WAIL: The Art of Prestige Records 1949-1970 Celebrates Jazz Album Design

RIT Press has published "WAIL: The Art of Prestige Records 1949-1970," a book by Mark Havens and Chris Entwisle that chronicles the graphic, typographic, and photographic legacy of the influential jazz label. The volume features oral histories and ephemeral printed artifacts, exploring how cover art created an immersive fusion of sight and sound during the vinyl age. Unlike Command Records' unified abstract style, Prestige covers were more varied, often using two-color printing and artful photographs. Designer Reid Miles is highlighted for bold compositions, such as the cover for "Monk." The book traces how these virtually forgotten sleeves fit into the broader legacy of Midcentury Modern design.