Rhino Reserves: New Premium Vinyl Series Kicks Off With Allen Toussaint’s ‘Southern Nights’ & Eddie Hazel’s ‘Game, Dames And Guitar Thangs’

Rhino Entertainment is proud to announce the launch of a new audiophile vinyl series, Rhino Reserves, offering legendary albums on 180-gram premium-quality black vinyl. Ensuring the highest audio quality, Rhino Reserve will be pressed locally at Fidelity Record Pressing’s brand-new plant in Oxnard, CA, and cut by renowned mastering engineer Matthew Lutthans at The Mastering Lab. For these inaugural releases, however, the lacquers were cut by the highly respected Chris Bellman, with the vinyl pressed at Bernie Grundman Mastering, a name synonymous with audiophile excellence.

Focused on preserving the authenticity of original packaging while delivering exceptional sound quality, each release features heavyweight board jackets, Rhino Reserve branded labels, and a Fidelity-branded poly sleeve. Rhino Reserve titles will retail for $31.98 and be available at Rhino.com and select retail locations.

“We’re thrilled to announce the launch of the Rhino Reserve series, a new chapter in our commitment to audiophile-quality vinyl. Following the success of our High Fidelity line, we wanted to offer a more accessible option for fans and collectors that still delivers exceptional sound. We’re especially excited to partner with Fidelity Record Pressing for this series. Their state-of-the-art facility and dedication to craftsmanship have resulted in test pressings for our first releases that sound absolutely phenomenal,” says

Rhino Entertainment is proud to announce the launch of a new audiophile vinyl series, Rhino Reserves, offering legendary albums on 180-gram premium-quality black vinyl. Ensuring the highest audio quality, Rhino Reserve will be pressed locally at Fidelity Record Pressing’s brand-new plant in Oxnard, CA, and cut by renowned mastering engineer Matthew Lutthans at The Mastering Lab. For these inaugural releases, however, the lacquers were cut by the highly respected Chris Bellman, with the vinyl pressed at Bernie Grundman Mastering, a name synonymous with audiophile excellence.

Focused on preserving the authenticity of original packaging while delivering exceptional sound quality, each release features heavyweight board jackets, Rhino Reserve branded labels, and a Fidelity-branded poly sleeve. Rhino Reserve titles will retail for $31.98 and be available at Rhino.com and select retail locations.

“We’re thrilled to announce the launch of the Rhino Reserve series, a new chapter in our commitment to audiophile-quality vinyl. Following the success of our High Fidelity line, we wanted to offer a more accessible option for fans and collectors that still delivers exceptional sound. We’re especially excited to partner with Fidelity Record Pressing for this series. Their state-of-the-art facility and dedication to craftsmanship have resulted in test pressings for our first releases that sound absolutely phenomenal,” says Patrick Milligan, Sr. Director, A&R Rhino Entertainment.

“We at Fidelity Record Pressing are very excited to be partnering with Rhino for the Rhino Reserve Series,” says Fidelity Record Pressing’s co-owner Rick Hashimoto. “My sons, Edward and Alex, and I have 75 years of cumulative audiophile record pressing experience, and our plant has the most modern presses and infrastructure. These, along with a staff of people passionate about vinyl, are the key ingredients for high-quality vinyl production.”

Kicking off the series are two iconic releases, Allen Toussaint’s Southern Nights and Eddie Hazel’s Game, Dames And Guitar Thangs, both set to hit shelves on January 31, 2025, part of Rhino’s Start Your Ear Off Right, officially kicking off on January 2.

Southern Nights showcases the late artist’s unparalleled ability to blend funk, soul, and R&B in a way that defined his storied career. Originally released in 1975, the album features standout tracks such as “Last Train” and “Worldwide,” along with the timeless title track, famously covered by Glen Campbell and later designated a Louisiana state song.

Game, Dames And Guitar Thangs, released in 1977, is a masterpiece of funk rock, boasting the guitar virtuoso’s iconic style and smooth vocals. Known for his groundbreaking work with Parliament Funkadelic, Hazel’s album delivers standout tracks like his reimagined “California Dreamin’” with a psychedelic-soul rock blend.

“We at Fidelity Record Pressing are very excited to be partnering with Rhino for the Rhino Reserve Series,” says Fidelity Record Pressing’s co-owner Rick Hashimoto. “My sons, Edward and Alex, and I have 75 years of cumulative audiophile record pressing experience, and our plant has the most modern presses and infrastructure. These, along with a staff of people passionate about vinyl, are the key ingredients for high-quality vinyl production.”

Kicking off the series are two iconic releases, Allen Toussaint’s Southern Nights and Eddie Hazel’s Game, Dames And Guitar Thangs, both set to hit shelves on January 31, 2025, part of Rhino’s Start Your Ear Off Right, officially kicking off on January 2.

Southern Nights showcases the late artist’s unparalleled ability to blend funk, soul, and R&B in a way that defined his storied career. Originally released in 1975, the album features standout tracks such as “Last Train” and “Worldwide,” along with the timeless title track, famously covered by Glen Campbell and later designated a Louisiana state song.

Game, Dames And Guitar Thangs, released in 1977, is a masterpiece of funk rock, boasting the guitar virtuoso’s iconic style and smooth vocals. Known for his groundbreaking work with Parliament Funkadelic, Hazel’s album delivers standout tracks like his reimagined “California Dreamin’” with a psychedelic-soul rock blend.