A blog about vintage modern design & illustration curated by Javier Garcia
Another quick snap from my cell. I really like how they treated type back in the days, specially hand made textures and patterns. Here’s a good example from an old record cover that didn’t get to come with me.
Design: Unknown | Year: 1957 | Photos: Javier García
Just wrapped up the first Album in a series from Mr. Ho’s Orchestrotica called “The Unforgettable Sounds of Esquivel”. Brian has been working on doing transcripts of Esquivel‘s work which have been lost and forgotten for years and have finally been put on a record.
I was honored to be part of this project both for keeping Esquivel’s music Alive and for all the efforts that Brian O’Neill (Mr. Ho) and all his 22 piece band have put into it as well as his co-producer, Brother Cleve.
Mr. Ho wanted a look that stayed true to the music itself. While we didn’t had photos to choose from, Illustration was the next natural step. We went over some illustration mood boards from the mid century that we went back and forth with and began working on ideas.
There were two records in the play. One for his 22-piece Big Band playing Esquivel transcripts and the other is an Exotica/Tiki quartet with his own compositions. The main design theme was space-age meets tiki.
Here is the first one. The artwork is to set the “Space age” mood for you. Hope you enjoy the artwork and make sure you get the special pre-sale deal for the CD up on Orchestrotica.com which is Scheduled for release November 16th, 2010. The first sneak-preview track from the album — Sentimental Journey — airs today Friday October 8th on on Jet Set Planet. If you are in Minneapolis, tune in. If you are else were, stream it!
There might be a Vinyl release so make sure you send your request. But for now, submerge yourself into the world of Exotica, Lounge, and Space Age Pop.
Design: Javier García | Year: 2010
Here are a couple record covers I found. The illustration work is great. They are signed “MAAS” but I wasn’t able to identify this designer.
I dug some information from the web pointing at a designer named George Maas from a book cover I saw. I also found another record cover designed by George Mass but it’s a different style. Here are some links:
1. Check this book covers on Flickr » by The Crossett Library Bennington College
2. This record cover » on Flickr with the same signature with reference to George Maas. Mine doesn’t say a thing on the back.
3. Another record cover »
4. This Bio » on AskArt.com
5. This article on Billboard Magazine ». Bottom right of page 33.
6. This book » probably has some info on him.
Is this him? You be the judge. Might not be him but they are still cool.
Designer: Maas | Year: around 1950’s | Photos: Javier García
Here’s to the new section called “Quick Snaps” This one didn’t get to come with me. 12″ LP album cover for the American Male Vocal Band Quartet, Four Freshmen. Loved the color overlays and composition. It looks very Max Huber.
Designer: Unknown | Year: 1956 | Photos: Javier García
Record cover for Tchaikovsky. Concerto No. 1. Wilhelm Strauss, Pianist. Igor Kousevsky, Conducting the International Symphony Orchestra.
Those bars look like an equalizer. Makes it feel like the music itself.
Design: Unknown | Year: Unknown | Photos: Javier García
This is one of my favorites from his covers for the Haydn Society. They are three volumes on an anthology with some of the Haydn artists including Finn Viderø, Aksel Schiøtz, Else Brems, Niels Brincker, etc.
The drawings are very ornamental yet geometric and again textured. A lot of fun details on this illustrations contrasted with some bright colors. Another wonderful two color design.
Design: Joseph Low | Year: 1953 | Photos: Javier García
More images after the jump…
Continue reading “Joseph Low — Master Pieces of Music (Haydn Society)”
