You may recall last spring Warner (or was it Rhino) was set to release a two disc Prince album named Ultimate Prince. The project was unexpectedly shelved, well a better term would be the release date was changed to TBA. As a reviewer, I had a review copy of the CD and had even posted a review, only to be told to remove the review. It was a good review too, but here is my second go round reviewing Ultimate Prince.

It’s an understatement to say that this disc is a “must have” for the Prince fan. It’s truly essential. The first disc, well you could probably do without the first disc if you have purchased any of the previously released Prince Greatest Hits compilations, but the second disc includes the real bonus. Disc two includes rare dance mixes and 12 inch versions of Prince’s popular hits. Prior to this release many of these gems were not available on CD (legally not counting bootlegs). These are the 12 inches and dance mixes you have heard. The long version of “Let’s Go Crazy,” (the one that is played in the movie Purple Rain, the 12 inch version of “Rasberry Beret” (the version with the tambourines at the beginning, and the popular “Little Red Corvette” dance remix.

The sound quality of Ultimate Prince is great.

Back to the first disc. The first disc includes 17 classic Prince songs covering the late 70’s up until the early 90’s. The album opens with the song “I Wanna Be Your Lover,” a Prince favorite. All of the major Prince hits are here—the ones that aren’t featured on the second disc. Hit songs on the first disc include “When Doves Cry,” “Purple Rain,” “Sign ‘O’ The Times,” “Alphabet Street,” “Diamonds and Pearls,” and “Gett Off,” among others are featured on the first disc.

Most Prince fan’s will agree that Ultimate Prince is a must have. It is a great release that fans new and old will enjoy.