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Rhino Archive Series Black History Month
By: Tracking Angle

April 29th, 2025

Category:

News

Rhino Reserve Premium Vinyl Series Celebrates Black Music Month With Baby Huey's "The Baby Huey Story", The Meters' "Fire on the Bayou", And Otis Redding's "Blue"

CUT FROM THE ANALOG TAPES AND PRESSED ON 180-GRAM BLACK VINYL

(April 29, 2025 - Los Angeles, CA) In celebration of Black Music Month, Rhino Reserve continues with the next installment of the acclaimed premium vinyl series with Baby Huey’s The Baby Huey Story: The Living Legend, The Meters’ Fire On The Bayou, and Otis Redding’s Otis Blue.

 This next set of Rhino Reserve titles are pressed on 180-gram premium-quality black vinyl locally at Fidelity Record Pressing’s brand-new plant in Oxnard, CA, and cut by the highly respected Chris Bellman from 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 are available on June 27 and will retail for $31.98 and be available at Rhino.com and select retail locations. Pre-order HERE.

 The Baby Huey Story: The Living Legend was recorded in 1970 as the only solo album by Funk icon James “Baby Huey” Ramey. Produced and released by Curtis Mayfield, the album pays tribute to Baby Huey following his untimely death. The album features captivating covers of Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Going To Come” and John and Michelle Phillips’ “California Dreamin’,” as well as a Mayfield original, “Hard Times,” later sampled by A Tribe Called Quest and Ice Cube.

 In the midst of the Rolling Stones’ 1975 U.S. tour, New Orleans royalty, The Meters, released their sixth studio album, Fire on the Bayou. This staple funk record boasted tracks like “Mardi Gras Mambo” and Hank Williams’ rendition of “Jambalaya.” Fire on the Bayou remains a cornerstone of New Orleans funk.

 Otis Redding released his third studio album, Otis Blue, in 1965 after recording the album in a shocking 24-hour period. Backed by Booker T. & the M.G.’s house band, the record includes the Redding original “I've Been Loving You Too Long,” a cover of the Rolling Stones’ "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," and an early version of “Respect”. Considered by critics to be the definitive soul album of its era, Otis Blue has been ranked among Rolling Stone Magazine’s ‘Greatest Albums of All Time’ and Time Magazine's ‘All-Time 100 Greatest Albums.’

Comments

  • 2025-04-29 08:43:06 PM

    Malachi Lui wrote:

    surprised that they didn’t specify which mix of ‘otis blue’ they’re reissuing. i can pass on another stereo version, but would gladly get an AAA mono copy. i have the RSD 2015 mono/stereo twofer cut at TML, not sure the source but the mono cut on that sounds great.

  • 2025-04-30 05:27:54 AM

    Willie Luncheonette wrote:

    Otis Redding and Billy Stewart are my two favorite soul singers. I was lucky enough to see Otis live here in NYC at a Central Park concert. Some of the Rolling Stones flew in from England to see the show. The LP Otis Blue is simply tremendous from beginning to end.. I have a hard time thinking there can be a better soul album than this masterpiece.