The other thread about 'how much music' and calculating price per track and iTunes
etc set me thinking about how much fun it is to visit a real shop.

Does anyone have any recommendations for music shops worth visiting in their
area or further away?

If you're ever in Glasgow, Fopp on Byres Rd is essential -

8)

spinning; a record shop in manchester

music zone in the trafford center; the only commercialy music retailer that is cheaper than the rest (although by not much)i.e. HMV etc

I like Swag records in Croydon, always spend far too much there, but they know their stuff. A mate of mine always brags about how good Massive records in Oxford is, but I have not made the pilgrimage there yet.

a lot of this comes down to how well you know the people in the store.....


for me its Black Market Records in Soho and Dance 2 in guildford for when i dont want to go too far...

I walked into dance2 a year or 2 ago, and the whole place went quiet as everyone turned round and looked at me! Put me off the place big time

That happens to me Brian when I walk into any disco shop just politely ask the next time you visit if they would like a photo.

Apart from the usual (hmv/virgin etc) I only go to Dub vendor in Ladbrook Grove and there for a rumage in the exchanges in Notting Hill

Do you mean 'Spin Inn' in Manchester, Sparko?

You may get the same 'attitude' problem in Massive Records. Some of these 'cool' record shops are a bit up their own a*$e. For that reason I buy online. Massive have an online store, and try uptown, global grooves, blackmarket, 3 beat, hard to find. They all have snippets of the track to sample.

Ebay is a good place to look as well.

If you live in London, HMV in Oxford St usually has all the latest stuff and no attitude. They will order it for you if they haven't got it. In fact any HMV will do this.

Has anyone else come across this attitude problem in a record shop? The fear of asking for the wrong mix! and of course paying £12 for a pile of c**p coz "yeah mate, Tongy is caning this one"

For you more oldie orientated discos Avid records in Oxford is a fine 2nd hand shop. In fact it is opposite Massive Records.

Couple of Recommendations


Cool Discs in Derry, great dance stuff and they can order most things from all over the world

That Beatin Rhythum in Mancs, some quality Northern and 60's/70's soul

Pathera Records in Zurich, one of the best places I have ever been for upfront(and cheap) dance music

Dub Vendor established for many years in London, the latest releases from Jamaica and much more..they also have a wonderful mail order service


Hard To Find Records in Brum, another quality shop and great mail order too!

Piccadilly Records in Manchester, some really cool music and exclusives too!

As to attitudes in record shops, well if you have money to spend and they give you attitude..take your business elsewhere....

Fopp in Glasgow (when I get the chance) - you can buy bucketloads of stuff for a few quid. Need to go visit the one in Dundee as it's nearer.

Jack.

Urban Records in Brighton. Mick Fuller (Brighton Funky House Club/Radio DJ) works behind the counter and knows his stuff.

Slough Record Centre. Half normal CD shop / half dance music vinyl shop. Friendly and helpful staff.

Hard To Find Records, Birmingham. Visit once or twice a year and often spend a couple of hours going through the library style racks, and listening.