Ghetto: Misfortune’s Wealth by The 24-Carat Black

Almost half a century old, this album cover by (ex Bar-Kay member) Ron Gorden and David Hogan still looks fresh. The design with its mysterious dark and glowing portrait, shot by Frederick Toma, and the outlined typography could just as well have been published today as in 1973.

Commonly regarded as one of the first-ever concept records of the soul genre, this dark masterpiece combines the lush orchestral arrangements of Isaac Hayes collaborator Dale Warren with Blaxploitation-style funk grooves, resulting in a sound that would rocket it to cult-classic status among DJs and producers who have sampled it for tracks by Kendrick Lamar, Jay Z, Digable Planets, Dr. Dre, and many others. — Stax Records

The outlined type used on the front is Dominante, the only typeface design credited to Johann(nes) Schweitzer. It was published by Ludwig & Mayer in the late 1950s, described as “an Antiqua with all characteristics of a good Text and Akzidenz typeface for all tasks, from bibliophilic prints up to big newspaper advertisements.” Later versions of Dominant(e) were available as phototype, and as dry transfer lettering. In the 2000s it was digitized by a few foundries. The styles used here are Dominance Diffident (outlined) and Dominance Overbearing (shaded), two phototype styles that originated at Phil Martin’s Alphabet Innovations in 1971 and were also available from Lettergraphics.

Goudy Oldstyle is used for the back cover.