Prince has struck a deal with Warner Bros records to release remasters starting with a deluxe version of Purple Rain just in time for the 30th anniversary of the album and film.

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
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The global deal also includes the Prince albums Controversy, Dirty Mind, and 1999 along with others in the Warner Bros. Prince catalog.

A statement from Prince:

A brand-new studio album is on the way and both Warner Bros Records and Eye are quite pleased with the results of the negotiations and look forward to a fruitful working relationship.

A statement from me:

Holy S---balls!!!!!!!!!

Prince had a highly publicized and turbulent split from Warner Bros. in 1996 when he called himself a slave to the label, changed his name to a symbol, and condemned the way the major label system worked. According to Billboard.com, this deal marks a new era as the ability to terminate master recording copyright after 35 years was granted in the Copyright Revision Act of 1976 and became effective in 1978, the year that Prince's debut album came out.

From Warner Bros. Records chairman and CEO Cameron Strang:

Everyone at Warner Bros Records is delighted to be working with Prince once again: he is one of the world's biggest stars and a truly unique talent. We are also very excited about the release of new and re-mastered music from one of his greatest masterpieces.

Neil Lupin/Redferns/Getty Images
Neil Lupin/Redferns/Getty Images
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All Prince fans know that, locked up somewhere, are many fabulous pieces of recording genius that have never seen the light of day. I can't begin to imagine how much of that will finally be released. Here's a good start...

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