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Thread started 05/30/19 8:50am

BartVanHemelen

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Michael Howe: there is a plan for further posthumous Prince releases over the next "three-to-five years" - UPDATED 6 Jun

From the June 2019 issue of UK music monthly Classic Pop:

.

There is a plan for further posthumous Prince releases over the next "three-to-five years", which can be changed if Michael finds anything in the interim that simply can't wait. Prince said he expected his unreleased material to emerge after his death, but didn't leave detailed instructions as to how it should appear. "You can never answer the question fully," Michael admits. "We knew Prince pretty well, for what we think would be appropriate. He was a single-minded guy with a clear vision of his artistry. At the top of our list is 'Is this the calibre of what Prince would want in the marketplace? Would he approve of this if he were here?' We hope we're doing the right thing." The songs on Originals wouldn't fit on Prince's albums from the era. Yet it also sounds like a lost Prince album from 1984. The vault seems in safe hands.

.

UPDATE 6 June:

.

Please read my new posts at the end of page two, featuring somewhat more revealing quotes from Michael Howe from an interview with Belgian newspaper De Morgen.

.

[Edited 6/6/19 4:47am]

© Bart Van Hemelen
This posting is provided AS IS with no warranties, and confers no rights.
It is not authorized by Prince or the NPG Music Club. You assume all risk for
your use. All rights reserved.
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Reply #1 posted 05/30/19 9:03am

RodeoSchro

thumbs up!

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Reply #2 posted 05/30/19 9:26am

PURPLEIZED3121

the only way to do the catalogue justice, release it in quanitity AND quality & make a decent amount of $ whilst his fan-base can still be arsed is to offer a purely online based subscription. It's all so bloody obvious!

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Reply #3 posted 05/30/19 9:26am

Strive

I'm glad we're at the whims of an A&R guy that barely knows anything about Prince. Very cool.

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Reply #4 posted 05/30/19 9:39am

Strive

You know Prince's personal motto: 84 & nothin' more

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Reply #5 posted 05/30/19 10:51am

databank

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BartVanHemelen said:

From the June 2019 issue of UK music monthly Classic Pop:

.

There is a plan for further posthumous Prince releases over the next "three-to-five years", which can be changed if Michael finds anything in the interim that simply can't wait. Prince said he expected his unreleased material to emerge after his death, but didn't leave detailed instructions as to how it should appear. "You can never answer the question fully," Michael admits. "We knew Prince pretty well, for what we think would be appropriate. He was a single-minded guy with a clear vision of his artistry. At the top of our list is 'Is this the calibre of what Prince would want in the marketplace? Would he approve of this if he were here?' We hope we're doing the right thing." The songs on Originals wouldn't fit on Prince's albums from the era. Yet it also sounds like a lost Prince album from 1984. The vault seems in safe hands.

.

Lots of responsibility on a single man's shoulder.

.

As for the journalist saying "(...) Originals (...) sounds like a lost Prince album from 1984.", with an album spanning recordings from 1981 to 1990 and adding "The vault seems in safe hands", that leaves me with little hope.

.

PR Deluxe was a hatched job but received nothing but praise from the media, NC2U was a fake mix but received nothing but praise from the media, P&AM83 was poorly restored but received nothing but praise from the mesia, Originals is likely to be a nice compilation in terms of content but a poor listening experience in terms of a sequenced album, yet it will probably receive nothing but praise from the media.

.

So at some point, if they can release anything and have praise from all with no one save the most hardcore fans notice the problems, why should the Estate bother? I've reached the point where I don't care anymore, it's a bit like those new Star Wars: I'll still check it all out with low expectations, and I may totally enjoy some of the content, but I don't expect the Estate to be Prince any more than I expect Disney to be George Lucas.

A COMPREHENSIVE PRINCE DISCOGRAPHY (work in progress ^^): https://sites.google.com/...scography/
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Reply #6 posted 05/30/19 12:09pm

mushmackalenta

So we've had Originals, another volume or 2 would be nice but how about "Alternatives"?

A few songs automatically spring to mind

When Doves Cry

Something In The Water

Raspberry Beret 82

Baby I'm A Star 81/82

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Reply #7 posted 05/30/19 12:23pm

JoeyCococo

databank said:

BartVanHemelen said:

From the June 2019 issue of UK music monthly Classic Pop:

.

.

Lots of responsibility on a single man's shoulder.

.

As for the journalist saying "(...) Originals (...) sounds like a lost Prince album from 1984.", with an album spanning recordings from 1981 to 1990 and adding "The vault seems in safe hands", that leaves me with little hope.

.

PR Deluxe was a hatched job but received nothing but praise from the media, NC2U was a fake mix but received nothing but praise from the media, P&AM83 was poorly restored but received nothing but praise from the mesia, Originals is likely to be a nice compilation in terms of content but a poor listening experience in terms of a sequenced album, yet it will probably receive nothing but praise from the media.

.

So at some point, if they can release anything and have praise from all with no one save the most hardcore fans notice the problems, why should the Estate bother? I've reached the point where I don't care anymore, it's a bit like those new Star Wars: I'll still check it all out with low expectations, and I may totally enjoy some of the content, but I don't expect the Estate to be Prince any more than I expect Disney to be George Lucas.

PR Deluxe was not a hatchet job. I may have had negative things to say about the remaster itself, after a year, i think it was pretty good. The inclusion of Love and S....Electric...including all the 12 inch versions...awesome.

I don't get what is meant by a NC2U fake mix. I thought it sounded good..gave me me hope for future releases from so long ago. The only thing i am not happy about now is that they are stuck in the early 80s period. It should be explored but it seems ridiculous to focus there. Prince gift wrapped the final concert....he apparenlty had that Black is the new Black ready too. I think the estate has to go down two tracks. If they are bent on focusing on the early 80s, fine. Do that but also give us other periods.

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Reply #8 posted 05/30/19 12:24pm

BartVanHemelen

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databank said:

BartVanHemelen said:

From the June 2019 issue of UK music monthly Classic Pop:

.

.

Lots of responsibility on a single man's shoulder.

.

As for the journalist saying "(...) Originals (...) sounds like a lost Prince album from 1984.", with an album spanning recordings from 1981 to 1990

.

One track from 1990 because Jay-Z got to make a decision. The rest are 1981-1985.

© Bart Van Hemelen
This posting is provided AS IS with no warranties, and confers no rights.
It is not authorized by Prince or the NPG Music Club. You assume all risk for
your use. All rights reserved.
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Reply #9 posted 05/30/19 12:25pm

JoeyCococo

JoeyCococo said:

databank said:

Lots of responsibility on a single man's shoulder.

.

As for the journalist saying "(...) Originals (...) sounds like a lost Prince album from 1984.", with an album spanning recordings from 1981 to 1990 and adding "The vault seems in safe hands", that leaves me with little hope.

.

PR Deluxe was a hatched job but received nothing but praise from the media, NC2U was a fake mix but received nothing but praise from the media, P&AM83 was poorly restored but received nothing but praise from the mesia, Originals is likely to be a nice compilation in terms of content but a poor listening experience in terms of a sequenced album, yet it will probably receive nothing but praise from the media.

.

So at some point, if they can release anything and have praise from all with no one save the most hardcore fans notice the problems, why should the Estate bother? I've reached the point where I don't care anymore, it's a bit like those new Star Wars: I'll still check it all out with low expectations, and I may totally enjoy some of the content, but I don't expect the Estate to be Prince any more than I expect Disney to be George Lucas.

PR Deluxe was not a hatchet job. I may have had negative things to say about the remaster itself, after a year, i think it was pretty good. The inclusion of Love and S....Electric...including all the 12 inch versions...awesome.

I don't get what is meant by a NC2U fake mix. I thought it sounded good..gave me me hope for future releases from so long ago. The only thing i am not happy about now is that they are stuck in the early 80s period. It should be explored but it seems ridiculous to focus there. Prince gift wrapped the final concert....he apparenlty had that Black is the new Black ready too. I think the estate has to go down two tracks. If they are bent on focusing on the early 80s, fine. Do that but also give us other periods.

i meant the set was actually quite good...the remaster was not.

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Reply #10 posted 05/30/19 12:30pm

jfenster

great ..but how r they deciding WHAT to release??? they should be looking on here for suggestions

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Reply #11 posted 05/30/19 2:39pm

databank

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JoeyCococo said:

databank said:

Lots of responsibility on a single man's shoulder.

.

As for the journalist saying "(...) Originals (...) sounds like a lost Prince album from 1984.", with an album spanning recordings from 1981 to 1990 and adding "The vault seems in safe hands", that leaves me with little hope.

.

PR Deluxe was a hatched job but received nothing but praise from the media, NC2U was a fake mix but received nothing but praise from the media, P&AM83 was poorly restored but received nothing but praise from the mesia, Originals is likely to be a nice compilation in terms of content but a poor listening experience in terms of a sequenced album, yet it will probably receive nothing but praise from the media.

.

So at some point, if they can release anything and have praise from all with no one save the most hardcore fans notice the problems, why should the Estate bother? I've reached the point where I don't care anymore, it's a bit like those new Star Wars: I'll still check it all out with low expectations, and I may totally enjoy some of the content, but I don't expect the Estate to be Prince any more than I expect Disney to be George Lucas.

PR Deluxe was not a hatchet job.

I don't get what is meant by a NC2U fake mix.

Bro, I don't wanna sound like Bart and curse at you for not doing your homework before addressing the subject, I guess that you're a casual or new fan, and it's cool, but everything I'm talking about has been overdocumented here, and it's late and I'm heading to bed so I ain't gonna explain it all over again point by point (I may later if I must, but I'd rather not because one gets tired). Just search the org and see for yourself nod

A COMPREHENSIVE PRINCE DISCOGRAPHY (work in progress ^^): https://sites.google.com/...scography/
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Reply #12 posted 05/30/19 2:49pm

databank

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BartVanHemelen said:

databank said:

Lots of responsibility on a single man's shoulder.

.

As for the journalist saying "(...) Originals (...) sounds like a lost Prince album from 1984.", with an album spanning recordings from 1981 to 1990

.

One track from 1990 because Jay-Z got to make a decision. The rest are 1981-1985.

Do you know for a fact what Jay and what M. Howe decided?

A COMPREHENSIVE PRINCE DISCOGRAPHY (work in progress ^^): https://sites.google.com/...scography/
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Reply #13 posted 05/30/19 4:10pm

BartVanHemelen

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databank said:

BartVanHemelen said:

.

One track from 1990 because Jay-Z got to make a decision. The rest are 1981-1985.

Do you know for a fact what Jay and what M. Howe decided?

.

https://prince.org/msg/7/...&pg=20

© Bart Van Hemelen
This posting is provided AS IS with no warranties, and confers no rights.
It is not authorized by Prince or the NPG Music Club. You assume all risk for
your use. All rights reserved.
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Reply #14 posted 05/30/19 4:59pm

LovePaisley

PURPLEIZED3121 said:

the only way to do the catalogue justice, release it in quanitity AND quality & make a decent amount of $ whilst his fan-base can still be arsed is to offer a purely online based subscription. It's all so bloody obvious!




nod
And the MUSIC continues...forever...
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Reply #15 posted 05/31/19 12:00am

databank

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BartVanHemelen said:

databank said:

Do you know for a fact what Jay and what M. Howe decided?

.

https://prince.org/msg/7/...&pg=20

Cool, thx smile

A COMPREHENSIVE PRINCE DISCOGRAPHY (work in progress ^^): https://sites.google.com/...scography/
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Reply #16 posted 05/31/19 2:11am

OperatingTheta
n

The same 'expert' who selected an inferior rehearsal tape of sketches and fragments he 'found' by searching (probably here) details of circulating bootlegs?

I have no faith in Howe or Troy Carter at all. The new Originals album, which is promising, is probably more due to Jay-Z.
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Reply #17 posted 05/31/19 2:14am

darkroman

It is interesting many articles on this subject always conclude with those involved wishing/hoping to do what Prince would have done as a way to honour his memory. This position is even used to trick fans into thinking what the Estate does is ligitimate.

I do find this interesting and perhaps a good standpoint however it could also be the wrong position to take.

For example, we all know Prince had said in interterviews that after his death his music will find a way to be released and that those involved will do with it as they choose (for example, maybe driven by the changing market forces as the years go by).

With that in mind, the default position to honour Prince, could ultimately be detrimental to Prince's legacy.

Ultimately no one can second guess what Prince would have done, so it could cause more damage to try - perhaps (?).

One could argue, if the Estate was to truly follow Prince's way of working, there would be at least three or even four albums released each year with other projects thrown in along the way. Again, as we know, Prince fell out with Warners for not releasing projects fast enough.

I believe holding back music and re-packing music is something Prince would never have done - simple because he never did it in his lifetime.

So the moral of this tale is to not second guess Prince as even he expected after his death for things to be administered in the way people would see appropriate at that moment in time.


cool

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Reply #18 posted 05/31/19 3:11am

PURPLEIZED3121

right now my attitude is 'fuck them all'! Troy, Howe, the incompetent so called Heirs, the record companies, the legal teams, the banks etc. Obviously the blame firmly lies at the doorstep of P but IT IS WHAT IS IT...he left it in a state of chaos & disorder & is probably pissing himself laughing on a purple cloud somewhere!

I have ZERO hope of any level of competence or truly worthwhile releases any time soon.

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Reply #19 posted 05/31/19 3:44am

AvocadosMax

Strive said:

You know Prince's personal motto: 84 & nothin' more


You know they’re gonna milk ‘84 as long as they can haha
“We got a plan for future posthumous Prince releases the next 3 to 5 years!”

What they actually mean:
December 2019 — Purple Rain: Alternate (non-live) Version
June 2020 — Purple Rain 2: What WBs wanted ATWIAD to be!
September 2020 — Purple Rain-era rehearsal
April 2021 — What’s Dream Factory?! (Another Purple Rain era rehearsal)
December 2021 — Live from The Vault.....1984 Again!!
June 2022 — HitNRun Phase 1984
September 2022 — Purple Rain: The Billie Eilish Remix
September 2023 — Purple Rain (It Ain’t Over!)
June 2024 — Piano and a Microphone 1984
September 2024 — Purple Rain Soundtrack (every piece of music that’s in the movie is on this album)
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Reply #20 posted 05/31/19 3:56am

AvocadosMax

I want to hear Black Is The New Black or HitNRun Phase Three (if there is such a thing) the most
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Reply #21 posted 05/31/19 4:18am

love2thenines2
003

From the same article.....we learn something very interresting....there are other versions of WHEN DOVES CRY in the Vault.....i'm desperate to hear this one day ??

Peggy McCreary (Prince 's Studio engineer 81 to 86)

"Althought Prince was so prolific and worked so quickly, he was still ale to rein it in on occasion.One of the songs Michael Howe has found in Prince's Vault is the Oriinal Version of When Doves Cry.Peggy recalls : "When we 1st made When Doves Cry , it was way too over-produced , way too grandiose , with synths and all of sorts stuffs on . As the night went on , we started taking instruments out. At the very end , at 7 am, Prince cut the Bass. He said "Ain't nobody to believe i'm going to do this" . He check himself. I remember grabbing the receptionist & saying , "you've got to hear this song!".He knew some of this stuff was great" .

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Reply #22 posted 05/31/19 4:30am

OperatingTheta
n

AvocadosMax said:

I want to hear Black Is The New Black or HitNRun Phase Three (if there is such a thing) the most


Agreed. Prince mentioned Phase 3 himself on his twitter, so it must exist in some form.

There really needs to be some kind of subscription service for hardcore fans to release (and in a financial sense, monetise) this kind of material, but the Estate doesn"t seem interested.

With the Estate's current agenda well over half of the vault will remain unreleased, as there's over two and a half decades of songs, albums and rehearsals they have no enthusiasm for.

Whatever, the hardcore fan base needs to be tapped now, while it still exists. How many people will remember or care about 'Welcome 2 America' and Phase 3 in 10-20 years time?

*
[Edited 5/31/19 4:31am]
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Reply #23 posted 05/31/19 5:23am

sulls

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AvocadosMax said:

Strive said:

You know Prince's personal motto: 84 & nothin' more

You know they’re gonna milk ‘84 as long as they can haha “We got a plan for future posthumous Prince releases the next 3 to 5 years!” What they actually mean: December 2019 — Purple Rain: Alternate (non-live) Version June 2020 — Purple Rain 2: What WBs wanted ATWIAD to be! September 2020 — Purple Rain-era rehearsal April 2021 — What’s Dream Factory?! (Another Purple Rain era rehearsal) December 2021 — Live from The Vault.....1984 Again!! June 2022 — HitNRun Phase 1984 September 2022 — Purple Rain: The Billie Eilish Remix September 2023 — Purple Rain (It Ain’t Over!) June 2024 — Piano and a Microphone 1984 September 2024 — Purple Rain Soundtrack (every piece of music that’s in the movie is on this album)

lol lol lol

"I like to watch."
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Reply #24 posted 05/31/19 5:27am

sulls

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At the top of our list is 'Is this the calibre of what Prince would want in the marketplace? Would he approve of this if he were here?' We hope we're doing the right thing."

This is why I am afraid they'll choose not to release the unedited Extralovable. sad

"I like to watch."
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Reply #25 posted 05/31/19 5:30am

fabriziovenera
ndi

I'd like to see all the albums Prince was going to release, and after he changed his mind: Roadhouse Garden, HIT'N RUN PHASE III, Crystal Ball II, Madrid 2 Chicago...

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Reply #26 posted 05/31/19 7:52am

Mikado

Strive said:

I'm glad we're at the whims of an A&R guy that barely knows anything about Prince. Very cool.


Damn straight.

A certain kind of mellow.
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Reply #27 posted 05/31/19 11:04am

MIRvmn

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fabriziovenerandi said:

I'd like to see all the albums Prince was going to release, and after he changed his mind: Roadhouse Garden, HIT'N RUN PHASE III, Crystal Ball II, Madrid 2 Chicago...


They should release all of Prince's 50+ unreleased albums at some point but I doubt it will happen. But perhaps a few like the ones u mentioned. Anyway I'm happy with Originals for now and hope there will be a vol.2
Welcome 2 The Dawn
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Reply #28 posted 05/31/19 11:41am

skywalker

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Here's my quick take:

-

Prince neglected his recorded legacy in many ways. He wasn't that interested in revisiting/remastering/re-releasing past eras of his career. I am cool with it. It's his choice as an artist. However, as a fan, it was always a bit of a letdown that he didn't (for example) think that albums like 1999, Purple Rain, or SOTT were worthy of expansive/comprehensive reissues and promotion. Hell, it's almost criminal the way he just let albums like The Gold Experience lapse into being obscure/out of print/hard to find status.

-

I guess what I am getting at is this: Regardless of what Prince would/wouldn't have done, I think the estate is doing a BETTER JOB than he EVER did at taking care of his back catalog. The fact that projects like Rave In2/Un2 are even being rereleased (albeit with out bonus content), is heartening to this fan. Especially considering Prince didn't have a long term, organized, plan for the future...

[Edited 5/31/19 11:41am]

"New Power slide...."
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Reply #29 posted 05/31/19 2:08pm

stillwaiting

AvocadosMax said:

Strive said:

You know Prince's personal motto: 84 & nothin' more

You know they’re gonna milk ‘84 as long as they can haha “We got a plan for future posthumous Prince releases the next 3 to 5 years!” What they actually mean: December 2019 — Purple Rain: Alternate (non-live) Version June 2020 — Purple Rain 2: What WBs wanted ATWIAD to be! September 2020 — Purple Rain-era rehearsal April 2021 — What’s Dream Factory?! (Another Purple Rain era rehearsal) December 2021 — Live from The Vault.....1984 Again!! June 2022 — HitNRun Phase 1984 September 2022 — Purple Rain: The Billie Eilish Remix September 2023 — Purple Rain (It Ain’t Over!) June 2024 — Piano and a Microphone 1984 September 2024 — Purple Rain Soundtrack (every piece of music that’s in the movie is on this album)

I am not happy with what we have received, but Originals is at least something. I'd rather have

more 1984 rehash than:

Tony M: The Man, The Myth, The Mister Money Minder Manure rapper: 10 Discs

Shelby J: The talented singer, who displays her ability to shout "Put Your Hands Up" at the top of her lungs: 5 Discs

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Forums > Prince: Music and More > Michael Howe: there is a plan for further posthumous Prince releases over the next "three-to-five years" - UPDATED 6 Jun