Rhythm Safari was formed in Los Angeles in 1990 by veteran music producer/executive, Hilton Rosenthal, with the aim of bringing a variety of quality music to the marketplace. The label initially concentrated on world music, but later developed to have success with releases by Carole King, Foreigner, Christopher Cross and Boyz Of Paradize.

The Australian label was formed in 1997 and is distributed by Universal Music Australia & New Zealand.

Hilton's credits include: Producer of all Johnny Clegg (Juluka & Savuka) albums from 1979 - 1993. Other productions include Teddy Pendergrass, Tone Loc, The Horse Flies, Harry Belafonte, Raffi,  and music for the films "Power Of One" & ‘FernGully’. Hilton also helped conceive & coordinate the recordings for Paul Simon's Grammy Award winning ‘Graceland’ album .

In the late 1970's Hilton was General Manager of Gramophone Record Company - CBS' joint venture in South Africa.  Later he formed Music Incorporated, which became one of the largest independent record labels in South Africa.  The company was sold to EMI in 1985 before Hilton's move to the USA.