East West Records

East West Records (stylized as eastwest from 1990 to 2001) is a record label owned by Warner Music Group operating under WMG's Independent Label Group.

History

Upon its creation in 1955 by Atlantic Records, the label had one hit with the Kingsmen and went into hibernation until 1990, when Atlantic revamped the imprint as EastWest Records America. Atlantic senior VP Sylvia Rhone was appointed Chairman/CEO of the fledgling label.

Under Rhone's leadership, East West shot to mega success with several multiplatinum acts such as Simply Red, En Vogue, Pantera, Yo-Yo, Das EFX, Snow, Gerald Levert, AC/DC, Dream Theater, Missy Elliott and MC Lyte. EastWest also distributed other imprints, such as: Interscope Records, Motor Jams Records, Mecca Don Records and The Gold Mind Inc.

In 1991, East West merged with its Atlantic sister label Atco Records, briefly calling itself “Atco/East west Records”. In 1993, Atco's name was dropped and the company continued to operate under the East West name once more. While in the United Kingdom, the brand was applied to many of the WEA artists such as Simply Red, Chris Rea, and the Beloved.