![](https://i0.wp.com/mostlikelytemporary.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Windfall-Light.jpg?resize=352%2C500&ssl=1)
Windfall Light is one book which I treasure greatly. It is a beautiful book that covers the ECM sleeve design from 1996 to the present, designed by Lars Muller.
ECM cover art never fails to intrigue me.
Like many others, I was first drawn to the world of graphic design through record sleeves by the usual suspects – Vaughn Oliver, Peter Saville, Storm Thorgerson, Blue Note Jazz covers etc. Yet I place ECM in a different league. Firstly, it is rare to see ECMs in Malaysian record stores – they aren’t marketable like Miles, Ella, Herbie or Kenny G.
However rare they are, you do know an ECM when you see one. For a graphic designer, it is the unmistakable visual language of transcendental photography and minimalist typography. But for a curious soul, they were covers that stare at one hauntingly, asking the question “Do you want to hear my story?”
For example:
![](https://i0.wp.com/mostlikelytemporary.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/AnouarBrahem.jpeg?resize=560%2C560&ssl=1)
“Do you want to know what those people were doing?”
![](https://i0.wp.com/mostlikelytemporary.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Valentin-Silvestrov.jpeg?resize=560%2C560&ssl=1)
“Whose shadow is that looming above the feather?”
![](https://i0.wp.com/mostlikelytemporary.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/MelodyAtNight.jpeg?resize=560%2C560&ssl=1)
“What is that melody at night, with you?”
Always mysterious and mesmerizing, ECM covers seldom give a clue about the music – that is probably for the buyer to discover. Throughout the years, I have randomly bought ECM music, and along the way, discovered some great music – all thanks to good design.
![](https://i0.wp.com/mostlikelytemporary.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DinoSaluzzi.jpeg?resize=560%2C560&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/mostlikelytemporary.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/HajoWeber.jpeg?resize=560%2C560&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/mostlikelytemporary.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Terje-Rypdal-1.jpeg?resize=560%2C560&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/mostlikelytemporary.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Thomas-Stronen.jpeg?resize=560%2C560&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/mostlikelytemporary.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/TomaszStanko.jpeg?resize=560%2C560&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/mostlikelytemporary.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/StephanMicus.jpeg?resize=560%2C560&ssl=1)
First published on Kyoorius.com, Nov 8, 2013