Madhouse — 16 CD
The Second and Final Madhouse Studio Album — Written Entirely by Prince
Released in November 1987, just ten months after their debut album 8, Madhouse 16 is one of the most fascinating and least discussed entries in Prince's entire catalogue. A jazz-funk instrumental record made under a pseudonym, written and largely performed by Prince himself with Eric Leeds on saxophone — and subtitled New Directions In Garage Music in a deliberate nod to the Miles Davis direction series of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
What Makes This Album Special
All eight tracks were written or co-written by Prince, with Prince playing most of the instruments throughout. Eric Leeds' saxophone work is the defining sonic signature of the record — lyrical, searching, and completely unlike anything else in the Paisley Park catalogue. The tracks follow the numerical naming convention established on the debut album 8, running from Nine through to Sixteen, with the album itself named after its track count.
Madhouse 16 is the kind of record that rewards patience and rewards repeat listening. It is not a pop album and it was never intended to be — it is Prince exploring jazz, funk, and improvisation in a space completely free of commercial expectation. Prince and Eric Leeds would later return to the Madhouse concept with the unreleased albums 24 in 1989 and 1994, but 16 remains the last official studio album the project ever produced.
Tracklisting
| # | Track |
|---|---|
| 1 | Nine |
| 2 | Ten |
| 3 | Eleven |
| 4 | Twelve |
| 5 | Thirteen |
| 6 | Fourteen |
| 7 | Fifteen |
| 8 | Sixteen |
Product Details
| Format | CD (CD-R) |
| Original Release | November 1987 |
| Written By | Prince (all tracks) |
| Performers | Prince (most instruments), Eric Leeds (saxophone) |
| Label | Paisley Park / Warner Bros |
| Subtitle | New Directions In Garage Music |
| Packaging | UK buyers receive full case with printed cover. All other countries receive disc in plastic sleeve — artwork emailed after purchase |
| Note | CD-R reproduction of out-of-print release |
Delivery Info
UK orders arrive in 2 working days. Europe in 5 days. Rest of the world approximately 8 days.