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Author Eric Kohler, a graphic designer and album cover artist himself, selected these 250 gorgeous covers from his own collection of over 3,000. He offers a captivating history of the early record industry, addressing the invention of the phonograph in 1877, the near demise of the industry due to competition with radio, and the rejuvenating introduction of the jukebox in 1935. Prior to Columbia Records' release of the 33 rpm vinyl LP in 1948, music fans were restricted to 78s--easily breakable, shellac-based records that could only hold four minutes' worth of music on each side. Victor Records made a competitive strike with the 45 (hence turntables with 33, 45, and 78 options), but its success was limited. Until the 1980s, the LP ruled the land with its roomy cardboard cover--a perfect canvas for artists.
Kohler's focus is on the graphic artists themselves--revolutionaries of the industry. Previously, albums had plain covers that advertised phonograph and record companies rather than performers. But when designer Alex Steinweiss entered the scene in 1939 (at the tender age of 23) he changed the business of cover art forever. Kohler illustrates the styles of eight such prominent cover artists--Steinweiss's trademark curly-scrawl script, Jim Flora's cartoonish images recalling Joan Miró and Paul Klee--with such accuracy that readers are able to immediately recognize and differentiate their work. Although the sun shone on these artists for only a brief time (the advent of photographic covers in the late 1950s all but obliterated their influence), these 20 years paint a fascinating portrait of popular music, modern art, and even business development. Best of all, Kohler serves up page after glorious, glossy page of big, beautiful album covers. --Brangien Davis
A groundbreaking survey, In the Groove features work by pioneering designer Alex Steinweiss and the talented designers and illustrators who followed, including Jim Flora, David Stone Martin, Rudolph deHarak, and Erik Nitsche. Author Eric Kohler interviewed many of the designers himself, gleaning details of creative life in the music and many commercial art scenes during and after World War II. Kohler also tells the story of the era's key record labels, and the technological advances that revolutionized album jackets, such as the invention of the LP.
In today's world of compact discs and tapes, cover art no longer wields the impact of yesterday's amply sized album covers. In the Groove pays homage to the great covers created by legendary designers for the music giants of yesteryear. Here is a glimpse of a golden age when album cover art sounded its own chord in harmony with the music within.
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