Prince Releases I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man (1979)

Recently, I did a bit of a tidy-up in the penthouse. There are an awful lot of box sets gathering dust. "What the hell were you thinking, you stupid fool?" I swore, as I ran a worn shammy across the top of another over-priced cardboard monstrosity. "I'm not going to get caught out again, spending a load of money on something I don't need," I vowed as I donned my cilice and began my penance of self-flagellation, lest I might forget.

Then I read about the super-duper, bells and whistles deluxe version of Prince's masterpiece, Sign O'The Times. Resistance is futile. You can get the full story of the album here, and my relationship with it, but suffice to say that this combines all the outtakes and side-streets the great man went down in order to get where he was going. Every second record these days is referred to as a classic, and places high in the latest 'Best Albums Ever' piece that cries out for your clicks, but Sign O' The Times is something special.

Due on September 25, the 8 CD+DVD or 13 LP+DVD - my wallet just gave out a low groan - promises 45(!) previously unissued recordings, as well as a 2 hour concert performance (Miles Davis wanders on in the middle of it), and the obligatory 120 page book. Just like the previous 1999 set, it's only the music that matters though, and to whet your appetite - although that is surely unnecessary - Warners and the Prince people have released the original 1979 recording of "I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man', the re-recorded version of which was a US top ten hit back in 1987. Dig, if you will, this picture.

Have 'Witness 4 The Prosecution' while you're at it. Funkier than a tramp's kacks.