When jazz producer Creed Taylor subsidized a division af A&M records in 1967, he quickly established his own brand of sound and style. Creed was one of the top producers of the time, who along with his right hand man and sound engineer, Rudy Van Gelder, and a roster of all star musicians, put together some of the best jazz albums of all time. The only thing they needed was a strong look to match the heavy sounds on the records, something bold and different to set themselves away from the crowd.
Photographer Pete Turner was working directly with Creed to create this look using striking colors, and laminated gatefold covers that seem to jump off the shelf past their competitors. During this time, it was almost standard issue for jazz albums to have a shot of the lead player or band on the album cover, while Taylor and Turner were blazing a new path. By 1970 the label went completely independent as CTI Records, or Creed Taylor Incorporated, and 40 years later the records still pop off the shelf. Flipping through bin after dusty bin, any time you come across a CTI record not only does it look good, but it's pretty much guaranteed to sound good too. It just feels like a quality product in your hand, plus records that look cool are always easier to buy; something both Creed Taylor and Peter Turner knew a thing or two about. Find Pete Turner's work here
and an interview about his work with CTI
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