the most famous unknown artist

August 12, 2006 5:10 AM

Abdul Mati Klarwein is the the thoughtful guy who painted the wonderous gatefold sleeves of Miles Davis' Bitches Brew, and Santana's Santana's Abraxas. It's all the more inspiring to be listening to either musician's music of the period while viewing. Just don't stare too long. [ last two YouTube]
posted by eegphalanges (12 comments total)

Alas, the Abraxas link seems to have fizzled, but it's from the same site as the header, which links just fine.
posted by eegphalanges at 5:16 AM on August 12, 2006

Santana's Abraxas (might be NSFW).
posted by ceri richard at 5:18 AM on August 12, 2006

Ah, thank you. Not safe for work? What year is this, where am I? Art not safe for work;>
posted by eegphalanges at 5:37 AM on August 12, 2006

...Not safe for work? What year is this, where am I? Art not safe for work...
'Cause boobs will drag down the bottom-line, y'know.

Back when he was 13 or so, my son actually asked if I had any Santana. So I tossed him the cd without thinking about the beautiful cover art. Personally, we have no problem with it, but I did decide to make sure he didn't take the cd over to some of his friends' homes (at least not in the case). I knew some of the parents would have a cow over "nekkid breasts" being brought into their homes...no matter how great the art.
Crazy people.
Great music.
posted by Thorzdad at 5:58 AM on August 12, 2006 [1 favorite]

You know, that Anunciation is like Gustav Klimt decided black is beautiful after watching a Pam Grier movie.
posted by kimota at 7:28 AM on August 12, 2006

The Miles Davis tube is pretty cool. man.
posted by stbalbach at 7:30 AM on August 12, 2006

Apart from the period interest (staring at album covers was part of the experience of listening to the music we loved) it's pretty dreadful art-fair kitsch, really. To each his own.
posted by QuietDesperation at 8:02 AM on August 12, 2006

Not safe for work? What year is this, where am I? Art not safe for work;>

My motto is to err on the side of caution lately having had a "black mark" for posting a boobie link elsewhere. I wanted to throw my teddy in the corner and have a hissy fit but the forum is waaaay too useful so I apologised and um, now the NSFW tag is my best friend :-)
posted by ceri richard at 9:14 AM on August 12, 2006

Apart from the period interest (staring at album covers was part of the experience of listening to the music we loved) it's pretty dreadful art-fair kitsch, really.

Abraxas and Bitches Brew were tame. It was The White Album that made me go blind.
posted by hal9k at 9:31 AM on August 12, 2006 [1 favorite]

Mati Klarwein's Annunciation most certainly wasn't "dreadful art-fair kitsch" in 1961. I loved his art way back and love it now too.

Thanks eegphalanges for this neat discovery. I always wondered who did that amazing art on those two great albums.
posted by nickyskye at 10:02 AM on August 12, 2006

Big fan here... he also did the awesome Magic Theatre set design in the film adaptation of Hesse's "Steppenwolf."
posted by moonbird at 10:34 AM on August 12, 2006

My mother made my father hide that album cover from me over concern for my well-being. Heh.
I found it, of course and stared at it trying to absorb every detail.
Thanks for the post!
posted by black8 at 11:53 AM on August 12, 2006