The Impossible Coolness of Blue Note Album Covers

February 2nd, 2011 No Comments

Don’t get me wrong. I love my iTunes. Having my entire music library ready to access at a moments notice… priceless. I don’t even remember the last time I bought an actual CD. I off-loaded my collection of cassette tapes years ago and the only experience I ever had with an 8-track was in my high school friend’s parent’s Cadillac (That’s just how we rolled).

The one exception I have to audio format nostalgia is the record. A well-preserved record on a kickin’ hifi is pure magic. I personally want to thank the record collecting fetishists, electronic music creators and Turntablists of the world for keeping the LP dream alive.

Along with the music found between the vinyl grooves, you also get this wonderful 12″ x 12″ canvas. Album covers ran the gamut from delightfully horrific to truly beautiful. At its best, the album art was an inspirational interpretation of the melodies contained within.

So here is a little tribute to one of my favorite eras in both album cover artwork and music. Blue Note records had a certain cool that could not be matched.

Conjure up the image of a smoky, low lit lounge, a glass of Bourbon, three-piece suits, a Jazz combo playing in the corner and words like “cat” and “you dig” permeating the air. Now you’re starting to get the picture.

~ Cheers