In the 1940s and 50s, Alex Steinweiss and Jim Flora revolutionized the album cover, transforming what was previously a dull cardboard after-thought into an exciting canvas that rivaled the music it advertised. In fact, I have several prized records with covers by both artists that I’ve never even listened to. While Steinweiss has been celebrated for years in books featuring his designs, this is the first showcase of Flora’s career. His whimsical, jazzy illustrations have won a new audience in the past couple of decades, and his influence is readily apparent in the work of contemporary pop artists like Shag, Tim Biskup, J.Otto Seibold and many more. Irwin Chusid collected the huge bulk of work in the book, much of it never reproduced elsewhere. Chusid previously played a major part in reviving cultural interest in Esquivel, Raymond Scott and The Shaggs, and is no less doting in his overview of Flora. I’ve seen Jim Flora’s bizarre album art in countless thrift stores, and his crazy compositions always stop me dead in my tracks. I’m really excited to have all his best covers in one affordable volume, along with interviews done shortly before his 1998 death. Check out some of the man’s work online.

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