Atlantic Recording Corporation (simply known as
Atlantic Records) is an American major
record label best known for its numerous recordings of
rhythm and blues,
rock and roll,
jazz, and
hip hop. Over its first 20 years of operation, Atlantic earned a reputation as one of the most important American recording labels, specializing in jazz, R&B and soul recordings by
African-American musicians including
Aretha Franklin,
Ray Charles,
Wilson Pickett,
Sam and Dave,
Ruth Brown and
Otis Redding, a position greatly enhanced by its distribution deal with
Stax Records.