0(+> (17 May 1994) The Beautiful Experience – EP (US)
- GlamSlamEscape
- May 17, 1994
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
0(+>’s bold, experimental EP expanding the world of The Most Beautiful Girl In The World, The Beautiful Experience marked one of the earliest and most significant releases from NPG Records during Prince’s battle for artistic independence.
Artist: 0(+>
Title: The Beautiful Experience
Release Date: 17 May 1994
Label: NPG Records
Format: EP (Vinyl / CD / Cassette)
Catalogue Number: BR 71003 (various)
Country: United States
Length: Approx. 45 minutes (varies by format)
The Beautiful Experience followed the global success of The Most Beautiful Girl In The World, the first single credited to the unpronounceable symbol and the first major release from NPG Records. The EP presented several distinct versions of the track, each with its own title rather than a traditional remix label. Prince had originally intended to release multiple independent tracks, but Warner Bros. restricted him to one; his workaround was to issue several versions of the same song, some so different they could be considered new compositions. The originally planned B-side, New World, was blocked by Warner Bros., leading Prince to create the Beautiful version instead.
TRACK LISTING
Vinyl – NPG Records – BR 71003-1 (1994)
Side A
Beautiful – 5:55
The Most Beautiful Girl In The World (Staxowax) – 5:14
The Most Beautiful Girl In The World (Mustangmix) – 6:19
The Most Beautiful Girl In The World (Flutestramental) – 3:35
The Most Beautiful Girl In The World (Sexy Staxaphone And Guitar) – 3:54
The Most Beautiful Girl In The World (Mustang Instrumental) – 3:23
The Most Beautiful Girl In The World – 4:37
Side B
Beautiful – 5:55
The Most Beautiful Girl In The World (Staxowax) – 5:14
The Most Beautiful Girl In The World (Mustangmix) – 6:19
The Most Beautiful Girl In The World (Flutestramental) – 3:35
The Most Beautiful Girl In The World (Sexy Staxaphone And Guitar) – 3:54
The Most Beautiful Girl In The World (Mustang Instrumental) – 3:23
The Most Beautiful Girl In The World – 4:37
CD – NPG Records – BR 71003-2 (1994)
1 Beautiful – 5:55
2 Staxowax – 5:14
3 Mustang Mix – 6:19
4 Flutestramental – 3:35
5 Sexy Staxaphone And Guitar – 3:54
6 Mustang Instrumental – 3:23
7 The Most Beautiful Girl In The World – 4:37
Cassette – NPG Records / Bellmark – BR 71003-4 (1994)
Side A
Beautiful – 5:55
Staxowax – 5:14
Mustang Mix – 6:19
Flutestramental – 3:35
Sexy Staxophone And Guitar – 3:54
Mustang Instrumental – 3:23
The Most Beautiful Girl In The World – 4:37
Side B
Beautiful – 5:55
Staxowax – 5:14
Mustang Mix – 6:19
Flutestramental
Sexy Staxophone And Guitar – 3:35
Mustang Instrumental – 3:54
The Most Beautiful Girl In The World
SLEEVE DETAILS
Sleeve Type: Standard EP packaging
Photography: Nicole Nodland
Design: J.C. Munson, Graphic Zone, Levi Seacer Jr., Lizz Luce
Variants: Vinyl, CD, and cassette editions with consistent artwork
"Prince wanted to release different tracks independently, but Warner Bros. required that only one song be released independently."
THE STORY BEHIND IT
The Beautiful Experience was created during Prince’s conflict with Warner Bros. over artistic control and release schedules. After The Most Beautiful Girl In The World became a global hit, Prince expanded the single into a full EP, issuing multiple versions of the track to circumvent label restrictions. The project marked the first major release from NPG Records and demonstrated Prince’s determination to control his own output. The EP also reflected the early stages of The Gold Experience era, blending R&B, pop, and experimental production techniques.
RELEASE FORMATS & EDITIONS
Release Type: EP
Date: 1994
Country: United States
Catalogue Number: BR 71003 (various)
Formats: Vinyl, Cassette, CD
VISUAL & PACKAGING NOTES
Event: Release of The Beautiful Experience EP
Era: Early NPG Records period
Tone: Experimental, romantic, transitional
Artwork: Purple‑themed imagery and stylised graphics
Audience: Prince collectors and fans of the 1990s era
CONTEXT AND NOTES
The EP followed Prince’s first UK number one single and his first major independent release. Warner Bros. blocked the originally planned B-side, New World, leading to the creation of the Beautiful version. The EP’s multiple versions of the same track were Prince’s workaround to release restrictions. The project is historically significant as one of the earliest NPG Records releases.
OTHER FORMATS
CD EP — Seven-track version
Cassette EP — Same running order as vinyl
Vinyl EP — Full A/B duplication
Promo editions — Not widely documented
SOURCES
Prince Vault
Billboard chart archives
Warner Bros. Records documentation
RIAA certification records
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
All artwork, photographs, and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non‑commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference. No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.
Comments