Using Rolling Stone‘s The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time as a resource, photographer Kai Schäfer has catalogued landmark records in music history and the vintage turntables that first played them in his World Records series. Photos of famous vinyl — including albums by Bowie, Elvis, and Joy Division — recall a time when collecting music was a tactile and perhaps more intimate experience. “It is also a private time machine to the spectator: music as an impulse to remember bits and pieces of one’s personal history, a release of former thoughts and feelings. The soundtrack of your life,” the artist writes. Schäfer is celebrating his first solo exhibition at Kopeikin Gallery in Los Angeles, which runs until July 13. Visit the gallery’s website to find out how you can see over 100 photos of your favorite albums. Click through for a preview.
Photo credit: Kai Schäfer
Joy Division, Unknown Pleasures on Revox, 1979
Photo credit: Kai Schäfer
The Velvet Underground, The Velvet Underground & Nico on Thorens, 1967
Photo credit: Kai Schäfer
David Bowie, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars on B&O (Bang & Olufsen), 1972
Photo credit: Kai Schäfer
The Clash, London Calling on B&O (Bang & Olufsen), 1979
Photo credit: Kai Schäfer
The Cure, Three Imaginary Boys on B&O (Bang & Olufsen), 1979
Photo credit: Kai Schäfer
The Beatles, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band on Thorens, 1967
Photo credit: Kai Schäfer
Elvis, “Mystery Train” on Braun, 1955
Photo credit: Kai Schäfer
Johnny Cash, Johnny Cash Sings the Songs That Made Him Famous on Garrard, 1958
Photo credit: Kai Schäfer
Motörhead, Ace of Spades on Technics, 1980
Photo credit: Kai Schäfer
Prince, Purple Rain on Technics, 1984
Photo credit: Kai Schäfer
The Beach Boys, Pet Sounds on Thorens, 1966
Photo credit: Kai Schäfer
Kraftwerk, The Man-Machine (Die Mensch·Maschine) on Revox, 1978
Photo credit: Kai Schäfer
Michael Jackson, Thriller on Ariston, 1982
Photo credit: Kai Schäfer
Pink Floyd, The Dark Side of the Moon on ADC Accutrac 4000, 1973
