Looks like Mingering Mike has a new best friend. I found this book at the Presspop table at the NY Art Book Fair. It’s a book of decorated 7″ record sleeves by King Joe, a Japanese DJ. King Joe says he started making these-”…so that I can pick out records speedily in the dark, as I DJ drunk and almost completely wasted.” These record sleeves are pretty funny. Naively drawn cartoon style characters are singing, dancing or posing like true rock stars in thick outlines and primary colors. I especially like the ones with scantily dressed ladies where the hole in the record sleeve falls just in the right spot, blocking it from becomming an x-rated painting. In the back of the book King Joe describes each of the 96 records and why he likes them-for Mony Mony by The Mohawks- “As gay as can be! A familiar song arranged as a Latin instrumental version makes for a super groovy tune! I always sing along to this song “MOMI MOWMI” (note: MOMI means fondling a woman’s bust)” I wonder if King Joe ever djs weddings? hmmm.. You can reserve a copy of this book here. It comes to stores in November.

© Julia Rothman 2007