The Revolution of Elenco: Album Covers that Defined Generations

Starting in the early 1960s, the beautiful album covers created by Elenco Records are true works of art, born from the collaboration between designer César Villela and photographer Francisco Pereira. They represent a milestone in the history of Brazilian graphic design.

Founded in 1962 by musician and producer Aloysio de Oliveira, Elenco was a pioneer in giving real importance to album cover aesthetics. Unlike most record labels at the time, which treated covers as mere accessories, Elenco saw them as an extension of the music itself, capable of conveying emotions and creating a unique visual for each artist.

The visual identity of Elenco was shaped by the genius of César Villela and Francisco Pereira. Villela, with his sharp eye for form and color, developed a graphic system that became the label's signature: white background, four red circles, and a high-contrast photo or drawing of the artist. Pereira, on the other hand, captured the essence of each musician through his lens, creating portraits that transcended time.

Elenco's covers weren’t just beautiful, they were clever. Every visual element on the covers had meaning and contributed to building the artist’s identity. The red circles, for example, symbolized the passion for music and the infectious energy of the recordings. The portraits and drawings aimed to reveal the soul of the musicians.

The legacy of Elenco goes far beyond just album covers. The label left an aesthetic mark that influenced generations of designers and artists. Elenco's covers are considered works of art and are studied in design and art history courses, a true treasure of Brazilian culture. They represent a moment of great creative energy and show how graphic design can be a powerful tool for communicating ideas and emotions.