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RSD Black Friday Returns With An Essential Vinyl Collection To Crave

RSD Black Friday Returns With An Essential Vinyl Collection To Crave

Valeriy Bagrintsev Valeriy Bagrintsev
7 minute read

RSD Black Friday Returns With An Essential Vinyl Collection To Crave

Celebrate RSD Black Friday with an unbeatable lineup of exclusive vinyl releases from jazz, punk, hip-hop, and beyond.

If you're anything like me—a die-hard music lover who lives for the crackle of a needle dropping on vinyl—you know that Record Store Day (RSD) is basically a holiday. And just when you thought the thrill couldn’t get any bigger, RSD Black Friday storms back with over 175 exclusive titles from iconic labels like Craft Recordings, Rhino, Sony Music, and Interscope. It’s like the ultimate treasure hunt for vinyl aficionados!

The Magic of RSD Black Friday: A Vinyl Celebration Like No Other

For those who live and breathe music, every day feels like Record Store Day, especially once that paycheck hits. While the official RSD is often compared to a wild night out on St. Patrick’s Day for the vinyl-obsessed, having two RSD dates tells you just how alive and kicking the physical music format remains.

This fall’s RSD Black Friday is stacked with a vast array of releases that span decades and genres, ensuring there's something for every crate digger’s collection. So, without further ado, here are 10 of the most anticipated RSD Black Friday exclusives that you won’t want to miss.

Albert Ayler and Don Cherry – Europe 1964

Albert Ayler and Don Cherry Europe 1964 set on vinyl

ORG Music’s limited edition box set brings the raw, spiritual jazz power of saxophonist Albert Ayler and multi-instrumentalist Don Cherry to your turntable like never before. This set includes four complete concerts recorded during their 1964 European tour, including electrifying shows at Copenhagen’s Jazzhus Montmartre and a Dutch radio session.

Remastered by Dave Gardner and pressed on vinyl for the first time, this limited release (only 1,500 copies) also comes with a fold-out insert featuring insightful liner notes by jazz writer Brian Morton. If you’re into the avant-garde jazz explosion of the '60s, this is a must-have.

Warren Zevon – Epilogue: Live At The Edmonton Folk Music Festival

Warren Zevon’s heartfelt live performance from 2002, pressed on vinyl

Following his overdue Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, Warren Zevon’s legacy gets a tender tribute with this live recording from his final concert in 2002. Released by Omnivore Recordings, this three-sided vinyl showcases stripped-down versions of classics like “Werewolves of London” and “Lawyers, Guns and Money,” plus some soulful covers including Joni Mitchell’s “A Case of You.”

Mastered by Grammy-winner Michael Graves, the record also features personal liner notes from Zevon’s bandmate Matt Cartsonis, adding extra warmth to this emotional, intimate set. If you want to add Warren Zevon’s live album to your collection, this is a standout choice.

The Stranglers – Rattus Norvegicus

The Stranglers’ punk classic reissued on translucent green vinyl

The Stranglers’ 1977 debut LP, Rattus Norvegicus, stands as a pivotal moment in UK punk rock history. Bridging pub rock grit and punk’s raw edge, it set the stage alongside The Clash and The Sex Pistols with its blend of fury and pop sensibility.

This reissue on translucent green vinyl is limited to 2,400 copies and highlights the band's unique sound, featuring keyboard wizard Dave Greenfield. Fun fact: Robert Smith of The Cure once listed Rattus Norvegicus as one of his top five albums.

Talking Heads – Tentative Decisions: Demos & Live

Early Talking Heads demos and live recordings on vinyl

Before they ruled the new wave scene, David Byrne and Chris Frantz were just college friends making music as The Artistics. This release unearths those first demos—like embryonic versions of “Psycho Killer”—alongside live cuts featuring Tina Weymouth on bass.

Pressed in a run of 7,500 units, this collection gives fans a rare peek into the band’s formative years and creative evolution. For fans hunting for early Talking Heads memorabilia, this one’s a gem.

Big Top Pee-wee – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Danny Elfman’s circus-inspired score on a vibrant picture disc

Danny Elfman’s whimsical, circus-like compositions shine in the soundtrack for Big Top Pee-wee, the quirky sequel to Tim Burton’s cult classic. This RSD Black Friday release is a picture disc pressed in 4,500 copies, perfect for fans of Elfman’s distinctive and playful soundscapes.

Rahsaan Roland-Kirk – Seek & Listen: Live at the Penthouse / Vibrations in the Village

Double vinyl live performances by jazz multi-reedist Rahsaan Roland-Kirk

Jazz detective Zev Feldman delivers two lost live sets from Rahsaan Roland-Kirk’s prime – one from Seattle’s Penthouse (1967) and the other from NYC’s Village Gate (1963). These energetic shows feature a rotating cast of pianists and a powerhouse rhythm section, capturing Kirk’s magnetic charisma and boundary-pushing originals.

Both double LPs press 4,100 copies each and will also see CD releases shortly after. If you’re chasing exceptional jazz vinyl, don’t miss these Rahsaan Roland-Kirk treasures.

Bratmobile – The Real Janelle & The Peel Session

Bratmobile’s pioneering riot grrrl EP and Peel Session on lime green vinyl

Olympia’s Bratmobile carved their own niche within the riot grrrl movement by mixing surf and garage rock into their punk spirit. This limited edition lime green vinyl (1,100 copies) combines their 1994 The Real Janelle EP with their 1993 Peel Session debut.

For fans of raw, raucous feminist punk energy, this is a gem.

Grateful Dead – The Warfield, San Francisco, CA Oct 4 & 6, 1980

Acoustic sets from the Grateful Dead’s iconic Warfield shows on double vinyl

The Grateful Dead’s acoustic performances at the Warfield Theatre in 1980 have been beloved by fans but never fully released—until now. This double vinyl set features intimate renditions of classics like “Bird Song” and “Ripple,” produced by the band’s archivist David Lemieux.

With 6,000 copies pressed, it should be a smooth spin into your collection. If you want to celebrate the legendary Grateful Dead vibe, this release is essential.

Deltron 3030 – 25th Anniversary Edition

Deltron 3030’s visionary hip-hop album on special 25th anniversary splatter vinyl

Hip-hop supergroup Deltron 3030—comprised of Del the Funky Homosapien, Dan the Automator, and Kid Koala—offered a cybernetic vision of dystopia when they dropped their groundbreaking album 25 years ago. This anniversary edition comes on double splatter vinyl with vibrant colors and a commemorative OBI strip.

Featuring guest spots from Damon Albarn and Sean Ono Lennon, this is one futuristic trip you’ll want to revisit.

Various Artists – Jazz Dispensary: Green Bullets

Craft Recordings dives deep into their legendary catalogs for Green Bullets, a cinematic jazz compilation that feels like the soundtrack to a crime thriller. Funky gems from Dizzy Gillespie, Isaac Hayes Movement, Mongo Santamaria, and more simmer on this “Green Thunder” vinyl, limited to 4,100 copies.

It’s a lush, rhythmic journey through jazz’s funkier, groove-filled side.

Music lovers, the shelves will be packed, the crates will be bursting, and the needle-drop moments are waiting. Which of these gems will you be chasing this RSD Black Friday?

FAQ

  • What is Record Store Day (RSD) Black Friday?
    It’s a special edition of Record Store Day held on Black Friday, offering exclusive vinyl releases from various labels, often limited in quantity.
  • Are these RSD Black Friday releases limited editions?
    Yes, most titles are pressed in limited runs, making them highly collectible for vinyl enthusiasts.
  • Can I find these records in regular stores?
    Typically, RSD exclusives are sold at participating independent record stores, so keep an eye out locally or online shops that support indie retailers.
  • What genres are covered in this year’s RSD Black Friday?
    The releases span a variety of genres, including jazz, punk, rock, hip-hop, and soundtracks.
  • Is it necessary to arrive early for these releases?
    Yes, because of limited quantities, early arrival often improves your chances of snagging the most sought-after titles.

If these vinyl treasures have you dreaming of spinning your favorite album art on your walls, check out our store and shop exclusive album cover posters to bring that RSD vibe home: Architeg Prints.

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