In a surprise move, the Bee Gees have entered a new deal with Rhino Records.

The contract gives Rhino exclusive worldwide rights to the group's extensive catalog of hit recordings. It includes all master recordings and even unreleased material from the 1965 debut album, up to the most recent release, 2001's This is Where I Came In.

Most significantly, the deal also includes the multi-platinum soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever, which continues to be a strong seller almost 30 years after its release.

In announcing the agreement, Warner Music Group (the parent distribution company of Rhino) chairman Lyor Cohen stated, "The Bee Gees created a body of work that represents some of the most popular music ever recorded and their songs are literally the soundtrack of an entire generation."

No word on any plans for the newly acquired material, but Rhino Records has a history of re-issuing releases remastered with bonus tracks featuring unreleased material. I would expect the same treatment for the Bee Gees catalog of hits.

It's also unclear as to how this affects the group's contract for future new material with Universal Music.

For more information on the Bee Gees, visit www.beegeesonline.com. For more information on Rhino Records, visit www.rhino.com.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------