Publication: Minneapolis Star Tribune [US]
Date: October 16, 1996
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Title: "Prince Celebrates 'Emancipation' From Old Label"
Written By: Associated Press

CHANHASSEN, Minn. (AP) -- Prince has given a sneak preview of his new three-disc set, ''Emancipation,'' celebrating his liberation from his old record company and the start of a new distribution deal with EMI.

''This is my most important record,'' Prince said Tuesday at his Paisley Park Studios after playing about a dozen songs in full or in part for an audience of about 35 people. ''I'm free and my music is free.''

Dressed in a Dreamsicle-orange suit, Prince was gracious and humorous in addressing the gathering. Conspicuously absent was the word ''SLAVE'' that had been penciled on his cheek for the past couple of years during his feud with Warner Bros.

The prolific rock star had publicly complained that Warner Bros., the label for which he had sold nearly 100 million records since 1978, would not release and promote his music as fast as he could create it.

Prince's new CD will be released on his own NPG Records and distributed by EMI. He asked the gathering to ''help us in this experiment in truth.''

''Emancipation'' is due in stores Nov. 19 with an anticipated price of between $25 and $30., EMI Music Group Chairman Charles Koppelman said a two-year promotional campaign will begin Nov. 12 with a live broadcast of a concert from Paisley Park. He said the concert will be heard worldwide on the Internet and on any radio or TV station that wants to pick it up.

Kopppleman predicted ''Emancipation'' will cure the retail woes that have plagued the record industry this year.