I SHADOW An I For An I - SELF-Titled STASH DE ROLA 12" Vinyl LP Album

- An I For An I – A Swiss Pop Nocturne in Shadows and Artifice

"I SHADOW - An I For An I SELF-Titled" is a vinyl LP album featuring Prince Stash Klossowski De Rola on the front cover. This self-titled album includes a custom inner sleeve with album details and artwork/photos. It represents a unique and artistic musical endeavor, and with Prince Stash Klossowski De Rola as the front cover presence, it adds an intriguing visual dimension to the album.

An I For An I - Album Description

In the thickening twilight of late-1980s European pop music, when post-punk sophistication collided with synth-pop's spectral residue, a peculiar artifact emerged from the cultural recesses of Lausanne and Paris: I SHADOW - An I For An I. It was more than an album—it was a spectral performance in wax, a bold tableau vivant of sound and image, with none other than Prince Stash Klossowski de Rola—bohemian aristocrat, painter, socialite—anchoring the vision with his unmistakable presence on the cover. This self-titled LP was released on Jungle Records under catalog number 650300, a release stitched together across borders—recorded in Switzerland, mixed in France—and drenched in the glow of European art-pop idealism.

Historical Context

The year of this recording is not explicitly marked on the vinyl, but its sensibilities speak to a world in flux: the Cold War thawing under Gorbachev’s reforms, Berlin preparing to see its wall collapse, and MTV spreading a new visual language of pop beyond Anglo-American borders. In this climate, Switzerland—better known for alpine conservatism than for pop experimentation—contributed this strangely enchanting album, an oddball relic produced in Lausanne’s Prisme Studios and later refined in Paris’s +30 Studios. It is the product of a uniquely European synthesis: aristocratic romanticism filtered through synthesizers and reverb chambers.

Musical Direction and Aesthetic

An I For An I is not a record that chases hits—it conjures atmospheres. From the first cut, “Riders of the Setting Sun,” the album declares its allegiance to shadowy pop with philosophical undercurrents. The music leans on spacious production, driven by echoing guitars, understated percussion, and ephemeral keyboards. Songs like “Ghost of a Chance” and “Blue Men” flirt with noir-pop narratives, conjuring visions of post-industrial corridors and velvet-draped parlors.

Side Two moves deeper into psychological and cinematic territory. “Stranger in the Night” delivers a narcotic groove, while “The Night of the Long Knives” makes veiled historical references, bathing them in dreamlike harmonics and minor-key tension. The closing track, “La Dolce Vita”, nods overtly to Felliniesque decadence, its melancholy tone underpinned by a subtle waltz rhythm that evokes slow-dancing ghosts in crumbling European salons.

Genre and Sonic Palette

The genre tag—Swiss Pop Rock—is both too broad and too limiting. There are clear elements of art-pop here, with synth-rock influences akin to late-period Roxy Music, early Peter Murphy, and the less dancefloor-driven side of Visage. However, there’s also something of a chanson structure beneath the electronics, reminiscent of Jacques Dutronc with a vampiric edge. This is music where genre becomes secondary to mood, and mood is everything.

Production and Studio Work

The record’s production—executed by engineers Philippe Mercier and Luc—displays an affinity for negative space. The mixes avoid overlayering, allowing vocals to float and instruments to breathe. The use of Prisme Studios in Lausanne—hardly a household name in pop music production—contributes to the album's ghost-in-the-machine quality. One hears not only the reverb of the rooms, but perhaps also the psychological distance between the artist and the pop mainstream.

Mixing took place at +30 Studios in Paris, a location that added polish and depth, smoothing out Lausanne's raw takes with Parisian elegance. The result is a clean yet haunting sound—contemporary to its era, but timeless in affect.

Visual Elements and Artistic Contributions

The front cover photograph—by Alain Notz—featuring Prince Stash and Shireen, is an arresting image: theatrical, ambiguous, and decadent. The artwork by Dominique Maurice extends this aura of mystique, suggesting a connection to the surrealist movement, a visual cousin to the sonic ambiguity. This is an album that positions its iconography at the same level of importance as its sound, creating a Gesamtkunstwerk—a total artwork—in the Wagnerian sense.

Controversies and Cultural Ambiguities

While no overt controversy surrounded the release, the inclusion of a track titled “The Night of the Long Knives” could be considered provocative, invoking one of Nazi Germany’s most notorious purges. Yet the lyrics cloak the reference in abstraction, leaving interpretation open and evading direct political commentary. In this way, the record hovers between boldness and discretion—like its noble frontman, always half in shadow.

Alternate Pressings and Differences

This pressing—marked by the presence of the SUISA logo—indicates a Swiss origin, though manufacturing may have occurred partially in France. No evidence has emerged of alternate international editions or remix variants. However, the custom inner sleeve—showcasing lyrics and visual elements—is a key distinguishing factor, setting this apart from label-generic editions common to mass-market pop releases.

Conclusion

I SHADOW - An I For An I stands as a quiet, unconventional entry in the European pop canon. It whispers where others shout. It seduces rather than insists. In its essence, it is a relic of aristocratic pop—a record that was never designed to dominate charts but rather to haunt the spaces between them. Like its cover star, it is an album content to remain enigmatic, mysterious, and strangely eternal.

Prince Stash Klossowski De Rola Description:

Prince Stash Klossowski De Rola, born on 21 August 1947, in Paris, France, is a multi-talented artist known for his work as a painter, writer, and musician. He is the son of the renowned Polish-French painter Balthus (Balthasar Klossowski de Rola) and his wife, Antoinette de Watteville. Prince Stash Klossowski De Rola gained recognition in the art world for his unique and often surrealistic paintings.

In addition to his visual artistry, Prince Stash Klossowski De Rola has ventured into the realm of music. The album "I SHADOW - An I For An I SELF-Titled", features his involvement in the music scene.

His diverse talents and creative contributions have made him a notable figure in the arts, and he continues to be a fascinating and enigmatic presence in the world of art and culture.

Production & Recording Information:

Music Genre:

Swiss Pop Rock

Collector Notes

Dedication: To the Man on the Mountain, Jimmy Osterberg (aka Iggy Pop) and his Yassassin.

This dedication appears to be an artistic homage to Iggy Pop, casting him as a revered, visionary figure ("the man on the mountain") and referencing his deep connection to David Bowie’s creative world, specifically through the track "Yassassin." It's poetic, oblique, and typical of the kind of culturally layered shout-outs found in European art-pop and bohemian circles—like those surrounding Prince Stash Klossowski de Rola.

Label & Catalognr:

Jungle Records 650300

Album Packaging

This 12" LP vinyl record includes a custom inner sleeve with artwork and photography.

The inner sleeve features visuals of Shireen and Prince Stash Klossowski de Rola.

Media Format:

12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram

Year & Country:

Made in France / Switzerland

Producers:

Produced by: Fred Laser and I Shadow

Sound & Recording Engineers:

Philippe Mercier
Luc

Recording Location:

Recorded at Prisme Studios, Lausanne
Mixed at +30 Studios, Paris

Album Cover Design & Artwork:

Artwork: Dominique Maurice

Photography:

Cover Photography: Alain Notz
Featuring: Shireen and Prince Stash Klossowski de Rola

Complete Track-listing:

Tracklisting Side One:
  1. Riders of the Setting Sun
  2. Ghost of a Chance
  3. Snake Charmer
  4. Blue Men
  5. Making Love in Overdrive
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. Stranger in the Night
  2. To Be Or Not To Be
  3. The Night of the Long Knives
  4. La Dolce Vita
Album Front Cover Photo
Front cover of I SHADOW – An I For An I showing a theatrical and provocative tableau with a belly dancer, a seated man holding a bottle of Jack Daniel's, and a shirtless man tied with rope in an exotic, dimly lit setting.

This front cover of the album I SHADOW – An I For An I is a striking, theatrical tableau staged with dramatic lighting and visual symbolism. The scene is set indoors against a dark, richly textured maroon curtain, adding a backdrop of opulence and mystery.

On the left stands a confident, intense-looking woman with dark short hair and bold makeup. She wears a costume that blends elements of a belly dancer and burlesque performer: a ruffled white top adorned with beaded strings draping across her bare midriff and a flowing sheer pink skirt with ornamental elements. Her golden hoop earrings catch the light, adding to her assertive presence.

Seated at a round table in the center is a man in a military-style khaki shirt and fedora, gazing at the woman while smirking. In his left hand, he grips a half-raised bottle of Jack Daniel’s whiskey, while his right rests near a glass and an elaborate silver tea set with a Middle Eastern aesthetic. The table is richly lit, with the reflections of the metal and glass glinting in the warm light.

To the right, another man sits shirtless, bound with a rope harness around his chest and shoulders, his expression subdued and introspective. He looks downward, disconnected from the others, contributing a sense of tension and submission to the overall composition. His pose, along with the shadowy lighting, evokes vulnerability.

The logo I Shadow appears at the top in vivid yellow within an oval ring, while the album title an I for an I is handwritten near the bottom left, layered over what appears to be a scorched, burnt-paper visual motif. The entire composition hints at themes of dominance, decadence, and surreal performance, blending eroticism, power play, and poetic melancholy.

Album Back Cover Photo
Back cover of I SHADOW – An I For An I showing tracklist in yellow text over dark red fabric, with credits, SUISA reference, and Jungle Records logo.

The back cover of the album I SHADOW – An I For An I features a richly textured maroon and rust-red tapestry background, filled with paisley and floral motifs under a warm, low light. The image creates a sensuous, cloaked visual environment that complements the mysterious aura of the music.

Centered on the upper half of the cover is the band's yellow logo I Shadow, followed by the track listing in serif gold-yellow type. Side 1 includes: Riders of the Setting Sun, Ghost of a Chance, Snake Charmer, Blue Men, and Making Love in Overdrive. Side 2 lists: Stranger in the Night, To Be Or Not To Be, The Night of the Long Knives, and La Dolce Vita.

The lower portion contains detailed credits in fine yellow print. It includes recording locations (Prisme Studios Lausanne, mixed at +30 Studios Paris), production credits (Fred Laser and I Shadow), and technical contributions, including engineering by Philippe Mercier and Luc. The album artwork is credited to Dominique Maurice and photography to Alain Notz, featuring Shireen and Prince Stash Klossowski de Rola.

A special dedication reads: "To the Man on the Mountain, Jimmy Osterberg" (referring to Iggy Pop). There’s also mention of a unique artistic contribution from “the Playboy Prince” on Stranger in the Night. The bottom-right corner displays the Jungle Records s.a. logo, depicting a stylized primate, alongside a barcode and the catalog number 650300.

Photo One of Inside Page Gatefold Cover
Custom inner sleeve of I SHADOW – An I For An I with intricate red and gold paisley fabric pattern and yellow band logo and title.

This image shows the custom inner sleeve of the album I SHADOW – An I For An I, adorned with a deep, luxurious textile motif. The visual features a warm-toned, richly detailed paisley fabric with alternating dark and red-orange stripes. The lighting casts gentle shadows that enhance the folds and texture of the cloth, giving it a sensual, almost cinematic depth.

Positioned slightly above center-right is the band’s vivid yellow logo I Shadow, encircled in a loosely hand-drawn oval, immediately catching the eye against the darker backdrop. In the bottom-left corner, the album title an I for an I is scripted in a similar yellow and red handwritten style, adding an informal yet bold artistic signature.

This inner sleeve design emphasizes mood over information, evoking an atmosphere of opulence, secrecy, and abstract symbolism, in keeping with the band’s dramatic aesthetic and the enigmatic tone of the album.

Photo Two of Inside Page Gatefold Cover
I SHADOW – An I For An I inner sleeve with full track-by-track musician credits printed in yellow over ornate red fabric.

This image shows the second view of the custom inner sleeve for I SHADOW – An I For An I, elaborately designed with deep red and gold paisley fabric as the visual background. Richly patterned and lit to emphasize its luxurious folds, the fabric flows from left to right, creating a visually immersive surface.

Overlaid on this textured backdrop is a complete track-by-track breakdown of the album’s musician credits, typeset in compact yellow serif font. The text is divided into two sections: Side 1 and Side 2, corresponding to the album's vinyl format.

Each track lists contributing artists with instruments and roles, such as guitars, keyboards, vocals, bass, and drums. Notably, credits mention collaborators like Fred Laser, Paul Zouridis, Sebastian Santa Maria, and Prince Stash Klossowski de Rola on Tibetan bell. The song “Night of the Long Knives” includes theatrical elements such as Tibetan percussion and atmospheric vocals.

At the bottom left, the stylized handwritten album title an I for an I is repeated in yellow and red, reinforcing the record’s thematic identity and artistic cohesion. The inner sleeve functions not only as an information panel but as an extension of the record’s visual and conceptual world.

First Photo of Custom Inner Sleeve
I SHADOW – An I For An I inner sleeve with red and gold paisley fabric and yellow logos for band and album title.

This photograph captures the front side of the custom inner sleeve from the album I SHADOW – An I For An I. The design is minimalist yet visually rich, featuring a dark red and bronze-gold paisley textile stretched across the entire composition. Deep folds and shadows animate the fabric, lending the sleeve a tactile, immersive quality.

Prominently centered is the band’s emblem, the hand-drawn yellow I Shadow logo in an oval frame, slightly rough in texture for a raw, underground effect. In the bottom-left corner, the album’s handwritten title an I for an I appears in yellow with a red underline, echoing the color scheme and style used on the main cover.

This side of the inner sleeve serves a symbolic rather than informational function—no text or credits, only atmospheric design. It deepens the album's mystique, reinforcing its identity as a product of art-pop abstraction and deliberate enigma.

Second Photo of Custom Inner Sleeve
I SHADOW – An I For An I inner sleeve with ornate fabric background and printed yellow tracklisting and credits.

This image presents the reverse side of the custom inner sleeve from the album I SHADOW – An I For An I. The backdrop consists of elaborate red and amber paisley fabric, richly textured and dramatically lit to create visual depth. The fabric folds form organic columns, casting dark shadows and infusing the layout with theatrical flair.

Overlaid on this tapestry is the album’s full track listing and musician credits, printed in vibrant yellow serif font. The information is divided by “Side 1” and “Side 2,” each headed with elegant script-style lettering. Beside each song title—such as “Ghost of a Chance” or “La Dolce Vita”—performers and instrumental contributions are meticulously noted.

The lower section includes production credits for Fred Laser and I Shadow, acknowledgements to contributing artists, and a dedication to "the Man on the Mountain, Jimmy Osterberg." The handwritten title an I for an I is repeated in the bottom left corner, tying the visual language back to the album cover. This sleeve merges function with style, offering both vital album context and aesthetic continuity.

Another angle of the inner sleeve showing additional photography.

Close up of Side One record’s label
Close-up of Side One vinyl label for I SHADOW – An I For An I. The label features golden text over a brown and rust-red paisley design with tracklist, catalog number 650300, and the SUISA logo.

This close-up image shows the Side One label of the 12-inch vinyl LP album I SHADOW – An I For An I. The central paper label is a deep chocolate brown with a rust-red and burnt sienna paisley pattern subtly woven into the background on the right side, evoking the textile design of the inner sleeve.

At the top center is the band’s oval logo, I Shadow, in a bold handwritten yellow script enclosed in an oval. Beneath it, in elegant serif type, the side is marked: Side 1.

To the left, the catalog number 650300 is printed above the word STEREO. Just below that are the copyright and label credits: © I SHADOW – JUNGLE RECORDS.

On the right-hand side is a rectangular yellow box containing the logo of SUISA, the Swiss music rights society, confirming the album’s Swiss registration.

The tracklist appears in centered alignment in yellow serif text:

  1. Riders Of The Setting Sun – 3:40
  2. Ghost Of A Chance – 3:59
  3. Snake Charmer – 4:08
  4. Blue Men – 4:18
  5. Making Love In Overdrive – 4:18

Encircling the outer edge of the label in fine gold text is a copyright warning in French: “TOUS DROITS DU PRODUCTEUR, DE L’ŒUVRE ENREGISTRÉE, DE L’AUTEUR, DE L’INTERPRÈTE ET DU PROPRIÉTAIRE DE L’ŒUVRE RÉSERVÉS. SAUF AUTORISATION, LA DUPLICATION, LA LOCATION, L’EXÉCUTION PUBLIQUE ET LA RADIODIFFUSION DE CE DISQUE SONT INTERDITES.”

At the bottom edge, it reads: MADE IN FRANCE in all caps, confirming the pressing location.

The spindle hole is centered within a lighter-toned circle, bordered subtly with shadow, giving depth to the layout. The entire composition has a polished, elegant appearance, matching the album's refined visual identity.

Side Two Close up of record’s label
Close-up of Side Two vinyl label for I SHADOW – An I For An I, featuring golden serif text on a brown background with tracklist, catalog number 650300, and SUISA logo, decorated with a subtle paisley motif.

This image displays a close-up of the Side Two label from the 12" vinyl LP I SHADOW – An I For An I. The central label is a dark brown hue, printed with golden-yellow serif text, and overlaid with a richly detailed vertical strip of rust-red and gold paisley textile pattern along the right edge.

Centered at the top is the band’s logo I Shadow in a handwritten yellow script, enclosed within an oval. Just below, in elegant cursive, the label is marked Side 2, followed by the catalog number 650300 and the word STEREO.

Aligned slightly left beneath the catalog info is the credit line © I SHADOW – JUNGLE RECORDS. On the right-hand side of the center hole, a small yellow rectangular SUISA logo confirms the rights management by the Swiss performing rights organization.

The tracklisting is centered, each song marked with its title and playtime:

  1. Stranger In The Night – 4:22
  2. To Be Or Not To Be – 4:43
  3. The Night Of The Long Knives – 4:34
  4. La Dolce Vita – 4:57

Encircling the label’s outer edge is a thin gold ring of legal text in French, stating: “TOUS DROITS DU PRODUCTEUR, DE L’ŒUVRE ENREGISTRÉE, DE L’AUTEUR, DE L’INTERPRÈTE ET DU PROPRIÉTAIRE DE L’ŒUVRE RÉSERVÉS. SAUF AUTORISATION, LA DUPLICATION, LA LOCATION, L’EXÉCUTION PUBLIQUE ET LA RADIODIFFUSION DE CE DISQUE SONT INTERDITES.”

Centered along the bottom rim is the imprint: MADE IN FRANCE, printed in all caps. The spindle hole is precisely centered, surrounded by subtle wear that adds texture and a sense of tactility to the image.

The entire label exudes vintage European elegance, reinforcing the artistic and mysterious tone of the album.