Bolstered by bevy of new and current releases, Atlantic tops music industry with year-high market share; label closes out best first quarter ever.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 10, 1995--In a resounding validation of the long-term growth that resulted in the Atlantic Group's No. 1 status for 1994, the label is once again the industry leader thus far in 1995, according to the SoundScan retail tracking system's tally of new and current releases.

With a year-high market share of 13.22% for the week ending April 2, the Atlantic Group - bolstered by a genre-spanning trio of top 10 albums - not only outsold all other labels, but outsold several entire distribution networks as well. The Atlantic Group is a division of Warner Music-U.S., which is a unit of Warner Music Group, a division of Time Warner Inc.

Significantly, the first quarter of '95 was the best quarter ever in Atlantic's 47-year history - a clear indication that the Group is well on its way to another record-breaking year. For the year to date, Atlantic's cumulative market share of new and current products is an impressive, industry-leading 10.51%. In essence, more than 1 out of every 10 new releases purchased this year has been by an Atlantic Group artist.

Atlantic Group President Val Azzoli commented: "As grateful as we all are for last year's phenomenal success, we have no intention of resting on our proverbial laurels. Everyone at Atlantic is quite intent on making '95 our best year ever. I am thrilled with our first quarter performance, and I look forward to even bigger and better things in the months ahead, as Atlantic's wide diversity of artists and ventures continue to develop and thrive."

The Atlantic Group dominates the top 10 of the nation's pop chart this week with three releases, each representing a different genre; rapper 2Pac's "ME AGAINST THE WORLD" (Interscope)--which debuted at No. 1 and remains there after three weeks, while also topping the R&B chart for the third week running; "CRACKED REAR VIEW," the RIAA double platinum debut Atlantic album by rock quartet Hootie & the Blowfish, at No. 3 with a bullet--already a top 10 seller for 1995 year-to-date, and the No. 1 current alternative album; and "JOHN MICHAEL" (Atlantic Nashville), the third release by multi-platinum country artist John Michael Montgomery, which debuts at No. 10 with a bullet, while simultaneously entering the country chart at No. 1.

Two other Atlantic artists made strong debuts this week. Multi-platinum rockers Skid-Row bowed at No. 34 with a bullet with "SUBHUMAN RACE" their fourth release for the label; and "ONLY EVERYTHING" (Mammoth/Atlantic), the third solo album by acclaimed singer/songwriter Juliana Hatfield, debuted at No. 95 with a bullet - a career-high entry for the core alternative artist.

In addition, "ENCOMIUM: A TRIBUTE TO LED ZEPPELIN" (Atlantic), an all-star salute to the legendary rock combo, remains a top 20 hit on the strength of the album's multi-format radio success. Meanwhile, the sold-out, ovation-gathering world tour by Jimmy Page & Robert Plant continues to wow arena-filled crowds across North America. At No. 28 is teenage R&B sensation Brandy's self-titled debut album (Atlantic), an RIAA platinum smash whose current single, "Baby," is currently a top 10 pop, RIAA platinum hit.

Rounding out the top 50 are "SIXTEEN STONE," the RIAA gold debut album by Bush (Interscope); country artist Tim McGraw's "NOT A MOMENT TOO SOON" (Curb); and Atlantic recording group Collective Soul's self-titled follow-up to their RIAA platinum debut album "HINTS ALLEGATIONS AND THINGS LEFT UNSAID."

In addition to Stone Temple Pilots, whose RIAA triple platinum album "PURPLE" (Atlantic) is in its 43rd week in the top 100, several other alternative artists have attained career-high chart and retail success over the last several months. These include: Liz Phair, whose "WHIP-SMART" (Matador/Atlantic) is nearing the gold mark at retail; Bad Religion, whose debut Atlantic album "STRANGER THAN FICTION" has soared to sales of over 250,000 units; and Victoria Williams, whose debut Mammoth/Atlantic album "LOOSE," has spurred intense critical praise and sales activity for the artist. Williams is currently in the midst of an extensive U.S. tour, while Phair begins a rare, solo cross-country itinerary on April 7th.

Atlantic's re-invigorated jazz division has scored top 20 hits with two recently released, critically acclaimed albums: multi-talented saxophonist James Carter's debut effort, "THE REAL QUIETSTORM," which stands at No. 9 for the week; and "THE DARK BEFORE THE DAWN," the sophomore album by the celebrated pianist Cyrus Chestnut, which bulleted to No. 15.

In the classical arena, after an impressive 30 weeks on the chart, "THE THREE TENORS IN CONCERT 1994" (Atlantic), the live document of this past summer's historic reunion of Carreras, Domingo, and Pavarotti with Mehta, is in the No. 2 spot. Elsewhere in the top 20 are such Atlantic Classics releases as the "SENSUAL CLASSICS, TOO" compilation (Teldec), and "GORECKI: SYMPHONY NO. 3" (Nonesuch), by Upshaw/Zinman.

In a further sign of continued growth and diversification, several new Atlantic Group divisions are enjoying quick success. "THE CELTIC HEART COLLECTION," a single-CD compilation comprised chiefly of artists who record for Celtic Heartbeat, Atlantic's recently established imprint devoted to authentic Irish music, is in the No. 3 spot on the world music album chart, followed closely by Anuna's self-titled Celtic Heartbeat debut album, at No. 11, and Atlantic recording artist Clannad's "BANBA" album, at No. 13.

CONTACT: Atlantic Records, New York 

Patti Conte, 212/275-2033