Prince releases new CD on Sony

[MikeHunt]

Prince to release new CD through Sony Music

NEW YORK (AP) — Prince, who has released most of his music over the Internet since 1996, has struck a deal with Sony Music to put out his new album. Musicology will be released by Sony's Columbia Records on April 20, according to Prince's NPG Records and Sony. The deal calls for Sony to manufacture and distribute the disc. The first single, the title track, will be released to radio on Monday.

The partnership is the latest effort by Prince to raise his profile after years of seclusion and declining popularity. In February, he kicked off the Grammys by performing with Beyonce to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the groundbreaking film and album Purple Rain.

Soon afterward, he announced his first arena tour in years, and he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last week.

"I am really an artist and musician at heart, that's what I do," the 45-year-old Prince said Tuesday. "Musicology has no boundaries or formats. It is long overdue to return to the art and craft of music — that's what this album is about. School's in session."

He has mainly eschewed major labels since his bitter 1996 split with Warner Bros. Records. When the relationship soured, he changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol and wrote the word "slave" on his cheek.

Prince released an album on his own NPG Records through a distribution deal with EMI that same year, and in 1999, signed with Arista Records for a one-album deal that resulted in Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic.

But he has primarily made his music available on his Web site through his NPG Records.

Earlier this month, he announced that fans who bought a ticket to his upcoming concerts would get the album as a bonus. The tour kicks off March 29 in Los Angeles and he will revisit some of his biggest hits, including Little Red Corvette,Let's Go Crazy and Kiss.

:change note:

[method77]

I just heard the first single (I think it was called Musicology) from the latest album and it's really good.

The good old Prince. Really funky

[liesabath]

Just wait for Cinnamon Girl! :good job: