ARISTA RECORDS REACHES BEST FISCAL YEAR IN ITS HISTORY WITH RECORD SALES AND MARKET SHARE.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--August 8, 1995--Arista Records continues its winning streak with sales exceeding $300 million in the U.S. alone for its fiscal year beginning July 1, 1994 and ending June 30, 1995.

As the label nears the celebration of its 20 year history, its best year ever in sales and profits was highlighted by a No. 1 market share for singles and with the No. 2 label overall chart market share. Even more impressive is Arista accomplished this with a fraction of the releases shipped by other labels.

The extraordinary success of the label's platinum debut artists, including the Real McCoy, Monica (Rowdy/Arista), Notorius B.I.G. (Bad Boy/Arista) and The Tractors, combined with continuing sales from established top-sellers, contributed to this exceptional year.

Annie Lennox's Medusa, the follow-up to her solo debut, Diva, is also a significant contributor to Arista's banner year. With just one single "No More I Love You's," released to date, the album has already been certified platinum.

The Real McCoy's debut album, Another Night, was propelled by the release of their first U.S. single, also titled, "Another Night," which took the group to the top of the Billboard charts and catapulted the album to platinum in just eight weeks. Followed by "Runaway" and "Come and Get Your Love," the Real McCoy's debut album is having major impact.

The landmark success of Bad Boy/Arista's Notorious B.I.G. can be measured in the longevity of his debut release, Ready to Die. Nearly a year after the album's release, B.I.G.'s 3rd single, "One More Chance" made history by selling over 80,000 copies in its first week of release, and entering the R&B charts at No. 1 and the Pop charts at No. 5, tying the all time record as the highest debuting single ever. The Ready to Die album has already been certified platinum and is well on its way to multiplatinum certification.

TLC's second album for LaFace/Arista, CrazySexyCool was just certified five times platinum. Driven by the breakthrough video for their current single, "Waterfalls," the album has soared to the top of the charts. TLC is enjoying one of the biggest selling albums of the 1990's.

Monica is still another young, explosive new artist breakthrough. Her current single, "Don't Take It Personal (Just One Of Dem Days)" has hit No.1 on Billboard's R&B chart, making Monica the youngest female artist ever to accomplish that goal -- Monica is just 14 years old. The song also went platinum and Monica's debut album, Miss Thang just debuted this week at number 36.

The 1994 holiday season proved to be exceptional for Arista and Kenny G. The release of his first holiday CD, Miracles, is the first holiday record in 32 years to go to No. 1 on The Billboard Hot 100 album chart. Miracles was certified 4x platinum.

In keeping with Arista's commitment to music of all genres, the soundtrack album for Boys on the Side combined the blues, pop and rock to make a platinum record. The exceptional talent of Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, Melissa Etheridge, Annie Lennox, Sarah McLachlan, The Pretenders, the cranberries, Whoopi Goldberg and other talented women are heard on this one CD.

Arista Nashville celebrated its five year anniversary this fiscal year and the hot streak they are on does not show any signs of cooling. The Tractors' debut, The Tractors, Alan Jackson's Who I Am and Brooks and Dunn's Waiting on Sundown all sold double platinum or better, Blackhawk's eponymously titled debut album went platinum and Pam Tillis is approaching platinum with Sweetheart's Dance.

Artists who made their debut in the 1993-1994 fiscal year continue to thrive in this one. Ace of Base's The Sign has been certified eight times platinum in the United States alone. Crash Test Dummies' God Shuffled His Feet, was certified double platinum and the group received three Grammy nominations, including "Best Alternative Artist." Sarah McLachlan's Fumbling Towards Ecstasy, released in February, 1994, was certified platinum in January 1995; Sarah McLachlan also received a Grammy nomination this past year for "Best Alternative Artist" and continues to perform to SRO audiences worldwide. She just completed a tour in the U.S. with The Chieftains.

What's in Arista's future? The new fiscal year 1995-1996 looks to be very exciting: Leading off the new summer releases is Curtis Stigers' sophomore album Time Was, the new Jeff Healey Band album Cover to Cover and Bad Boy/Arista artist Faith, who is already receiving national attention for her first single, "You Used To Love Me." Look for England's Take That to capture the U.S. in August. New York's own, The Bogmen, already have a sizable following in their hometown due to their live performances. Their debut CD, Life Begins at 40 Million will be released in late August. Deborah Cox, a very special new artist, will make her album debut on September 12.

This Fall look for greatest hits packages and new music from Alan Jackson, Carly Simon, Taylor Dayne and Expose. Arista also continues its success with soundtracks including Waiting To Exhale starring Whitney Houston and an all star cast of the leading black women in music: Toni Braxton, Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige, TLC, Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, SWV and Brandy. Grammy nominee Sarah McLachlan will have a new song "I Will Remember You" included on The Brothers McMullen soundtrack, consisting of a score of traditional Irish music.

Arista Records President Clive Davis, comments, "Through the efforts of the Arista team and the diversity and depth of our artists' talent in all areas of music, we have been celebrating an extended period of chart explosions. We continue to keep our sleeves rolled up to maintain this really exhilarating momentum."

BMG Entertainment Chairman and CEO Michael Dornemann states, "Bertelsmann is elated that Arista has had yet another banner year. We could not be more pleased with this historic success and its impact on music worldwide."

As Arista approaches the celebration of its 20 year anniversary, Clive Davis prepares for a double celebration. This September he becomes the only person to be named "Humanitarian of the Year" twice by the T.J. Martell Foundation.

Arista Records is a unit of BMG Entertainment.

CONTACT: Arista Records Inc.

Michele Mena, 212/830-2317

Cathryn Swan, 212/830-2385

Mark Young, 310/789-3933