It is quite obvious that this back cover of Zhang Xiao Ying's Prinstar EP vinyl is promoting the 60s Denon stereophonic record player, popular amongst the general public who cannot afford expensive European, British or American sets. The stereo set consists of a record player, a radio/tuner/amplifier and a pair of simple speakers. In this typical 45rpm Chinese recording made in Singapore, Zhang Xiao Ying is accompanied by a well-known guitar group called The Travellers although the songs are not part of the promotional package as offered by other advertisements on vinyls.
Vinyl covers were used as a means of promoting products because back in the 60s a popular singer could generate at least 10,000 copies of an Extended Play record. Each EP sells for less than US$4.00, an affordable price for any teenager or person in the street. Usually the company advertising the product paid for the production of the sleeve, saving the music company some money from its total budget.
Image/original article: Andy Lim Collection
No comments:
Post a Comment