As part of Atlantic Records' 75th Anniversary celebration, the label – in conjunction with Rhino Entertainment – has launched an extensive year-long vinyl series featuring 90 releases spanning the entire history of the company, from its earliest days until the present. The series encompasses iconic and acclaimed albums across virtually every popular musical genre, including special editions and many that have never been on vinyl. The unprecedented series has been curated by Atlantic Records Chairman & CEO Craig Kallman, who – in addition to his role as the label's chief executive – is one of the world's foremost audiophiles, with a personal vinyl collection now numbering over two million LPs.
Each month's Atlantic 75 collection reflects the label's diverse and rich history. With most titles pressed in crystal clear vinyl, releases included span groundbreaking works that underline the genre-defiant greatness of the label's release over the years. In addition, Atlantic has partnered with noted audiophile label Acoustic Sounds for a multi-year-long slate of 180-Gram, 45RPM black vinyl, and SACD versions of classic Atlantic albums. The label has also partnered with beloved vinyl subscription service VMP (Vinyl Me, Please) for their first ever label collection for Record of the Month, which will be available for VMP members on Thursday, October 19, shipping early November. As part of the partnership, VMP will be releasing Ray Charles - Ray Charles In Person in the Essentials Track, The Mar-Keys / Booker T. & The M.G.'s - Back to Back in the Classics Track, Lupe Fiasco - Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor in the Hip-Hop Track, John Prine - Sweet Revenge in the Country Track, and Stone Temple Pilots - Nº 4 in the Rock Track.
"Our 75th anniversary has given us an incredible opportunity to revisit the amazing range and depth of the music that Atlantic has released across the decades," said Craig Kallman. "These 90 albums are not only an extraordinary musical journey through the years, but a cultural one as well, reflecting a series of seismic social shifts. As an admitted vinyl junkie, I'm honored and thrilled to join with our colleagues at Rhino, our long-time friends at Acoustic Sounds, and the great folks at VMP to give all this brilliant music the royal LP treatment. It's been a true labor of love, and the perfect celebration of this landmark anniversary."
Kirk Pengilly of INXS shares his experience working with Atlantic Records: "In 1982, we signed to a newly revitalized ATCO label for North America under the Atlantic umbrella. They, along with our manager Chris Murphy, were trailblazers in a pretty stock standard record industry. They did things differently and thought outside the square with innovative, creative ideas. ATCO was our first signing outside of Australia and immediately showed their care and passion for us as an act. We were a 'Band of Brothers' and ATCO became part of our family. Exciting times for a bunch of guys out of Australia."
For the fans who prefer to listen to their music on the go, Atlantic has released a collection of remixes which demonstrates the influence that Atlantic's iconic artists have had on musicians regardless of genre. Swiss-South African It-girl DJ Nora En Pure adds a new spin to Donna Lewis' record-breaking "I Love You Always Forever." DJ Spinna delivers a funky groove to Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly," while producer Ben Lieband submits his own version of the iconic torch song. Italian DJ Luca Olivotto owns his fresh take on YES' "Owner of a Lonely Heart," which topped the Beatport House Charts earlier this spring. New Jersey enters the house with DJ Sliink's flip of Gym Class Heroes' "Cupid's Chokehold." Nomak revives a deep cut from Brandy with his take on "What About Us."
Listen to these and more from Atlantic HERE.
