Jil Jilala – “Lighara” single cover
Sleeve for a 1974 single by Moroccan folk rock band Jil Jilala.
The Latin setting of “Jil Jilala” suggests any of a number of ultralight geometric sans serifs – a stretched L&C Hairline with alternates? – but the J is so unusual and otherwise impractical (perhaps it’s meant as a subtle visual rhyme with ل, the last letter of “Jil” in Arabic) and the other letterforms so elemental that it seems likelier hand drawn. The very fun Arabic setting is clearly hand drawn, perhaps modeled after Candice. The Latin setting of “Lighara” is in Blippo Bold, which is cleverly repurposed for the Arabic. Evidently the uncredited designer was down to their last dry transfer sheet—only necessity would lead one to render ي as U with cedilla. Other Jil Jilala singles with the same artwork set the yaa much more sensibly.
On the back, the Latin “Jil Jilala” is set in ITC Ronda and the Arabic a flashier version of the adapted Blippo. The credits are set in Chambord italique and maigre, which would suggest that the copyright and catalog number are set in Simplex but the numbers instead point to DIN Neuzeit Grotesk.
