Prince – 1999

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!

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

1999 is one of my all-time favorite albums, and I’ve owned various versions over the years on both vinyl and CD, including an og vinyl release and the recent super deluxe edition cd box set.

To my ears, this pressing is as good as this record has ever sounded. The LM-1 that was the core of Prince’s recording arsenal back then sounds satisfyingly lifelike and chunky. “Automatic” sounds especially great here, with deep clarity on the Linn kicks and really nice separation. Absolutely no surface noise beyond the tiniest bit of static right before the runout on side b.

1999 will always sound a little “flat” compared to Purple Rain, not having the live foundation that album had. But for me, the little bit of chilly remove has always been part of 1999’s charm and this pressing captures my idealized memory of what this record is “supposed” to sound like to a T.

Mine has flat discs and sounds really nice . . . hmmmm. Bass hits great, highs are present and surprisingly full of life even though almost every sounds is synthesized, and guitar sounds live in my room. I have no complaints. It's no Sign o' the Times, but what is?!

Discs warped, mastering sounds like wet noodles. When I'm in the kitchen cooking and hearing it from the other room it's fine, but when I'm in the same room as my system I'm struck by how lifeless this incredible music sounds on this pressing.

This looks to be the same remastering as https://www.discogs.com/release/14462421-Prince-1999 which was credited as having great sound. I think the only difference is the weight is 150g vs 180g. Can anyone tell? I doubt it was remastered again by Bernie Grundman only 2 years later after the 2019 version

Not sure what was "remastered" on this release because it sounds horrible Both discs were warped to the max of what I would say is acceptable. Packaging is nice, but that's about the only nice thing I can say about it.

Sounds pretty bad… very disappointing since it’s such a great album.

Records are flat as a pancake and play well so the pressing is legit but the mastering is sonically lifeless and boring.

Does anyone know if this is this a repress of the 2011 AAA version? The sides other than 3 are quiet and flat; benefits from turning up a bit. Nice packaging but there is noise all over Side 3. Has BG stamp on runouts but Side 3 is distracting. I've checked on 2 copies and both have the noise to varying degrees.