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RCA Above-Logo Phrases


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The covers of RCA albums circa 1960 each featured a different phrase above the logo. Here are a couple of my favorites:

Henri Rene - Riot in Rhythm - LPM 2002 - "Man, it swings!"

Ahmed Abdul-Malik - East Meets West - LSP 2015 - "Mideast and hip"

Skip Martin - Mike Hammer - LPM 2140 - "Sound of violence"

What are some of your favorites?

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  • 3 weeks later...

Nauseating? Hardly. They're a gas!

What other major label printed jacket fronts implying "file this under:

"For Hi-Fanatics" Esquivel- Infinity In Sound

"For Woofers and Tweeters" Esquivel - Exploring New Sounds in Stereo

"Soundsational!" Marty Gold - Skin Tight

"A Romping Holiday" Bob Thompson - Mmm Nice

Let's see... should I file that last one under 'Romping' or 'Holiday'? (Such a deep post-modern dilemma!)

RCA went with these upper-case headings for many (but not all) of their LSP releases from 1959-61.

They stand today as hilarious attempts at product positioning.

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RCA album cover designers on crack? Uhh, you're 30 years late, Chewski.

Since we're talking 1959-61, they'd more likely be swilling martinis and hi-balls.

(Check an episode of 'Mad Men' sometime and get a taste of the ad industry during these years.)

RCA and Capitol consistently led the field in adventurous cover designs during the 'golden era' of developing the consumer market for LPs. RCA went even further in knocking out these zippy phrases just above the logos on the upper right front. It's as if the exceptional quality of Living Stereo pressings weren't enough and RCA honchos felt consumers needs further 'convincing'.

It just lasted for a couple years, but I find these zany phrases adds to the charm of experiencing each LP.

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  • 3 years later...

Just found another one among my early US pressings:

"For Jazz Buffs" - Shorty Rogers, Chances Are It Swings (LPM-1975) (stating the obvious, that subtitle, ain't it?)

Were all RCA Victor LPs released chronologically during that period or were there several series running in parallel? Because I cannot find any such phrases on the LPs in the 1500 titles that I have (and these look very much like late 50s to me, contrary to the c.1955-57 1000/1100 and 1300 series).

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"Swinging Big Band" - Shorty Rogers, The Wizard of Oz (LPM 1997)

"World's Biggest Sound!" - Dick Schory, Music to Break Any Mood (LSP 2125)

"New Sound Sensation" - Esquivel, Strings Aflame (LPM 1988)

"Adventure in Sound" - The Markko Polo Adventurers, Orienta (LPM 1919)

Edited by Teasing the Korean
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Looks like the Imagination Department was on vacation this day...

Como_Swings.jpg

As compared with their Contemporary opposite numbers :D

Hampton-Hawes-Four---DG-Mono-520330.jpg

I had that LP on UK RCA, but it didn't have a little above logo phrase :) Guess UK Decca had a little more taste or modesty or something.

MG

Shelly's is one of the worst golf swings imaginable. Hawes' might be OK; Mitchell's is a decent warm-up move; can't tell about Kessel's putting style.

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Yes, it did have excellent sound and the music was excellent as well. I sure wish I still had my copy which I foolishly sold to a traveling jazz record dealer from California. If I remember correctly he gave me twenty bucks for it. God knows how much he got for it when he sold it.

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