OKP attracts serious music heads like me who actually spend money on music, at locally-owned shops. Over the years, I find myself spending less time in record stores. This is partially because I’ve become very selective about what I must own in a physical format. So, I don’t buy music as much as I did 15 years ago.

But there’s another reason why: I’m not finding what I want.

This problem has led me to think about pet peeves I’ve developed over the years

Ladies and gentlemen, I present...wrekko sto pet peeves:

1. Raging against Amazon and other big box retailers. Yes, they are the bad guys, the Walmart of the web, but focus on your establishment and what you have to offer. A couple years ago, at my former favorite shop, the owner told me about Amazon’s on-demand CD-R feature as if most CDs sold by Amazon are produced on-demand. Obviously, this is false. The reality is that most CDs sold by Amazon (and by the site’s third-party Marketplace Sellers) are the same exact CDs that artists sell on their websites (see: Foreign Exchange Music), what’s sold at Best Buy, Dusty Groove, live shows/festivals, records store, etc. He was misinformed and his ignorance still befuddles me to this day. I should add that at the same shop, management recently posted a print out of an out-of-print album from Amazon. They wanted to illustrate that their price was lower (about half) than third-party marketplace sellers. On Amazon, the price started at $50 or something high. We all know Amazon, understandably, is generally cheaper. That out-of-print album was an exception. Mind you, I don’t mind local shops being more pricey. I understand and respect why.

2. Poor curation. Too many damn greatest hits collections and run-of-the-mill albums/bargain bin shit. Where are the actual albums? Do better. Develop relationships with estate planners, retiring DJs, etc.

3. Not keeping up with music news/pop culture. Example: TV One Unsung and other documentaries, along with biopics, spark renewed interest in artists. If you knew the New Edition movie was debuting in January 2017, then be thoughtful and prepare for that shit weeks beforehand. On two occasions, I’ve heard people inquire about artists that were recently the subject of a TV doc and the shops were not prepared.

4. Music Snobbery: “You just now gettin’ hip to that?” That’s what a staffer said to me at Moods Music in college 10+ years ago when I put an older Eric Roberson CD on the counter. Funny thing is, I had illegally downloaded the album years prior and was just getting around to buying the CD. Another time, the owner turned his nose up at me when I inquired about a Gretchen Parlato album, as if I asked for a goddamn Ashanti CD. I was a regular and he should have known better. The problem here is that I was a baby faced collegian who still looked like a teen, and he thought he knew more than me. The thinking was that if he had not heard of the artist, it must be some young folks’ B.S. Oh, and at the now-defunct Earwax Records in ATL, management questioned if I knew anything about AC/DC because of the shirt I was wearing. Why is it so hard to conceptualize a black girl listening to a classic rock band? It ain’t speshul. I get it. Mofos be rockin’ Metallica shirts and can’t name a single solitary song. Who cares?!

The absolute LAST place I shop. I'll go to Urban Outfitters before shopping there.


Here's one story...

It's a known fact that the owner is not a Prince fan. At all. Didnt carry any type of P merchandise, nothing.After Prince passed, dude had all types of bootleg t-shirts and bootleg albums in the store. Nah B...


My biggest pet peeve is overpricing your merchandise. $35 for a Phyllis Hyman album?? A used Phyllis Hyman album? Oh wait...that was Moods again...smmfh...








*************************************

Fuck aliens

-Warriorpoet415




http://soundcloud.com/rayandersonjr

Wow, I did not know about the Prince hate. Yikes!

I actually liked Moods save for those couple of incidents. They had a nice curation of indie soul and cute decor.

I haven’t been there in almost 10 years. I don’t know what has changed.

Records stores I shop at got shelves and crates of vinyl, and a small little rack of old CDs.

Worst I see in record shops that actually sell vinyl are the fakers that come in to buy 1-2 records to use them as art pieces in their apartments.

Yeah, I should have said music stores.

I shop at both record exclusive and LP/45/CD combo shops. One of my favs, Dusty Groove in Chicago, sells a good mix.

Tell Dusty Groove to do something about the basement!

I was jacked to go down there...and I was out in 10 minutes.

*this was a couple years ago..they mighta fixed it by now



*************************************

Fuck aliens

-Warriorpoet415




http://soundcloud.com/rayandersonjr

>Tell Dusty Groove to do something about the basement!
>
>I was jacked to go down there...and I was out in 10 minutes.


Worst I was in was this old warehouse with mad stuff (not just vinyl). Poor moisture control so EVERYTHING had a layer of mold-dust on top of it. Used to sneeze and wheeze so much just being in there.

I love the $1-$2 basement bin records. Always find some dope shit with a worn cover.

Stuff on top of stuff...on top of more stuff..with no sleeves or nothing.




*************************************

Fuck aliens

-Warriorpoet415




http://soundcloud.com/rayandersonjr

My homie SWEARS by this one record store, so on Record Store Day, we started out journey there.

All I wanted was the Nas and the Prince. Thats all.

They had the Nas, but swore to me that the Prince RSD release got cancelled. My daughter was in line at another store. She got in the store and called me "Daddy...they have the Prince here. I got you one."

I went back to the first store and said "yo..the Prince didnt get cancelled. My daughter just got me one".

Oh wait...dammit...that was Moods again...smh..



*************************************

Fuck aliens

-Warriorpoet415




http://soundcloud.com/rayandersonjr

haha

Now, the CD selection is unfukwittable, but the records?

Nah..



*************************************

Fuck aliens

-Warriorpoet415




http://soundcloud.com/rayandersonjr

They did not sale LPs when I was in college, but we’re talking more than 10 years ago.

I just peeped their social media accounts. It looks like they’ve expanded in size, like they have an event space now.

Yeah, they do.

Come in the store and go to the right. They have more clothing and jewelry and stuff,and it easily converts to a lil concert space. They dont sell much used vinyl anymore, thank Jeebus..cant compete when Criminal is across the street and Wax N Facts is around the corner.




*************************************

Fuck aliens

-Warriorpoet415




http://soundcloud.com/rayandersonjr

What are y’alls favorite music shops, U.S. and abroad?

Chicago:
Hyde Park Records
Dusty Groove

Charlotte:
Diggers Delight
Repo Record

Dallas:
Josey Records

Atlanta:
Wax N Facts
Waterloo Sunset
Ella Guru

Austin:
End Of An Ear





*************************************

Fuck aliens

-Warriorpoet415




http://soundcloud.com/rayandersonjr

>What are y’alls favorite music shops, U.S. and abroad?
>
>

https://youtu.be/_yEbZKdhV-g?t=35shttps://youtu.be/_yEbZKdhV-g?t=35s

put some respek on it

You’re right. My bad.

Yeah, if the moderator can change the subject to “wrecka sto” or “wrecka stow” that’d be great. LOL.

*************************************

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-Warriorpoet415




http://soundcloud.com/rayandersonjr

Twice, I've been followed through stores by people working up the nerve on some "I'm gonna school the FUCK outta this guy!" and all I reply with is "Oh, ok, thanks."

Despite my appearance, I'm old as shit, know what I like already, and 90% focused on the 1 thing I went in there for.

that and the fact I can almost never get out without buying at least 3 times what I went in for.

This is me at estate sales.

I'm so use to seeing people snatch up good things while waiting to dig in a crate that I've basically accepted it as part of the game, now I got so much stuff that I will usually point out to them that they need to get or I will with all honesty, I'm not one of those who like to trick people into buying a crappy record.

I've did have a digging friend who had that happen to him during RSD five minutes after the store opened, he was so pissed that he just left and said he will never wait three and to five hours early for no damn RSD ever again; now he just goes hours afterwards and ask what's left.


>that and the fact I can almost never get out without
>buying at least 3 times what I went in for.

That's the story of my life when it comes to two of my favorite spots to dig, but I've gotten to the point where I don't even go there but two or three times a year cause I can find stuff I wanted all day, which is why I usually stay in the cheap sections cause I will go way overboard if I went to their regular priced vinyl.

The person that comes in on payday and they close up 3 hours early to everybody else, just so this clown can dig by himself and spend a thousand bucks on wax. No reason why I can't buy 50 bucks worth alongside him.

The second shop I went to, dude about....15 people in front of us pulled THE WHOLE LIST out, and bought all the "fringe" jawns I wanted.

Soundgarden A-Sides
Rage Against The Machine DNC 2000
Both Cymande albums
Living Color Live

Half the line behind him left the line after that.





*************************************

Fuck aliens

-Warriorpoet415




http://soundcloud.com/rayandersonjr

online a week later. I see a lot of that too.

Oh, I'm sure he did. I know he spent at least 700 bucks that day.
Between those I mentioned, and the rack of other shit he had?? Yeah...he paid his car payment 5 times with that money





*************************************

Fuck aliens

-Warriorpoet415




http://soundcloud.com/rayandersonjr

Wow. I didn’t know this was a thing.

Go to YouTube and pull up "Pete Rock OM Dswn"

Shut ‘Em Down, eh?



Btw, I could not find the video on YouTube. Linkage?

I can't find it either now, but there's a clip from a DVD where Pete Rock and Diamond D were talking about how when they would go to the Roosevelt Hotel for the record convention, there was a guy that wouldn't open his booth up until Prince Be showed up because he knew he was going to come in there and drop a few thousand dollars-he wouldn't let anybody buy anything until he was through digging.

Everybody, but especially Pete Rock, took exception to it and on the clip Pete calls him "PM Dawn" and tells him to "blow dick" before the clip is over.

RIP. Not sure if he was the one or not, but there's a really good print interview with him about the Roosevelt floating around on the web.

http://www.waxpoetics.com/blog/features/articles/roosevelt-hotel-record-convention-golden-era-hip-hop/

It's the only comment (although it says there are 11 comments). Probably deleted troll comments he was responding to.

"Get ready....for your blessing....."

Nice lite cafe jazz version of the song. Same with her version of MJ's "I Can't Help It."


Since 1976

sound though....but it might be just this track.
Sound like Robert Glasper on keys too....but i'm not sure...

The MJ cover is nice.
Thanks for putting me on.

It’s Taylor Eigsti.

Now, Glasper did co-produce her Lost and Found album, which is where her cover of the MJB track appears. Glasper also played rhodes on another song on that album.

Pianist Aaron Parks played keys on the In A Dream album.

Speaking of Glasper, I purchased Double Booked from Moods Music. That’s why I figured dude would be familiar with Gretchen. She’s also worked with Glasper bandmate Derrick Hodge.

Shopping with someone who doesnt know how to shop.

My homie...love him to death...but he hasnt mastered the art of suppressing your reaction when you've found that white whale you've been looking for.


Nothing worse than someone yelling "oh shit!!! OH SHIT!!!! THEY GOT THIS!!!!!!!!!!!" in the middle of a record store. Even my 14 year old knows better.


Or..

People making fun of every weird cover they come across. Like...this shit aint a game.."hey man, look at this guy! lol..he looks like a real chump!" And it's an Eddie Kendricks album that I need. smh.





*************************************

Fuck aliens

-Warriorpoet415




http://soundcloud.com/rayandersonjr

How is that a peeve? That shit would have me dying.

If you live in LA, check out these Now Again Records(Egon and Madlib)/Rappcats pop-up events. As I said in the initial post, many of my local stores seem to have "picked over" selections or inventory that is not curated to my liking. Anywho, this seems like a nice alternative and a way to pick up something out of the ordinary. DJ Shadow apparently has hosted annual "storage clean out" sales there. And OGs like Phil Ranelin have made appearances. Apparently, Madlib has shown up before...
Late November pop-up: https://www.instagram.com/p/BpvJbnuHRL6/
DJ Shadow Clean Out Sale: https://www.instagram.com/p/BnB41eoHfap/

Did y'all know Numero Group, the label (or is it an imprint?) that brought us the Purple Snow box set, has a store ("factory outlet") in Chicago?
http://www.numerogroup.com/outlet/

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-Warriorpoet415

https://astackofwax.com/

#2dopebrothersandastackofwax

https://www.instagram.com/thirtythree.three/

The Greatest Story (N)ever Told (finished)

http://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=s

One shop kept an uncomfortable level of surveillance on me. I got slim-fit jeans & a fitted button down on tho... How am I gonna steal records? Fold them up and put them in my pocket?

Another shop, a dude literally RAN over to me when he noticed my (empty) record bag. I had just walked in tho.

I avoid most shops run by young hipsters... more times than not it's a negative, overpriced experience complete with a side of sassy-ness from the people running the shop.

I'm a 40-something year old brother.

Other than Prince, Funkadelic, Outkast and Tribe, my favorite artists are The Melvins, Janes Addiction, The Smiths...fave new bands are Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Khraungbin. My daughters favorite bands are ALVVAYS, Post Animal, SALES...you get the picture..

As SOON as I walk over to the new rock section, here comes the hipster employee, posting up at the end of the aisle..drives me mad. They're about to be outed, and put on the banned list.




*************************************

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-Warriorpoet415

https://astackofwax.com/

#2dopebrothersandastackofwax

https://www.instagram.com/thirtythree.three/

The Greatest Story (N)ever Told (finished)

http://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=s

The 60s/Early 70s stuff in my favorite, but the 80s/90s is my second favorite era. I'm always digging through this stuff myself tho, so I'm not that deep with it and I'm sure I pass over a lot of stuff that I'd like. My weird homey thinks I'm weird for listening to popular bands like Nirvana, Soundgarden & Smashing Pumpkins, for example.




>Other than Prince, Funkadelic, Outkast and Tribe, my favorite
>artists are The Melvins, Janes Addiction, The Smiths...fave
>new bands are Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Khraungbin. My
>daughters favorite bands are ALVVAYS, Post Animal, SALES...you
>get the picture..

*************************************

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-Warriorpoet415

https://astackofwax.com/

#2dopebrothersandastackofwax

https://www.instagram.com/thirtythree.three/

The Greatest Story (N)ever Told (finished)

http://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=s

Gonna put that post up for the next week. I've always been alone around here in listening to a lot of rock. Plus, these are the hardest records for me to find, for some reason. I've rarely seen any popular 80s/90s rock in the used bins, and when I do they are always priced as new. I've had to rely on classic & alternative rock radio stations for my "digging." Now that YouTube exists I want to start a list.

I must have played "Soma" like 40 times last night, practicing how to play it on bass, keys & guitar (pretty simple song, but one of my favorites).

whether it's the discogs listing placed in the record sleeve, or someone at the register looking it up. That shit gotta die.

IN A THRIFT SHOP.

It was an opened copy of Johnny Jenkins ‎– Ton-Ton Macoute! In good shape, but these fools literally looked for the highest ASKING price they could find and put that on the record.

In a thrift shop.

I stopped looking at the vinyl when I saw that and took a look at the books. At least they weren't marked-up.



Another thrift shop I frequent tries to mark up certain records, but they have no idea what's REALLY dope or not, so a random wack record will be $5, while something dope is $1.

My favorite local spends HOURS on Discogs, so he's fair in his pricing. Discogs has made it toooooo easy for shop owners to gauge the pricing.

What do gotta go tho? Stores that don't know how grade albums. Don't clam up if I ask you if a record is VG or VG+ when you post shit for sale on your IG





*************************************

Fuck aliens

-Warriorpoet415

https://astackofwax.com/

#2dopebrothersandastackofwax

https://www.instagram.com/thirtythree.three/

The Greatest Story (N)ever Told (finished)

http://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=s

I agree that this is annoying. One of my local faves has done this but the kicker is that they typically don't price gouge.

I guess it's their way of saying, "Hey, we're offering a good deal and we could have charged more."

but that's only for the VG+ records that actually hit the shelf/wall. Most of the truly dope/NM/sealed shit gets put on eBay for the highest bidder.

I've come to love their pricing though, if I'm there at the right time. OG copies of:

Archie Whitewater for $35
Dorothy Ashby - Afro Harping for $25
Eugene McDaniels - Outlaw for $25
Air (WLP) for $25

I started buying records in 99/00, moved to Nashville in 2004. I knew within those five years that the "golden age of digging" was long gone. Especially since Egon lived here from like 96-99. I'll gladly pay 1/3rd of median Discogs price for VG+ or higher in the year 20-whatever.

My pet peeve is people leaving stacks leaning forward in the racks. Shit will warp, fam. Plus it's just inconvenient for the next person. Just push it back up. The employees will notice, and be thankful.

The prices of those shits are 99% of the time always way over priced and is never correct, plus the idiots who bring in vinyl usually are the people who find vinyl on the sidewalk, or be cleaning someone's house or a relative's home, thinking they got some undiscovered gold when 90% of the time it's the same ol' generic bullshit (Dan Fogelberg, Diana Ross, Glenn Miller, Styx, Donna Summer, Eagles, George Benson, classical albums, & Sugarhill Records 12"s) and they're all scratched to hell, warped, and sometimes missing the jacket or even missing the actual record.

They be looking at prices on Ebay thinking it's worth tons of money, I remember when MJ died and somebody had an unopened copy of "Thriller" for sale for $10,000 and some idiot bought it, for weeks we had people calling the store asking how much they can get for it, and I keep telling them, we'll buy it for $1 - $2, it's less than 50 million copies out there, it's not rare, some get mad, while others just take the money but think we're ripping them off even though before he died were were selling it for $5 to $7, after death $7 to $15 depending on condition, while I was still finding plenty of copies in $1 to $2 bins when I dig certain spots, not including the picture disc reissues though, those still go for $20 & up most places.

The same thing goes with Beatles records, everyone thinks they got a rare pressing, when they don't, yes there is some out there but I still haven't seen one just a ton of those reissues & box sets at high prices.

Feels like they be playing chess on me.

Y'all gotta get on this. I'm mad I can't be there.

Legendary Bay Area store returns to Los Angeles for a two day pop up record shop. Thousands of hand picked vinyl rarities, posters, handbills and other ephemera.

January 19 & 20, Noon-6PM each day
Rappcats, 5636 York Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90042

On January 19th and 20th Rappcats kicks off its 2019 pop up record shop series with a return of its favorite record store: “Cool” Chris Veltri, proprietor and force of the fabled Groove Merchant record store for over two decades, has put together an event that he says is his deepest yet.
https://www.rappcats.com/groovemerchant/#more-49168

I'm so jelly! We don't get these type of joints in Detroit.

https://www.rappcats.com/egon-popup/
Feb. 23rd and 24th, noon-6 PM each day
Rappcats, 5638 York Blvd, Los Angeles

On February 23rd and 24th, Egon’s hosting his first record store of 2019 at the Rappcats he runs with Madlib and Jeff Jank, selling records he’s collected over the past 8 months and rarities from his personal collection. What used to be a quarterly event is now semi-annual, with new records sourced from around the world available at each event.

Records from Italian music libraries to deep disco and boogie to synth-led private-pressed albums to Brasilian bossa-nova to Zamrock will line the walls of the 1500 square foot Rappcats space in Highland Park. Also available on site will be the entire Now-Again catalog — for a one day discount of 25% less than our normal retail prices. If you can’t make it to Highland Park, all online Now-Again orders from the Rappcats store placed on that weekend will receive a 25% discount as well.

Soilpimp will be in town hosting a study in German Riesling, new stock will be available each day and we’ll be inviting legendary LA musicians to come hang and engage in musical discovery and conversation with you. Check Egon’s Instagram page for updates as to what will be made available at the pop up and check his 21+ hour long Spotify playlist to hear selections from the shop.

and I noticed the used and bargain R&B/Soul and Jazz LP sections at one my regular shops were small as they have ever been. But! The sale section for brand new LPs was a big as ever, like those titles didn't sell and a lot they were trying to shed.

And of course, the brand new LP section with new releases and reissues was larger than ever. I think the vinyl "trend" will bust but this shop seems to be relying heavily on new, sealed releases. However, I understand that's just where the demand is. I'm sad that going to this particular store doesn't excite me anymore.

How has your local music shop changed recently?

Ella is still a used only shop

Wuxtry still has a small collection of new stuff


Theyre too deep in what they do to change



*************************************

Fuck aliens

-Warriorpoet415

#2dopebrothersandastackofwax

https://www.instagram.com/thirtythree.three/

The Greatest Story (N)ever Told (finished)

http://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=s

>How has your local music shop changed recently?

i was wondering if we even had any local shops. looks like theres 3 or 4. i might need to check one out although my wallet keeps telling me no. stupid wallet.

at this point i would just be buying for decoration, not sure my money should be going to that. maybe just one or two, cant hurt right?

My mom and aunt gave their record collections of about 200+, which included most of my faves, so I haven’t shopped enough to pick up many peeves. I’d say the biggest peeve for me is gouging. I saw Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth’s The Main Ingredient going for $60 here at Criminal Records. Could be a steal for some, but ridiculous to me. Favorite spots: Wax N Facts, Wuxtry and Ella Guru.

Also, looking to upgrade from this LP60. Any recommendations?

Wuxtry has prolly one of the best dollar bins I've ever seen.

Ella Guru...Don is my dude. Love his instagram posts.

Criminal...ehh...

Wax N Facts...can't beat the granddaddy of em all.

Theres another spot a little further out of the city. They aint got "IT" just yet...but they're trying.

Won't divulge my other two spots



*************************************

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-Warriorpoet415

#2dopebrothersandastackofwax

https://www.instagram.com/thirtythree.three/

The Greatest Story (N)ever Told (finished)

http://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=s

I've snagged GEMS out that dollar bin!

>I've snagged GEMS out that dollar bin!

Listen here...I have to keep the receipts from there so I can prove that...yes...this was in somebodys dollar bin. Insane.

Just wish the jazz was easier to shop. Not a fan of leaning 90 degrees just to see what Coltrane records you got.


*************************************

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-Warriorpoet415

#2dopebrothersandastackofwax

https://www.instagram.com/thirtythree.three/

The Greatest Story (N)ever Told (finished)

http://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=s

>I've snagged GEMS out that dollar bin!

Listen here...I have to keep the receipts from there so I can prove that...yes...this was in somebodys dollar bin. Insane.

Just wish the jazz was easier to shop. Not a fan of leaning 90 degrees just to see what Coltrane records you got.


*************************************

Fuck aliens

-Warriorpoet415

#2dopebrothersandastackofwax

https://www.instagram.com/thirtythree.three/

The Greatest Story (N)ever Told (finished)

http://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=s

At least for the diggers

I was there two weeks ago and found most stores over-curated...that is to say most records were slightly overpriced and the bargain bins were alphabetized in some case....a really bad sign.

If they got time to sort the bargain bin, ain't no real bargains in there.

I hit criminal records first..the store was cool but a little hipster for me.

FUCK MOODS AS A RECORD STORE, AN ORGANIZATION, AND A CREW. Barely any vinyl, and the guy was hovering like he thought I was gonna steal from him.

Respect to wax n facts, nice bunch of guys and fairly priced.

Beatlab was decent too, but not enough space to dig.

It IS cool that they are within walking distance, Only SOHO in London has a better patch of stores within a few blocks to me.

I also hit Waterloo sunset, which has a nice bargain bin.

Ella Gura was the highlight for me. Dope, dope shop.

Fantasyland wasn't as dope as I thought it would be

I always judge stores based on the price they sell Thriller at....i went to Sweet Melissa and they had a used copy for $33, so I was kinda done with that place.

Goodwills didn't have a damn thing for me.i was kinda bummed at that.

Drove down to Macon and hit Old School Music Headquarters....fucking phenomenal place for diggers....i spent 4 hours in there and went through every record they had

>I hit criminal records first..the store was cool but a little
>hipster for me.

I only shop there for my daughter. They usually have the indie bands that she likes.


>
>FUCK MOODS AS A RECORD STORE, AN ORGANIZATION, AND A CREW.
>Barely any vinyl, and the guy was hovering like he thought I
>was gonna steal from him.

SEE!!!!! I try to tell people...not a fan at all**

(**except on RSD...theres never a line, cause....)



>
>Respect to wax n facts, nice bunch of guys and fairly priced.
>

The Grandaddy


>Beatlab was decent too, but not enough space to dig.

I rank them slightly above Moods. Way too many times I've gone there and they want 10 bucks for a record that looks like somebody cut a steak on it.


>
>It IS cool that they are within walking distance, Only SOHO in
>London has a better patch of stores within a few blocks to
>me.
>
>I also hit Waterloo sunset, which has a nice bargain bin.

I fuxx wit them


>
>Ella Gura was the highlight for me. Dope, dope shop.

Might be my favorite shop in the A....but you were close to....

>
>Fantasyland wasn't as dope as I thought it would be
Once you get past the size and the cleanliness, it's like...ehh...okay.


>
>I always judge stores based on the price they sell Thriller
>at....i went to Sweet Melissa and they had a used copy for
>$33, so I was kinda done with that place.

I've never wanted to visit that store ever for that very reason


>
>Goodwills didn't have a damn thing for me.i was kinda bummed
>at that.

The GWs here are very hit or miss. I've found some dooooooope shit in them, but that was after months of stalking


>
>Drove down to Macon and hit Old School Music
>Headquarters....fucking phenomenal place for diggers....i
>spent 4 hours in there and went through every record they had
>

Hmmm....Macon you say???


Next time you're through here hit me up...theres a couple of dope spots you missed.



*************************************

Fuck aliens

-Warriorpoet415

#2dopebrothersandastackofwax

https://www.instagram.com/thirtythree.three/

The Greatest Story (N)ever Told (finished)

http://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=s

I just tagged you in my insta post for this spot, you can see the stacks of records through the window...lol.

My insta is @2dollacr8s btw

Pretty much a flat price for 90% of his product.... $7 for albums, $3 for 12" singles, but if you pay cash and spend a little time with him, he'll work with you.

Black owned business for 50+ years, not a lot of space but worth a look.

Pretty sure there are other spots in Macon too, but I was pressed for time and came down there specifically for that place.

I stopped in there after a quick tour of Spelman.

Another dope spot....fair pricing, good vibe.

Good looks on that instagram fam



*************************************

Fuck aliens

-Warriorpoet415

#2dopebrothersandastackofwax

https://www.instagram.com/thirtythree.three/

The Greatest Story (N)ever Told (finished)

http://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=s

Went specifically for a copy of Mama's Gun and they had it. Dopest vibe of all the shops I've visited here.

My alma mater. JB's is either newish or I simply didn't know about 'em during my college days circa 2006.

I went in when they first opened and was not impressed.

Since then I've heard really good things, so I'll have to get back over there soon


*************************************

Fuck aliens

-Warriorpoet415

#2dopebrothersandastackofwax

https://www.instagram.com/thirtythree.three/

The Greatest Story (N)ever Told (finished)

http://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=s

*************************************

Fuck aliens

-Warriorpoet415

#2dopebrothersandastackofwax

https://www.instagram.com/thirtythree.three/

The Greatest Story (N)ever Told (finished)

http://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=s

>FUCK MOODS AS A RECORD STORE, AN ORGANIZATION, AND A CREW.
>Barely any vinyl, and the guy was hovering like he thought I
>was gonna steal from him.

I think the vinyl is new to the shop and that might not be the owner's expertise? I don't know. When I starting shopping there in college, circa 2006, I don't recall seeing LP albums. Just indie soul and hip-hop CDs with a splash of jazz + lots of random merchandise, like books and shirts.

I haven't been inside Moods since 2010. I think they might have expanded since then, or something. I don't know how the owner is surviving as a music shop these days, if he's not selling that many LPs. Perhaps he's relying on a diverse mix of product + loyal clientele that are 30/40 somethings that still buy CDs? I don't know.

I popped my head in there (M***s) on Saturday looking for a Roots record (Criminal nor Wax N Facts had any, and I didnt feel like walking over to Beatlab). He's got a couple half full bins of newer stuff. He did have the Moonchild that just got released, but his prices...jeez. He has to be surviving off the cds and t shirts and the kick back from the consignment jewelry....iono..





*************************************

Fuck aliens

-Warriorpoet415

#2dopebrothersandastackofwax

https://www.instagram.com/thirtythree.three/

The Greatest Story (N)ever Told (finished)

http://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=s

I really hate these people to death, I really do, cause they don't want the records that have been at Goodwills & Salvation Army's that's all scratched up and turn up sleeves, ooohh NNNNNOOOOO, they want the super clean records with super clean picture sleeves.

What they plan to do is use the cover art for art or to cut up to make collagues, and use the vinyl to make bowls, clocks, words, etc.

In fact one record store manager said he had a few women come in his store looking for vinyl to make into art and complained why she couldn't get the vinyl cheaper cause she didn't care about what the music was, she just wanted to use it to turn into other things, so he started taking all the vinyl people wouldn't want that brought vinyl in, and he would throw away the sleeves and make 10 LP bundles of random vinyl (not the scratched up stuff but the VG to Mint condition vinyl) shrink wrap them in bundles and sell 'em for like $5.

I was so pissed cause one time I saw a pack and on the outside of one was a Tomita vinyl I've been looking for for a while now, now if it was a bunch of Hootie & The Blowfish records I wouldn't give a damn.

I know to some people something is junk and to other it's treasure but I see how the new hipster mind set is for people wanting things and how others it's just a way to get paid to pay the bills; just like people who now taking vinyl they don't want and making them into flooring, smh.

why not just get scratched up ones??

One of my thrifts is in a hipster-y area, so every so often I'll see people shopping for records just to put one or two on their shelf to look cool. If they were grabbing Streisand, Connie Francis or Andy WIlliams then cool, but of course they want something that's "cool" to them, which means 80s & 90s rap & rock records as well as Jazz and Soul classics. Such a waste because they probably never get played.

The Rappcats space has a pop-up tomorrow (6/8/2019) in LA tomorrow, featuring the collection of Henry Franklin. www.instagram.com/p/ByLJ_3vpnHt/

And I’m stranded here in Detroit.

Oh, and Bandcamp opened up a store in Oakland earlier this year. I just found out about it: https://daily.bandcamp.com/2019/01/17/bandcamp-oakland-record-store-opening-in-february/

At first the ultra-curated aspect of it kinda put me off. I wanna go somewhere and dig thru crates and bins.

There are probably only ~40 different records and that it's. But there are about 5-6 comfortable listening stations. So the idea is that they curate the current stock and invite you to sit and listen to a record before you buy it. (I guess ... like bandcamp.com)

It had a cool little library-cafe vibe. And they have a stage for performances. They're about to add cassettes as well. I hope the store takes off. But yeah def more of a boutique thing than wrecka stow

That's a fair review. I saw a picture on Yelp so I could tell it wasn't a crate digger type of place. Hopefully, they add more inventory. 40ish LPs is a bit low.

My homeboy back home has a store, and I'm home regularly, so when I'm in town, I go check him out, buy a few things (whether I want them or not, but to support him), have a beer with him and bounce. He posts stuff regularly, so when I know I'm coming home in a week or two, I'll ask him to put something aside for me (since he aint set up to take internet payments, and wont let anyone cash app him to hold shit), and I'll either send a friend to pick it up or I'll get it when I come home.

Twice now...when I said "YO!!! I'll be home in two weeks..put that to the side for me and I'll pick it up" he's either gone and sold it or makes himself unavailable.

I had asked him to put a used copy of "Hail to the Thief" on the side for me, and since he knew I had a dj gig in two weeks..he knew I'd be home. He told me he would, so when I stopped by his store on Saturday, he wasnt there. No big deal. I called him...no answer. I texted him "hey man..I"m at the store...you put my jawn to the side, right?"

**the store can operate with no employees present. They have space in a "beer market", so you can browse the records and bring them to the register in the market when you wanna pay**


He texted "I'm in the mall right now..no signal..I'll hit you right back" First of all..all you had to say was "yeah, it's behind the speaker" or "nah man, it's at the crib, I can get it to you tomorrow" or some shit other than "no signal". He's my man since high school though, so I gave him the benefit of the doubt. I waited around for a call back..had a beer..30 minutes later...still no response. I went to another store and bought that bitch brand new...10 bucks more than he was charging for it, and told him "don't worry about it, I got it from the other spot". Asshole. I didn't wanna spend the extra cheese for it, but I HAD to do it just to be like "fuck you then punk!"



*************************************

Fuck aliens

-Warriorpoet415

#2dopebrothersandastackofwax

https://www.instagram.com/thirtythree.three/

The Greatest Story (N)ever Told (finished)

http://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=s

Where's home? You're based in ATL but I take it home is somewhere else down south?

What are you favorite wrekka stos back home?

Favorite wrecka stows back home are Lunchbox and Repo.



*************************************

Fuck aliens

-Warriorpoet415

#2dopebrothersandastackofwax

https://www.instagram.com/thirtythree.three/

The Greatest Story (N)ever Told (finished)

http://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=s

Good to know. That's where my Dad is from. I will have to visit the next time I visit my grandmother.

I've known the owner since forever, and whenever I send anybody in there he always hooks them up with swag



*************************************

Fuck aliens

-Warriorpoet415

#2dopebrothersandastackofwax

https://www.instagram.com/thirtythree.three/

The Greatest Story (N)ever Told (finished)

http://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=s

Always in GREAT condition too. There's that initial moment of excitement followed by disappointment when you realize it's all floppy.

This is more about thrifts/fleas/garages tho.

Me every month at estate sales.

"High Fidelity New Location opening on August 3. West Adams Neighborhood. 1000's of heaters will be hitting the bins for the first time that day.
"https://twitter.com/HighFidelityLA/status/1154823595857608704

i think im going to start building a collection. i want to get all the rap albums i love, maybe all the albums i love regardless of genre. at this point i dont think i want to get complete discographies, just my favorites. i bought the first three tribe records and their last one a couple weeks back. im going to try to wait a couple months before going out for more.

i do want to play them but im not sure how often. i dont have a record player though lol. i want to get a quality set up without going too crazy. i figure i should buy it in sections, ideally buying something i can use immediately first then go from there. so maybe speakers i could use with other stuff i have? or a receiver?

all i have for audio at home is a cheapo bluetooth stereo that sounds decent
https://www.usa.philips.com/c-p/BTM2180_37/micro-music-system

and some vizio sound bar that doesnt have a sub.

if i want to spend around $200 on something now that will end up in my final setup what do you recommend? im hoping come next may i can complete my setup.

any tips on finding records?

My favorite place to find records: garage sales and estate sales.

They're generally cheaper than eBay or a record store where individual LPs have been appraised for market value. I will say homeowners and estate sale companies started price gouging in recent years but I still have had success scoring records that would normally go for $15+ for $5 and under, including hip-hop LPs.

Of course, if you live in a small town, this isn't going to work for you, plus you need to come early. Otherwise, the dealers will get all the goods.

I like buying records from wrekka stos, too, I'm just picky about who I give my money to.

As for record players, many local record stores sell older, used models for $200 and under. This is a good way to get a good quality record player for a much lower price.

If you want to buy new, Audio Technia makes a few brand new belt and direct drive models for about $200.

Example: https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP120BK-USB-Direct-Drive-Professional-USB/dp/B00GA9COMM/ref=sr_1_16?keywords=cheap+turntable&qid=1567025363&s=gateway&sr=8-16

I'd steer clear from Crosley, Ion, et al and all the cheap brand new players under $100, especially crap like this: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/ion-audio-archive-lp-turntable-wood-grain-black/4464606.p?skuI=&skuId=4464606

craigslist?


edit: regarding used players, how reliable are they? how long should you expect a new record player to last? how does that change with a used one?

Estate Sales: EstateSales.net

Garage sales: Craigslist, YardSaleSearch.com, YardSales.net, Garagesalefinder.com + my random knowledge about historic neighborhood annual sales. Most major cities have well-known subdivisions and neighborhoods that will have annual yard sales. In Detroit, there's Boston Edision (home of the Motown mansion), Rosedale Park, etc.

The realiability of used turntables depends on how knowledgeble and honest the record store is...I purchased my last turntable from a store owned by a guy that used to repair turntables for a living. He's very knowledgeable and tests his gear before making it available for sale. If you have any concerns, just ask. Has this been tested? Do you know anything about the previous owner's usage? Does this have a new cartridge/stylus?

If you buy from a thrift store, it's more of a gamble, I think.

Some of the people might be a little too into it but the vinyl subreddit has been a great source of information for me.

https://www.reddit.com/r/vinyl/

The weekly pinned thread has links to really useful guides about a variety of topics. Here's the one about how to select an entry-level turntable:

https://www.reddit.com/r/vinyl/comments/5ghkwd/best_new_entrylevel_turntable_to_start_out_with/

a bit overwhelming at times. i feel like i need to search through all possible threads before asking a question there lol. this looks good though. thanks.

edit: after spending a bit time on it im considering this turn table. looks like with an RCA to 3.5mm cord i could connect it to my philips stereo. then i could bypass the built-in preamp later.

https://www.amazon.com/Music-Hall-usb-1-Record-Turntable/dp/B004EDXCFE

thoughts?

since I was pretty much in the same boat as you about a year ago and was trying to get a good quality "entry-level" turntable (to replace a cheap second-hand one I bought on craigslist years before).

If you haven't already I would search the subreddit for that table and see what people who own it have to say about it such as: ease of USB use (which from what I remember can sometimes be a hassle), how easy it is to bypass the built-in preamp (which everyone recommends doing but may be more difficult on some tables than others), cartridge replacement, etc.

I actually bought an Audio-Technica LP120 and returned it without ever using it because I found a Technics SL-1360 on cragislist for marginally more a couple of weeks later.

Cant go wrong with Audio Technica AT LP60

You can get a decent pair of monitors for about 150-200 bucks and be done with the whole thing.

I've bought a few 2 channel receivers from Goodwill for less than 20 bucks, just make sure you have the right type of speakers to connect to it, if you want to go the whole "vintage" setup.

As far as buying? If you don't have good local stores, create a Discogs.com account and shop away.

The main about it all? You really don't have to put too munch thought into it. Just buy what you like, something decent to play it on (no Crosleys or IONs) and enjoy the music.




*************************************

Fuck aliens

-Warriorpoet415

#2dopebrothersandastackofwax

https://www.instagram.com/thirtythree.three/

The Greatest Story (N)ever Told (finished)
http://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=show_topic&forum=18&topic_id

Discogs is a great resource for shopping and also for cataloging your collection (if you're that type of person then it's better to start now when your collection is small).

Of course, there's also a subreddit for deals on records.

https://www.reddit.com/r/VinylDeals/

i decided to go to a record store saturday. i was hoping they would have a bigger hiphop selection and maybe repaired turntables. the place was tiny and their selection for hiphop was even smaller than the record store i went to a couple weeks back. at least the dude was playing tribe. at some point i decided i was getting a turntable today!

i looked up what guitar center had and decided i would go check them out. the sales dude wasnt much help. i google the at-lp2x and didnt find much. i found out on reddit that it was basically the at-lp3 but without the mc/cc thing (im still not sure what exactly that means). look like a good deal at $170 so i got it.

then im thinking i only have for albums....i need more. so i went back to record store i had gone to a couple of weeks back. ended up picking up 6 more records. so now i have to make sure i dont go back for a couple of months lol

i went ahead and added them in discogs and found out that some i thought were first issue were not. the good thing is that for all of them i paid around avg price that discog has for the version i did buy. maybe one or two steals. all in all this is the stats from discog Collection Value:* Min: $171.92 Med: $293.95 Max: $575.67

i paid about med so *shrug*

not sure if i can share a link to discogs but for anyone curious.
A Tribe Called Quest - We Got It From Here…Thank You 4 Your Service
2 x Vinyl, Album, LP
Epic - 88985377871
2016

A Tribe Called Quest - Midnight Marauders
Album, LP
Jive - 01241-41490-1
1993

A Tribe Called Quest - The Low End Theory
2 x Vinyl, Album, LP, Reissue, Remastered
Jive - 01241-41418-1
1996

A Tribe Called Quest - People's Instinctive Travels And The Paths Of Rhythm
2 x Vinyl, Album, LP, Reissue, Remastered
Jive - 01241-41331-1
1996

Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star
Black Star - Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star
Album, LP
Rawkus - RWK 1158-1
1998

Common - Resurrection
Album, LP, Reissue
Relativity - 88561-1208-1
1998

The Coup - Party Music
2 x Vinyl, Album, LP
75 Ark - 75050
2001

Nas - Illmatic
Album, LP
Columbia - 475959 1, Columbia - COL 475959 1

OutKast - ATLiens
2 x Vinyl, Album, LP, Reissue
LaFace Records - 73008-26029-1

The Roots - Things Fall Apart
2 x Vinyl, Album, LP, Reissue
Geffen Records - MCA2-11948, Okayplayer Records - MCA2-11948
2013

the sucka part is that i was not going into the weekend looking to spend around $400 but as long as i watch my spending for next couple of months ill be good. those garage sales are looking mighty good right now lol and also i bought some albums that i really like but arent necessarily my favs. so im already going away from my intention. i already have the itch to build a big collection.

as far as the record player goes i like it. im obviously not an expert and cant compare it vs others but the set up was pretty quick and it sounds good. it doesnt have usb or bluetooth. im not sure i would have used either, maybe bluetooth. i wanted a turntable that day and i didnt like the options that did have bluetooth. i figure down the line i will get these options in a receiver. one thing i wish i could do right now is listen with my headphones. i connected the record player with the line output into my stereo. my stereo does not have a headphone jack. i think im going to have to be patient on this.

Rule of thumb...for Hip Hop especially. If its still sealed, more than likely its a reissue.


Once you get your collection up, and get past the phase of "oh I like 4/9 songs on there", you'll get back focused. Don't wurr bout it. As far as getting help from record store clerks...don't count out it. Most clerks have learned that "record guys" like to be left alone to dig (I know I do), so they don't look to be friendly.

Good deal getting your discogs up..thats gonna save you money/headaches/repeat buys once you get your collection up high.

Whats your id on there? I'll add you as a friend




*************************************

Fuck aliens

-Warriorpoet415

#2dopebrothersandastackofwax

https://www.instagram.com/thirtythree.three/

The Greatest Story (N)ever Told (finished)
http://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=show_topic&forum=18&topic_id

i paid around $30 for some thinking it was first issue if i had known it wasnt i would be hoping to spend closer to $20. the resurrection i got at $15 because i knew it was a rerelease. that would be ideal for records i love.

i think my id on discogs is mista_k5.

just add me, lol <rayandersonjr>


Thats why I rarely buy hip-hop, or like you said, I hunt until I can find what I want for about 20 bucks. Theres a couple I will pay more for (Phrenology), but again..they're OGs or special editions...like the ones vinylmeplease puts out.




*************************************

Fuck aliens

-Warriorpoet415

#2dopebrothersandastackofwax

https://www.instagram.com/thirtythree.three/

The Greatest Story (N)ever Told (finished)
http://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=show_topic&forum=18&topic_id

look for records i love at a good price and not worried if its a rerelease or not.

if i find first issues at a great price cool but it wont be my priority.

The only OGs I care about are

Prince
P-Funk
Pharaoh Sanders
John Coltrane

Everything else? Nah...I've gotten to point now, especially with Hip Hop, I mainly want the limited/special releases. Colored vinyl, special gatefold...sign me up.




*************************************

Fuck aliens

-Warriorpoet415

#2dopebrothersandastackofwax

https://www.instagram.com/thirtythree.three/

The Greatest Story (N)ever Told (finished)
http://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=show_topic&forum=18&topic_id

Jawn on my table is jacked. Skipping across the record. Little things like this I just wanna grab from a store real quick.

Now that I think of it, my favorite shop sells guitars, pedals, drums and other instruments, but no turntables or record players.