Publication: The San Diego Union-Tribune[US]
Date: January 27, 1999
Section: Lifestyle
Page Number(S): E-6
Length: 910 Words
Title: "How Millennial! '1999' Times Seven"
Written By: George Varga

Never one to underplay a potentially good (or lucrative) thing, The Artist is poised to release a seven-cut CD single on Tuesday.

The only catch is that every track on the single is a variation of the same song by The Artist (as The Artist Formerly Known As Prince prefers to be called).

That song is "1999," his 1982 party anthem about an apocalyptic vision of the coming millennium. "1999 -- The New Master" will feature what is being billed as "seven mind-blowing re-creations of the cherished classic" that were recorded last year at The Artist's Paisley Park studio in Minneapolis.

The various versions feature the likes of former Sly & The Family Stone/Graham Central Station bassist Larry Graham, singer Rosie Gaines, rapper Doug E. Fresh, actress Rosario Dawson (who performs a spoken-word version), and an a cappella version. All seven will be competing with the original version by the artist then known simply as Prince, which was re- released in November by his former record label, Warner Bros. (The label, not The Artist, owns the original version, much to his dismay.)

The seven-track single will be released on The Artist's NPG Records. It can also be ordered via his Web site: www.1800newfunk.com. Suggested retail price is $11.99, although expect some mathematically savvy stores to discount it to $9.99.

Also due out on Tuesday is Graham's new album, "GCS 2000." It was co- produced and co-written by The Artist, who also performs on it. Other artists featured include Chaka Khan and at least two former Family Stone members. A tour by The Artist is likely for summer and fall, according to his New York spokeswoman.

Princely diet tips for '99

The Artist, incidentally, is featured (sort of) in the winter issue of Animal Times, which bills itself as "the magazine that speaks up for animals."

The Artist and his wife, Mayte, "don't eat anything with parents," explains the brief introduction to an article called -- surprise, surprise -- "Party like it's 1999!"

Why not? Because, The Artist explains: "Thou shalt not kill means just that!" What follows are the recipes for several of the couple's favorite vegetarian dishes, including cheese-free nut balls, savory Indian samosas, Thai tofu satay, Princely party punch and herbal olive spread.

Missing from the story is any mention of the fact that, back in his days as Prince, The Artist used to be a carnivorous, junk-food junkie, or that one of his cooks quit her job in the early 1990s because she was distraught over his then-poor eating habits.