Atlantic Pares Roster: In a move to...

Atlantic Pares Roster: In a move to improve profitability, Atlantic Records has begun to cut its artist roster. The label had been pursuing a strategy to raise market share, in some cases, according to critics, at the cost of carrying acts that weren’t profitable. No high-profile acts will receive their walking papers, but about three dozen relatively unknown bands are likely to be issued pink slips before year’s end. Sources said Atlantic Chairman Val Azzoli has already notified a dozen acts that they will be free to shop their next projects elsewhere.