Acoustic Sounds
Atlantic Records 75th Anniversary
By: Tracking Angle

September 13th, 2023

Category:

News

Atlantic Records Celebrates 75th Anniversary With Year-Long Vinyl Campaign, Remixes & Limited Edition Merch Capsule

90 Titles Encompass Iconic Albums Spanning Label’s Entire History, Including Special Editions & Releases Never Before on Vinyl

NEW YORK, NY – September 13, 2023: 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."

 As part of the ongoing series, Atlantic is pleased to announce the forthcoming releases of Led Zeppelin’s paradigm-shifting untitled fourth album, commonly referred to as Led Zeppelin IV, and Coldplay’s multi-platinum selling seventh album, A Head Full of Dreams. Led Zeppelin IV, produced by Jimmy Page, will be pressed on crystal-clear, 180g vinyl. The new edition of A Head Full of Dreams is pressed on 140g colored re-cycled vinyl and features a bonus track, ‘’Something Just Like This,’’ by the Chainsmokers and Coldplay.  The collection will also welcome albums from Jason Mraz, Christina Perri, Grouplove as well as seasonal releases from Booker T. and the MG’s and Trans-Siberian Orchestra. See below for the full list of releases dates.

 Below is the complete list of the Atlantic 75 titles scheduled for the year, including already available titles. Titles from the collection are available to order at http://store.atlanticrecords.com Fans visiting the store can also purchase limited-edition tees, hoodies, and color-changing magic candles featuring vintage Atlantic logo designs, as well as an exclusive t-shirt featuring Roberta Flack, which was released for the campaign in honor of the coinciding 50th anniversary of Killing Me Softly.

 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 all the new Atlantic 75 remixes HERE.

 ATLANTIC 75 VINYL COLLECTION

 

Available Now

John Coltrane – Olé Coltrane

Billy Cobham – Spectrum

Yes – Fragile

Velvet Underground – Loaded

Genesis – Selling England By The Pound

Ray Charles – Ray Charles

Otis Redding – Otis Blue / Otis Redding Sings Soul

Wilson Pickett – The Exciting Wilson Pickett!

Ben E. King – Don’t Play That Song!

Arthur Conley – Sweet Soul Music

Lizzo – Special

Lizzo – Cuz I Love You

Aretha Franklin – Lady Soul

Dusty Springfield – Dusty in Memphis

Roberta Flack – First Take

Trey Songz – Ready

Gayle – A Study In The Human Experience (First time on vinyl)

Pink Sweat$ - Pink Moon

Halestorm – The Strange Case of…

The War On Drugs – A Deeper Understanding

Wiz Khalifa – Rolling Papers

Kelly Clarkson – The Meaning of Life

Tiësto – Drive

Brandy – Never Say Never

Ed Sheeran – Divide

Young Boy Never Broke Again – The Last Slimeto

Stone Temple Pilots – Purple

Simple Plan – No Helmets, No Pads, Just Balls

Shinedown – The Sound of Madness

Charlie Puth – Nine Track Mind

Matt Maeson – Bank of the Funeral

Panic! At The Disco – Pray for the Wicked

Kehlani – Cloud 19 (First time on vinyl)

Portugal. The Man – Evil Friends

Janelle Monáe – Electric Lady

Janelle Monáe – Dirty Computer

INXS – Kick

Phil Collins – No Jacket Required

Hootie & The Blowfish – Cracked Rear View

Sean Paul – Dutty Rock

Ava Max – Heaven and Hell

Galantis – Pharmacy

Oliver Tree – Ugly Is Beautiful

Bruno Mars – 24k Magic

P. Diddy – Press Play

Cardi B. – Invasion of Privacy

Gucci Mane – Mr. Davis

Burna Boy – Twice as Tall

Don Toliver – Heaven or Hell

Nipsey Hussle – Victory Lap (Available Exclusively At Marathon)

Lupe Fiasco – Lupe Fiasco’s Food And Liquor I

Kevin Gates – Islah

Jack Harlow – That’s What They All Say

Kodak Black – Dying To Live

Lil Uzi Vert – Luv Is Rage 2

John Prine – John Prine

Willie Nelson – Phases & Stages

Crosby, Stills, & Nash – Crosby, Stills, & Nash

Sturgill Simpson – A Sailor’s Guide to Earth

Roddy Ricch – Please Excuse Me For Being Anti-Social

 

Available October 6

 

Matchbox Twenty – Yourself or Someone Like You

Buffalo Springfield – Again

MC5 – Back in the USA

Bad Company – Bad Company

Foreigner – Foreigner

Iron Butterfly – In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida

Portugal. The Man - Woodstock

 

Available October 20

 

Coldplay – A Head Full of Dreams

 

Available October 27

 

Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin IV

 

Available November 3

 

Booker T. & The MG’s – In The Christmas Spirit

Trans-Siberian Orchestra – Christmas Eve and Other Stories

 

Available November 10

 

Jason Mraz – Love Is a Four Letter Word

Grouplove – Never Trust A Happy Song

Christina Perri – lovestrong. (First time on vinyl)

 

ATLANTIC 75 REMIX COLLECTION

 

Roberta Flack – Killing Me Softly (DJ Spinna Remix)

Gym Class Heroes x DJ Sliink – Cupid’s Chokehold (Club Mix)

Brandy – What About Us (Nömak’s 2016 Remix)

Yes – Owner of a Lonely Heart (Luca Olivotto Remix)

Donna Lewis x Nora En Pure – I Love You Always Forever (Nora’s Version)

 

Listen to these and more from Atlantic HERE.

 

ACOUSTIC SOUNDS COLLECTION

 

GenesisSelling England by The Pound, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, Nursery Cryme, Genesis, Abacab, Foxtrot, Invisible Touch

 

Phil CollinsFace Value, Hello I Must Be Going

 

John Coltrane:  Giant Steps, My Favorite Things, Coltrane Plays The Blues, Ole` Coltrane, Coltrane Jazz, Coltrane’s Sound

 

Ray Charles:  The Genius of Ray Charles, What I’d Say, Ray Charles, Yes Indeed!, The Great Ray Charles

 

Bad Company:  Bad Company, Straight Shooter, Run With The Pack, Desolation Angels, Burnin’ Sky

 

Charles Mingus:  Blues & Roots, Oh Yeah!, The Clown

 

Yes:  Fragile, Close to The Edge, The Yes Album, 90215

 

Otis Redding:  Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul, The Dock of The Bay, The Otis Redding Dictionary of Soul, The Soul Man

 

Foreigner:  4, Foreigner, Head Games, Double Vision

 

Crosby Stills & Nash:  Déjà vu (w/Neil Young), CSN, Crosby Stills & Nash

 

Dr. John:  Gris Gris, In the Right Place, Dr. John’s Gumbo

 

Stone Temple Pilots:  Core, Purple

 

Buffalo Springfield:  Buffalo Springfield, Buffalo Springfield Again

 

Plus, More To Come…

 

VMP (Vinyl Me, Please) COLLECTION

 

The Mar-keys / Booker T. & The MGs – Back To Back (Mono)

John Prine – Sweet Revenge (Stereo)

Ray Charles – In Person (Mono)

Lupe Fiasco – Food & Liquor

Stone Temple Pilots – No. 4

 About Atlantic Records: Atlantic Records celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2023. Founded in New York City, the label literally grew from a one-room operation into one of the world’s preeminent music companies. Atlantic has released a string of recordings that have had a profound impact on the course of modern music, its rich history including such musical icons as Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, John Coltrane, and Led Zeppelin. The Atlantic Records Group roster today includes many of the world’s most popular recording artists and soundtracks. Artists such as Kelly Clarkson, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, Cardi B, Sia, Coldplay, Charlie Puth, Janelle Monáe, Jack Harlow, Death Cab for Cutie, Matchbox Twenty, Lil Uzi Vert, Gucci Mane, Melanie Martinez, Rob Thomas, Skrillex, Roddy Ricch and many more, as well as soundtracks including Barbie, The Greatest Showman, Hamilton, Fast and Furious, Suicide Squad, Birds of Prey, Jagged Little Pill The Musical, the Spinning Gold soundtrack, and more. www.atlanticrecords.com

 About Acoustic Sounds, Inc. and Analogue Productions:

Headquartered in Salina, Kansas, Acoustic Sounds, Inc. offers the world's largest selection of audiophile music. Owned by CEO Chad Kassem, who founded the company in 1986, Acoustic Sounds sells the highest-quality music in a variety of formats, including LP, SACD and reel-to-reel tape. The company owns its own pressing plant, Quality Record Pressings, its own reissue label (Analogue Productions), an original production label (APO Records), its own printing company (Consolidated Printing), a recording studio (Blue Heaven Studios) and its own LP mastering facility (The Mastering Lab at Blue Heaven Studios). For more information, visit www.acousticsounds.com.

 About Vinyl Me Please: VMP (Vinyl Me, Please) is a community of explorers and storytellers who navigate between sounds that are lost and found to create transcendent tangible music experiences. VMP offers customers five different monthly vinyl subscriptions (Essentials, Classics, Hip Hop, Country, and Rock), an online record store with exclusive pressings, and a multitude of editorial content, storytelling, and events. In February 2023, VMP also launched a year-long dedicated record club with Dolly Parton titled VMP Limited: Vinyl Me, Parton. Through these offerings we embark on explorations of familiar sounds from our past, and new sounds for our future. To learn more, visit vinylmeplease.com and follow @vinylmeplease on socials. 

 

Comments

  • 2023-09-13 09:36:49 PM

    Anthony J Russo wrote:

    Some of these llp’s can be found at local record stores for low prices. 60 bucks for a reissue . Why cant they follow the Blue Note model on price and mastering ?

    • 2023-09-13 11:22:16 PM

      bwb wrote:

      I see prices from $25 on up..... so do we have any word on what the mastering is? . . . I didn't see Bernie Grundman mentioned :) Are they remastered, from tape or digital files or what?

      • 2023-09-14 08:21:10 AM

        Ian Melville wrote:

        I think the AP albums are AAA at 45rpm across 2 discs and mastered by a number of engineers. The VMP I'd guess are most likely AAA and 33rpm but don't know for sure. The Atlantic ones are most likely from digital as they have had some of that 75 series out for a while now.

        • 2023-09-14 04:21:51 PM

          bwb wrote:

          here's to hoping we get more info. Until we do I'm probably not buying any. For instance Led Zepplin IV just says "produced by Jimmy Page." Is it just a re-release of the 2014 remaster produce by him or ??? It appears they are not catering to the Tracking Angle crowd with such a dearth of information.

    • 2023-09-15 06:04:56 PM

      Malachi Lui wrote:

      $60 is standard pricing for a 2LP set from analogue productions. higher quality is more expensive, plus all the licensing costs. yes, quite a few of these LPs can be found for lower prices, but not in these editions.

      for everyone else asking about the atlantic 75 series, i'm pretty sure those are just colored vinyl represses from existing metal parts.

  • 2023-09-13 10:45:30 PM

    JuzDisGuy wrote:

    “with a personal vinyl collection now numbering over two million LPs.” - WTF!

    • 2023-09-14 02:38:49 PM

      bwb wrote:

      it really is hard to believe... even my thinnest records weigh close to 1/2 pound so that is a million pounds... with about 75 records per foot that is 5 miles of shelf space.... 5 MILES.... where does one keep a "personal" collection of 2,000,000 records that weighs 500 tons ????

      • 2023-09-14 07:45:49 PM

        Jeff 'Glotz' Glotzer wrote:

        There's a story on it and his storage location is nuts!

    • 2023-09-15 02:34:23 PM

      Michael Fremer wrote:

      Craig Kallman's collection(s). Craig is the most fanatical vinyl collector I know. Once, driving down 14th Street in Manhattan on a hot summer day I spied Craig shlepping two really heavy bags of records! He was sweating and red faced. I pulled over for a sec to say "hello". I wish I had a handly camera...but didn't. Craig has a nice collection of records in his NYC apartment---in two rooms. Probably 10-15K or more. He's got a MINT collection---that's the big one stored at one of the auction houses (I think) in temp and humidity controlled conditions. That's the MINT collection. Even a tiny bent corner disqualifies a record from that set. He visited me once and I could see his pained face. Mine is a playing collection. Not an archive. I take really great care of the records but over time many jackets are worn or creased or whatever and that really distressed him.....I get it though. He's got the collection for the time machine and it's cool that he heads a great record company. He's fully sympathetic to the audiophile cause....

  • 2023-09-14 10:06:23 PM

    Dennis Poggenburg wrote:

    I will always operate from the assumption that if a label is silent about the source, then it is digital. That usually means that I have ZERO interest in the reissue. However, if I read a rave review from someone I trust (like our beloved Mr. Fremer) that a digitally-sourced LP sounds great, then I'm in, but otherwise, why bother? Wake up record labels: you were so eager to promote DDD sourcing back in the CD days, so why the lack of transparency about LPs? (that's a rhetorical question, of course. The answer = $$$). I agree with Mr. Russo's comment above: If Blue Note can find the sweet spot for pricing and mastering, why can't other record labels?

    • 2023-09-15 06:07:05 PM

      Malachi Lui wrote:

      analogue productions and VMP are very transparent about their sources. no mystery there. yes, the titles that atlantic is doing in-house don't specify sources, but many are already out and are represses from existing metal parts. they're making a big deal out of those being atlantic 75th anniversary editions, but really they exist to keep those records in stores.

  • 2023-09-17 07:18:53 AM

    DAVID CLAPP wrote:

    Reading through the titles of what's released (and to be) was really distressing. Where's the Ornette Coleman? Drifters? Coasters? Big Joe Turner? Etc? Etc? Atlantic has released SO many musically important and historic LP's...there has to be dozens (hundreds) of gems begging to see the light of day. We all have all the John Coltrane reissues we'll ever need. You can do better Atlantic Records!