Rare two-sided vinyl test pressing of Prince’s 12” single “Partyman” (Warner Bros/0-21370) from Specialty Records Corporation. The original version of “Partyman” was included on the soundtrack album for Tim Burton’s 1989 “Batman” film (“Partyman” was the second commercial single released from the album). The “Partyman” single, released on August 18, 1989, and recorded at Paisley Park studio, peaked at #5 on the US R&B/Hip-Hop charts. Three versions of “Partyman” (and one “B-Side” song) are included on the 12” test pressing: “The Purple Party Mix,” “Partyman Music Mix,” “Partyman (The Video Mix),” and “Feel U Up (Short Stroke).” The test pressing features a white label with titles, catalogue numbers, and white outer and inner sleeves, which is typical of a test pressing. The vinyl appears to be in un-played condition.
Prince’s song “Partyman” was prominently featured in the Tim Burton “Batman” film. The Joker (played by Jack Nicholson) and his minions dance to the song in one scene in the movie as they deface exhibits in the Gotham City Art Museum. The mixes on this test pressing includes samples from the film’s dialogue. The other song included on this test pressing, “Feel U Up,” was originally included on Prince’s unreleased album “Camille,” originally recorded in 1981 and rerecorded for the “Camille” album in 1986, and then released here.
Test pressings are manufactured in very limited quantities (often fewer than 25 copies) for the purpose of listening to materials being considered for commercial release or for evaluating the quality of a finished product. They are usually the first discs made from production stampers and sound better than commercially available vinyl. Often the song content of a test pressing mirrors that of a commercial vinyl release, which is the case here.
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