The History of Album Art
2 days ago
- #jazz
- #album-art
- #music-history
- Early vinyl records in the 1900s could only hold up to four minutes of music per side and had utilitarian packaging.
- Columbia Records pioneered 'record albums' by bundling discs in photo album-like packages to protect and increase sales.
- Technological advancements led to longer-playing records (33 rpm) and more durable vinyl replacing shellac.
- Alex Steinweiss, considered the father of album art, designed eye-catching covers for Columbia Records starting in 1940.
- Steinweiss's covers increased sales significantly, like Bruno Walter’s Beethoven recording by 895%.
- Blue Note Records focused on jazz and innovative album art, with Reid Miles designing iconic covers using bold typography and candid photos.
- Reid Miles's designs for Blue Note emphasized photography and typography, breaking conventions of how black musicians were portrayed.
- S. Neil Fujita, hired by Columbia, integrated abstract art into covers, notably for Charles Mingus and Dave Brubeck's albums.
- Fujita's covers for 'Mingus Ah Um' and 'Time Out' reflected the music's complexity and helped jazz gain commercial success.
- Album art evolved with gatefold designs, booklets, and elaborate covers like The Beatles' 'Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band'.
- Famous artists like Andy Warhol and Salvador Dali contributed to album art, making it an integral part of music culture.