Summary:The reissue of the pop artist's fifth studio release was remastered and includes b-sides, alternates mixes, 23 previously unreleased studio tracks recorded between November 1981 and January 1983, a complete live audio performance of the 1999 tour recorded in Detroit, MI on November 30, 1982,The reissue of the pop artist's fifth studio release was remastered and includes b-sides, alternates mixes, 23 previously unreleased studio tracks recorded between November 1981 and January 1983, a complete live audio performance of the 1999 tour recorded in Detroit, MI on November 30, 1982, and a DVD of his performance at the Houston Summit on December 29, 1982.…Expand
As the original album did for Prince’s artistic progression, so this super deluxe edition does for the posthumous reissue series: refine a vision, making good on all the promises of the past while pointing to a future full of possibilities. Whatever expanded edition comes next, if it builds on this it cannot fail.
The rare record that has come to define its era while also existing outside of it, a masterpiece that immediately precedes the albums Prince fashioned, conspicuously, as masterpieces.
The music still sounds contemporary and alive. ... Every song exults in the architectural savvy of a musician who, from the drumbeat up, seemed to know exactly how he’d be jamming with himself as he built the song. ... A handful [of the previously unreleased material] — including the absolute standout, “Purple Music” — are gems; none is a dud.
These songs—either live or in the studio– maintain the power and magnetic, manic dynamism that turned heads nearly four decades ago and they have never sounded better.
None of the bonus songs are necessarily better than the ones that made the cut on 1999, but they show just how curious he was at the time, trying out new and different ideas, musical themes he would still be exploring in the decades that followed. ... As with the Purple Rain box set a couple years ago, this macro look at 1999 shows not just Prince’s genius but the breadth of his brilliance at the time.
The five CD expansion pack of his 1982 double LP offers a far more enticing peek behind the purple velvet curtain [than Originals]. ... The outtakes are the real draw here. ... It only leaves you wanting more. [Dec 2019, p.66]
Quality levels inevitably vary, but there are enough counterfactual detours and half-realised experiments here to excite even casual fans. [Jan 2020, p.94]
Not long after the original release of 1999 (in 1982) , Prince mentioned in an interview how easy it would be for him to put out a 1999 partNot long after the original release of 1999 (in 1982) , Prince mentioned in an interview how easy it would be for him to put out a 1999 part 2. Of course, long timers would know that it was totally possible as he recorded so much. However, 37 years ago, this long timer is blown away by how true his statement was. The 2 vault discs show the depth of his talent. It is amazing to know how confident he was in his own abilities that he could shelve amazing material like 'Rearrange', and 'Moonbeam Level's or that he could sit on 'Bold Generation' and 'Can't Stop'.... As impressive is how gifted he was in performance...this 2nd take on 'How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore' is so so good that it actually has me wondering if it's better than the original I've loved for decades. Same for International Lover.
For those, like me, who are into the remaster of the album - i have to say, I like it a lot. It makes some tracks come alive. I've heard some negativity about it being brickwalled or just having more bass....but I have to say, it sounds quite good. I'm not 100% sure but some of the vault tracks sound INCREDIBLE - better than the album...I think. It gives me a lot of hope about how good the vault material sounds. I feel the same about parts of the album Originals.
The Live album also sounds pretty amazing...these tapes held up. The video ..not so good but still a thrill.
The estate did a PERFECT job on this release and should follow this for other ablums, including re-doing the Purple Rain Deluxe which now feels slapped together compared to the 1999 SuperDeluxe..…Expand
Yes it 's missing Extralovable and Lust U always, and that is a huge oversight, with them this set is an 11. Without them its still a 10! AYes it 's missing Extralovable and Lust U always, and that is a huge oversight, with them this set is an 11. Without them its still a 10! A job well done by the Estate. If you are a fan that collects unreleased material and you have already heard 75% of the vault tracks, that's on you.…Expand
Prince is one of those rare artists whose mysterious, exotic, and sexy persona measure up to the music they created. More than a lame novelty,Prince is one of those rare artists whose mysterious, exotic, and sexy persona measure up to the music they created. More than a lame novelty, a product of his time, Prince was a true treasure in the history of popular music. Prince's music represents all the best of pop music, works that both acknowledge lust as something alien, but still worshipping it as an essential, intoxicating, and at times frightening presence lurking in the backs of our collective minds.
In my humble opinion, it never got much better for Prince than on 1999, an album that invites the listener in with catchy singles, but encourages them to stay for its ambitious, lengthy compositions that hypnotize the listener with its infectious, ever-so-slightly sinister grooves. It's a rare album that reaches 70+ minutes in length without overstaying its welcome. In that respect, I don't think it's unfair to compare this album to the likes of Kanye West's "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" or Stevie Wonder's "Songs In The Key Of Life," both in its ability to immerse the listener in a gorgeous sonic atmosphere for an inordinate length of time, and its propensity to smash boundaries, socially, spiritually, and musically.
Getting right to the elephant in the room, the main issue people have with this set is the omission of Extralovable and Lust U Always, two incredibly rare "vault tracks" in Prince's catalogue that date back to this era. The way I see it, this set is all about what 1999 is, not about rarities from its era. What we get is the best sounding 1999 to date, the best way to experience the album, and a spiffy way to add it to your record collection. And that, I think, is a more than even exchange for two songs Prince wasn't even interested in releasing.…Expand
How is it possible people giving this set a negative review?? Is it the exclusion of Extraloveable and Lust U Always? Come on. This is how itHow is it possible people giving this set a negative review?? Is it the exclusion of Extraloveable and Lust U Always? Come on. This is how it should be done: with care, and a true treasure of unreleased gems.…Expand
This review should be read as for the original release as i can't review it on here. Considered his overlooked seminal debut "1999" was aThis review should be read as for the original release as i can't review it on here. Considered his overlooked seminal debut "1999" was a decade defining record with no comparison.…Expand
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