The Album Cover Art of Studio One Records

[Bellyman]

A beautiful and enjoyable book!
http://www.souljazzrecords.co.uk/news/t ... ne_records
Ok, there are some flaws, some covershots were taken from reissues rather than the originals but anyway, WOW!
Worth its weight in gold

[hans]

Wicked, tnx for the tip @ Bellyman.

[seanmd]

I've always viewed the Studio One cover art as reggae's equivalent to Blue Note cover art. There's something about it, just cant put my finger on it.

[Rootsman]

I've always viewed the Studio One cover art as reggae's equivalent to Blue Note cover art. There's something about it, just cant put my finger on it.

I agree to some extend how you can compare the two labels, I thinks it is how they both used photography in album cover art that really represented the era in which they were taken. You can look at those album covers and almost feel the vibe and essence of the day.

Actually though I cannot think of any other persons in any other musical genre that has so completely captured a musical scene in the way that Alfred Lion and Francis Wolfe did at Blue Note through the 50`s and 60`s.

You can instantly recognise there musical productions and the artists always took there playing and improvisation to another level when recoding for Blue Note.

When you put together the production skills of Alfred Lion, the engineering skills of Rudy Van Gelder and the Roster of such talented artist that recorded for Blue Note then for me I have to say there is no other form of music or label that comes close to matching the perfection that they achived and that includes Studio One.

[kalcidis]

I've always felt that Studio One was rather lacking when it came to design. They really could go from incredible to awful and most often would fall somewhere (in the dull) inbetween. Too many times awkward compositions with odd choices of typography (I guess set in the available Letraset sheets of the day). Several of the screen printed covers are brilliant though.

I do agree that Francis Wolfe did incredible work with his photographies but I would put at least as much importance in the designwork of Reid Miles for Blue Note. The man single-handedly sparked my love for typography (and in particular the font Clarendon).

Other genres that always have intrigued me are the death/doom metal scene. I can't stand the music but the aesthetics of the whole culture (with cover art and logos in particular) is just incredible. Very unique.

I don't know if I'll buy the book. In a way I feel it's a missed opportunity to do a book on reggae cover art and then focus on Studio One. But then again hopefully the book makes more people interested in the music which of course is a positive 'ting.

[Bellyman]

You all make good points on album cover art and off course there are no such highlights of visual arts in comparison to the immortal Blue Note stuff.

But, hey, this is cover art the JA-way, done without any hi-techs in photography or printing, done mainly in the 1960's and 1970's when almost no resources were available on the island (we don't have to talk about the quality of vinyl or covers pressed on the back of bakingpowder-cartons, don't we?);)

The Studio One covers are great in a very simple way. And yes, they show a lot of mimicking or copying the style of classic jazz covers. Coxsone Dodd always loved R&B and Jazz and for sure he enjoyed the cover art at Blue Note too.

Like I said, beautiful and enjoyable, that's it.

And, yes, for an overlook on reggae album cover art in general you should go for the 'Stir it up!' book done by Chris Morrow if you can find it.

[Jah Chicken]

Fantasic! I'm putting my order in today. Thanks Bellyman for bringing this up.