The fight over Prince's track '1999' is about to heat up.

Not content to fight the Time-Warner machine over master recording rights, The Artist has re-recorded the classic track '1999'. The single is set for commercial release on February 2.

The song is hotly tipped to be THE song to play at New Year's parties this year. Both factions - Time-Warner and The Artist want a piece of the retail action.

The new release, entitled '1999 - The New Master' includes 7 "brand new flavas of the classic track" and features guest artists Rosie Gaines, Larry Graham, Doug E Fresh and Rosario Dawson.

The disc is being released through New Power Generation Records, and can be purchased on the web from www.1800newfunk.com or by phone from 1-800-NEW-FUNK (639-3865). The cost is $12.99 US plus postage and packing.

On The Artist's web site, www.love4oneanother.com, there's a post regarding the new recording, and it alludes to the reason for the re-recording.

"Eye no longer wish 2 fight Time-Warner, as in my reality, they have already lost. They now have a chance 2 undo this loss by joining in r effort 2 promote love 4 one another in these last days."

Originally recorded in the early 80s, the sound recording of the original version of '1999' is owned by Time Warner. The publishing rights, however, still reside with The Artist.

"When we own the original master recordings 2 songs that r already perfect, we won't have 2 re-record them and give them away in the fashion that we r doing 2day.

"Peace 2 Time-Warner when they release the masters 2 their rightful owners, so that they all can continue their trans4mation 2 perfection."