Freedom, Rhythm and Sound: Revolutionary Jazz Cover Art 1960-78

This is a unique collection showcasing the cover artwork of revolutionary jazz released in the USA during the 1970s, a decade of significant political and social upheaval for African-American artists. The towering figures of Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, and John Coltrane cast a long shadow as self-determination, economic empowerment, and musical freedom spurred artists to forge new paths – both artistically and economically.

Moving away from the mainstream music industry, many of these musicians opted to 'take control' of their financial worth by independently recording, releasing, and distributing their own material. Thirty years on, these artefacts offer a striking reflection of that era, a time before desktop publishing and the internet. These limited-run sleeves (sometimes as few as 500 copies), crafted by the artists themselves, are as iconic and historically significant as the revolution of D.I.Y. culture that emerged from punk.

Soul Jazz Records, renowned for their releases relating to this genre, have compiled the first-ever collection of this remarkable artwork in this book. It features a substantial introduction that contextualises the music and the artwork, explaining the music's origins and including interviews with many of the individuals involved. Furthermore, a CD/LP, also released by Soul Jazz Records to coincide with this deluxe book, features many of the artists whose work appears within its pages. This collection offers a fascinating visual and historical insight into a pivotal moment in jazz and African-American cultural history.