Prince’s vault has opened.
Late Thursday night, Warner Bros. Records announced the impending release of two new Prince projects that will include previously unheard material from his legendary archives. They will be the first official Prince albums issued since his death in April.
First up is “Prince 4Ever,” a new 40-song compilation that includes his biggest hits and best-known songs from his Warner Bros. days, which ended in 1996. The tracklist includes “When Doves Cry,” “Purple Rain,” “Let’s Go Crazy,” “Kiss,” “Little Red Corvette,” “Raspberry Beret” and “Alphabet Street.”
It also features “Batdance,” a single that never appeared on a Prince compilation during his lifetime, as well as “Moonbeam Levels,” a song he recorded in 1982 during sessions for the “1999” album. It’s never been officially released, but is well-known enough among fans that Elvis Costello covered it live at a Prince tribute concert in 2013.
“Prince 4Ever” is due in stores Nov. 22 and will feature a booklet with never-before-seen Prince photos shot by acclaimed photographer Herb Ritts.
Warner Bros. also announced the “Purple Rain” deluxe reissue — first promised in 2014 to coincide with the album’s 30th anniversary — will finally see the light of day early next year. It will feature a second album of unreleased songs, with further details to be announced.
