Hardformat

Artist: Various artists, featured: Taylor Deupree
Album: Various, featured: January
Label: Spekk
Year: 2004 to date, featured 2004
Designer: Various, packaging and design Nao Sugimoto (as mondii), featured: photograph uison

Type of music: Minimal, ambient
Notes: There have been 11 releases on the Japanese Spekk label so far. Each arrives delicately clasped in an absolutely beautiful card cover whose dimensions recall that of a small book. The actual size and the touch of the materials are delightful. I very much look forward to new releases from Spekk. Label boss Nao Sugimoto clearly has impeccable taste and has achieved a consistent label identity without imposing a visual straightjacket upon his roster. The format remains the same while the graphic design differs each time. (However delicious individual designs are from Rune Grammofon, for example, they still generally appear to serve the needs of the label at the expense of the individual identity of each artist.) Next post will feature a couple more of my favourite Spekk designs.