In the Corona lockdown I started designing record sleeves for friends as a way to lift their spirits. I take a record they like as basis, recreate it in Illustrator and then personalize them by altering the titles, the liner notes and photos. I like to make the designs as real as possible in Photoshop, by adding pricetags, user markings, ringwear et cetera.
I like doing this for two reasons: I learn a lot by making these designs and the response from friends (and their friends) is heartwarming. A win-win situation I'd say..
I like doing this for two reasons: I learn a lot by making these designs and the response from friends (and their friends) is heartwarming. A win-win situation I'd say..
ANNA WODKA - REGGAE GIRL
Record sleeve for my friend Anna, a fellow reggae dj and general great lady. She was a bit out of sorts lately - which is hardly surprising - and because I started Oh My Sleeves as a way to lift up spirits of those who need it, I decided to make her a sleeve.
I went with the Reggae Girl compilation as a basis for Anna's album because even the original is 100% Anna. The era of music is bossreggae and with that territory often comes scooterrally's. The two combined make a great picture. Almost all the songtitles are Anna's facebook blurbs, most artists are real (musician) friends. I also designed a 45rpm to accompany the album.
I went with the Reggae Girl compilation as a basis for Anna's album because even the original is 100% Anna. The era of music is bossreggae and with that territory often comes scooterrally's. The two combined make a great picture. Almost all the songtitles are Anna's facebook blurbs, most artists are real (musician) friends. I also designed a 45rpm to accompany the album.
CHRIS FRANSSEN - ALBUM
Record sleeve for my friend Chris Franssen, my pub buddy and 'go to guy' for everything related to country, rockabilly and bluegrass. Once he starts talking music, he is unstoppable. He speaks with so much passion, you just need to check out all the bands he's talking about. Plus, they always come with a great story as Chris seems to have met all the great cats (or their friends) in music in one way or another.
I went with Johnny Cash for Chris' album as it's the foundation of the music he is most passionate about and because it fits with the great fifties styled photo of him he posted online - standing on the railway in his hometown which is featured on the backsleeve. Much fun was had making this. The devil was - as always - in the details; the shading of the guitars, the different colours of the strings over the black areas and, although small, the reproduction of the legendary Sun Records logo. I also designed a 45rpm to accompany the album (due to popular demand).
I went with Johnny Cash for Chris' album as it's the foundation of the music he is most passionate about and because it fits with the great fifties styled photo of him he posted online - standing on the railway in his hometown which is featured on the backsleeve. Much fun was had making this. The devil was - as always - in the details; the shading of the guitars, the different colours of the strings over the black areas and, although small, the reproduction of the legendary Sun Records logo. I also designed a 45rpm to accompany the album (due to popular demand).
OMMENITO - EL UNICO
Recordsleeve for my good friend Dab who runs a great event called "Singlesclub" at which all kinds of music is allowed, as long as it's played from a 7" single 45rpm record. Playing these events I always discover a lot of new music, especially in the 'nu yorica' scene so for his sleeve I decided to recreate Monguito's album. This is the hardest one I ever made.
TIN WISH TIN - GROOVY SWING
Recordsleeve for Crawl magazine (a ska magazine) and Groovy Swing (radioshow) headhoncho Tin Wish Tin (Eric), based on Count Prince Miller's Mule Train.
NATAD BEEKMAN - MAARTENSDIJK DUB
Recordsleeve for my friend Natad, based on his favourite album by Michael Palmer. Wilfred Limonious was the original artist behind this sleeve. It was a great pleasure - and a challenge - to recreate his style.
SKA BEAT SOUL - CHICHESTER RUDIE SOUND
This is the one that started it all. Recordsleeve for UK based reggae deejays Ska Beat Soul. Basis for this is Rico's "Blow your Horn." Used a photo of them they posted on their website in in which they look years older; it's their kind of humor :)
This is the one that started it all. Recordsleeve for UK based reggae deejays Ska Beat Soul. Basis for this is Rico's "Blow your Horn." Used a photo of them they posted on their website in in which they look years older; it's their kind of humor :)
THE INCREDIBLE OZZIE DEKKER
Made this for my friend Ozzie, who's mad about jazz and Blue Note records. So I based his sleeve on Jimmy Smith's Bucket. Had mad fun on the liner notes.
KATE BUSH - WAKING THE WITCH
Recordsleeve mashup based on Kate Bush and Darkthrone albums. Had most fun recreating the Darkthrone logo into a Kate Bush black metal logo.
Recordsleeve mashup based on Kate Bush and Darkthrone albums. Had most fun recreating the Darkthrone logo into a Kate Bush black metal logo.
