From jazz pioneers like Sun Ra and Joe Zawinul to influential hip-hop artists like DJ Premier and 45 King, Wax Poetics Anthology, Volume 2 presents music’s numerous puzzle pieces and gives the reader the opportunity to make the connections themselves. In addition to shedding light into the dark corners of our sonic past, Wax Poetics ensures that new and innovative artists also get the credit they deserve.

The Wax Poetics Anthology, Volume 2, the third book from the esteemed music journal showcasing everyone from jazz and hip-hop heavyweights to soul and funk musicians, gathers articles from Issues 6 through 10 into a must-have hardbound edition for record collectors and music connoisseurs alike.

Wax Poetics leads the field in musical journalism, covering some of the most famous and fabled figures in the history of hip-hop, jazz, funk, and soul. This special edition features content from some of the magazine’s rarest, most-coveted issues, many of which fetch top-dollar at auction. This compilation, featuring in-depth articles and a bold, graphic, textured facade, maintains the same collectible traits that make the original issues so highly sought after.

Presented in an attractive hardbound format, featuring hundreds of full-color, full-page images, including photos and illustrations new to this edition. Wax Poetics magazine, published bimonthly, has garnered some of the industry’s highest accolades and continues to boast some of music’s most talented writers, photographers, and illustrators. The Wax Poetics Anthology, Volume 2, is an important supplement for existing Wax Poetics readers, and an infectious introduction for newcomers to the magazine’s approachable yet insightful style. Makes a great companion to the similarly designed and critically acclaimed Wax Poetics Anthology, Volume 1, which featured select articles from the magazine’s first five issues.

Cover Story: Album Cover Art, the second book by esteemed music journal Wax Poetics, graphically narrates the vibrant subculture of record collecting through the art of the album cover. It’s a must-have for record connoisseurs and art aficionados alike.

Cover Story: Album Cover Art vividly explores an element of music culture that has withered with the advent of MP3s and digital downloading. Records possess a visual as well as an aural capacity for storytelling. The record cover—eye candy for the music lover—speaks a language rooted in the
environment and era of the music itself. And, more intimately, a record can create a profound sense of analogy with its owner, and it’s this relationship that we share.

As a music, art, and pop-culture book—sized and priced for impulse purchase—Cover Story easily spans multiple audiences.

World-renown DJs, writers, and collectors handpicked Cover Story’s pastiche of rare, unique, and inspired album covers.

Illustrated as a visual essay, Cover Story exhibits the diverse art forms and design styles of the record cover, each telling its own story.

AUTHOR INFORMATION
The Wax Poetics team: editor-in-chief Andre Torres; editor Brian DiGenti; contributing editors Matt Rogers, Andrew “DJ Monk One” Mason, Dante Carfagna, and J. P. Jones; contributing photo editor Brian “B+” Cross; contributing writers Jeff “Chairman” Mao, Oliver Wang, Robbie Busch, and Dave Tompkins; and label head Amir Abdullah.

In response to the high demand for the publication’s elusive back issues, the Wax Poetics Anthology Volume 1 serves as the answer to every collector’s dream. Wax Poetics has compiled their favorite articles from Issues 1 through 5 and are giving them new life via this full-color, hardbound edition. By enhancing past editions by means of new illustrations, photographs, and an appendix of discographies, both dedicated followers and music fans formerly unaware of the magazine’s presence will be able to appreciate this comprehensive collection of insightful articles. From jazz and hip-hop heavyweights to soul and funk session musicians, the Wax Poetics Anthology delivers an eclectic blend of quality journalism and musical history.

James Brown’s drummers Clyde Stubblefield and Jab’O Starks, bassist Sweet Charles, and vocalist Marva Whitney

Jazz genius Charles Mingus

Funky drummers Idris Muhammad and Pretty Purdie

Salsa giant Fania Records

Reggae producers Clive Chin and King Tubby

Golden-era hip-hop producers Prince Paul, Da Beatminerz, Diamond D, and
Wu-Tang’s the RZA

Films Wild Style and Style Wars

Breakbeat bootleg Ultimate Breaks & Beats

Rare-record reviews