Interesting article that recently popped up on PrinceVault.

http://www.princevault.com/index.php?title=Album:_Playtime_By_Versace

1. Playtime
2. The Good Life (Big City Remix)
3. Soul Sanctuary
4. 18 & Over
5. Stone
6. I Like It There
7. Da Bang
8. I'll Never B Another Fool
9. Van Gogh
10. Poor Goo
11. Dinner With Delores

So a dummy of the artwork showed up sometime recently, huh? Where? From whom? I want more information!!!

Thanks for pointing it out.

EddieC said:

Crazy how much we still don't know despite all that we do know

laytonian said:

EddieC said:

So a dummy of the artwork showed up sometime recently, huh? Where? From whom? I want more information!!!

Thanks for pointing it out.

It's part of that rrauction.

More here: https://www.rrauction.com...fm?IN=6224

It'd be cool to have this.... still not crazy about that picture of him on the cover, though.

databank said:

Crazy how much we still don't know despite all that we do know

.

I never understood why so many of those working for Prince in the 1990s and beyond are so secretive.

BartVanHemelen said:

databank said:

Crazy how much we still don't know despite all that we do know

.

I never understood why so many of those working for Prince in the 1990s and beyond are so secretive.

Is Googling that hard??? Jeeeeez!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-disclosure_agreement

BartVanHemelen said:

databank said:

Crazy how much we still don't know despite all that we do know

.

I never understood why so many of those working for Prince in the 1990s and beyond are so secretive.

I would say "loyalty" but then I'm not sure how long I'd be able to hold in the laughter.

You're right, it is a puzzle but, beyond loyalty, what else could it be?

SimonCharles said:

Marco81 said:

BartVanHemelen said:

.

I never understood why so many of those working for Prince in the 1990s and beyond are so secretive.

Is Googling that hard??? Jeeeeez!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-disclosure_agreement

I see above people already trip on loyalty and other nonsense.

No, Marco had it right: later associates were subject to pretty strict confidentiality agreements, several of them have stated it clearly.

^ But now they're all free to talk.

databank said:

Marco81 said:

Is Googling that hard??? Jeeeeez!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-disclosure_agreement

I see above people already trip on loyalty and other nonsense.

No, Marco had it right: later associates were subject to pretty strict confidentiality agreements, several of them have stated it clearly.

.

They could have easily supplied info anonymously. Plus, what's he gonna do if they'd talk about an unreleased album? He'd have to prove that them talking about an unreleased album has caused him harm. See https://www.quora.com/Con...e-entities :

.

In the situation of a breach of a non-disclosure agreement, the damages are usually measured in terms of the harm done to the non-breaching party. That party will have to show what injuries it has suffered as a result of the breach, such as the cost to re-secure the lost secrets, the profits earned by the entity to which the secrets are divulged, etc.

.

But I guess the threat of Prince bankrupting you via a frivolous lawsuit is pretty hard to ignore.

BartVanHemelen said:

databank said:

.

They could have easily supplied info anonymously. Plus, what's he gonna do if they'd talk about an unreleased album? He'd have to prove that them talking about an unreleased album has caused him harm. See https://www.quora.com/Con...e-entities :

.

In the situation of a breach of a non-disclosure agreement, the damages are usually measured in terms of the harm done to the non-breaching party. That party will have to show what injuries it has suffered as a result of the breach, such as the cost to re-secure the lost secrets, the profits earned by the entity to which the secrets are divulged, etc.

.

But I guess the threat of Prince bankrupting you via a frivolous lawsuit is pretty hard to ignore.

Anonymous info would have been worthless unless told to a reliable journalist/biographer off the record, and few journalists had much interest in in depth articles about Prince after 95 I guess.

.

IDK about technicalities but Prince was easy to sue people: even if you were not in the wrong you'd have to pay a lawyer, etc. No one wants to have to do that: even if you win it's a hassle and a possible loss of money. There's also the risk that you'd never work for Prince again: if you have the hope to work for an employer again, you just don't fuck it up like that: Prince's collaborators were professionals, who wared for their careers.

.

I remember a very specific case where the engineer of NEWS came here on the Org to speak about the session. He replied a few general questions then went "Before I answer to your more specific quetions, I gotta talk to my lawyer" and then the next day he said he was sorry but his lawyer had told him to call it a day, cuz telling more would have been a breach of confi contract.

There is much 90's output that was never put out. I remember hearing about someone that worked for days in a row on an album at Paisley Park, and it sounded great in their opinion, and reportedly nothing from that has surfaced. (I don't know any titles.) I tipped of Duane Tudahl who interviewed the guy for possible inclusion in a future book.

databank said:

BartVanHemelen said:

Anonymous info would have been worthless unless told to a reliable journalist/biographer off the record, and few journalists had much interest in in depth articles about Prince after 95 I guess.

.

IDK about technicalities but Prince was easy to sue people: even if you were not in the wrong you'd have to pay a lawyer, etc. No one wants to have to do that: even if you win it's a hassle and a possible loss of money. There's also the risk that you'd never work for Prince again: if you have the hope to work for an employer again, you just don't fuck it up like that: Prince's collaborators were professionals, who wared for their careers.

.

I remember a very specific case where the engineer of NEWS came here on the Org to speak about the session. He replied a few general questions then went "Before I answer to your more specific quetions, I gotta talk to my lawyer" and then the next day he said he was sorry but his lawyer had told him to call it a day, cuz telling more would have been a breach of confi contract.

well that's interesting. cool find!

"Sex clothes 4 the New Power Generation." Was he trading music for sex clothes?

OperatingThetan said:

SimonCharles said:

I would say "loyalty" but then I'm not sure how long I'd be able to hold in the laughter.

You're right, it is a puzzle but, beyond loyalty, what else could it be?

Admiration? Respect? I guess such responses are still possible? And before anyone says it, it is still possible to admire and respect somebody even if their personal behaviour may sometimes be difficult and challenging. If I had a spare thousand or two I'd be bidding on that 'Playtime' album, particularly as I'm guessing even a few of the released tracks here have different vocals and production.

That's a good point - well made. It's what you're admiriing and respecting...it's all about perspective.

WANT!

I think it's a cool collection of songs, although except for the title track, all of the tracks has seen the light of day whether officially or as outtakes - like the recently surfaced version of Dinner With Delores on Blast From The Past. I wonder which of the 18 & Over edits was included on this configuration? And did he intend to sell the collection through Versace outlets?

[Edited 8/23/17 10:19am]

ufoclub said:

There is much 90's output that was never put out. I remember hearing about someone that worked for days in a row on an album at Paisley Park, and it sounded great in their opinion, and reportedly nothing from that has surfaced. (I don't know any titles.) I tipped of Duane Tudahl who interviewed the guy for possible inclusion in a future book.

You have me intrigued!

When's the book coming out?

Better yet...oh Estate? Prince Estate? Release the vaults, especially the 80's or 90's tapes!

As far as this album configuration, I love 3 or 4 songs to death and haven't heard the rest. So, Estate , put it out already!

[Edited 8/23/17 13:43pm]

scififilmnerd said:

According to the Vault, the version of Poor-Goo is a live recording from the Astoria 23rd March 1995 and the version of 18 & Over is 40 seconds longer than the one on Crystal Ball.

Other interesting items are:

.

Artwork for 1995 configuration of Madhouse 24:

https://www.rrauction.com/preview_itemdetail.cfm?IN=6153

.

Some John L. Nelson tapes that seems to indicate that more was recorded by him that previously believed (Sharon has to release that!):

https://www.rrauction.com/preview_itemdetail.cfm?IN=6219

.

An in-progress Emancipation tracklist, dubbed "unfinished demos":

https://www.rrauction.com/preview_itemdetail.cfm?IN=6235

OperatingThetan said:

scififilmnerd said:

WANT!

I think it's a cool collection of songs, although except for the title track, all of the tracks has seen the light of day whether officially or as outtakes - like the recently surfaced version of Dinner With Delores on Blast From The Past. I wonder which of the 18 & Over edits was included on this configuration? And did he intend to sell the collection through Versace outlets?

[Edited 8/23/17 10:19am]

I wonder if the released tracks have different production or edits given the year here? I'm thinking particularly of 'Soul Sanctuary' and 'Never Be Another Fool'. Who might be on vocals? I'm guessing it wouldn't be Chaka as 'Come 2 My House' was three years later.

Yes, I wondered who was on vocals on this. I know there is a P demo but surely he wouldn't release it with him singing those those lyrics.

databank said:

.

An in-progress Emancipation tracklist, dubbed "unfinished demos":

https://www.rrauction.com/preview_itemdetail.cfm?IN=6235

nice to see this pop up. we've had a copy of this for ages tho, haven't we?

i'm thinking that "slave" is actually "slave 2 the system" (prince version)
and then "slowlycandleburns" is "slave" as it ended up on emancipation.

soundquality of the rip we have could be improved upon thought so it'd be
amazing if the person we ultimately buys this will release FLACs of it

IstenSzek said:

databank said:

An in-progress Emancipation tracklist, dubbed "unfinished demos":

https://www.rrauction.com/preview_itemdetail.cfm?IN=6235

soundquality of the rip we have could be improved upon thought so it'd be
amazing if the person we ultimately buys this will release FLACs of it

It's only the cover that's for sale. It doesn't include a CD.

[Edited 8/24/17 10:52am]

databank said:

Another interesting item is:

.

Artwork for 1995 configuration of Madhouse 24:

https://www.rrauction.com/preview_itemdetail.cfm?IN=6153

Wow, that's a previously unknown configuration. WANT!

scififilmnerd said:

IstenSzek said:

soundquality of the rip we have could be improved upon thought so it'd be
amazing if the person we ultimately buys this will release FLACs of it

It's only the cover that's for sale. It doesn't include a CD.

[Edited 8/24/17 10:52am]

oh, i hadn't noticed

IstenSzek said:

scififilmnerd said:

It's only the cover that's for sale. It doesn't include a CD.

[Edited 8/24/17 10:52am]

oh, i hadn't noticed

Actually, the Emancipation variant DOES include the music. From the item's description:

"Although the original ‘Fall 1995’ configuration of the Emancipation album Prince included with the full package is not present, Van Huffel has supplanted it with his own transferred CD-R copy, a mix that is immensely unique in its own right. "

So, if I read this correctly, he kept the original CD, but includes a copy of it as part of the sale.

Now that I look at the description for Playtime by Versace, it also says the music is included:

"This full package mock-up is one of only a few personally designed and hand-made by Michael Van Huffel, a member of the art department at Paisley Park and NPG Records, which were originally created as gifts of art and music for Gianni and Donatella Versace. No two mock-ups were alike, making this example truly one-of-a-kind, and the music featured on the included disc, including ‘Playtime’ and ‘Stone,’ are either rare mixes or never-before-released material."

So, there you go. Looks like if someone here has an estimated $17,000 lying around for the two, we might be on our way to an .org party.

[Edited 8/24/17 19:20pm]