Prince To Release Three 'Exclusive' New Albums In 2009

Prince has vowed to release three new studio albums in 2009 with a major US retailer.

The singer, who said the albums would also be available online, previewed his new material for an LA Times journalist before Christmas.

Ann Powers said the first album, 'Lotus Flower', would include a cover of Tommy James and The Shondells' 'Crimson and Clover'.

Writing on the newspaper's website, Powers said: "Needless to say, it was an amazing experience.”

Powers claimed the second album would be a return to Prince's 'When Doves Cry' sound, while the third would feature a collaboration with the singer's new protege Bria Valente.

As previously reported on Gigwise, Prince surprised fans by releasing four new songs to a radio station last December. Another funk track emerged on the website, MPLSound.

Prince told Powers his new albums would be released without the help of a record label because "the gatekeepers have to change".

The singer will follow in the footsteps of Bruce Springsteen, The Eagles and Gun N' Roses, who have all released recent material exclusively with a retail outlet.

Prince at Coachella