Atlantic (Label)

US label.
Label Code: LC 0121 / LC 00121.
In 1947, Ahmet Ertegun, Herb Abramson and his wife Miriam Abramson (maiden name Miram Kahan) started an independent record label in New York City, which they named Atlantic Records. They were later joined by Ahmet's brother Nesuhi Ertegun and Jerry Wexler. Growing from literally a one-room operation into one of the preeminent companies in the rapidly evolving music industry, the Atlantic label soon became recognized and revered around the world—a name synonymous with artistry and quality.

Atlantic was purchased in 1967 by the film studio. Atlantic/ATCO Records, along with Warner Bros. Records/Reprise Records, were to be operated as separate record companies under this ownership umbrella. This continued until 1969, when was purchased by Kinney National Company. Warner Bros. and Atlantic were brought together, Ahmet Ertegün was given considerable power in the new operation and he, along with both the President and Chairman of Warner Bros. Records Mo Austin, served on a committee to oversee the record business. They oversaw the purchase of Elektra from its founder Jac Holzman in 1970, leading to the creation of the Warner-Elektra-Atlantic (WEA) alliance and distribution network.

Today, Atlantic remains a part of the Warner Music Group, and forms the Atlantic Music Group along with Elektra, Rhino Records (2) (which Atlantic bought out in 1992) and Lava; EastWest Records America was switched to Elektra when Sylvia Rhone became president of that label in 1995.

For counterfeit editions and other unofficial versions of its releases, please see Atlantic (2).

The Saul Bass designed W logo was introduced on the sleeves in January 1975 and on the labels in April 1975.

Please note that some US cassettes and 8-tracks have an ATL code on the spine or elsewhere near or above the catalogue number. This is not part of the catalogue number and should not be entered as such. Instead, it's a label identification code and may be entered in the Barcode and Other Identifiers fields in Other.

Early 45s were released on yellow labels until Jan. 1956, and on red labels after that date.
In March, 1962, a small swirl logo was added underneath the “A” of “Atlantic.

Please note disco 12" singles which show DSKO in the release # are promos.

Please note that when it comes to promo releases released on Atlantic Records and many of its subsidiaries, such as Big Beat and East West Records America, the outside jacket sticker will contain the commercial catalog number and the inner label will contain the promo catalog number or sometimes both.

Atlantic Records Pressing Plant Codes (found in the label matrix number suffixes):
AM: American Record Pressing Co. (ARP runout stamp)
AR: Allied Record Company
BW: Bestway Products Inc.
CT / CTH: Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Terre Haute
CP: Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Pitman
CS / CSM: Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Santa Maria
DCE: MCA Pressing Plant, Gloversville
DCW: MCA Pressing Plant, Pinckneyville
FT: Fidelatone Mfg.
LY: Shelley Products
MG: MGM Records Division
MO: Monarch Record Mfg. Co.
PL: Plastic Products
PR: Presswell
RI: PRC Recording Company, Richmond, IN
SO: Sonic Recording Products, Inc.
SP: Specialty Records Corporation
W: Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Carrollton, GA
WM: Midwest Record Pressing, Inc.

French singles:
Catalog number patterns:
-Vocal: 11xxxx until 1964 / 65xxxx after
-Instrumental: 12xxxx
-Jazz/Blues: 13xxxx
***
-Squared BIEM (1959-1965)
-Circled BIEM (1965)
-Rectangled BIEM after

French EPs:
Catalog number patterns:
-Vocal: 21xxxx until 1964 / 75xxxx after
-Instrumental: 22xxxx
-Jazz/Blues: 23xxxx
***
-Squared BIEM (1959-1965)
-Circled BIEM (1965)
-Rectangled BIEM after