Music has been a strong touchpoint for Tom throughout the years. He even spent time working in the industry at label, Chrysalis Records before he discovered his penchant for furniture design. So, record shops are by no means uncharted territory for him. Though, despite the ever-accelerating movement toward digitisation, new record shops continue to pop up all over the capitol. These, alongside old gems, form London’s favourite record shops, frequented by vinyl afficionados and inquisitive listeners, alike. There’s something about the open and affable atmosphere of a record shop that makes them a place of connection, where you can indulge your curiosity and lean on others for left field recommendations. So, we hope you’ll join us in exploring these places and the many sonic delights they have to offer.

 

Peckham Soul, Peckham Rye

Peckham Soul feels like the perfect hole in the wall for the musically minded. Welcoming faces ensure you’re well looked after, guiding you outside your comfort zone and pointing you in the direction of much-loved staples along the way. It’s a small but perfectly formed shop with a laid-back energy that attracts faithful fans time and time again. New vinyl hits the shelves every last Saturday of the month, so it’s a good idea to time your trip accordingly to catch cult favourites before they go. We’d recommend you make a point of chatting with upbeat owner, Craig Jamieson to glean some of his encyclopaedic wisdom on your way!

 

Honest Jon’s, Portobello Road

Honest Jon’s is a classic. It’s enjoyed pride of place on the famously eclectic Portobello Road since 1974, when founder, Jon Clare lent his name to the establishment. It remains a hot spot for vinyl fans, with a revolving selection of imported gems and underground music.  The shop has now got its own record label by the same name, with various members of staff cutting their teeth at Honest Jon’s before splintering off to start their own labels in turn. It’s well worth dropping in to explore the outer reaches of music and find a few records that might just expand your taste. Plus, if you don’t often find yourself in the west, they’ve conveniently opened an outpost in King’s Cross’s Coal Drops Yard, making it the ideal stop-in before you sit down at one the area’s many buzzing restaurants.

 

Atlantis Records, Hackney

Atlantis Records is a cosy shop with a charmingly off-kilter feel. They’re a recent addition to the London scene, opening a matter of weeks before lockdown number one. They’ve weathered the storm in stride, thanks to a welcoming atmosphere, a wide range of genres, and no doubt, a considerable dose of hard work. Pop by to stumble upon some old favourites mixed in with surprising new sounds – and you can even enjoy a coffee and a bite as you dig!

 

Rough Trade West, Notting Hill

Rough Trade has been a big hitter since its first iteration opened in Notting Hill in 1976. It was initially inspired by the convivial feel of San Francisco’s City Lights Bookstore, tapping into the laid-back current of the time. Many moons later, they’ve got locations reaching all the way to New York, including a sprawling David Adjaye-designed shop on Brick Lane. Tom’s held true to the original, though, strolling off Portobello Road every so often to check for new stock. Here you’ll find everything from Rough Trade’s punk roots to contemporary sounds. Pop in for a spin and you’re bound to happily lose a good hour immersed in the stacks.

 

Cafe OTO, Dalston

Dalston’s Cafe OTO is a melting pot of musical delights. During the day, they serve up café fare alongside a range of records that you won’t come by in mainstream shops. In the evening, the space transforms into a live music venue, showcasing adventurous new sounds to buzzing crowds. Yoko Ono even appeared here back in 2014, characterising the experimental spirit of the space. Drop in any night of the week to expand your musical horizons in this creative enclave, picking up a few rarefied records on your way.

 

Sister Ray, Soho

Sister Ray has been a Soho staple since 1987. It’s moved a few times, always remaining on Berwick Street, a stretch with a very creative, musical history. They aim to stock all kinds of music and make a point of steering clear of online sales for the most part. This way they can keep their shelves full of the very best stuff, as well as keep customers coming back for the real deal, in-person experience that’s part and parcel of a record shop. For those based further east, you’ll also find a more compact Sister Ray within Shoreditch’s Ace Hotel – a welcome addition to hotel’s energetic environment.

 

Casbah Records, Greenwich

Casbah Records started out as a stall at Greenwich Market before putting their own roots down just up the road. Here they’ve amassed an impressive offering of vintage and rare records that keep connoisseurs dropping by for the latest arrivals. Their small but mighty storefront is a curated jewel box of finds with a welcoming feel that’s sure to inspire a good, long afternoon of browsing.

 

Reckless Records, Soho

Friendly staff and a long history of quality keeps Reckless Records a strong favourite. With musician, Duncan Kerr at the helm, you’re sure to find a helping hand ready to weigh in on just about any area of interest, no matter how niche. They’ve got a wonderful selection of second-hand records, buying and trading as they go to keep stock fresh. So, you’re sure to find something new and exciting on each and every trawl.

 

Sounds of the Universe, Soho

Sounds of the Universe began as a cosy stall in Camden, before graduating to Soho’s golden mile of record shops. With their own label, Soul Jazz sprouting up alongside it, they focus on highlighting cross-cultural connections through music. Over the ages it’s been a favourite of touring artists from Prince to Questlove, cementing its reputation as a haven for the musically inclined.

 

Yo-Yo Records, Hackney

Yo-Yo Records is a relatively fresh addition to the London landscape. They opened in 2015 under the name, Cosmos Records, and have since become a point of pilgrimage for those in search of rare, off-beat vinyl. Here you’ll find prized examples of jazz and soul, as well as Afrobeat and Brazilian music. Their roots are back in Canada, where they source a lot of their stock, so they’re constantly bringing in fresh sounds that one would be hard-pressed to find elsewhere in the city. So, for those special, left field finds, Yo-Yo has got to be one of your first stops.

 

 

 

Text by Annabel Colterjohn