Unreleased Robert Hunter Album Will Arrive in November
Rhino will debut the lost 1976 recording Alligator Moon as a limited vinyl exclusive for Record Store Day.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Folk
Live Poll
Do you plan to purchase physical vinyl records for your collection this year?
The previously unreleased Robert Hunter studio album Alligator Moon will be issued on vinyl on November 27, 2026. This rare collection features the band Comfort and showcases material that has remained largely unheard for decades.
Why it matters
This release provides fans with access to a complete studio project from a legendary songwriter, salvaging recordings that previously only saw limited exposure through a handful of tracks on a 1982 compilation. The project highlights the archival efforts to preserve music from one of the most prolific figures in American folk and rock history.
Rhino will limit the distribution of the album to 2,500 vinyl copies as an exclusive for Record Store Day. Three songs from the original 1976 sessions were previously included on the 1982 compilation album Promontory Rider.
The players
Robert Hunter
He was a legendary American lyricist and musician best known for his extensive songwriting partnership with the Grateful Dead.
Rhino
This record label specializes in the preservation and reissue of classic music catalogs and archival material.
Comfort
This is the band that collaborated with Robert Hunter during the 1976 studio sessions for the album.
Maureen Hunter
She is the artist who provided the new cover illustrations for the upcoming release of Alligator Moon.
The details
Recorded in 1976 with the band Comfort, the album arrives with new cover artwork provided by Maureen Hunter. The release marks a significant milestone for collectors by finally assembling the full studio project.
Timeline
Robert Hunter recorded the studio album in 1976.
Three tracks from the sessions appeared on the 1982 compilation Promontory Rider.
The album will be released on vinyl on November 27, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This release follows the ongoing trend of record labels mining historical archives to satisfy the persistent consumer demand for exclusive vinyl releases. By positioning the album as a limited Record Store Day exclusive, the label leverages the cultural prestige and scarcity model that currently defines modern music collecting.
Listeners and collectors must visit participating independent record stores on November 27, 2026, to purchase the limited edition vinyl. Because production is restricted to 2,500 copies, interested fans should plan to arrive early at retailers to ensure availability.
The takeaway
Collectors should monitor their local record store inventory to track the limited release of these long-lost sessions. This project serves as a reminder of the value in preserving studio outtakes that define the creative growth of influential artists.
Further reading
Explore more music history in the Folk section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Relix Media.
Live Poll
Do you plan to purchase physical vinyl records for your collection this year?
