MPLSound is the 34th full-length studio album by Prince (sold in a package with his 33rd album Lotusflow3r). It was initially released as a download on the launch date of Prince's website Lotusflow3r.com, with a CD release exclusively at Target five days later, in a 3CD package known as Lotusflow3r that also included Lotusflow3r and Bria Valente's first and only album Elixer.
In September 2009, the album was released in France as part of a 2CD package known as Lotusflow3r that also included Lotusflow3r. At the same time, a single-disc set was released in France, also titled Lotusflow3r but only including the MPLSound disc (this was a deliberate marketing decision, not an error). In November, the album was released on vinyl in France as part of a 2LP package, again known as Lotusflow3r and also including the Lotusflow3r album.
Recording process
Little is known about recording dates for the album. U're Gonna C Me was first recorded in Spring 2001, and was originally released on the One Nite Alone... album, but the version included here was re-recorded in 2008 or early 2009.
(There'll Never B) Another Like Me is thought to have been recorded in late 2008. The rest of the tracks (Chocolate Box, Dance 4 Me, Here, Valentina, Better With Time, Ol' Skool Company and No More Candy 4 U) were likely recorded in 2008 or early 2009.
Other than a brief rap appearance by Q-Tip on Chocolate Box, all vocals and instruments on the album were performed by Prince.
Promotion
The album did not produce any singles, but Prince promoted the album with a video for Chocolate Box, as well as various TV appearances and one-off shows. There was no full tour to support this album, however.
The album (as part of the 3CD set titled Lotusflow3r) reached number 2 on The Billboard 200, and number 1 on both the Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart and the Billboard Independent Albums chart, perhaps due in part to the sale of three CDs together for the low retail price of $11.98.
TRACK LIST -----
|