By the Forces of Nature: Rhino Celebrates Black History Month With Limited Edition Vinyl and New Digital Releases

Black History Month is on the way in February and to celebrate, Rhino will release a number of limited-edition colored vinyl reissues along with a digital initiative to bring legendary recordings to digital service providers for the first time ever. The Rhino Black initiative begins on February 5, with the vinyl reissue of George Benson’s multi-platinum Breezin’ (issued on blue and beige vinyl) and a the first-ever vinyl issue of the Donny Hathaway compendium, A Donny Hathaway Collection, which arrives as a double-LP set on purple vinyl. The same day, Rhino will release The Jungle Brothers’ Done By The Forces of Nature in a deluxe, expanded form across DSPs.

Throughout the month, the label will release further vinyl reissues from Aretha Franklin, Curtis Mayfield, Chaka Khan, Sheila E, Ray Charles, and Lil’ Kim. For each release, Rhino will partner with Black-owned record shops nationwide to offer art prints featuring alternative album covers designed by young artists of color. These will be offered as a gift with purchase from those brick-and-mortar shops. You can visit Rhino’s website for a list of participating record shops and testimonials from the visual artists involved. Editions without the print will be available across retailers.

Check out a list of all the Rhino Black releases below!

Rhino Black History Month Releases:
* denotes digital release across DSPs

February 5:
George Benson – Breezin’ (1 LP Blue/Beige Vinyl)
Donny Hathaway – A Donny Hathaway Collection (2 LP Purple Vinyl)
The Jungle Brothers – Done By The Forces of Nature (Deluxe Edition) *

February 12:
Curtis Mayfield – Roots (1 LP Orange Vinyl)
Curtis Mayfield – There’s No Place Like America Today (North America Only) (1LP Blue Vinyl)
Baby Huey – The Baby Huey Story: Living Legend (Expanded Edition) *
Tevin Campbell – I’m Ready (Expanded Edition) *
Pete Rock & CL Smooth – Mecca and the Soul Brother (Deluxe Edition) *

February 19:
Aretha Franklin – Young, Gifted, and Black (1 LP Burnt Orange Vinyl)
Sheila E – …The Glamorous Life (1 LP Teal Vinyl)
Jimmy & Vella – Jimmy & Vella *
Rhasaan Roland Kirk – The Case of the Three-Sided Dream In Audio Color *
Nina Simone – Folksy Nina + Blackbird (Deluxe Edition) *
Adina Howard – Welcome To Fantasy Island *

February 26:
Ray Charles – The Best of Ray Charles: The Atlantic Years (2 LP Blue Vinyl)
Chaka Khan – Epiphany: The Best of Chaka Khan, Vol 1 (1 LP Burgundy Vinyl)
Lil’ Kim – The Notorious K.I.M. (2 LP Pink/Black Vinyl)
Donny Hathaway – Live At The Bitter End *

Sam Stone

Sam Stone has been obsessed with catalog music ever since his folks gave him a Contours best-of collection for his fourth birthday. He quickly began to learn all he could about rock and roll history and beyond, a passion that continues to this day. Sam followed his love for music to the classroom, earning a B.A. from Towson University in Electronic Media and Film, concentrating on radio and audio production, as well as an M.A. in Audio Arts from Syracuse University. He has put his knowledge and skills to work at prominent reissue labels and is excited to bring his perspectives on catalog music to a broader audience. When he’s not writing for The Second Disc, Sam can be found researching about music, talking about Joni Mitchell’s career, and adding another box set to his Amazon wish list.

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