We're fortunate to have some fantastic independent record stores in each of our stores neighbourhoods (Coal Drops Yard, Berwick Street, London & Broad Street, Nottingham).
Sounds of the Universe, Sister Ray, Honest Jons, and Rough Trade all shared with us their top record selection which will be released on Record Store day.
Name: Helena Almeida
Record Store: Sounds Of The Universe
Store Address: 7 Broadwick St, London W1F 0DA
Selected Record: Penny Penny, YogoYogo, release date 1996
“I found this artist on a blog called Awesome Tapes from Africa, which is now the label that releases most of his music/other African artists. This led to a lot of digging through YouTube, until this second album was released followed by Shaka Bundu.
It’s a brilliant depiction of disco house, tsonga disco and synth pop vibes from South Africa with whimsical vocals.
It’s a groovy, funky record that makes you keen to discover more about South African music. In terms of context, it holds a dear line of political affirmation and will to get a message out there. What is most intriguing about the record is the artist himself, who self-financed his recordings which lead him to his current success! I'm very passionate about African music and it’s multiple groove from Cuban Latin vibes to techno house. It's a vast universe of genres that really needs to be investigated! (Definitely check out @awesometapesfromafrica releases)”
Name: Oli Harper
Record Store: Sister Ray
Store Address: 75 Berwick St, London W1F 8TG
Selected Record: Hidden by These New Puritans
“I chose (Hidden by These New Puritans). These New Puritans’ 2010 album is a singular work of fervent artistic vision. A huge shift from the band’s previous work and a leap ahead of their contemporaries, it’s an album that sounds as fresh and exciting today as upon the album’s release a decade ago.
Initially a post-punk revival band closely tied with many bands of a similar age and style, the sonic shift of Hidden is a bewildering experience. The album is crammed full of moments of intensity and beauty and the musical landscape it creates is enthralling.
As soon as I first played the album through I knew I’d found something to get lost in. It’s hard not to appreciate every recorded detail, from the six foot Japanese taiko drums to the foley techniques used to emulate sounds used in film. The album is a treat for anyone interested in alternative music with its influences from genres ranging from post-punk to modern classical.
I could listen to this album over and over again and still find something new to fall in love with and hearing it on vinyl just makes the experience even greater.”
Name: Charles Towler
Record Store: Honest Jons
Store Address: Unit 115, Stable St, London N1C 4DR
Selected Record: Solomon Ilori- Igbesi Aiye / Gbogbo Omo Ibile
“This record is one of a kind deep, groovy and meditative Afro-jazz featuring Donald Byrd, Hubert Laws, Sonny Morgan. Reissued on the Honest Jon’s label”
Name: Sam Allison
Store: Rough Trade Nottingham
Store Address: 5 Broad St, Nottingham NG1 3AJ
Selected Record: Joni Mitchell - Joni Mitchell Archives, Vol 1 (1963-1967)
“A must-have for all those die-hard Joni fans out there which features highlights from the first volume of the ongoing Joni Mitchell Archives series. This release has been supervised by Joni Mitchell herself and contains a range of hand-selected and personal favourites of her rare home recordings, live performances, and radio broadcasts that were recorded between 1963 and 1967, a lot of which was never been pressed to vinyl until the archive series began late last year. Pressed on 180-gram vinyl and limited to 15,000 copies worldwide so hopefully, there's going to be enough out there for every fan to grab themselves a copy of this beautiful release!!”
Check out our Record Store Day offer this weekend only. With 30% OFF selected printed tees. View here.
*Tee’s available online only. Offer ends Monday.
