Curtis Mayfield Super Fly: Rhino High Fidelity Introduces New Audiophile Editions Of The Groundbreaking Soundtrack Today On Reel-To-Reel And Vinyl

LOS ANGELES - Curtis Mayfield's Super Fly soundtrack pioneered socially aware soul in the early '70s with its groundbreaking, orchestral-funk arrangements and unflinching lyrical commentary. Today, new audiophile editions are available from Rhino High Fidelity on reel-to-reel and vinyl.

Super Fly (Rhino High Fidelity R2R) was duplicated in real time from a 1:1 copy of the original analog master tape. The result is a master-quality listening experience that captures the full dynamics of the recording. The 15 i.p.s. half-track 1/4" tape is produced to the IEC equalization standard on premium RTM LPR90 tape stock and stored on a 10.5" metal reel. The Reel-to-Reel edition is limited to 350 copies worldwide and available exclusively at Rhino.com.

Super Fly (Rhino High Fidelity) was cut from the original master tapes by Kevin Gray and pressed on 180-gram black vinyl at Optimal in Germany. It comes in a glossy gatefold sleeve with newly written liner notes. The album is limited to 5,000 individually numbered copies and available exclusively at Rhino.com and select Warner Music Group stores internationally.

Released in July 1972, the soundtrack famously outperformed the film, reaching #1 on the Billboard albums chart and eventually selling over 12 million copies worldwide. While other soundtracks of the blaxploitation era glamorized street life, Mayfield provided a searing critique of systemic poverty and drug abuse. Anchored by the gold-certified, million-selling singles "Freddie's Dead" and "Superfly," the album was recorded during an intensive three-day session at RCA Studios in Chicago, except for "Pusherman," captured earlier in New York City.

The impact has only grown with time. The title track was honored by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the "500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll," and in 2019, the Library of Congress selected the album for preservation in the National Recording Registry for its profound cultural and historical significance. Today, Super Fly is recognized as a high-water mark in popular music, serving as a vital touchstone for generations of artists across the musical spectrum.

Rhino High Fidelity continues to tap into Warner Music's vast catalog, introducing reissues of seminal albums across genres-from rock and pop to jazz, soul, and beyond. Each title pairs uncompromising audio with archival-grade packaging, honoring the album's original intent in both sound and design.