When 2 R In Love	4:12
Superfunkycalifragisexy	5:55
Le Grind	6:42
Dead On It	4:35
Rockhard In A Funky Place	4:30
Bob George	5:36
2 Nigs United 4 West Compton	7:00
Cindy C.	6:14

The Black Album is the sixteenth studio album by American recording artist Prince. It was released on November 22, 1994, by Warner Bros. Dubbed The Funk Bible by preceding press releases, and in a hidden message within the album itself, the work seemed to be a. Prince Unreleased Album The Black Album Last Channel got Deleted Subscribe 4 Mo Let's Get to 10K Subscribers for The Crystal Ball Album. The Black Album is the untitled sixteenth studio album by Prince that was released on November 22, 1994 die to a contract dispute. Just before the album was released to the market in 1987, Prince recalled all copies and abandoned the entire project, leaving roughly 100 European promotional copies in circulation, and several US copies that would be widely bootlegged in the coming years. Several reasons, including speculative ones, have been given as to why the release was derailed: Prince became convinced that the album was evil or represented an ominous portent. Prince experienced a crisis of. Prince - The Black Album 1987. To favorites 3 Download album. Listen album. The Black Album served as a return to his R&B roots to combat allegations of selling out. The album doesn't reach the highs of his best albums, but it's rewarding in its standouts as other B plus Prince albums. With the emphasis on raunch and shock value, The Black Album ends up sounding like a more extreme sequel to Dirty Mind which isn't totally a bad thing since a lot of the music is innovative enough to give it a identity of its own. The first two tracks kick things off lovely. As the case, with most good sequels, it offers interesting spins on the same story, but it becomes a parody of itself at times. By Lazlo Rugoff. August 6, 2018 In News. The only known Canadian copy was sold for 27,500. Originally titled The Funk Bible in press releases, The Black Album was intended as a follow up to 1987s Sign O the Times, exploring a darker tone and incorporating fewer pop elements. The original promo copies featured a black sleeve with no title, artist name or photography, leading to it being labelled The Black Album. Read next: Watch Princes first ever television interview from 1985. However, a week before the release, Prince declared the album to be evil and ordered all 500,000 copies to be d. The Black Album is the 16th full-length studio album by Prince. It's known as The Black Album due to its plain black sleeve, which contains no information apart from the catalogue number printed on the spine in peach letters. The sticker on the 1994 release labeled it The legendary Black Album. It was originally intended to be released on 8 December 1987, but was canceled at Prince's request just prior to release on 1 December 1987. It was finally given a limited release in November 1994 just t. Originally scheduled for release in November of 1987 - following the double-album Sign o' the Times by a matter of months - Prince pulled The Black Album weeks before its release, guaranteeing it near-mythic status. Urban legends spread like wildfire: Prince believed it was too bleak to release Warner Bros. balked at its explicit lyrics no CDs were ever pressed, and all the LPs were destroyed. The Black Album has ironically been the white whale for many a Prince collector. The original album was slated to be released in 1988 after Sign O The Times in an entirely black sleeve with no name or title on it. Instead, the brighter Lovesexy was released. Though Prince ordered all copies of The Black Album destroyed, some of them survived as bootlegs traded among fans. The Black Album was also intended to reconnect Prince with his Black audience, as ambitious works like Purple Rain and Around The World In A Day were beginning to alienate him from that audience. The Black Album - шестнадцатый студийный альбом американского певца и музыканта Принса, выпущенный 22 ноября 1994 года на лейбле Warner Bros. Диск был записан ещё в 1986-87 годах и тогда же и планировался к выходу сразу после Sign o' the Times, но был снят из каталогов за неделю до даты выпуска. For faster navigation, this Iframe is preloading the Wikiwand page for The Black Album альбом Принса Prince Rogers Nelson June 7, 1958 April 21, 2016 was an American singer-songwriter, musician, record producer, dancer, actor, and filmmaker. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest musicians of his generation. A multi-instrumentalist who was considered a guitar virtuoso, he was well known for his eclectic work across multiple genres, flamboyant and androgynous persona, and wide vocal range which included a far-reaching falsetto and high-pitched screams. Biography by Stephen Thomas Erlewine. Follow Artist. One of the most singular talents in music, a multi-talented popfunkrock performer who showed remarkable stylistic growth and musical diversity. Read Full Biography. Prince: все альбомы, включая I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man , Plaint , Witness 4 The Prosecution и другие. Welcome to the Official Prince YouTube channel - celebrating the life, creative works and enduring legacy of Prince Rogers Nelson. Princes fearless to music from Prince like Purple Rain, Kiss & more. Find the latest tracks, albums, and images from Prince. Prince Rogers Nelson June 7, 1958 April 21, 2016 was an American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, actor, and director. Born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Prince was known for his electric work, flamboyant stage presence, extravagant fashion sense and use of makeup, and wide vocal range. His innovative music integrated a wide variety of styles, including funk, rock, R&B, new wave, soul, psychedelia, and pop. He sold over 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Prince: American singer-songwriter, musician, record producer, dancer, actor, and filmmaker. When Doves Cry, Orgasm, Little Red Corvette и другие песни. Who Was Prince Prince's early music career saw the release of Prince, Dirty Mind and Controversy, which drew attention for their fusion of religious and sexual themes. He then released the popular albums 1999 and Purple Rain, cementing his superstar status with No. 1 hits like When Doves Cry and Let's Go Crazy. According to Billboard magazine, Prince spoke to an audience at a music industry event about the memoir: This is my first book. My brother Dan - co-writer Dan Piepenbring - is helping me with it. Jackie Wilson was a dynamic and powerful soul performer during the 1950s and '60s who successfully crossed over from rhythm and blues to pop music. However Prince didn't begin to attract mainstream artists until he release his single, 1999. This single began to be noticed by . viewers and this would make him a part of the main-stream music media. Prince released two more singles called Little Red Corvette and Delirious. The album featured Prince's new band, The Revolution. Prince will be remembered as a musician and artist who inspired millions through his music, and set an inspirational platform which others still abide by. IMDb Mini Biography By: Peter Sean. Spouse 2. The music legend made a lot of magic in his career, but there was nothing quite like his performances: always superb, often unexpected sometimes literally as early as 1986, he was announcing surprise shows, and fully stretching the boundaries of what youd expect a bandleader with a guitar could do. Prince finally enjoyed sustained crossover success with his fifth album 1999, which spun off hits in Little Red Corvette, Delirious and the title track through 1983. After critics rubbed Graffiti Bridge, Prince was ready to shake things up for a new decade

Negal

Have a copy if anyone is after one. Thanks & happy collecting ????????.

Kesalard

I have this into my collection. Feel free to send me a PM and offers. I can send u photo of course.

Kizshura

Except for the explicit lyrics..sound is excellent. No hint of 'unofficial release'. No regret.

ZEr0

Except for d explicit lyrics..surprisingly excellent sound quality n gd songs..even tho mine is 'unofficial'. Nt keen to sell yet but still would like to know value. Wx 147..77-1. Any idea?

Vudozilkree

my version is exactly as described above, but: the pressing-plant - alsdorf - is machine stamped in the runout, not hand-etched…any clue?

Sardleem

Will this lp will be reissued officially one day! It could be great.

Qusserel

It is now up to 38 people claiming to have this one...

Inerrace

I think I'm lucky to say that I am one of the few people who actually own 1 of the 8 original pressings. But I think $38,000 is too much!!!

Jozrone

I am hoping they reissue this album. I have both a 87 and 94 pressing but I don't wanna open them to listen to them. I guess I'll just listen to the CD.

Djang

Way too much I agree. So would either of you be willing to part with your copies for, say, $38? ;)

Qusicam

I have one too and would certainly part with it for 38K! Hell, 30K would be enough...But I really enjoy having it.

Mullador

Way to go @ seller 'JoseyRecords' selling another copy of this right now for $38,000.00See all those people rushing to buy it from you?Yeah, me too! <ahem!>

Saithi

This is an awful sounding bootleg. Don't waste your time with this version.

Beabandis

I have a copy which has all the correct info: catalogue number on spine, white 33 in the triangle, exact sticker on reverse, WB embossed logo, correct alignment of track listings. The only difference is that the stamped runout ends in just 'A' rather than 'A2'. Does this suggest there was a previous press, which would also add to the theory that the 'box of 50' is just an urban myth? Otherwise my copy is identical to that listed.One other difference, the catalogue number is printed on the top spine and left spine.

The Sinners from Mitar

Both exist:F 925677-1-B / 925677-1-A F925677-1-B / 925677-1-A2probably different batches from same pressing plant (Alsdorf)

shustrik

I haven't heard the original release but this bootleg copy sounds pretty good. Great songs. Good pressing. I don't like it spread out on 2 records but...oh well

Damand

Just bought a copy of this pressing, sounds like someone recorded it from the radio onto a CD, then converted it into an audio file, rendered it 100 times and put it onto vinyl. I can't lie, I'll probably still listen to this copy over and over.

Faezahn

I can't believe this vinyl is selling for 8000 dollars

Daigami

Which website may i know..want to convince myself that good quality bootlegs do have a market. Mine is one.

Goltizuru

why is this Version of the black album blocked from sale?

Kadar

Means must go to ebay or amazon to sell this version?

Kefym

Discogs does not allow bootlegs for sale in their marketplace.

Maridor

why is this copy blocked?i have one is anybody interested ?

Skrimpak

I got one copy for sale!Anyone is looking for ?:-)

blac wolf

I am licensed to cut 25million songs legally. Contact me if you after some releases you can't get.

Helldor

I also have this with a yellow sticker on it...

Felolv

I have this vinyl if you want it to buy

Mamuro

This album is amazing. Bought it mint condition for 30 bucks!!! A STEAL!!!

Nnulam

LMAO And I have some beachfront property in Maui that I bought for 50$.

Ericaz

TheTapeWatcher1 This album is amazing. Bought it mint condition for 30 bucks!!! A STEAL!!! How?????? That is an amazing find!

Shem

I've one in my collection. Does anyone know more about why this record is so particular and can't be sold? Thank you

Ces

it cant be sold because its a bootleg and discogs wont allow selling bootlegs. read the main release page for more info.

Sennnel

have two copys, who wants to have a copy, should send me a message, I give out the better version, record and sleeve are VG +

Simple

I have this copy. I can say it sounds really good. Pressing is not bad at all. I have to say this: YES it's a bootleg for sure. The vinyl is not spotless and noiseless. It has some background noise but it's absolutely not overpowering the music and not irritating while playing. My copy has some stripes in the vinyl pressed. It shows it's a "fast uncleaned pressing" - so machine was dirty while pressing. Not a problem while playing. I noticed this more often at also commercial pressings. If you find it and you doubt if this is a good one… buy it. The sleeve is completely black - and has the CATID written on the side of the sleeve (what you see when it's in the closet). I love this album also.. it's more an experimental trip - funky as hell and it simply has that awesome Prince-Sound I love so much. "When 2 R in love" sounds more unfinished as the version on lovesexy. More like a demo version. I am a satisfied man... I doubt if this album ever will get repressed. There are rumours about a repress… but I can imagine they simple don't do it... maybe they are afraid of the person who paid 20.000 for the Original copy that came straight out the Warner Bros factory (Official pressing) - hahaha !!

romrom

Agree. Supherb sound quality. But mine is spotless , visually n audio. Doubt can b sold for thousands tho..:)

FRAY

Hi, one copy to sell in VG+ condition for the media, and VG for the sleeve ! Feel free to send me a PM and offers. I can send u photo of course. **SERIOUS OFFERS ONLY**

Talvinl

there are "27 owners" ? lol: never ever . . . !

JoJoshura

I have this into my collection.opened to offers between 1200-1500€.vinyl condition between VG and G+ (visually graded) but plays perfect.very rare

Phalaken

What is the owner of Josey Records going to be doing with this money once it's sold? Lining his own pockets, or something useful?

Gelgen

Selfish capitalism at its worst. . . . . .

Jarortr

Probably something useful like lining their own pockets since they paid big bucks to buy this.

Tygrarad

Hi all I have a 1987 original version of Prince - The Black Album and would like to know the real value of itthanks

Detenta

the images you uploaded are from a Bootleg... = no value because the Black Album is released officially in 1994 ;-)

Eseve

Funny, 13 people are claiming to own this record. But an employee of Warner Brothers said, there are less than 10 copies in existence....

Breder

Imagine it getting damaged in the mail... you'd wanna die

Fenritaur

Imagine being able to afford the current asking price of £31,200.00?I think I'd die if I even considered the thought of what it must be like having that amount of money in my bank account, let alone spending it on one album.

Meztihn

Whoa, Amazing how much this record has been sold for !

Kazimi

What would-be price of this edition does anyone have Any clue.?

Umdwyn

Yes - around 100 euro these days… i found a copy for 65 euro … but I was Lucky. If you find it - buy it... that's my advice - quality is good and close to Original !

Adrielmeena

This is one of the best sounding bootleg of the Black Album.

Yla

Hello, nice disc.If interested write a message, have this in my collection. Do not want her anymore

Karon

Interesting that one of the inner sleeves is stamped "library" ( See photos).So this LP was found hiding in a library collection in Canada ??

Still In Mind

It means the CBS library in Canada where it was stored

Mopimicr

$27,500 - that's expensive vinyl - and I thought Spinal Tap's black album "Smell The Glove" on Polymer Records was rare ;-)

Dusar

9 owners?!! ;) I don't know who you think that you are fooling..

Daizil

Funny innit? 9 people own the 1 and only existing copy. Same as with the unique gold plated "Voyager" record which also has several owners. Discogs is a weird place indeed.

Akinozuru

For years, I'd suspected that a legit Canadian pressing of this must've been hiding away who knows where.And I always pictured it being a Cinram pressing as opposed to a CBS pressing. Who knows? (Maybe there is a Cinram copy locked away in a trench, a Swiss bank...you picture it. Of course, to handle a fair bit of volume, WEA Canada at the time split the pressing workload for some of their releases between Cinram and CBS. Since thousands of advance copies of the Black Album were pressed here AND abroad before the cancellation and recall, I'd bet that WEA Canada might have done the plant splitting for this one too, although some of their releases were only ever made by one plant.)After word came out about this mega-flip, turns out I was right in one count - that there indeed exists a Canadian pressing, no matter how implausible and insatiable such a suspicion may seem.

Dordred

I have no complaints. I am very happy with mine.

Jum

Awfully bad pressing. Lots of digital snaps and pops and freezes. Directly mastered from CD. Right channel sounds like a sand storm hitting your stylus. Can only be played on the lowest of low-fi equipment, with cartridges that are not capable of revealing any detail.

Kalrajas

I bought this version in the early 90's. Mine came with a yellow sticker. The pressing is not the best, however that's what makes it so great, and adds to the 'taboo' of the cryptic song titles & all round lo-fi garage sensibility of this treasured unofficial album. Since Discogs went nutts & strated removing all unofficial items from sale, expect to see some high value sales on other platforms, as all these many variants are becoming hard to find...

Tamesya

Numbered or not, am I right in saying this is a reissue from some 7 years after the 1st appearance of 'The Black Album'? Is it the fact that it's an official WB pressing (& ltd/numbered) that warrants the price tag? I thought all these years that there was only one promo & one commercial batch made up in 87' by WB, who shelved/pulled it before it went retail. Shrouded in mystery & the worth of these many following variants seems to be purely subjective....

Stonewing

These came out in 94 correct. Commissioned by Jeff Gold at Warner Bros as promos along with 300 numbered white ones and several hundred Orange ones. The commercial version on vinyl was released in Europe only. See this page for plenty of info on the Black Album https://the-black-album.info/

Black_Hawk_Down

If you read through enough of the notes on the original release, it says it finally got a limited commercial release in 1994. That would be these ones, I think.

Wenes

Good quality vinyl, the discs themselves have a bit of heft, definitely 180gram. Sound wise, sounds good. Only complaint - if you have listened to this record so often that any slight differences will unnerve you...the songs have 2sec gaps in between them, most noticably on the first side, so the slight crossfades in between won't be affective. maybe they've fixed it in future pressings...

Keel

terrible boot. atrocious sound quality. do not spend a dollar on this.

GYBYXOH

mine version's got a yellow sticker and blank white label

Sorryyy

Crazy prices for this official release!! Glad i bought when it came out!!

Jeyn

Any reviews from people who have it or heard ? is this good ? then again how to know how "good" it is since most people probably didn't listen to an original version. But sore some anecdotal evidence can be given, is it any good, any idea where its made and what was used as a master ?

GAMER

Bought it around early january, i think it sounds good. I always thought that since somebody bought the original US radio PROMO 2 x 45-RPM 12 inch (Best possible master for the album if you cant get the original tape, what ever form it was made in back then and later converted.) on the day of Prince's death the party/person that bought it for 16000 dollars, uses it now to produce good quality bootleg black albums, its a touchy album for WB music so there is a market for Prince's Black Album i dont think they plan to re release it soon on a big volume. Sounds very good hard to imagine it was sourced from a CD it sounds dynamic and great. can be sourced from original vinyl why not ? It came out in november and the actiom was in april...

Black_Hawk_Down.

I haven't played this record at all, but it's the same set of tracks as any Black Album.

Silverbrew

I just got this from a record store. I had the original promo CD released in 1994, so I can only compare it against that, and not an original European promo vinyl version from 1987 (which I have yet to see in the wild), but it sounds great! I'm guessing it is sourced from the CD. I don't notice any low or high end distortion that's unfortunately common with a lot of modern vinyl reissues. Thumbs up on this one. Hope that helps?

Bys

Can anybody attest to the sound quality of this pressing? Thanks!

Mikarr

Sound is great for a bootleg, particularly when you consider it was never polished for general release.

CopamHuk

I think it's pretty good, especially for a bootleg. Heaps better than my copy of Charade (I have the Planet Rock Records version), which sounds like an old dusty cassette. I'll be keeping it in my collection for sure.

Doath

Soooo glad I bought this for on 30.00 before he died..

Freaky Hook

Hi, it is an interesting item. But is there a certification of authenticity?

Bragis

Canadian '94 version has marvellous sound on a high-end vintage deck, great alternative to cd and cyber-expensive vinyl.Canadian one is fully official WB release with two stickers.Black rigid body, nice signal/noise ratio.

Tiainar

My copy has matrix Runout as above with Yellow sticker on cover

Winasana

NEVER BUY THIS ITEM ITS NOT WORTH MORE THEN $5

Inabel

1°) I think we could read 6 instead of 9 for variant 52°) I've got 2 other variant : a) Matrix / Runout (Mirrored outer ring): 936245793-2 WMMEMastering SID Code: IFPI L012Mould SID Code (Variant 1): IFPI 0542Matrix / Runout (Mould inner ring): none [Warner Music Group logo]b) Matrix / Runout (Mirrored outer ring): 936245793-2 WMMEMastering SID Code: IFPI L012Mould SID Code : noneMatrix / Runout (Mould inner ring): V or ^ [Warner Music Group logo]But for these two variants the sticker is a paper between the jewel case ans the black cover (the Label Code LC 0392, Barcode 0 9362-45793-2 8)No other sticker3°) WHAT ARE THE REAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ALL THESE VARIANTS ?

Frosha

I have this pressing and, sadly, it sounds awful. Really noisy. Sounds smooshed like it came from a cassette dub. Also, I have to alter the pitch so it plays at the correct speed. Thankfully I have the official CD release.

Qiahmagha

I second this. Terrible quality. I thought there was something wrong with player. Damn thing isn't even pressed at the correct speed. Rushed garbage. 3/10 (2 points for the packaging).

tref

I have this pressing and, sadly, it sounds awful. Really noisy. Sounds smooshed like it came from a cassette dub. Also, I have to alter the pitch so it plays at the correct speed. Thankfully I have the official CD release.

The_NiGGa

I used to own the vinyl . It had an extra short instrumental track at the start. I lost much LPS in a move..Anyway, would you trade a copy for rare radio performances of New Orleans coolest late funky guitarist Snooks Eaglin? Or a vinyl to CD copy of Betty Davis's lethal '75 funk ' Nasty Gal" (better than the Cd reissue)

Clodebd

I have this pressing but the images is the same from the clear pressing : https://www.discogs.com/Prince-Black-Album/release/6905258

Moonshaper

i have an all black Lp purchased in Australia (1987 ?)has an orange sticker on top right cnr of cover, the tracks have slightly different namesDANCE THE GRIND SONG FOR CINDY ON ITTOGETHER IN LOVEFOR GEORGEFUNKY SEXUNITED FOR WESTROCK HARD & FUNKYcan anyone tell me what copy i have please, sound quality is excellent

Moonworm

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Black_Album_(Prince_album)On this link U can find all the info U need, in compact form. U can see there that the album got a second cat# in 1994 (matching your cat#), when it was officially released for the first time, though for a very limited time.

Celace

Thank you very much for your answer. I am so pleased to have this album it is in a spotless condition. What is strange to me is that I cannot find any information about it online so thanks again for your help.

Mr_NiCkNaMe

U own the released version of the Black Album from Nov 1994. It was available back then for a limited time of three months as Prince wanted out of his contract with record company WB but he didn’t want to offer them new material. So, the BA was pulled from the shelf, got a new catalogue# (!) and was eventually released. 1-45793 is the cat# from Nov 1994.

Delalbine

Can you tell me what kind of black album I have . My lp has the number 1-45793 and is a kind of orange/ pink. It’s dated 1994 with a Warner Bros Label. I can’t find a similar one on the internet but maybe u know something about this recording.

MEGA FREEDY

I own this bootleg copy of The Black Album too! I bought it second-hand in the Netherlands.

Kulwes

It is NOT an original unfortunatelyThe titles don't fit etc. Sorry.....

Malhala

The "one box with only 50 copies escaped" theory a urban legend[by sellers to make a higher price] ...:of course some boxes are escaped - however - indeed most circulating pressings are send all over Germany and some other EUR countries to countless DJ's & Radio stations in advance ("in advance" means: a few days before Prince decided out of the blue -some sources claim after a bad ecstasy trip- to withdraw the album, it was played in German Radio Station(s) and the bootlegs are replicas based of this pressing - some pretty close to the original - this explain the high number of "owners" but i agree: most of them are ripped off and believe their counterfeit is a real one... (in my life i met many of those 'poor' people and their disappointment after my explanation about the distinguish marks was always big - opposite to sellers: the get angry and hope for the next dump) - on the other side i know people who purchased originals in early december 1987 for bargain in record stores - so the "one box" theory is definitely off the table

Jonide

Also people who worked in the Warners pressing plant knicked some...that's where I got mine : )

Dainris

95 have this?! The original release from 1987?!Year Right. And my name is Bob George. :-)

Anasius

I JUST GOT THIS OFF EBAY FOR 6.00 USD!!!!!! HA HA!!! SOME BODY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THEY WERE SELLING... ;-)

Goltikree

JDGWORLD I JUST GOT THIS OFF EBAY FOR 6.00 USD!!!!!! HA HA!!! SOME BODY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THEY WERE SELLING... ;-) ^ i think it's oppositethat somebody sold a useless item...: all tracks are elsewhere in much better quality available ;-)(so many 'dream factory' tracks are missing on this release...)

Renthadral

i think it's opposite; that somebody knew exactly what he sold: a fairly pointless bootleg...Since the Black Album has been offically released (without a 2 second drop out in Le Grind) and all the Crystal Ball tracks are available on outake sets or have been officially released as well, this release isn't worth a single Euro.

caif

67 have this release (October 2014) - the real release from 1987 or a bootleg?

Tenius

This was the very first unofficial issue of this LP around early 1987 w.orange sticker;earliest by some way.Hence the titles were still in infancy and the quality of my copy is excellent-maybe not as good as some years later but certainly not 'bad' by any means.Copied soon after with a yellow sticker and in late 1987/1988 a plethora of issues worldwide.

Llathidan

The sound quality is so bad.

Rivik

Great quality audio (given its illicit provenance). The speed is perfect too, a/b'd it against the official CD and the pitch is "dead on it." Sounds better than I remember my old copy on Erotic City, which ran slow and had lots of tape hiss.

Gunos

My copy is as described (same Alsdorf numbers, white label with no writing) but the vinyl is blue instead of red, and there are stickers on the sleeve (pink Prince sticker and yellow tracklisting; both look homemade); anyone know anything about this version?

FreandlyMan

Mine is red, but also has the pink Prince sticker on top front and yellow track list sticker on bottom back. Strange.

Kahavor

hi i have a copy of the tnt enterprise black album. its grey marble vinyl and has two tracks on it, bob george on one side and superfunkycalifragisexy on the other. lc7706 rb12289. have not been able to find one the same. on the record its self it has a signiture, g pauler 2/rb89b. hope you can help

Tar

pretty sure grey marble vinyl version is the rarest one existing (I think only 50 made for WB execs) but I thought it was the full LP, not a 12".

adventure time

It might be a 12" from the LP that came on TNT too.Known as the german band who covered all the Black Album .Just have an ear on it, Prince might not appear on this one .

Longitude Temporary

Even though Prince had a change of heart about releasing the very dark Black Album in 1987 in favor of the Positivity-drenched Lovesexy, he would cave in to pressures from Warner Brothers and release it anyway in 1994 to help finish his contract with them. Albeit with much less hoopla than the controversy that surrounded it originally. The Black Album represents Prince's last truly edgy and "Dirty" release. I always appreciated his attempts at blending religion and sex-- it represents the eternal struggle of humans. There are some missed targets on this album. I'm not sure what the heck "Bob George" is, or why it is on here, but it is original, that's for sure. "Dead On It" is an unfortunately narrow-minded dismissal of Hip Hop and Rap.The ballad "When 2 R In Love" is Prince at his best and he smartly moved this track over to Lovesexy after scrapping the Black Album. But, it is tracks like the funky "Le Grind" with the signature horn sound that he continued on Lovesexy, and "Rock Hard in a Funky Place" and "Cindy C." that really show the response Prince was aiming for in response to his critics saying he was sacrificing edgy funk for pop to date.I love the ramshackle fury of the jazz/funk instrumental "2 Nigs United 4 West Compton." This track is certainly a continuation of the work he did with sax sideman Eric Leeds in Madhouse.When the album was finally released in 1994 on CD, Warner Brothers had vinyl promos pressed, so you can get a copy on vinyl! There are bootlegs floating around, so you need to be careful, but most of the ones with the "PRO-A-7330" on the generic Warner Brothers label with no identifying markings other than the song titles and a "Controversy Music" licensing credit are the real deal. The copy I picked up also had a reprint of an ICE article about the astronomical prices paid of records that slipped from the last-hour destruction the original 1987 pressing.Since Warner Brothers has been reissuing Prince's catalog on vinyl in the last couple of years through Rhino (much to Prince's dismay, likely), it will be interesting to see if they also drop The Black Album.While not the strongest release in Princes sprawling catalog, it is noteworthy and more listenable than most of his releases in the last decade or so.

ᵀᴴᴱ ᴼᴿᴵᴳᴵᴻᴬᴸ

when i listen it seems that Prince has taken his camille's voice ,in fact this record is playing faster than it should....a little bit strange,not the best of the unofficial(and official) versions....

MrRipper

This is the one & only official and WITHDRAWN release to this LP (on vinyl) - see pics; only 50 copies excist worldwide, maybe less. It is still the official story: one box with 50 albums escaped destruction back in 1987 from Alsdorf, Germany. Also in this category the WITHDRAWN cd longbox which is even more limited. The rest mentioned in this category are all fakes/bootlegs (925677). Fakes of the vinyl are very easily identified by some 8 particular differences in comparison to the original. Two of them are very easily checked: just look at the track Rockhard In A Funky Place (on the B-side label) - on fakes it is always misspelled as "Rockard In A Funky Place" (missing out on the "h"). Secondly, fakes NEVER have the WB-sticker + WB-logo (indented into the sleeve) on the back-side of the black sleeve. Two easy characteristics to check your copy!

Felolune

Yes it is. If u ever want to sell it. contact me on [email protected] thx

Ueledavi

Nice,thank you! some friends that know about Prince records looked at it carefully & they told me too it was a real true 1987 black album ;)

huckman

This must be your lucky day thenYou have got an original from 1987:-)

Qus

I got a black album Alsdorf 925677,i have no WB sticker on the black sleeve BUT there is a WB logo printed in carton of the sleeve on the back side ,on the slice of sleeves it's written in little caracters and orange UK: WX 147 925677and on record it's written "rockhard in a funky place" (there is a H ) and 33 is written in white; Is that one that could have escaped from 1987? Sorry for my english mistakes

Maldarbaq

^ the "one box with only 50 copies escaped" theory a urban legend [by sellers to make a higher price] ...:

Amhirishes

Most of those mentioned here are just bootlegs (vinyl and cd), not the WB withdrawn/official release of Dec 1987! The only two REAL ones mentioned in this category, are the "partially unofficial" ones (German vinyl/LP + US CD-longbox). Check photos for verifications.

Maucage

1994-release is consired the official release. Of course, there's the far more interesting WITHDRAWN release of December 1987 - please, look at the 'Unofficial Release' section for that one.

Mejora

Last I heard, this was still the most bootlegged album in history at 2,000,000+ copies of it bootlegged prior to it officially being released when Prince was trying to get out of his contract with Warner Brothers in the late 90's. For those who don't know its history, Prince was going to release this album on the heels of 1987's "Sign O' The Times," but pulled it at the last minute because he felt it was too dark and if he were to die unexpectedly, he didn't want this to be his last work and thus representative of where he was heading musically. Amid much media attention, Warner Bros. agreed to recall the album just as it was being shipped to retail and instead shipped "Lovesexy," which ironically never sold nearly as many albums as were bootlegged of "The Black Album." ("Lovesexy" did sell enough copies, though to be certified gold - which at the time was 500,000 or more copies.)