 1 remaster with longer unedited tracklist/disc 2 b-sides and outtakes)

17 Days

God (Vocal)

Erotic City

I Would Die 4 U (12" Version)

Another Lonely Christmas (12" Version)

Wednesday

Father's Song

Let's Go Crazy (12" Version)

God (Instrumental)

Computer Blue (14min version)

Jungle Love

Modernaire

Sex Shooter

The Bird

3 disc luxury edition (same as 2disc set with additional disc of unreleased songs and versions)

Add a fourth disc: a dvd of the Syracuse show, or any other Purple Rain show, and this would be perfect!

djThunderfunk said:

Dandroppedadime said:

referring to PR: apart from the band members and the mixed up writing credits.

Prince pretty much wrote, recorded and produced the whole album. some concessions to the band are a no-brainer, but remember prince signed the contract with WB and as important as W&L et al were, they were just on a work for hire basis (as far as i know).

so in conclusion PR (and pretty much all other albums) are legally probably the easiest to sort out compared to other acts in the same predicament.

as for the artwork Prince could easily re-make the artwork to approximate standards.

PURPLE RAIN (3Oth Anniversary Remastered Edition)

1 disk (straight remaster)

2 disk set (disc 1 remaster with longer unedited tracklist/disc 2 b-sides and outtakes)

17 Days

God (Vocal)

Erotic City

I Would Die 4 U (12" Version)

Another Lonely Christmas (12" Version)

Wednesday

Father's Song

Let's Go Crazy (12" Version)

God (Instrumental)

Computer Blue (14min version)

Jungle Love

Modernaire

Sex Shooter

The Bird

3 disc luxury edition (same as 2disc set with additional disc of unreleased songs and versions)

Add a fourth disc: a dvd of the Syracuse show, or any other Purple Rain show, and this would be perfect.

Lots of people would buy that as a Christmas present in 2014 for some family member who used to be into Prince. It would also be typical of the releases that most major artists are putting out these days. Interestingly, two of the other big holdouts from the reissue craze are also former Warner Brothers artists: Joni Mitchell and Van Morrison.

electricberet said:

djThunderfunk said:

Add a fourth disc: a dvd of the Syracuse show, or any other Purple Rain show, and this would be perfect.

Lots of people would buy that as a Christmas present in 2014 for some family member who used to be into Prince. It would also be typical of the releases that most major artists are putting out these days. Interestingly, two of the other big holdouts from the reissue craze are also former Warner Brothers artists: Joni Mitchell and Van Morrison.

Joni Mitchell I know at least has remastered CD's out.

Dandroppedadime said:

referring to PR: apart from the band members and the mixed up writing credits.

Prince pretty much wrote, recorded and produced the whole album. some concessions to the band are a no-brainer, but remember prince signed the contract with WB and as important as W&L et al were, they were just on a work for hire basis (as far as i know).

so in conclusion PR (and pretty much all other albums) are legally probably the easiest to sort out compared to other acts in the same predicament.

as for the artwork Prince could easily re-make the artwork to approximate standards.

PURPLE RAIN (3Oth Anniversary Remastered Edition)

1 disk (straight remaster)

2 disk set (disc 1 remaster with longer unedited tracklist/disc 2 b-sides and outtakes)

17 Days

God (Vocal)

Erotic City

I Would Die 4 U (12" Version)

Another Lonely Christmas (12" Version)

Wednesday

Father's Song

Let's Go Crazy (12" Version)

God (Instrumental)

Computer Blue (14min version)

Jungle Love

Modernaire

Sex Shooter

The Bird

3 disc luxury edition (same as 2disc set with additional disc of unreleased songs and versions)

Despite their presence in the movie, Jungle Love and The Bird belong to Ice Cream Castle and Sex Shooter to Apollonia 6, 2 albums that are related but nonetheless separate musical projects (though a massive remaster package including the 3 albums could be cool ). Contrarly to some here, I am absolutely convinced that Prince considers these 2 albums (and others) as being as much part of his canon as his "own" albums, that he will fight for their masters and, if he wins, rerelease them alongside his own albums. If there's a market for André Cymone reissues, there sure is one for The Time and Apollonia 6 ^^

And though he plays on it, Prince doesn't own Modernaire (he shouldn't have issues negociating a deal with Dez Dickerson, though).

errant said:

electricberet said:

Lots of people would buy that as a Christmas present in 2014 for some family member who used to be into Prince. It would also be typical of the releases that most major artists are putting out these days. Interestingly, two of the other big holdouts from the reissue craze are also former Warner Brothers artists: Joni Mitchell and Van Morrison.

Joni Mitchell I know at least has remastered CD's out.

Yes, but no deluxe editions or previously unreleased material from Joni's Warner era. There are also a few remastered Van Morrison CDs from Japan, but again, it's just the released albums with no extras. By contrast, reissues on Sony/Columbia such as The Byrds and Sly & the Family Stone tend to be loaded with bonus tracks. There is a major 25th anniversary box set coming out soon for an album by Prince's main competitor in the 1980s, although I won't mention his name lest this thread be locked and directed to his sticky. That box is the example of the sort of thing that could be done for Prince if he wants it to happen. Maybe Sony could buy the rights to Prince's back catalog?

do you mean MJ

michael jackson

the king of pop

"he better than primce"

etc etc

You can't say that ^^^ name in this forum. However, here is an edited description of the box set I'm talking about. Imagine if we got something similar for Purple Rain in 2014:

This Deluxe 25th Anniversary Edition includes three CDs, two collectible booklets, and features the first ever authorized DVD release of a concert from the record breaking [1980s Album] tour.

DVD - [He Who Must Not Be Named]'s legendary [1980s] concert at [Famous] Stadium in London. This DVD is not a compilation of performances, but rather one complete show, exactly as [He Who Must Not Be Named] performed it for [Famous Individuals] and the 72,000 fans who were in the audience for that night's sold out show. The DVD was sourced from [He Who Must Not Be Named]'s personal VHS copy of the performance as shown on the JumboTrons during the concert. This footage was only recently unearthed and is the only known copy of the show to exist. The visuals have been restored and the audio quality enhanced so that fans can share in the excitement of that famous night.

CD1 - The original re-mastered album.

CD2 - A CD containing previously unreleased material recorded in [He Who Must Not Be Named]'s personal studio at [Location]. This material includes early demo versions of songs from the album as well as demos for songs not included on the final album. All of this material is being released as it was recorded during the [1980s Album] sessions. Nothing has been added or changed. In addition, this CD also includes new remixes from internationally renowned DJ/producers.

CD3 - A CD showcasing the audio from the sound truck recordings of the [Famous Stadium] performance. The first-ever live [He Who Must Not Be Named] CD to be released, this is the only concert from the [1980s Album] Tour known to exist on multitracks.

This magnificent 3 CD/1 DVD box also includes two extensive booklets with yet unseen photos from the recording sessions, video sets and the concert tour, the original [1980s Album] cover art, a two-sided poster and more.

electricberet said:

Ad awful as it sounds, what you're saying is that Princr needs to fie for us to tryly get whst we want out of him.

Believe me, I don't want him to die. With every fibre of my being, this is not what I want.

However, his legacy is best entrusted to others. That's why I've always hoped for remasters via a deal with Watner Bros., before ownership of the material reverted to him.

His sit-fown with the Peach & Black podcast guys regarding his intentions toward his remastering techniques was alarming, to say the least.

errant said:

electricberet said:

You can't say that ^^^ name in this forum. However, here is an edited description of the box set I'm talking about. Imagine if we got something similar for Purple Rain in 2014:

This Deluxe 25th Anniversary Edition includes three CDs, two collectible booklets, and features the first ever authorized DVD release of a concert from the record breaking [1980s Album] tour.

DVD - [He Who Must Not Be Named]'s legendary [1980s] concert at [Famous] Stadium in London. This DVD is not a compilation of performances, but rather one complete show, exactly as [He Who Must Not Be Named] performed it for [Famous Individuals] and the 72,000 fans who were in the audience for that night's sold out show. The DVD was sourced from [He Who Must Not Be Named]'s personal VHS copy of the performance as shown on the JumboTrons during the concert. This footage was only recently unearthed and is the only known copy of the show to exist. The visuals have been restored and the audio quality enhanced so that fans can share in the excitement of that famous night.

CD1 - The original re-mastered album.

CD2 - A CD containing previously unreleased material recorded in [He Who Must Not Be Named]'s personal studio at [Location]. This material includes early demo versions of songs from the album as well as demos for songs not included on the final album. All of this material is being released as it was recorded during the [1980s Album] sessions. Nothing has been added or changed. In addition, this CD also includes new remixes from internationally renowned DJ/producers.

CD3 - A CD showcasing the audio from the sound truck recordings of the [Famous Stadium] performance. The first-ever live [He Who Must Not Be Named] CD to be released, this is the only concert from the [1980s Album] Tour known to exist on multitracks.

This magnificent 3 CD/1 DVD box also includes two extensive booklets with yet unseen photos from the recording sessions, video sets and the concert tour, the original [1980s Album] cover art, a two-sided poster and more.

Ad awful as it sounds, what you're saying is that Princr needs to fie for us to tryly get whst we want out of him. Believe me, I don't want him to die. With every fibre of my being, this is not what I want. However, his legacy is best entrusted to others. That's why I've always hoped for remasters via a deal with Watner Bros., before ownership of the material reverted to him. His sit-fown with the Peach & Black podcast guys regarding his intentions toward his remastering techniques was alarming, to say the least.

Huh? I'm not saying that at all. I'm just pointing out that if there is a market for the box set above then there would also be a market for an equivalent Purple Rain box set. In fact, there would be an even bigger market, because Prince is still alive and could do a tour and a new album to help kick off the reissue series. Although, a lot of the people who bought Purple Rain may not realize Prince is still alive, unless they live in one of the cities he toured recently.

[Edited 8/31/12 16:09pm]

electricberet said:

First, apologies for the iOS keyboard typos. Thought I'd caught them all.

Second, nine of this is happening until he's dead and his legacy is in some lawyer's hands. Couldn't get a satisfying MJ re-issue during his lfe, it'll be even worse with Prince, unfortunately.

errant said:

electricberet said:

Huh? I'm not saying that at all. I'm just pointing out that if there is a market for the box set above then there would also be a market for an equivalent Purple Rain box set. In fact, there would be an even bigger market, because Prince is still alive and could do a tour and a new album to help kick off the reissue series. Although, a lot of the people who bought Purple Rain may not realize Prince is still alive, unless they live in one of the cities he toured recently.

[Edited 8/31/12 16:09pm]

First, apologies for the iOS keyboard typos. Thought I'd caught them all. Second, nine of this is happening until he's dead and his legacy is in some lawyer's hands. Couldn't get a satisfying MJ re-issue during his lfe, it'll be even worse with Prince, unfortunately.

You may be right that nothing will happen until that sad day. I'm just saying it doesn't have to be that way. The demand is there and the product could easily be put together. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if someone at WMG doesn't have artwork and design details ready to go for a deluxe Purple Rain box just in case Prince ever agreed to the release (sort of like the tobacco companies supposedly have brand names picked out and packaging ready to sell marijuana if it ever gets legalized). And don't forget that he did agree to release the Black Album when he got a check with the right numbers on it.

Well, it seems he FINALLY addressed the subject in The View. Haven't seen it but a thread quotes him saying that he probably won't release most of the stuff but that someone may do it after he's gone...

It sucks because I hoped he had plans for the shit, but it at least means he ain't planning on having everything destroyed after his death as some feared. It's great that he won't deprive humanity from such a legacy.

Now the shit is that many of us are probably gonna die before Prince, so bye-bye Vault

Hope he changes his mind somewhere on the road...

[Edited 9/18/12 7:00am]

As I posted in the other thread, this is what he actually said on The View:

Q: I heard that you have a vault of hundreds of unreleased songs. Are you ever going to release them and let us hear?

P: One day someone will release them. I don't know that I'll get to release them all.

Q: Why are you holding on to them?

P: There's just so many. And I like writing new stuff. We do new stuff all the time. I meet a lot of musicians who inspire different sounds.

The key word there is "all." Of course he's not going to release them all. There's no big announcement here.

From watching the interview, I got the sense that Vault releases aren't on his mind much at the moment. He's focusing on promoting Andy's new CD and his Chicago concerts. I think it's safe to conclude that no major vault release campaign is about to be unleashed on us in the next few months, but other than that I wouldn't read much into it.

electricberet said:

As I posted in the other thread, this is what he actually said on The View:

Q: I heard that you have a vault of hundreds of unreleased songs. Are you ever going to release them and let us hear?

P: One day someone will release them. I don't know that I'll get to release them all.

Q: Why are you holding on to them?

P: There's just so many. And I like writing new stuff. We do new stuff all the time. I meet a lot of musicians who inspire different sounds.

The key word there is "all." Of course he's not going to release them all. There's no big announcement here.

From watching the interview, I got the sense that Vault releases aren't on his mind much at the moment. He's focusing on promoting Andy's new CD and his Chicago concerts. I think it's safe to conclude that no major vault release campaign is about to be unleashed on us in the next few months, but other than that I wouldn't read much into it.

Mmmh... Thanks, this is actually much less radical than what I'd heard.

We can hope again

Whoever has those ton of those tracks need to start releasing them since he shrugged it off as "someone will.." as if he doesnt have full control of his recordings..which we know better. Recently someone has been releasing more and more studio tracks and it's great. I really hope Prince is getting a paid portion for the releases and I am very thankful for hearing these tracks (especially Line #2, which gives me life). :headbang: But jesus someone just holding on to these tracks for twenty sum off years....we gon' be dead sooner or later and people younger than most of our generation (30 and up) are not going to care anymore. Most real Prince fans I know are older than me.