Rhino Records will launch Rhino Vinyl – “an imprint dedicated to making classic recordings available again in the format of their original release” – on April 22 with three reissued Grateful Dead titles.
Like all the label’s planned releases, “Grateful Dead: Live/Dead,” “Workingman’s Dead,” and “American Beauty” will be newly mastered and pressed on 180-gram vinyl, with packaging that reflects the original releases.
Rhino Vinyl will be sold through traditional and online retailers (distributed via Alternative Distribution Alliance), as well as directly via the Rhino Web site (http://www.rhino.com). A total of 10 albums will be issued on vinyl in 2003, with Yes’ 1971 set “The Yes Album” and T. Rex’s 1970 release “Electric Warrior” due next in May. Like the Dead titles, each was reissued by Rhino in expanded/remastered CD form earlier this year. Rhino Vinyl expects to release 30 titles in 2004.
“As the ’80s turned into the ’90s, Rhino was at the forefront of both the CD revolution and the ‘Save the Vinyl’ campaign,” Mark Pinkus, Warner Strategic Marketing’s Vice President of Strategic Marketing & Custom Products, said in a statement. “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-inch x 12-inch gatefold jacket; and nothing sounds better.”
