One Love Books presents “Covers: Retracing Reggae Record Sleeves in London” by Alex Bartsch
Covers is a project by Alex Bartsch documenting reggae record covers that were photographed in London between 1967 and 1988. After years of research, and working in collaboration with Al ‘Fingers’ Newman, Bartsch has identified and photographed 50 London-based reggae sleeves in their original locations, holding them up at arm’s-length to blend in with their surroundings, decades later. Presented in this way, the covers document the passing of time and provide a fascinating insight into the history of reggae music in the UK, an often overlooked but immensely important part of Britain’s musical identity and popular culture.
To give further context to the photographs, excerpts from interviews with those involved in the making of the records – be it the original singer, producer, photographer, designer or record label employee – are included as part of the display.
Exhibition/book launch: 6–8pm, Wednesday 4 April
