South-East

Soul & Dance Exchange, Notting Hill, W11

One of the better central London second-hand stores (it’s part of the Music & Video Exchange chain). It stocks jazz, funk, soul, disco, reggae, hip hop, R&B, house, techno and their myriad offshoots. Like most London stores, there’s no listening station, and neither are the records in their sleeves so don’t bother bringing a portable. Because of the volume of collectors in London, the good records don’t stay long in here.

 

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Honest Jon’s, Portobello Road, W10

The venerable West London institution has now contracted to one store but still with the great selection for which it has always been renowned: jazz, soulful house, reggae, hip hop, R&B, trip hop, disco, funk and soul. They sell new records as well as second-hand and do a good range of compilations. Competitively priced. Their in-house label has also released an amazing range of music from calypso to techno, a true reflection of the store's contents.

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Intoxica, Portobello Road, W10

They have a fantastic range of records here, plenty of unusual titles and obscure soundtrack and 60s psych stuff, but the prices are often laughably expensive. It’s a great place to go and browse in, but most times you find something chances are you’ll be convinced you could get it cheaper somewhere else. And you probably could, but there are few stores in London with such an interesting range of music, pricey or not.

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Haggle Vinyl, Essex Road, N1

You’re unlikely to find a second-hand store anywhere in Central(ish) London with so many records in it. Some of them are even in some kind of order, as well. Racks stuffed to the gills, rows of boxes on the floor. Come here and expect to spend hours excavating on your hands and knees. The owner is eccentric (it’s a record shop, so that’s no surprise) and, depending on mood, can be very helpful or a garrulous dickhead.

 

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Flashback, Essex Road, N1

There are always bargains to be found at this second hand specialist and it’s well worth checking the crates outside the shop before buying anything inside. If you’re lucky you’ll find an album or 12-inch that’s being sold inside for three or four times the price. Downstairs stocks a reasonable selection of cheapish and good rock, soul and dance vinyl. Occasionally obscurities and rarities can be found amongst the large collection of bad Vangelis and awful comedy albums that are always on offer, although they have been building their selection of black music over the years. They now have a second branch on Crouch Hill, N8. (Jolyon Green).

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Music & Tape Exchange, Berwick St, W1

Sister store to the Notting Hill collective, has a decent selection of all styles of music from prog rock to techno, with a bargain basement downstairs which, over the years, has yielded many gems, including mint copies of Gina X's No GDM and Chas Jankel's 3,000,000 Synths in the past couple of years.

 

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Out On The Floor, Inverness St, NW1

Near the Grunge Pit that is modern Camden Town, for a wee store, OOTF has a deceptively thorough selection of music, a mixture of second-hand and reissues, as well as some decent boxes of 45s. Its' pretty good, in particular, for off-the-wall proggy stuff, psych and there's always a nice selection of 45s. Last visit, we scored Lighthouse's One Fine Morning LP and a Wee Willie & The Winners 45. Go downstairs for more vinyl and soundtracks.

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Selectors Music Emporium, Brixton, SW2

There are bargains aplenty to be found at this reggae specialists. Lots of second hand 7 inches and 12 inches upstairs and a dingy (and often cold and damp) basement crammed full of twelves and LPs. Pretty reasonable prices too. Always has a decent amount of 70s and 80s soul and disco collectables going for a lot cheaper than you’ll find most other places. The only quibble is the slow turnover of stock and its condition, but there are record decks downstairs so at least you can have a listen before buying. (Jolyon Green)

 

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Beanos, Croydon

After announcing it was to close in 2007, customer response has been such that they are remaining open, but with a restricted space (one floor instead of three). All spectrums of the musical rainbow are covered - from library to new wave, soul to psychedelic rock. Each member of staff is an expert in one field or another and you’ll do well to trip them up (one of them looks like a wizard and there are all sorts of reference books behind the counter). As a result, you won’t find too many bargains, although most of the less hard to find stuff is competitively priced. The kind of shop your bank manager probably has nightmares about. (Jolyon Green)

 

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Memory Lane, Croydon

Small, well stocked shop with a wide range of CDs and second hand vinyl. Particularly strong on 60s and 70s rock/pop/soul LPs, prices are competitive and you’ll always find a cheapie. Friendly owner Mike Reynolds is only too pleased to let you look at the boxes of rare punk, reggae, soul and blues records he keeps behind the counter. Try to keep a straight face as he fills you in on the latest unseemly shenanigans in the public toilets directly opposite - like most record shop owners he’s mad. (Jolyon Green)

 

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101 Records, Croydon

101 Records is only open to the public from Thursday to Saturday. Although most of the stock is in storage, out front there’s a good selection of rock, pop and disco 7" singles (usually no more than a quid each) and a small but always cheap stock of LPs and 12-inches. Sells the occasional soul gem, but more importantly is the sort of place you can buy a Chris Rea record without experiencing even a hint of embarrassment at the counter. Run by a cheerful jazzy-waistcoat-wearing chap who appears to style himself on Noel Edmonds, but don’t let that put you off. (Jolyon Green)

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B-Side The C-Side, Herne Bay

This may well be the best record shop in the world. Or Kent, at the very least. Tucked away in the depressing seaside enclave that is Herne Bay, B-Side… is run by a garrulous Sheffield Wednesday fan called Sam and has just about any style of music you can think of (although they don’t have much modern gear). Especially good for prog-rock, psych, 60s beat groups and quirky rock bands, it’s hard to come here and not spend the whole day. Very competitively priced, too.

 

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Crazy Beat, Upminster

Probably the best second-hand store in the London area – though they also sell new stock – for dance music. It’s a soulboy mecca (owner Garry Dennis is heavily involved in the weekender scene), so they have extensive stock of old R&B, jazz-funk, soul and disco. They also do a regular list that you can subscribe to on the net or via the post.

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Grammar School Records, Rye

One of the most beautiful locations for a record store in England, the Old Grammar School was built in 1636. The owners were built some time after that, though it may take carbon-dating for exact proof of when. It’s essentially two record shops in one, Backtrack being a soundtrack specialist, with Grammar School a good old-fashioned second hand store, with a bit of everything. It took about an hour or so to go through most of the records there, and we managed to locate a few nice things there (The Mob LP that includes Get It Up For Love among them), though we suspect regular visits are required to get the full benefit.

 

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South-West

Plastic Wax, Bristol

The best shop in an area once-littered with record stores. In the front, is a wide range of cheaply priced LPs and 12-inches, ranging from rock and pop through to dance, while in the rear there are more collector-oriented records. If you’re really in the know, there’s also a back area, with 1000s of un-catalogued vinyl, which we spent an hour or two rummaging through. You can even leave your number with them and they’ll call you if they get a collection in that corresponds to your tastes. Friendly fellows, those south-westerners.

 

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Vinyl Vault, Cheltenham

Tucked away in the basement of one of the towns many Regency buildings is Vinyl Vault. Possibly the only place in Cheltenham dealing with rare and out of print vinyl, CDs and other related paraphernalia. Whilst you are unlikely to find much modern dance music, if you're prepared to look there are many gems to be had. The occasional disco 12-inch does turn up (Hot Chocolate's Mindless Boogie, Cloud One's Atmosphere Strutt, Universal Robot Band's Barely Breaking Even, all around £3 each!) but it's really the old albums that are worth digging through. Cheltenham has yearly music festivals (jazz and folk) and these tastes are more than adequately catered for. Lots of jazz to dig through; we've picked up many a Metheny from here. Browsers at the back of the shop buy, sell and exchange clothes. They'll loan you a pair of leggings to dress up just like Jennifer Beals in Flashdance.

 

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Tom’s Records

Tom's Records exists in the tiny rural border town of Hay-On-Wye, a town famous for its many book stores and the Guardian Book Festival. The town even has its own King, but the jewel in the crown is Tom's. Tom's Records has been trading for several years and is well worth a visit if you're en-route to West Wales. It's a small affair located directly on the high street but what it lacks in space it makes up for in vast amounts of quality jazz, blues, rhythm and blues, soul, hip hop, rock and pop on all formats. It's always worth telephoning before hand to ensure browsing is available, you will be greeted by helpful knowledgeable staff and vinyl will often be played by request, in the words of the late John Peel: “A great record shop”.

 

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Midlands/East Anglia

Rob’s Records, Hurt’s Yard, Nottingham

To say this shop was a challenge would be a slight understatement. Thousands upon thousands of vinyl records in random piles everywhere. This is where East Midlands vinyl goes to die. If you are going to attempt Rob's make sure you take a flask of tea and some sarnies, as it will take hours, if not days. Fortunately he cares about his soul records as they are in one particular area of the shop. You are guaranteed to find many a bargain, and a bi-weekly visit to Rob's is an excellent way to bulk up the collection. Not for the faint-hearted, however. (Matthew Clarke)

 

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The Diskery, Birmingham

The Diskery remains somewhat of a dusty hidden gem in the hustle and bustle of the second city, a tatty exterior in a part run down Victorian street offers up an unassuming premises which could just as easily lend itself to another kebab shop, but in the Diskery you're more likely to get a hot cup of tea and a good natter to aid your crate digging. The Diskery has existed in two premises for nearly half a century and is possibly the city's oldest surviving record shop. If you're after something by Aphrodite's Child, Vangelis an old soul classic or even some 40s jazz then you might be in luck, the Diskery sell an extensive range of vinyl. They also deal in vintage wind-up gramophones and accessories, some of which are knocking around the store, definitely worth a mooch. Random fact: An episode of Baddiel & Pascoe was filmed here. (99-101 Bromsgrove Street, Birmingham/0121-622-2219)

 

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House On The Borderland, Peterboro

If you’ve ever wondered what happened to Giant Haystacks post-wrestling career, wonder no more. He’s alive and well and living in a dust-infested vinyl and comic emporium in a Peterborough backstreet. Located through an arch in what looks like an old army barracks, the stock is heavy on psych-rock, prog and 60s and 70s pop, it nevertheless has plenty of stuff to interest the vaguest digger. We found the prices a little keen on some of the stuff, and it didn’t look like it had a quick turnover as a result, but we still came away with an Eddie Kendricks LP, a Willie Hutch 7-inch and an excellent Amon Duul album. We passed on the Diga Rhythm Band LP. That was a price too far.

 

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The Record Shop, Kings Lynn

The owner, Tony Winfield, apparently doesn't believe in any of that new-fangled internet malarkey, hence the only way you can get a look at his stock is by driving through the never-netherlands of Norfolk till you arrive at Kings Lynn. It's well worth it, mind. Beautifully laid out over two shops, impeccably filed albums and 12-inches, primarily rock and pop, but with some dance music (we got Mindless Boogie for three quid in here), but the real gems are in his 45 boxes, stacked with lots of UK issues, but a surprising amount of US 45s, too. The Record Shop also sells DVDs and CDs.

 

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Fine City Sounds, Norwich

Almost opposite Circular Sounds, Fine City Sounds has a ton of stuff, lots of crap among the vinyl, but plenty of good stuff, too. A mint copy of Charles Earland’s Odyssey for eight quid? Yes please! Sonny Okosun’s indecently funky Papa’s Land for three knicker? Oh go on, then. We also snagged an Eddie Kendricks’ single and Visage’s Frequency 7 for cheap. Yes, fine indeed.

 

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Midlands/East Anglia

Vox Pop, Manchester

Now moved to a larger location from its former basement home, Vox Pop, like most 2nd hand counterparts in vinyl-obsessed Manchester, has a great and wide selection of stuff. Frankly, some of it is a bit overpriced (last we looked, they were asking 80 sovs for Spaghetti Head’s Funky Axe), but equally they have bargains if you’re prepared to get your hands dusty. Our last visit yielded George Soule’s Get Involved and To The Max(imum) by the Tymes (a cheapie secret squirrel disco tune). The shop is now owned by Gary McLarnan, the power behind Mr Scruff’s throne and, for those with a very long tooth, an ex-Mixmag snapper.

 

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Kingbee, Chorlton, Manchester

For many years an open secret among vinyl junkies, Kingbee is now Mecca to trainspotters the world over. From blues to motown, disco, rock, jazz, hip hop and northern soul, Kingbee sells a whole range of top quality music at very reasonable prices. Even the bargain bins are crammed full of disco and dance gems. It helps that owner Les Hare suffers from the same vinyl addiction as most of his customers. He likes to turn over stock as quickly as possible, so that every visit brings a new reward. He rarely disappoints. The first time you go, you’ll leave smugly assuming that on a single visit to one record shop you’ll not better the haul of classic LPs and 12-inches you’ve just bought for a fiver or tenner apiece. And then you come back a couple of weeks later and find even more. A shop so good, that even Scousers have been known to move to Manchester, just to be closer to it. (Jolyon Green)

 

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Vinyl Exchange, Manchester

Superb, well established second hand shop that sells all types of music. Its strength is dance though and there are more classics on offer than at most other shops in the north west. Plus, every DJ in Manchester seems to get rid of their unwanted promos here, so there are always loads of upfront records at knockdown prices. Staff can be a bit aloof sometimes, but they’re all experts in one field or another and are mostly polite and helpful if treated gently. Competitive prices (both buying and selling) and a very fast turn over of stock mean you can easily spend a couple of hours here each time you visit. (Jolyon Green)

 

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Yorkshire/North-East

Beatdown Records, Newcastle

Housed in what used to be Steel Wheels, most genres are covered, with some nice new racks full of jazz, disco, Motown, soul, funk and hi-NRG. It’s the place to go if you fancy picking up reasonably priced UK pressings. Also great for disco-not-disco type stuff and eighties pop-dance oddities. They always buy collections, and it gets a little hectic when they land, but usually you can take a leisurely 30 quid stroll round the racks and come out with some interesting pieces.

 

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Oldhitz, Newcastle

Run by some frazzled hippy types and full of Brit metal and rock, it’s always worth a visit for a back-hurting look through the cheap crates on the floor. I once turned up an original 12 of Spaced Out by Cloud One on P&P and nearly died when he asked for 25p! The website also stocks a load of stuff he keeps downstairs in the cellar. He’s also good at stocking the furthest reaches of the space rock empire (his Krautrock and prog always flies out). Also, there’s a shop round the corner that sells Magic Mushrooms… (Matthew Clarke)

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Bay Books, Whitley Bay

Another snug little shop just off the high street of a faded seaside town. Sharing its space with piles of old paperbacks, Bay Books is the type of place you stumble across by accident and leave with the entire Steely Dan back catalogue for fifteen quid. Mainly focussed on rock and pop, and chocka with those records you always see in these types of shops, stay sharp and you can always turn up some gems at stupid prices. (Matthew Clarke)

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Jumbo Records, Leeds

Over 30 years old, Jumbo’s one of the best record shops in the North. Its success comes from the obvious affection its employees have for music and their customers. Indeed the ever-youthful Lornette and the slightly more weathered Trevor have been serving behind the counter since punk was but a twinkle in Malcolm McLaren’s eye. The shop itself sells new releases and loads of reissues, covering pretty much all genres. Owner Hunter Smith was an old mobile disco jock, so Jumbo has always sold lots of black/dance music, in fact I remember it was one of the first shops to stock Chicago House in the mid 80s. Reasonable prices, helpful and unpretentious staff, and a wide range of music on sale – why aren’t more independent shops like this? (Jolyon Green)

 

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Crash Records, Leeds

After a few ups and downs over the last few years (in my opinion caused by unwelcoming and moody staff) Crash seems to be back on course again. Upstairs is indie, alternative and nu-metal. Downstairs is upfront dance and urban. Particularly strong on deep house, R&B and hip hop. You’ll often spot the odd local DJ face here during mid-week, shouting into a mobile phone or fannying about at the counter. Occasionally a bit sniffy, but on the whole the staff really know their stuff and are a vast improvement on some of the people that worked there in the past. (Jolyon Green)

 

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Wall of Sound, Huddersfield

Formerly in Halifax, and now in Huddersfield, Wall of Sound is a great shop with a broad and interesting selection of old and new vinyl and CDs. Expect to find anything from original punk, funk, dub or disco 12-inchess and 7-inches, to the latest ‘Weird Folk’ LPs. Huge jazz and folk section, and you can pick up original 60s/70s rock and Kraut stuff at not too ridiculous prices. The staff are a good bunch. There’s one in particular who is especially good at tuning into customers tastes and playing you far too many amazing records which can sometimes be a potential threat to your future mortgage payments.

 

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