A new hardcover book titled On the Records: 80 Musicians on Beloved and Overlooked Albums will be released on November 17, 2026, through Clarkson Potter. Written by music industry veteran Brian Beck and writer Piotr Orlov, the 80-artist collection features personal essays and stories highlighting lesser-known musical recordings, rare releases, and influential albums.
The publication gathers contributions from a wide range of musical figures, including Dolly Parton, Black Thought, Chris Stapleton, Sonny Rollins, and Laufey. Each entry focuses on a specific recording chosen by the contributing artist, spanning out-of-print records, self-released projects, and overlooked releases from various genres.
A launch event series will accompany the release, featuring live broadcasts, DJ sets, and in-store appearances across multiple venues. Confirmed stops include a radio edition on The Lot Radio in Brooklyn on November 6, an appearance on East Village Radio on November 12, an NYU colloquium on November 18, and release events at Ace Hotel Brooklyn on November 19 and Ace Hotel Toronto on November 22.
The full-color book includes album artwork throughout its pages and retails for $30. A portion of the author proceeds will be donated to Deaf Defy and Deaf Child Worldwide to support hearing technology, sign language resources, and educational programs for deaf children in underserved communities.
Co-author Brian Beck previously served as Global Head of Music and Entertainment for Sonos after working in record label relations and artist management. Co-author Piotr Orlov is a Brooklyn-based editor, NYU instructor, and publisher of the Dada Strain newsletter who has held editorial leadership positions at NPR Music and MTV.
Click here to preorder.
Follow us on social media
Facebook • Instagram • Tiktok • Newsbreak
Visit our other sites
Finding Connecticut • Finding New York City • Finding The Hudson Valley • Finding Lehigh Valley • Finding Westport
