Rhino Vinyl, a new imprint of Rhino Records dedicated to “making classic recordings available again in the format of their original release,” will drop its first set of releases on April 22 in the form of three Grateful Dead titles. According to Billboard, Grateful Dead: Live/Dead, Workingman’s Dead, and American Beauty, all newly mastered, will be pressed on 180-gram vinyl with packaging that reflects the original releases. A total of 10 albums will be released on Rhino Vinyl in 2003, with that number expected to be bumped up to 30 in 2004. Other albums dropping this year are Yes’ The Yes Album and T. Rex’s Electric Warrior, both of which were reissued on expanded/remastered CD earlier this year. Hopefully they’ll move on to some cooler stuff later this year – where’s the Joy Division vinyl, y’all? In case you’re curious, traditional and online retailers (and Rhino’s own website) will sell the Rhino Vinyl releases. The imprint will be distributed through the Alternative Distribution Alliance.
Warner Stategic Marketing’s President Of Strategic Marketing And Custom Products, Mark Pinkus told Billboard:
“As the ’80s turned into the ’90s, Rhino was at the forefront of both the CD revolution and the ‘Save the Vinyl’ campaign. While we couldn’t save vinyl in 1993, I’m very excited about having the opportunity to resurrect it in 2003. The passion that Rhino puts into its CDs will be replicated by Rhino Vinyl with our 180-gram, original-artwork, high-quality releases. Nothing feels better in your hands than a beautiful 12″x12″ gatefold jacket; and nothing sounds better.”
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