Here are the two main points to keep in mind when discussing this topic:

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1)
As it stands now, WB cannot remaster Prince's albums...period, full stop. And it has nothing to do with his popularity! If Prince had a number one single tomorrow you would not see any remasters because WB does not have/own the original recordings. All they have/own are the final master tapes of each album that were compiled at Bernie Grundman's. They can't do a thing unless Prince gives them his original session tapes because they are what need to be "remastered." And the likelihood of Prince giving WB access to these recordings lies somewhere between "not a chance" and "when pigs fly."

Not entirely correct: Remastering is usually done using the original (in this case 1/4 inch) two-track final mix tapes of each track and sending these through newer more efficient equipment for tweaking and final re-mastering. Most likely, Warner Bros. has at least safety copies of these tapes in their vault.

Remixing requires the original session tapes on 24-track reels so that each track (or instrument) can be individually effected and re-equed to taste. These tapes Prince would have in his vault as well as a final sequenced master of the original album release. He said as much in a Q&A a while back (can't remember where) to clear up confusion about who physically has the masters. Unfortunately, possession of the masters does not mean ownership.

For an example of how WB is hamstrung by this, listen to "Adore" on either hits set. You can hear the fadeout from "It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Night" at the beginning of the song because all WB has to work from is the master of the SOTT album -- where the two tracks overlap. Prince won't give them a "single edit" of the song.

2)
Ownership of each album master reverts back to Prince (or his estate should he be deceased) after a period of 35 years. This means that Prince will regain control of "For You" in 2013 and each subsequent album in succession from there.

Here's what we can hope for to move this process along more quickly: 1) Prince buys his masters back and licenses them to another label or self releases them; 2) WB sells Prince's catalog to another label and he agrees to a contract for re-release with the new owners; or 3) Prince and WB negotiate terms for a reissue campaign of their own. Barring any of these things, it's going to be a long wait for that 5.1 version of Lovesexy Prince has referenced.

Peace, David

Thanks, MiaBocca.

And two more things: 1) Some combo of the info Jestyr and I have posted should be added to the FAQ -- this gets asked alot; and 2) If they could, I bet WB would love to reissue a few of Prince's albums later this year.

[color=blue:933749b687:9541bd21aa]I agree. These questions come up constantly. Not that anyone will check the faq first, but hey...

Consider: Prince will get a ton of publicity this fall w hen he is nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and even more when he is inducted next March. All of the man's most deserving albums will be listed whenever his nomination/induction is written about and I think WB would love to establish a reissue ca mpaign that coincides with this. (For examples of this synergy between remasters and HOF induction, see both The Police and AC/DC from this year's class.)

And the HOF connection is in additon to the fact that 2004 is the 20th anniversary of Purple Rai n! Another milestone that could easily be exploited.

If Prince was willing to negotiate, I think the remasters (of a few key albums) would definitely be happening this year. But we all know he ain't having it.

Peace, David
[This message was edited Thu Mar 13 15:03:25 PST 2003 by livewire]

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