Album sleeve art from a transformative era in America's radical jazz culture, plus covers for recordings by Black poets, civil rights activists and experimental musicians
Just over 15 years ago, Soul Jazz Records' Gilles Peterson and Stuart Baker published Freedom, Rhythm & Sound, showcasing the stunning graphic works of independently published jazz record cover designs of the 1960s and 1970s from radical jazz musicians such as Sun Ra, John Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders and more. These artists reshaped the cultural landscape for African American musicians in the US, transforming the role of jazz musician from nightclub entertainer to artist. The artwork of their often self-produced record cover designs reflected their radical agenda, spiritual awareness and singular search for musical and personal freedoms.
Following the success of the first volume, Freedom, Rhythm and Sound: Chapter Two features hundreds more of these beautiful and rare jazz record cover designs from the 1960s to the 1980s. In addition to spotlighting the radical jazz musicians of this time, this second volume branches out to feature record cover art of recordings by Black poets, civil rights speechmakers and other experimental pioneers.
