Corn-Bred CD Graphics

Did the graphics on the purple Corn-Bred CD catch your eye? The Corn-Bred CD was a designed by my friend, and Hondo Mesa Records art director, Stephen Masiclat (http://newmedia.syr.edu/newmedia/recent.html). Masiclat based his design on the historic symbol of the Iroquois Confederacy, the Hiawatha Belt.

I got to tell you, Curtis Waterman (the fantastic harp player for Corn-Bred) and I were a little worried when Masiclat started moving in this direction. This was risky. Masiclat was walking a thin line between creating a design that is recognizable and respectful but not blasphemous.

The Hiawatha wampum belt was made to record the event of five nations (Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida and Mohawk) joining together in peace. Each nation is represented with the Onondagas symbolized in the great white tree of peace. The Onondaga Nation site (www.onondaganation.org/history.html) has more on the history of the belt.

Masilcat accomplished a difficult task. He succeeded in getting the look and feel of the first wampum on Corn-Bred’s CD, without being offensive. The color purple is predominant in the symbols of the Onondaga Nation. Masiclat’s treatment of the color is reminiscent of the beads used to make wampum. He is a talented guy.

To see the cover and to hear cuts from the CD, please go to CDBaby at www.cdbaby.com/all/dfkinsey.

Best regards,
Dennis