Long-overdue collection of Wilfred Limonious’ dancehall sleeve designs compiled by Al Fingers, author of the excellent Clarks In Jamaica and Greensleeves: The First 100 Covers. In Fine Style charts Limonious’ progression from pamphlet illustrator to cartoonist to Jamaica’s premiere sleeve designer for reggae & dancehall records in the 80s and early 90s. The Original Stalag 17, 18 & 19 riddim compilation on Winston Riley’s Techniques label is perhaps Limonious’ best known design. His highly collectable sleeves would typically feature a portrait of the artist set between his colorful & imaginative lettering on the front, with intricate cartoon drawings of outrageous scenes inside the dance hall on the back, replete with deejays, selectors & voluptuous dancers all colored in comical situations. His vivid illustrations would go on to inspire dancehall enthusiasts for generations, most notably Diplo & Major Lazer. This book is a near-complete archive of Limonious’ designs for Frankie Paul, Sugar Minott, Little John, Toyan; practically every dancehall artist active in the 1980s had an LP sleeve graced by Limonious’ unique touch. Recommended.
- hardcover edition
- 272 pages
reviewed by peanut dust 02/2017