Endless Rain LP > Kouichi Okamoto

Images courtesy of Kyouei Design (www.kyouei-ltd.co.jp).

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Endless Rain LP > Kouichi Okamoto

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I came across amazing album on the DesignBoom website (www.designboom.com). Created by Kouichi Okamato of the Kyouei Design company (www.kyouei-ltd.co.jp), this record contains and endless loop of rain on one side & loops of single rain drops on the other. Check out their website for even more beautifully designed products.

Filed under: Album Covers, Designers, Music

Photographer > Dan Tobin Smith

Images courtesy of Dan Tobin Smith (www.dantobinsmith.com).

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Photographer > Dan Tobin Smith

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You might have seen photographer Dan Tobin Smiths work gracing the cover of Jay-Z’s latest album The Blueprint 3. I came across this researching some other album art on the reference site Sleevage (www.sleevage.com). Dan creates beautiful typographic images using carefully placed objects. You can also see a video showing how he created the artwork for the Jay-Z album cover. Visit his website (www.dantobinsmith.com) to see more of his amazing work.

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Filed under: Album Covers, Photographers, Typography

Rolled Gold > The Rolling Stones

Photos courtesy of Zip Design (www.zipdesign.co.uk).

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Rolled Gold > The Rolling Stones

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I love the typography on this… This re-design of the 1975 classic was done by Zip Design, (www.zipdesign.co.uk), based out of the UK. This compilation remains one of the finest produced by the Rolling Stones. Like their website says, it’s all-killer, no filler.

Filed under: Album Covers, Typography

Bastard Jazz Recordings & Brooklyn Radio

Photo courtesy of Bastard Jazz Records (www.bastardjazz.com).

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BKLYN: Heavy Sounds From The County Of Kings

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Back in February 2009, Bastard Jazz Records and BrooklynRadio.Net released a joint venture compilation of eclectic grooves from Brooklyn recording artists. Put together by Aaron Schultz, a.k.a. DJ DRM (Bastard Jazz Recordings founder), and Dan Martino, a.k.a. DJ Soulstatic (BrooklynRadio.Net founder and program director), the CD and digital download concentrates on the many tasty sounding flavors soaked into the fabric of small clubs around the Borough’s nightlife: Latin, jazz, dub reggae, hip-hop, disco, Afro-beat, house and funk.

Some of the scene’s most visible names have contributed to the contents of the CD – including popular soul outfit Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings whose single “How Long Do I Have To Wait” is dipped in dub by studio magician Victor “Ticklah” Axelrod, alongside the retro-future funk of Menahan Street Band’s “Make The Road By Walking” (notably sampled by Jay-Z for his hit single “Roc Boys”).

Unaio Black, a new incarnation of the treasured Brazilian Soul group that lay dormant for 25 years returns with “Yeah Yeah Yeah” – worked out and re-united by Brooklyn producers Daniel Collas and Sean Marquand (the man behind the 10 years running Brazilian Beat Brooklyn party and Mr. Bongo compilation of the same name).

Wonderwheel Recordings, an offshoot label from the legendary NYC party Turntables On the Hudson, contribute two tracks: The groovy Latin hip-hop jam “Bonita” by New Orleans-cum-Brooklyn revivalists The Pimps of Joytime and uptempo island funk of Nickodemus on “Conmigo” with celebrated Puerto Rican vocalist Sammy Ayala.

Brooklyn collides with funky Nigeria in the form of Akoya Afrobeat Ensemble, a 13-piece dancefloor orchestra who contribute the 13-minute long stomper that is “Jeje L’Aiye”, featuring the revered Cedric “IM” Brooks on sax, while relative newcomers The Midnight Lab Band offer up “Run Riot” – a heavy, nearly psychedelic piece of Afro-Breaks previously only available on 12” vinyl.

Additional tracks and artists on the compilation include the Puerto Rico’ Captain Planet –”Speakin’ Nuyorican”, DJ DRM – “Vidambana (Chico Mann Remix)”, Apenaut – “War Games”, Subatomic Sound System – “Our Father, Our King” and Chimp Beams – “Lovely Chimps”.

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Logo courtesy of Brooklyn Radio (www.brooklynradio.net).

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Filed under: Album Covers, Music

Kid Koala > Loud / Quiet

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Kid Koala

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I cannot believe I missed this. Canadian artist & turntablist Kid Koala (aka Eric San) has been tearing it up for years. He does all his own album artwork, and has included comics & animations based on characters of his own devise. You can visit his website via Ninja Tune (www.ninjatune.net/kidkoala/) or his personal site Nufonia (www.nufonia.com). Do NOT miss an opportunity to see him live, either performing behind the turntables or as part of his live jam band, Bullfrog.

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Filed under: Album Covers, Music, Shows / Exhibitions