Roots Archives Forum

Suggested principles:

1. Mastery, craftsmanship, talent. In other words, I would not consider a 100% photo based cover as showcasing sufficient "mastery" to be on the list (unless the photo is truly out of this world). An example: Wailers Zippo cover could be a contender. The original cover however, with Bob smoking, I would not consider as one of reggae's greatest covers, even if iconic.

2. Must be reggae. Not ska, not rock steady, not dancehall. So music somewhat in touch with this site's music/era.

3. Totally subjective: no right or wrong entries

4. Preferably created for the album in question. Not a copy/paste of someone else's art with artist name slapped on top.

5. Above are suggested principles. Break them if you wish!

6. A simple trick: you'd want to display these on your wall or, better, own the originals.

7. If this post is popular, I suggest the moderator, after a few weeks/months, locks down the 3 GOATs based on "entries"

My choice:

1. Ijahman, Haile I Hymn (Illustration by Tony Wright, 1978)

By quite a stretch. A great concept, in touch with the music, great mastery. The typography is also superb, given it was added after the illustration. The back cover continues the theme, with nice details. All this work was especially crafted for this album, using Ijahman input. I suspect that Chris Blackwell wanted to put all chances on the release to propel Ijahman as the next Bob Marley.

2. Jimmy Cliff, The Harder They Come, (illustration by John Bryant, 1972)

"The Harder They Come caused a sensation when the major motion picture opened in Kingston. Thousands of people without tickets tried to storm the gates of the cinema. The exquisite illustration and typography owe a debt to both Hollywood Westerns and blaxploitation." Another Island release. CB knew what he was doing.

3. Rico, Man From Wareika (Illustration by Tony Wright, 1978)

Another great one. Inspired by copt art. A story yet to be unfolded: the artist painted a second copt inspired piece for a second release that never happened. Was it recorded? Was it meant for the dub album (they came out with not cover, perhaps even as a bootleg?)

So, here we are, with 3 Island releases making my top 3. Many others worth mentioning, but I'll just pick a few:

4. I like Perry's Kung Fu Meets The Dragon LP. But I can't find credits, so it is here for grabs if anyone has background on this cartoony work.

5. Burning Spear's 1973 Jamaican release has got the poorly-crafted-but-fun silk printed studio one treatment, but the one that I'd love to own is the well crafted US Studio One cover, with black pointillism portrait of Winston Rodney on white background working well. Very coherent with the music inside.

6. Bob's Natty Dread cover (again Tony Wright). Great story here:
http://www.bobmarleymagazine.com/2011/1 ... ny-wright/

7. Bob's Confrontation cover.

8. Jr Murvin's Police & Thieves. By guess who: Tony Wright.

Culture - Cumbolo (the Virgin Records issue)
I Roy - World On Fire
Aswad - New Chapter Of Dub



Special Mention:

Prince Far I - Long Life

Tx JJ

I will add my Nr 9 as Bob Andy's Music Inside Me LP

http://www.roots-archives.com/display_artwork/8916.jpg

Beautiful type work by "Communicating Now LTD", especially in those years (no Mac)

I forgot to mention. Special mention to Tabou1 for doing solid contemporary artwork:

http://taxitabou1.bandcamp.com/

Sly&Robbie dubrising is nice, even if the work was not commissioned for the album, and Bitty Mc Lean is well done.

Dubmaster voyage cover is very nice as well, but not released physically as far as I can tell

[cover=3667]

[cover=571]

[cover=1556]

So many to choose from.. I've always loved steel pulse handsworth revolution( being local to me),prince jazzbo ital corner,scratch's super ape however i find some generic company sleeves to be works of art too... Lloydie coxsons tribesman,greensleeves cartoon stylee..Tubbys dubplate sleeves.. Plain but beautiful to me.. Even those 70's dub-plate sleeves in black with red/yellow /green star on..peace sir dickie

I kept my studio one spear cover when I sold the vinyl..it's such an evocative picture..

Sir Dickie, thanks for the input. I like all your choices.

6anbatte: the Gladiators back to roots and Prince Far I, yesssss. This makes me think that Virgin were indeed quite pro in artworks:

Gladiators Naturality & Trenchtown Mix Up come to mind

[cover=885]
[cover=568]
[cover=1051]

As a side note i have always loved the cover of Junior Delgado's "Freedom Has it's Price"