Prince – 1999

I rated 4/5 not because of the caliber of the album but because of the sound of the pressing, just a lot of noise and distortion, especially side A. Also doesn’t feel like 150g. Bass sounds pretty good, the clear record effect I like but the smoke throws me off, but at least it doesn’t affect the sound

How would we know that the Prince album 1999 would contain the hit "1999" if it didn't say on the cover? Thanks, helpful sticker!!

Pressing sounds phenomenal, this is Prince at his best and I can’t imagine a better sounding version.

CD2-8 Little Red Corvette (Dance Remix Promo-Only Edit) would have been cool to have, but the track is actually just a longer edit of the album mix. sigh. Which reminds me, I don't know why Grundman insists on putting the start of the album version in the wrong spot as usual. Should be after the crash at the end of 1999 in the quietest part of the "ooooh".

Same as below... a new Dcogs page is needed for what is a newer repressing with MRP/GZ matrix numbers, no BG in the deadwax and a made in Czech Republic sticker on the rear.

It could well be the same Bernie remastering file source but its not cut from the same stampers.

I was disappointed when i opened mine to see these MRP/GZ markings and the lack of BG but the discs - despite the paper inners they ship in - looked clean and flat. I still took the liberty of Degritter cleaning them and i have to say theres definately things i really like and one or two things i dont. In terms of the mastering, the soundstaging is good with some width and depth. Its not compressed sounding and its quite smooth so theres no listening fatigue and its been cut well that the sonics are consistent right to the inners with no IGD baked in. Dynamics arent explosive but are acceptable. It could easily pass for a Bernie G remaster on most of those counts. But, where it struggles is ultimate extension and life. The treble and mids sound abit dark and therefore its not as lively as one would hope for. Given the choice its better to be smooth and undistorted vs compressed and hot and this is indeed very crankable (its cut quite low) but its missing that bit of life a top notch reissue can portray.

The cleaning has revealed that my discs are WAY better than i expect from MRP/GZ. Theres barely a light tic on the whole set and the discs are centered well with no audible warps. Truly superbly pressed! Better than what comes out of MPO in general for sure.

Packaging wise... paper inners suck but at least theres the printed lyric bits that can be lined. The jacket itself is a single sleeve and thin, cheapo affair. Very lacklustre packaging but does the very basics.

Overall for the £25 i paid i am happy with this version ive got despite the differences it has. The label should have changed the barcode and catno for what is a different physical product coming in an existing box because its shady operating as is.

That said i will keep this copy and use it to find another that could sonically beat it as im sure a bit more life can be offered somewhere else!

Is this a first pressing? What's the difference between a first and second pressing etc.? How can you tell?

This is an Outstanding pressing. I don’t need to go into specifics, it just sounds So Damn Good! I have the remaster already but came across a Dream collection of “used” mint records and found this. I could not resist having a mint OG copy. Both this and the “remaster” are Bernie Grundman’s mastering, so sonically, the two are basically identical. But something about this just sounds more authentic to me. Many praise Purple Rain as his best album, and Sign ‘O The Times is also magnificent, but 1999 will Always be his Best album start to finish, in my opinion. Just Fantastic from beginning to end. And! I’m sorry but this album was always Far better than MJ’s Thriller.

Superb pressing of an incredible album. I felt I got transported to NYC streets while listening to it. So much fun. Lucky to have got an NM copy for peanuts recently.

Mine has the same hype sticker but completely different runout information and no BG in the deadwax. What gives?

The first record mentions 1982 as the printing year. The second record mentions 1985 as the printing year.
Is the sleeve an official WB produce?