Japanese CD of the Day / Prince: Sign ‘O’ The Times / SHM mini-LP CD

This 2009 Japanese mini-LP CD of Prince‘s 1987 album Sign O’ The Times (cat number WPCR-13538/9) displays the usual stunning attention to detail that Japanese have become known for, in terms of CD packaging and presentation.

All the elements of the original vinyl are replicated, including the sticker that adorned the front cover – just in case you didn’t recognise his purpleness (or should that be his peach-and-black-ness?). The postcard that you could send off to join the Prince ‘Fan Club’ (cue nostalgia for the simpler times of life pre-internet…) is also included and shrunk down, Mike Teavee-style.

A 28-page booklet provides the lyrics in English and Japanese, or, if you get your magnifying glass out you can read the original lyrics which appear on one side of both of the supplied inner sleeves (peach-on-black and black-on-peach, respectively).

Despite being a double album, the original vinyl of Sign O’ The Times wasn’t a gatefold, so the card sleeve here doesn’t try to rewrite history and sticks to a nicely reproduced glossy wide-spined sleeve. No trouble getting the two SHM-CDs in and out.

Like all of Prince’s output, Sign O’ The Times has never been reissued as a deluxe edition. The album was on our 2012 reissue ‘wish list’ way back in December 2011, but unfortunately a 25th anniversary reissue never happened. Until then, this edition of the album is by far the best way to own it on CD.

Unlike some Japanese mini-LP CDs these Prince issues are still available and not too expensive.