Vinyl London

V I N Y L LONDON

SOUL / ROCK / JAZZ / REGGAE PUNK / HOUSE / ELECTRONIC INDIE / FOLK / POP / HIP-HOP CLASSICAL / DISCO / EXOTICA AFRICAN / FUNK / TECHNO OUTERNATIONAL / AMBIENT PSYCH / GRIME / NEW WAVE UK GARAGE / SOUNDTRACK ESOTERIC / GOSPEL / COUNTRY DRUM & BASS / INDUSTRIAL R&B / HARDCORE / SYNTHPOP / DUBSTEP / NOISE / BLUES EXPERIMENTAL / BRAZILIAN ROCKABILLY / LIBRARY / DUB METAL / AVANT-GARDE

A GUIDE TO INDEPENDENT RECORD SHOPS

Tom Greig

INTRODUCTION My relationship with vinyl is a long and happy one.

happy and hurried lunch hour visiting Soho’s many

formats. Many shops were to close, independents

is a highly evolved yet pleasingly basic aesthetic

It began as a child, growing up with my parents’

amazing record shops. Over the past ten or so years,

and chains alike. However, in London a resilient core

object, able to convey so much more information than

collection. I can remember listening to my dad’s

as a sales rep for arts publishers covering London, I

of record shops was able to survive the pressures

merely its audio content. This, and the attendant ritual

Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band albums and my mum’s

have been able to indulge my passion for music and

brought about by the digital and internet age. They

of removing the record from its sleeve and playing it

Cabaret soundtrack at an early age. I would later be

vinyl at many different shops on my travels across the

stayed loyal to the vinyl format, often serving specific

on a turntable, is the key to its allure.

introduced to The Beatles, Roland Kirk and Robert

city. I thought I had a pretty good handle on what

and dedicated subcultures within the music market

Johnson shortly after leaving primary school, which

London had to offer in the way of record shops, but

that were supported by smaller, independent record

In our age of streaming and easy, often free, access

is when I bought my first records. Woolworths was

embarking on this project has been an illuminating

labels. They sustained a market for vinyl at a time when

to an overwhelming amount of musical content,

the only place selling records in the Suffolk market

experience. There’s much more out there in the field

the format was more or less forgotten by the music

it’s not surprising that there has been a reaction

town where I grew up, and I was fascinated by their

than I had imagined. We have a wealth of unique

and retail industries. These shops still constitute the

against the intangible nature of digital music and

displays of the top sixty singles and albums. My early

and characterful independent record shops, all with

greater number of stores that exist today.

our relationship with it. The return of vinyl can be

teens were spent listening to cassettes and CDs but

their own different reasons for existing. They sell an

at seventeen I got into music that was mainly coming

enormous, marvellous expanse of recorded music,

The much remarked-upon vinyl revival that began

the face of competition from e-readers and digital

out on vinyl – electronica, trip hop, house and drum

both current and from the almost unfathomably

in 2012–13 has resulted in a good many new vinyl

content. People like things, particularly if they are

and bass. Soon after that I began to DJ, and ever

cavernous past. It has been a pleasure to visit them

specialists opening up, particularly since 2015.

well designed and carry such rewarding content as

since then vinyl has been my preferred format for

all and to tell their stories.

This is, of course, to be celebrated; they have

music and writing. It should not be so surprising that

added considerably to the diversity of record shop

physical formats and our relationships with them

During the early 2000s, just as I was discovering

experiences available. The current period is the most

endure. The vinyl revival is part of a wider trend

the diversity of London’s record shops, the forces

exciting and successful time for vinyl sales since

that resists experiencing the world entirely through

I first experienced London’s record shops on school

of music retail were in conflict with the ‘old’ formats,

at least the early 1990s. Vinyl is fashionable again;

digital media. At the same time, there has also been

trips whilst a sixth-former – heading off alone to

vinyl in particular. Physical products were coming

young people are discovering its charms and even

a new recognition of the value of independent, local

HMV on Oxford Street and into Soho. I distinctly

under intense pressure from illegal downloading and

supermarkets are stocking it. These are fine times

businesses as places to spend our time and money,

remember venturing into Ambient Soho and finding

later, paid-for downloads and streaming. At around

indeed for the vinyl record.

as demonstrated by the success of initiatives such as

one of my musical heroes at the time, Mixmaster

the same time, the online sales revolution took

Morris, standing there resplendently in his oversized

hold to further undermine physical shops. Even the

If you are reading this, you are probably already

reflective silver trousers. I moved to London in 2002,

specialist dance music shops, which had sustained

convinced about the virtues of the vinyl format. But,

Yet, despite vinyl’s prominent profile these days, it

working in bookshops in Piccadilly and Covent

a vinyl market for so long in the age of the CD, were

simply put, vinyl and its packaging have an enduring

remains a marginal pursuit. Vinyl sales as a percentage

Garden for several years, and would spend many a

beginning to struggle as DJs eventually took to digital

appeal as something beautiful, tactile, tangible. Vinyl

of the overall retail music market are still well under

music. I have subsequently amassed an ever-growing collection of diverse and wonderful music.

6

compared to the revival in sales of printed books in

Record Store Day.

7

INTRODUCTION My relationship with vinyl is a long and happy one.

happy and hurried lunch hour visiting Soho’s many

formats. Many shops were to close, independents

is a highly evolved yet pleasingly basic aesthetic

It began as a child, growing up with my parents’

amazing record shops. Over the past ten or so years,

and chains alike. However, in London a resilient core

object, able to convey so much more information than

collection. I can remember listening to my dad’s

as a sales rep for arts publishers covering London, I

of record shops was able to survive the pressures

merely its audio content. This, and the attendant ritual

Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band albums and my mum’s

have been able to indulge my passion for music and

brought about by the digital and internet age. They

of removing the record from its sleeve and playing it

Cabaret soundtrack at an early age. I would later be

vinyl at many different shops on my travels across the

stayed loyal to the vinyl format, often serving specific

on a turntable, is the key to its allure.

introduced to The Beatles, Roland Kirk and Robert

city. I thought I had a pretty good handle on what

and dedicated subcultures within the music market

Johnson shortly after leaving primary school, which

London had to offer in the way of record shops, but

that were supported by smaller, independent record

In our age of streaming and easy, often free, access

is when I bought my first records. Woolworths was

embarking on this project has been an illuminating

labels. They sustained a market for vinyl at a time when

to an overwhelming amount of musical content,

the only place selling records in the Suffolk market

experience. There’s much more out there in the field

the format was more or less forgotten by the music

it’s not surprising that there has been a reaction

town where I grew up, and I was fascinated by their

than I had imagined. We have a wealth of unique

and retail industries. These shops still constitute the

against the intangible nature of digital music and

displays of the top sixty singles and albums. My early

and characterful independent record shops, all with

greater number of stores that exist today.

our relationship with it. The return of vinyl can be

teens were spent listening to cassettes and CDs but

their own different reasons for existing. They sell an

at seventeen I got into music that was mainly coming

enormous, marvellous expanse of recorded music,

The much remarked-upon vinyl revival that began

the face of competition from e-readers and digital

out on vinyl – electronica, trip hop, house and drum

both current and from the almost unfathomably

in 2012–13 has resulted in a good many new vinyl

content. People like things, particularly if they are

and bass. Soon after that I began to DJ, and ever

cavernous past. It has been a pleasure to visit them

specialists opening up, particularly since 2015.

well designed and carry such rewarding content as

since then vinyl has been my preferred format for

all and to tell their stories.

This is, of course, to be celebrated; they have

music and writing. It should not be so surprising that

added considerably to the diversity of record shop

physical formats and our relationships with them

During the early 2000s, just as I was discovering

experiences available. The current period is the most

endure. The vinyl revival is part of a wider trend

the diversity of London’s record shops, the forces

exciting and successful time for vinyl sales since

that resists experiencing the world entirely through

I first experienced London’s record shops on school

of music retail were in conflict with the ‘old’ formats,

at least the early 1990s. Vinyl is fashionable again;

digital media. At the same time, there has also been

trips whilst a sixth-former – heading off alone to

vinyl in particular. Physical products were coming

young people are discovering its charms and even

a new recognition of the value of independent, local

HMV on Oxford Street and into Soho. I distinctly

under intense pressure from illegal downloading and

supermarkets are stocking it. These are fine times

businesses as places to spend our time and money,

remember venturing into Ambient Soho and finding

later, paid-for downloads and streaming. At around

indeed for the vinyl record.

as demonstrated by the success of initiatives such as

one of my musical heroes at the time, Mixmaster

the same time, the online sales revolution took

Morris, standing there resplendently in his oversized

hold to further undermine physical shops. Even the

If you are reading this, you are probably already

reflective silver trousers. I moved to London in 2002,

specialist dance music shops, which had sustained

convinced about the virtues of the vinyl format. But,

Yet, despite vinyl’s prominent profile these days, it

working in bookshops in Piccadilly and Covent

a vinyl market for so long in the age of the CD, were

simply put, vinyl and its packaging have an enduring

remains a marginal pursuit. Vinyl sales as a percentage

Garden for several years, and would spend many a

beginning to struggle as DJs eventually took to digital

appeal as something beautiful, tactile, tangible. Vinyl

of the overall retail music market are still well under

music. I have subsequently amassed an ever-growing collection of diverse and wonderful music.

6

compared to the revival in sales of printed books in

Record Store Day.

7

ten per cent, languishing far behind the CD (which is

specialist shops than many other places in the world.

on the opposite trajectory to vinyl), and streaming and

Independent shops that don’t specialise in one type

digital sales. Records might be a significant part of

of music also play a huge role in sharing information

the major label music business once more, but they

through recommendations or simply by choosing to

remain fairly niche, if rather fashionable. And we are a

stock whatever music they want. They support local

long way from getting back to the numbers of record

musicians and music scenes. The experience of

shops that existed in the 1960s, 1970s or even the

visiting a real-life record shop is impossible to replicate

1990s. That will never happen, as the majority of vinyl

online or just through listening to music digitally.

sales since the revival are now going through online

Although YouTube and streaming can be powerful

multinationals and retailers that are not specialising in

ways to discover new music, nothing will match the

music. The vast majority of the big increases in vinyl

process of seeking, finding and discovering music in a

sales over recent years are not being rung through the

shop – interacting with people, an environment and a

tills of the independents.

carefully selected spectrum of music. For many, it is a far more involved and rewarding process.

As such, it is important that we cherish and appreciate the record shops we have. The physical record

It is my hope that Vinyl London will do justice to

shop, like the physical vinyl format, has intrinsic

London’s diverse and unique record shop culture,

value. Record shops play an important social role

and that as well as being a practical guide it will,

in a community, as conduits for information and

thanks to Sam Mellish’s excellent photography, also

the exchange of knowledge. They help to nurture

serve as a fascinating visual document of the scene.

specific music scenes, can inspire creativity and foster

I know that I and others would be able take much

friendships and networks. Often, they are run by

from a similar book on London’s record shops of the

passionate and committed individuals whose fervour

1960s, 1970s or 1980s, if such a thing had existed.

matches that of any customer. Specialist shops that

Record shops have been and continue to be a vital

serve specific musical subcultures can act as a locus

part of our cultural heritage.

for the storage and dissemination of otherwise arcane knowledge. London, due to the size and the nature of its population, is able to sustain more of these types of

8

Tom Greig, London

ten per cent, languishing far behind the CD (which is

specialist shops than many other places in the world.

on the opposite trajectory to vinyl), and streaming and

Independent shops that don’t specialise in one type

digital sales. Records might be a significant part of

of music also play a huge role in sharing information

the major label music business once more, but they

through recommendations or simply by choosing to

remain fairly niche, if rather fashionable. And we are a

stock whatever music they want. They support local

long way from getting back to the numbers of record

musicians and music scenes. The experience of

shops that existed in the 1960s, 1970s or even the

visiting a real-life record shop is impossible to replicate

1990s. That will never happen, as the majority of vinyl

online or just through listening to music digitally.

sales since the revival are now going through online

Although YouTube and streaming can be powerful

multinationals and retailers that are not specialising in

ways to discover new music, nothing will match the

music. The vast majority of the big increases in vinyl

process of seeking, finding and discovering music in a

sales over recent years are not being rung through the

shop – interacting with people, an environment and a

tills of the independents.

carefully selected spectrum of music. For many, it is a far more involved and rewarding process.

As such, it is important that we cherish and appreciate the record shops we have. The physical record

It is my hope that Vinyl London will do justice to

shop, like the physical vinyl format, has intrinsic

London’s diverse and unique record shop culture,

value. Record shops play an important social role

and that as well as being a practical guide it will,

in a community, as conduits for information and

thanks to Sam Mellish’s excellent photography, also

the exchange of knowledge. They help to nurture

serve as a fascinating visual document of the scene.

specific music scenes, can inspire creativity and foster

I know that I and others would be able take much

friendships and networks. Often, they are run by

from a similar book on London’s record shops of the

passionate and committed individuals whose fervour

1960s, 1970s or 1980s, if such a thing had existed.

matches that of any customer. Specialist shops that

Record shops have been and continue to be a vital

serve specific musical subcultures can act as a locus

part of our cultural heritage.

for the storage and dissemination of otherwise arcane knowledge. London, due to the size and the nature of its population, is able to sustain more of these types of

8

Tom Greig, London

RECORD DETECTIVE AGENCY

LONDON

* ALAN’S RECORDS AUDIO GOLD *

SOHO N O RT H SOUTH EAST WEST SUBURBS

* KRISTINA RECORDS

THE LITTLE RECORD SHOP *

* ZEN RECORDS

FLASHBACK CROUCH END *

SECOND SCENE

* LOW COMPANY * ELDICA

OUT ON THE FLOOR RECORDS * SOUNDS THAT SWING *

* CAFE OTO

*

*

ATOMIC *

ALL AGES RECORDS SOUNDS OF THE SUBURBS

FLASHBACK ISLINGTON

* HONEST JON’S

PEOPLE’S SOUND RECORDS HONEST JON’S *

* ROUGH TRADE WEST *

* TOME RECORDS

CRAZY BEAT * VINYL PIMP

* BBE MUSIC STORE * LOBSTER RECORDS * STRANGER THAN PARADISE

* LOVE VINYL * COSMOS RECORDS * CRYPT OF THE WIZARD * WORLD OF ECHO

* FLASHBACK SHOREDITCH

* ROUGH TRADE EAST

IF MUSIC * * SISTER RAY PHONICA * * * RAY’S JAZZ SOUNDS OF THE RECKLESS RECORDS * UNIVERSE

* MUSIC AND VIDEO EXCHANGE PECKINGS *

CASBAH RECORDS *

* MUSIC AND VIDEO EXCHANGE

* RAT RECORDS * RYE WAX * LORENZO’S RECORD SHACK

CONTAINER RECORDS

SOUL BROTHER *

10 BANQUET RECORDS

PURE VINYL * LION VIBES * * SUPERTONE RECORDS SOUL PROPRIETORS * THE BOOK AND RECORD BAR

* RECORDS *

– WANTED MUSIC – DnR VINYL – ROLLIN RECORDS

11

RECORD DETECTIVE AGENCY

LONDON

* ALAN’S RECORDS AUDIO GOLD *

SOHO N O RT H SOUTH EAST WEST SUBURBS

* KRISTINA RECORDS

THE LITTLE RECORD SHOP *

* ZEN RECORDS

FLASHBACK CROUCH END *

SECOND SCENE

* LOW COMPANY * ELDICA

OUT ON THE FLOOR RECORDS * SOUNDS THAT SWING *

* CAFE OTO

*

*

ATOMIC *

ALL AGES RECORDS SOUNDS OF THE SUBURBS

FLASHBACK ISLINGTON

* HONEST JON’S

PEOPLE’S SOUND RECORDS HONEST JON’S *

* ROUGH TRADE WEST *

* TOME RECORDS

CRAZY BEAT * VINYL PIMP

* BBE MUSIC STORE * LOBSTER RECORDS * STRANGER THAN PARADISE

* LOVE VINYL * COSMOS RECORDS * CRYPT OF THE WIZARD * WORLD OF ECHO

* FLASHBACK SHOREDITCH

* ROUGH TRADE EAST

IF MUSIC * * SISTER RAY PHONICA * * * RAY’S JAZZ SOUNDS OF THE RECKLESS RECORDS * UNIVERSE

* MUSIC AND VIDEO EXCHANGE PECKINGS *

CASBAH RECORDS *

* MUSIC AND VIDEO EXCHANGE

* RAT RECORDS * RYE WAX * LORENZO’S RECORD SHACK

CONTAINER RECORDS

SOUL BROTHER *

10 BANQUET RECORDS

PURE VINYL * LION VIBES * * SUPERTONE RECORDS SOUL PROPRIETORS * THE BOOK AND RECORD BAR

* RECORDS *

– WANTED MUSIC – DnR VINYL – ROLLIN RECORDS

11

IF MUSIC 12 D’ARBLAY STREET, W1F 8DU, 020 7437 4799, ifmusic.co.uk Opening hours: Monday–Saturday 11.30am–7.30pm Specialises in: jazz, black music New records: yes Old records: yes CDs: no Online shop: yes

Visiting Jean-Claude’s If Music is a unique record-

His Soho record shop pedigree dates back to the

shopping experience. From the moment you ring the

1990s, when he was also a member of the nu-jazz

bell and wait to be let up to the second floor, above an

electronic dance duo The Amalgamation of Soundz.

old-school hardware store, you know that something

In recent years he’s put together compilations of left-

a little different is coming your way. The upper-storey

field grooves and rare Eastern European jazz on Ninja

apartment-style record shop is a common feature in

Tune records. His ongoing You Need This! club night

Japan, but a one-off in London. The above-street-

(surely named after the cry of a passionate record-

level location gives the store a relaxed feel enhanced

pusher) was a fixture at Plastic People, a legendary

by leather sofas, a spacious lay-out and 1950s South

place in town for dancers and music lovers alike that’s

American abstract paintings hanging on the walls.

been sorely missed since its closure.

You could be in a private living-room or a gallery space. Jean-Claude, a charming and undoubtedly

The stock, some of which is displayed in vintage

suave musical connoisseur, is a great host who will

wooden champagne cases, is a great mix of old and

make you feel at home. There are several listening

new vinyl with a focus on jazz and black music. The

stations at which to sample the stock, or you can

latest releases from the UK’s resurgent jazz scene

have your selections and recommendations played

are found alongside long-awaited reissues of hard-

over the store’s sound system whilst in enthusiastic

to-find obscurities. There are sections for the Blue

and expert conversation with the owner.

Note, Impulse, Prestige and Jazzman labels, and for Japanese and European releases. Music from the

Jean-Claude has been running If Music for fifteen

broken beat, boogie, disco, hip-hop, soul and dance

years. It’s been located in a number of spots around

scenes is represented here too. You will also find

Soho before settling in D’Arblay Street, directly

some genuinely rare and sought-after jazz records

opposite the former site of the famous Black Market

that you won’t find on sale anywhere else in the city.

Records dance shop. Before that, Jean-Claude worked at Release the Groove on Denman Street.

14

… Play on!

15

IF MUSIC 12 D’ARBLAY STREET, W1F 8DU, 020 7437 4799, ifmusic.co.uk Opening hours: Monday–Saturday 11.30am–7.30pm Specialises in: jazz, black music New records: yes Old records: yes CDs: no Online shop: yes

Visiting Jean-Claude’s If Music is a unique record-

His Soho record shop pedigree dates back to the

shopping experience. From the moment you ring the

1990s, when he was also a member of the nu-jazz

bell and wait to be let up to the second floor, above an

electronic dance duo The Amalgamation of Soundz.

old-school hardware store, you know that something

In recent years he’s put together compilations of left-

a little different is coming your way. The upper-storey

field grooves and rare Eastern European jazz on Ninja

apartment-style record shop is a common feature in

Tune records. His ongoing You Need This! club night

Japan, but a one-off in London. The above-street-

(surely named after the cry of a passionate record-

level location gives the store a relaxed feel enhanced

pusher) was a fixture at Plastic People, a legendary

by leather sofas, a spacious lay-out and 1950s South

place in town for dancers and music lovers alike that’s

American abstract paintings hanging on the walls.

been sorely missed since its closure.

You could be in a private living-room or a gallery space. Jean-Claude, a charming and undoubtedly

The stock, some of which is displayed in vintage

suave musical connoisseur, is a great host who will

wooden champagne cases, is a great mix of old and

make you feel at home. There are several listening

new vinyl with a focus on jazz and black music. The

stations at which to sample the stock, or you can

latest releases from the UK’s resurgent jazz scene

have your selections and recommendations played

are found alongside long-awaited reissues of hard-

over the store’s sound system whilst in enthusiastic

to-find obscurities. There are sections for the Blue

and expert conversation with the owner.

Note, Impulse, Prestige and Jazzman labels, and for Japanese and European releases. Music from the

Jean-Claude has been running If Music for fifteen

broken beat, boogie, disco, hip-hop, soul and dance

years. It’s been located in a number of spots around

scenes is represented here too. You will also find

Soho before settling in D’Arblay Street, directly

some genuinely rare and sought-after jazz records

opposite the former site of the famous Black Market

that you won’t find on sale anywhere else in the city.

Records dance shop. Before that, Jean-Claude worked at Release the Groove on Denman Street.

14

… Play on!

15

RECKLESS RECORDS 30 BERWICK STREET, W1F 8RH, 020 7437 4271, reckless.co.uk Opening hours: Monday–Sunday 10am–7pm Specialises in: general second-hand New records: reissues only Old records: yes CDs: yes Online shop: no

Opening for business back in 1984, Reckless

are clearly subdivided and together they cover a

Records is Soho’s oldest record shop and was one

huge and inclusive spectrum of the music world

of the first to open on Berwick Street, later to become

from ambient, noise and rockabilly to cosmic disco,

famous for the high concentration of shops that made

jazz fusion and hardcore rave. Above the bins are

it the first port of call for the vinyl obsessive. At one

large wall displays of the many rarer and more

point in the 1990s they had two shops on the street

unusual records that have come in, to be perused

just a few doors apart, one selling rock-based music

before digging into the bulk of the stock. In recent

and the other soul and dance, as well as shops in

years they’ve also begun to sell new reissues of old

Islington and Camden. Branches were even opened

releases alongside the second-hand stock, mainly in

in the US, with the Chicago store remaining open.

the rock, pop, psych and jazz genres.

The Berwick Street shop was briefly forced to close in 2007 during what was a very difficult time for the

The shop is a busy one with a high turnover of stock,

record shop industry, before reappearing in its original

so it rewards frequent repeat visits with new finds

location, made famous for appearing on the cover of

and discoveries to be made each time. The staff

the Oasis album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?,

are all experts and buyers in different fields of music

just a few years later.

and they are always taking in new stock in-store and visiting collections to buy from far around. Significant

20

Today Reckless, as it is commonly known within

new additions are documented on the shop’s weekly

the scene, is the only shop in Soho to specialise in

blog, which is worth checking in case they buy in a

second-hand vinyl. The records to be found here

specific collection that you’ll be interested in. Toru, a

are from a genuinely across-the-board selection of

former employee at Vinyl Junkies, brings back rare

genres, meaning there will be something of interest

Japanese jazz and minimal/synth/pop records from

here for everyone to find. The vinyl stock is divided

his trips home. Any stock that sticks around for a

into two, much like it was in the two former stores,

little while gets reduced, which also helps to keep the

with rock, pop, indie and alternative music to be

selection fresh and interesting. Prices on the whole

found down the left-hand side of the long, narrow

are very fair. In short, this is a great general interest

room; and soul, funk, disco, electronic dance and

second-hand store that could only be improved by

reggae to be found on the right. The genre sections

the addition of a listening post or two.

21

RECKLESS RECORDS 30 BERWICK STREET, W1F 8RH, 020 7437 4271, reckless.co.uk Opening hours: Monday–Sunday 10am–7pm Specialises in: general second-hand New records: reissues only Old records: yes CDs: yes Online shop: no

Opening for business back in 1984, Reckless

are clearly subdivided and together they cover a

Records is Soho’s oldest record shop and was one

huge and inclusive spectrum of the music world

of the first to open on Berwick Street, later to become

from ambient, noise and rockabilly to cosmic disco,

famous for the high concentration of shops that made

jazz fusion and hardcore rave. Above the bins are

it the first port of call for the vinyl obsessive. At one

large wall displays of the many rarer and more

point in the 1990s they had two shops on the street

unusual records that have come in, to be perused

just a few doors apart, one selling rock-based music

before digging into the bulk of the stock. In recent

and the other soul and dance, as well as shops in

years they’ve also begun to sell new reissues of old

Islington and Camden. Branches were even opened

releases alongside the second-hand stock, mainly in

in the US, with the Chicago store remaining open.

the rock, pop, psych and jazz genres.

The Berwick Street shop was briefly forced to close in 2007 during what was a very difficult time for the

The shop is a busy one with a high turnover of stock,

record shop industry, before reappearing in its original

so it rewards frequent repeat visits with new finds

location, made famous for appearing on the cover of

and discoveries to be made each time. The staff

the Oasis album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?,

are all experts and buyers in different fields of music

just a few years later.

and they are always taking in new stock in-store and visiting collections to buy from far around. Significant

20

Today Reckless, as it is commonly known within

new additions are documented on the shop’s weekly

the scene, is the only shop in Soho to specialise in

blog, which is worth checking in case they buy in a

second-hand vinyl. The records to be found here

specific collection that you’ll be interested in. Toru, a

are from a genuinely across-the-board selection of

former employee at Vinyl Junkies, brings back rare

genres, meaning there will be something of interest

Japanese jazz and minimal/synth/pop records from

here for everyone to find. The vinyl stock is divided

his trips home. Any stock that sticks around for a

into two, much like it was in the two former stores,

little while gets reduced, which also helps to keep the

with rock, pop, indie and alternative music to be

selection fresh and interesting. Prices on the whole

found down the left-hand side of the long, narrow

are very fair. In short, this is a great general interest

room; and soul, funk, disco, electronic dance and

second-hand store that could only be improved by

reggae to be found on the right. The genre sections

the addition of a listening post or two.

21

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27

N O RT H

N O RT H

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WO R L D O F E C H O 128 COLUMBIA ROAD, SHOREDITCH, E2 7RG, worldofechomusic.com Opening hours: Thursday 12pm–5pm, Friday–Saturday 12pm–7pm, Sunday 11am–5pm Specialises in: alternative, DIY, rock, post-punk, jazz New records: yes Old records: yes CDs: no Online shop: yes

Opened in late 2018 by independent music industry

pretty Victorian terraced cottages and the estimable

insiders Natalie Judge and Stephen Pietrzykowski,

Royal Oak pub. By opening up on Columbia Road,

World of Echo sells a meticulously selective and

World of Echo has created a tantalising vinyl corridor.

intriguing range of old and new records. The two

It forms the middle link in a chain of notable record

partners, who have both spent countless hours

shops, starting at Rough Trade and Flashback near

inside record shops, decided to open up their

Brick Lane and continuing on to Cosmos and Crypt

own whilst on a road trip across the US, where

of the Wizard on Hackney Road, a route that takes in

they were inspired by the many record stores they

some of east London’s most beguiling back streets.

encountered. Natalie had previously managed US

The shop’s interior is contemporary and bright with

indie rock label Matador’s London office, working

whitewashed brick walls, painted floorboards and

with artists like Yo La Tengo, Savages, Sonic Youth

custom-made plywood browsers. Pot plants and

and Belle and Sebastian. Stephen also has record

cacti provide some botanical decoration. At the back

industry experience and has run his own indie label

of the shop a conspicuous neon sign brightly states

Tough Love since 2005, releasing over 100 records

that ‘The Club Is Open’ – a tribute to a famous stage

from artists including TOY, Cymbals and The Proper

prop used by the hard-partying lo-fi US rock band

Ornaments. Their shop takes its name, and a degree

Guided By Voices.

of aesthetic inspiration, from the 1986 avant-garde pop album by Arthur Russell, a key figure in the New

The records stocked at World of Echo are carefully

York downtown art scene of the early 1980s. World

chosen and together form a disparate and unusual

of Echo was a departure from the elastic sound of

range of sounds that nevertheless cohere together

Russell’s left-field disco releases and was recorded

well to give the shop a distinctive sonic identity of

with a spare sonic template that incorporated cello,

its own. The inventory is more or less divided into

voice and various effects, distortions and echoes. The

two with new records on the left and second-hand

album was a failure on its release but has become

on the right-hand side of the room. The new-release

hugely influential as appreciation has slowly grown for

and reissue section comprises a mix of styles that

Russell’s work since his early death in 1992.

includes ambient and modern classical, electronic, psych, kraut, punk and heavy rock, alternative, new

116

World of Echo is located on Columbia Road, one

wave and jazz. Artists are drawn from a broad ambit

of London’s most charismatic streets and famous

that ranges from Actress, Aphex Twin, Kuniyuki

for its Sunday flower market. The shop takes its

Takahashi and Cavern of Anti-Matter to Throbbing

place among the design emporia, workshops, art

Gristle, The Fall, Pixies and Neu! The used-record

galleries, antiques shops, boutiques, cafes, the

section includes a healthy amount of rarities and

117

WO R L D O F E C H O 128 COLUMBIA ROAD, SHOREDITCH, E2 7RG, worldofechomusic.com Opening hours: Thursday 12pm–5pm, Friday–Saturday 12pm–7pm, Sunday 11am–5pm Specialises in: alternative, DIY, rock, post-punk, jazz New records: yes Old records: yes CDs: no Online shop: yes

Opened in late 2018 by independent music industry

pretty Victorian terraced cottages and the estimable

insiders Natalie Judge and Stephen Pietrzykowski,

Royal Oak pub. By opening up on Columbia Road,

World of Echo sells a meticulously selective and

World of Echo has created a tantalising vinyl corridor.

intriguing range of old and new records. The two

It forms the middle link in a chain of notable record

partners, who have both spent countless hours

shops, starting at Rough Trade and Flashback near

inside record shops, decided to open up their

Brick Lane and continuing on to Cosmos and Crypt

own whilst on a road trip across the US, where

of the Wizard on Hackney Road, a route that takes in

they were inspired by the many record stores they

some of east London’s most beguiling back streets.

encountered. Natalie had previously managed US

The shop’s interior is contemporary and bright with

indie rock label Matador’s London office, working

whitewashed brick walls, painted floorboards and

with artists like Yo La Tengo, Savages, Sonic Youth

custom-made plywood browsers. Pot plants and

and Belle and Sebastian. Stephen also has record

cacti provide some botanical decoration. At the back

industry experience and has run his own indie label

of the shop a conspicuous neon sign brightly states

Tough Love since 2005, releasing over 100 records

that ‘The Club Is Open’ – a tribute to a famous stage

from artists including TOY, Cymbals and The Proper

prop used by the hard-partying lo-fi US rock band

Ornaments. Their shop takes its name, and a degree

Guided By Voices.

of aesthetic inspiration, from the 1986 avant-garde pop album by Arthur Russell, a key figure in the New

The records stocked at World of Echo are carefully

York downtown art scene of the early 1980s. World

chosen and together form a disparate and unusual

of Echo was a departure from the elastic sound of

range of sounds that nevertheless cohere together

Russell’s left-field disco releases and was recorded

well to give the shop a distinctive sonic identity of

with a spare sonic template that incorporated cello,

its own. The inventory is more or less divided into

voice and various effects, distortions and echoes. The

two with new records on the left and second-hand

album was a failure on its release but has become

on the right-hand side of the room. The new-release

hugely influential as appreciation has slowly grown for

and reissue section comprises a mix of styles that

Russell’s work since his early death in 1992.

includes ambient and modern classical, electronic, psych, kraut, punk and heavy rock, alternative, new

116

World of Echo is located on Columbia Road, one

wave and jazz. Artists are drawn from a broad ambit

of London’s most charismatic streets and famous

that ranges from Actress, Aphex Twin, Kuniyuki

for its Sunday flower market. The shop takes its

Takahashi and Cavern of Anti-Matter to Throbbing

place among the design emporia, workshops, art

Gristle, The Fall, Pixies and Neu! The used-record

galleries, antiques shops, boutiques, cafes, the

section includes a healthy amount of rarities and

117

SOUNDS OF THE SUBURBS 110 VICTORIA ROAD, RUISLIP, HA4 0AL, 01895 679209, soundsofthesuburbs.online Opening hours: Friday–Saturday 10am–6pm Specialises in: punk, mod, indie, rock, 1980s New records: yes Old records: yes CDs: yes Online shop: no

Ruislip is an archetypal suburban town in north-west

and pop outfits. Plastic storage boxes of LPs contain

London, part of the ‘Metroland’ that was created

sections that include The Clash/The Sex Pistols, Led

by the construction of the Metropolitan line at the

Zeppelin/Pink Floyd, David Bowie/Lou Reed/Iggy

beginning of the twentieth century. Known for its

Pop and Stooges/MC5/proto-punk. Genre sections

ubiquitous semi-detached housing and commuter

include new romantic/synth-pop, indie/alternative,

towns centred around train stations, the area was

heavy metal, soul, reggae and dance. Another box

famously documented by the poet John Betjeman.

is devoted to picture discs. A table in the middle of

The suburbs and their gently oppressive atmosphere

the shop holds a good range of 7″ singles and box

have long been fertile grounds for teenage rebellion

sets. Genre sections for 7″s include punk, mod/ska/2

and the cultivation of youth music cults since the age

Tone, post-punk/goth and new wave/power pop.

of rock ’n’ roll. Sounds of the Suburbs, which was

Most of the stock is second-hand, with an emphasis

opened by punk and mod fan Tony Smith in Ruislip

on music from the 1970s and 1980s, along with some

Manor in 2016, is a record shop that celebrates this

1990s Britpop.The walls are decorated with punk

rich suburban musical heritage, so crucial to the

posters, including variations on Jamie Read’s iconic

development of popular music in this country. The

Union Jack design for The Sex Pistols’ God Save the

shop specialises in punk, mod, indie and rock, and

Queen album. Sounds of the Suburbs stock a large

takes its name from a famous 1979 single by punk

array of music-related merchandise and memorabilia

band The Members. The lyrics tell the story of a

that includes back issues of music magazines, tour

young band who play loud punk-rock electric guitar

programmes,

in their bedrooms and annoy their neighbours.

t-shirts, DVDs and a large range of books. They

fanzines,

press

photos,

badges,

organise regular in-store events and gigs which have

168

Sounds of the Suburbs is well stocked and well

featured bands including The Plague, The Sha La

organised. Unusually, the records are frequently

La’s and The Riffs. Although championing punk rock

categorised by grouping together a few similar bands,

music and a punk aesthetic, Sounds of the Suburbs

rather than by any broad genre, with many separate

carries an inclusive range of popular sounds from its

sections pooling together releases by kindred rock

favoured era, the 1970s and 1980s.

169

SOUNDS OF THE SUBURBS 110 VICTORIA ROAD, RUISLIP, HA4 0AL, 01895 679209, soundsofthesuburbs.online Opening hours: Friday–Saturday 10am–6pm Specialises in: punk, mod, indie, rock, 1980s New records: yes Old records: yes CDs: yes Online shop: no

Ruislip is an archetypal suburban town in north-west

and pop outfits. Plastic storage boxes of LPs contain

London, part of the ‘Metroland’ that was created

sections that include The Clash/The Sex Pistols, Led

by the construction of the Metropolitan line at the

Zeppelin/Pink Floyd, David Bowie/Lou Reed/Iggy

beginning of the twentieth century. Known for its

Pop and Stooges/MC5/proto-punk. Genre sections

ubiquitous semi-detached housing and commuter

include new romantic/synth-pop, indie/alternative,

towns centred around train stations, the area was

heavy metal, soul, reggae and dance. Another box

famously documented by the poet John Betjeman.

is devoted to picture discs. A table in the middle of

The suburbs and their gently oppressive atmosphere

the shop holds a good range of 7″ singles and box

have long been fertile grounds for teenage rebellion

sets. Genre sections for 7″s include punk, mod/ska/2

and the cultivation of youth music cults since the age

Tone, post-punk/goth and new wave/power pop.

of rock ’n’ roll. Sounds of the Suburbs, which was

Most of the stock is second-hand, with an emphasis

opened by punk and mod fan Tony Smith in Ruislip

on music from the 1970s and 1980s, along with some

Manor in 2016, is a record shop that celebrates this

1990s Britpop.The walls are decorated with punk

rich suburban musical heritage, so crucial to the

posters, including variations on Jamie Read’s iconic

development of popular music in this country. The

Union Jack design for The Sex Pistols’ God Save the

shop specialises in punk, mod, indie and rock, and

Queen album. Sounds of the Suburbs stock a large

takes its name from a famous 1979 single by punk

array of music-related merchandise and memorabilia

band The Members. The lyrics tell the story of a

that includes back issues of music magazines, tour

young band who play loud punk-rock electric guitar

programmes,

in their bedrooms and annoy their neighbours.

t-shirts, DVDs and a large range of books. They

fanzines,

press

photos,

badges,

organise regular in-store events and gigs which have

168

Sounds of the Suburbs is well stocked and well

featured bands including The Plague, The Sha La

organised. Unusually, the records are frequently

La’s and The Riffs. Although championing punk rock

categorised by grouping together a few similar bands,

music and a punk aesthetic, Sounds of the Suburbs

rather than by any broad genre, with many separate

carries an inclusive range of popular sounds from its

sections pooling together releases by kindred rock

favoured era, the 1970s and 1980s.

169

A PRIMER FOR CRATEDIGGERS, VINYL JUNKIES AND CASUAL BROWSERS – YOUR INSIDER’S GUIDE TO THE RECORD SHOPS OF LONDON.

ISBN: 978-1-78884-015-6

ËxHSLHSIy840156zv&:,:*:^:& £15.00/$19.95

www.accartbooks.com