📰 HitnRun Phase Two – Album Released On Vinyl For The First Time
- Escape
- Jan 29
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 14
Prince’s soulful, organic late‑period masterpiece finally arrives on vinyl — a decade after its digital debut and months after its cult status solidified
✦ — SUMMARY
HitnRun Phase Two received its first‑ever vinyl release on January 30, 2026, completing the long‑awaited physical rollout of Prince’s final studio era. Originally released exclusively on Tidal on 12 December 2015, the album served as a companion to HitnRun Phase One but quickly distinguished itself with a warmer, more organic sound.
Prince confirmed a physical CD edition via Twitter, distributed initially at Paisley Park shows during the Australian and New Zealand leg of the Piano & a Microphone Tour in early 2016. A worldwide CD release followed on 6 May 2016 through Universal Music Group, just over two weeks after Prince’s passing.
The album features a large brass section, engineering contributions from Booker T. Jones, and a return to classic Prince textures — funk, soul, horns, and live instrumentation. Baltimore, written in response to the death of Freddie Gray, anchors the album’s emotional core.
HitnRun Phase Two was widely regarded as a creative resurgence, earning stronger reviews than its predecessor and becoming one of Prince’s most celebrated late‑career releases.
✦ — HIGHLIGHTS
• First‑ever vinyl release: 30 January 2026
• Originally released on Tidal: 12 December 2015
• CD debut at Paisley Park shows: January 2016
• Worldwide CD release: 6 May 2016
• More organic, soulful sound than Phase One
• Features NPG Hornz and Booker T. Jones
• Includes Baltimore, written in response to Freddie Gray’s death
• Metacritic score: 63 (generally positive reviews)
✦ — CRITICAL RECEPTION
HitnRun Phase Two received generally positive reviews, with critics praising its warmth, groove and return to classic Prince sensibilities.
• Rolling Stone called it Prince’s “most consistently engaging album in years,” blending echoes of his past with a modern sheen.
• Paste described the album as “undulating, fizzy, and almost light‑headed,” celebrating its euphoric funk.
• NME highlighted Prince’s reconnection with his “funkiest essentials.”
• The Independent hailed it as his best record in “a decade or two.”
• AllMusic praised its “streamlined, subdued soul” and strong grooves.
• musicOMH and Pitchfork were more critical, citing inconsistency and a craftsman‑like approach.
Overall, the album was seen as a confident, soulful late‑career statement.
✦ — COMMERCIAL PERFORMANCE
• Debuted at No. 23 on the US Top R&B Albums chart
• Re‑entered at No. 13 following Prince’s passing
• Peaked at No. 3 on 21 May 2016
• Peaked at No. 5 on the Top R&B/Hip‑Hop Albums chart
• Peaked at No. 40 on the Billboard 200
• Total US sales as of November 2016: 57,000 copies
✦ — TRACKLISTING & CREDITS
All tracks written by Prince.
Side A
Baltimore
• String & Horn Arrangement: Michael Nelson
• Vocals: Eryn Allen Kane
Rocknroll Loveaffair
• Horn Arranging: Adrian Crutchfield
2 Y. 2 D.
• String & Horn Arrangement: Michael Nelson
Side B
Look At Me, Look At U
• Flute & Horn Arranging: Marcus Anderson
• Keyboards: Xavier Taplin
Stare
• Horn Arranging: Lynn Grisset, Marcus Anderson
Xtraloveable
• String & Horn Arrangement: Michael Nelson
Side C
Groovy Potential
• String & Horn Arrangement: Michael Nelson
• Flute: Adrian Crutchfield
When She Comes
• String & Horn Arrangement: Michael Nelson
Screwdriver
Side D
Black Muse
• String & Horn Arrangement: Michael Nelson
Revelation
• Keyboards: Xavier Taplin
• Soprano Saxophone: Marcus Anderson
Big City
• Horn Arranging: Philip Lassiter
• Vocals: Ledisi
✦ — NOTES
• Baltimore was first released on SoundCloud in May 2015, later re‑issued with horn and orchestral overdubs.
• Rocknroll Loveaffair was originally released in 2012; this version includes new horn overdubs.
• Stare debuted as a Spotify exclusive in September 2015.
• Xtraloveable originated as an early Vanity 6 track (1982), later re‑recorded multiple times; this version is the “Extralovable Reloaded” mix with added horns.
• Groovy Potential was first released via 3rdeyetunes.com in 2013.
• Screwdriver was released as a standalone single in February 2013.
• The album was originally sequenced as a continuation of Phase One, with Baltimore as track 12
✦ — SOURCES
Album release documentation
Label archives
Wikipedia
Discogs
Collector and marketplace references
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