MGM/Rykodisc's "The Deluxe MGM Soundtrack Series" was started in 1997, and ended in 2000. In 2001/2002 the licences of all these releases had expired, and the albums went ouf of print afterwards. During that period of time, over 50 albums as part of that series (including promos) were released. Other labels like Varèse Sarabande and Kritzerland reissued some of this soundtracks a couple of years later as remastered, or, even as expanded editions.
Original blurb by Rykodisc on their old website, published in 1997:
"Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. and Rykodisc have announced a co- venture to produce, launch, and promote a new series of high-quality original soundtracks, many of which will be released on compact disc for the first time, "The Deluxe MGM Soundtrack Series" will feature previously unavailable or long-out-of print soundtracks from the legendary library of United Artists Pictures, a subsidiary of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. In addition to pristine remastered recordings, each compact disc is enhanced with extras, including extensive liner notes, exclusive photographs, and CD-ROM capabilities featuring film clips and original theatrical trailers. Select titles also will be released in "Superlative Editions" that combine the CD, and where available, the home-video release, and will include original one-sheets and lobby cards, filmographies of casts and composers, and alternate takes from the recording sessions, among many other additions.
The "Deluxe MGM Soundtrack Series" will unveil the recordings of many landmark United Artists films, including 200 Motels, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Octopussy, Rancho Deluxe, and Itıs A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. These titles, and many more, include some of the biggest names in the recording industry today: John Barry, Quincy Jones, Frank Zappa, Miles Davis, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, The Steve Miller Band, Billy Preston, Bobby Womack, and numerous others!
All deluxe titles include the following features wherever possible:
- The complete original soundtrack recording remastered for the best possible audio reproduction;
- Extensive liner notes covering the film, the score, and the composers/vocalists;
- Captivating photographs from the MGM archives, including some never-before-seen images and candid behind-the-scenes stills;
- CD-Rom features, including theatrical trailers and/or film clips in both Quicktime and MPEG formats, a Web link, and more;
- A reproduction of the original movie poster and original LP cover art."
Literature:
- Hirsch, David: Ryko speaks before going silent! In: Soundtrack, Vol. 17 (June 1998) No. 66, p. 4-7.
- Kendall, Lukas: The Rykodisc/MGM Report. In: Film Score Monthly, Vol. 2 (September 1997) No. 7, p. 5.
- Kendall, Lukas; Southall, James; Bond, Jeff; Adams, Doug: The Rykodisc Resurrection. In: Film Score Monthly, Vol. 3 (September 1998) No. 8, p. 38-39, 42-45.
