A Term New To Us: “Kakubushi Frames”
Every so often I come upon an album or a term that is new to me. Here’s one on an item I’d been watching on eBay. The item was: Kenny Dorham, Round Midnight at the Cafe Bohemia, Blue Note 1524. The seller listed the album as having “kakubushi frames” in the cover. I pulled out my copy from my shelf (that’s the one pictured at right) and I still can’t figure out what the term “kakubushi frames” is referring to. I’m hoping someone out there can help. By the way, my copy is a nice original pressing with the flat edge and Lexington Avenue address. It’s only in VG condition, but sounds quite nice. I imagine it also has the “kakubshi frames” since it is an original. The one I was watching on eBay was in VG++ condition for the vinyl and VG for the cover. It sold for $695.
“kaku-bushi” is Japanese for “white bush”. Other than that the only info I found was that the folks at Jazz Record Revival seem to favor the term. Maybe they know?
Yes, but it would be way too simple to ask them directly. This is more fun.
What I know from my Japanese friends is that kakubushi means frame or framed. So kakubushi frame cover is a pleonasm. The frame cover is mostly with 2 frame stripes only, never 4 all around.
Not only vintage Blue Notes, but also vintage Prestige albums can be kakubushi.
technically, the paper from the back sleeve was folded around the cover and appears in front, under the art sleeve paper, giving the impression of a framed picture/painting. Later sleeve productions became more sophisticated and the front cover appeared level.
I confirm that kakubushi is what rudolf says !!! Early Atlantic, Prestige, and many more have this kind of cover
Is this a distinction made in the European/Asian markets? I’ve been collecting 15+ years and have never come across this term before.
It is the Japanese who introduced this criterium on EBay.com (USA),whence it came to Europe. I had never heard about it until I got active on EBay.com. some 8 years ago.
But kakubushi cover are REALLY older than regular.
they sure are! As Michel mentioned Atlantic in a previous mail, I browsed in my Atlantic collection and the harvest of laminated kakubuchi covers in their first 100 issues from 1212 up to 1300 is enormous. And what a wealth of music: Konitz, Fruscella, MJQ, Bags, Jack Montrose, Shorty Rogers, Tony Fruscella, Dave Pell, Tristano, Teddy Charles, Conte Candoli, Giuffre, etc., etc.
Blue Note and Prestige kakubuchi covers are always non-laminated, if I am correct.
This will be a weird request, but how can I get in touch with the owner of this album? I’m a design/photography student and my project is reinterpretting an iconic album cover– and this is one I’m considering. BUT I need a high-resolution image to use as reference, inspiration. And I don’t have $700. Was this image pulled from ebay? Any info appreciated.
LoLla: what album are you referring to?
LoLla – I would suggest “The Cover Art of Blue Note Records” by Graham Marsh
Although not in the true 12″ format – it is a large format book.
It has this cover I believe – either volume 1 or 2.