They say cocaine and sugar are the two most addictive substances on the planet. They clearly haven’t tried vinyl. That uncontrollable urge as your favourite artist releases a new album or when rumours of a repress of a classic must-have LP filters through from your network of fellow junkies reverberates through your veins until you have no alternative but to scratch that itch.
You know it won’t go away until that needle (or stylus, but you get where I’m going with this) lands on the surface and injects life into your speakers. The age-old argument that CDs or digital files sound better falls on deaf ears to those who worship the vinyl format. There is no argument; they don’t – vinyl rules.
Whether you’re an ageing dad like myself, clinging onto a misspent youth and vacuuming up those late 80-90s albums that soundtracked your youth or a Gen Z’er like my son, who appreciates the tangibility and album artwork that is sorely missed since the digital music platforms arrived, vinyl’s popularity is bigger than ever.
Fuelled by re-releases, limited edition coloured records and the chase for rarer first press albums, the vinyl market is at its strongest since the 80s and with apps such as Discogs – an online marketplace similar to Ebay – enabling you to catalogue and value your ‘investment’ in vinyl (and that’s my justification for every new purchase and I’m sticking to it), collecting records has never been so much fun. Even more fun is sharing your latest find with a community of like-minded enthusiasts on Instagram (check out what @pedros1976 is #nowspinning).
Physical vinyl stores are the heartland for record collectors, and many an hour can be passed digging through sleeve after sleeve with an anticipation only matched by archaeologists searching the Jurassic coast for dinosaur fossils. Loyalty and community are key to their success, and some attract a large tribe of loyal followers, mainly due to their deep roots in bringing emerging bands to the fore or being a platform for existing artists to flourish.
Below are our favourite London vinyl shops that will enable you to expand your collection and expose you to new music.. Vinyl is dead. Long live vinyl.
Banquet Records was born out of the ashes of the influential Beggars Banquet label
James Perou
Born from the ashes of Beggars Banquet, an influential label since the 70s, Banquet Records is the music hub of Kingston-upon-Thames. Operating from its shop in one of London’s only Royal boroughs (which is more of a Tardis entrance to what Banquet actually offer) you’ll find a wide range of new music – from Indie, Rock and Punk, to Hip Hop, Electronica and Funk, plus the latest re-issues and remastered versions of all the classics.
Check out their ‘Banquet Exclusive’ variants of albums too or ‘dinked’ editions’ on their website (an independent record store collaboration to support local record stores). And if you’re lucky, you’ll nab a signed copy or even an album release show ticket to see your favourite artist perform locally in Kingston (The Who, Noel Gallagher, Roisin Murphy and The Specials have all recently played for Banquet) – a true indication of their pulling power within the music industry. You can also use Banquet’s own gift cards or ‘Record Store’ gift cards that help to support independent record stores.
Phonica are releasing a compilation album to celebrate the store’s 20th anniversary
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Established in 2003 in the heart of Soho by a trio of music aficionados and part of The Vinyl Factory (an independent British company that collaborates with musicians and artists to create ultra-premium handmade limited editions with its own impressive pressing plant), Phonica is the number one destination for Dance and Electronic connoisseurs, though funk, soul, hip hop and reggae are also available.
Choose from new releases, best sellers or check out the ‘Staff Charts’ online – their team know their stuff and it’s always good for a tip off if you’re looking to broaden your horizon. Keep an eye out too for their used records and sale items to grab yourself a bargain via the website.
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Phonica are releasing a complication album. Definitely worth the visit alone.
Look out for the live in-store DJ performances (also streamed on their Insta account). And for even more bonus content, check out their sister website offtherecord.net for more curated and editorial interviews and mixes. Phonica offer their own gift cards.
Rough Trade has strong ties with the alternative and underground scenes
James Potter
‘Independent purveyors of great music since 1976’, the first Rough Trade shop was opened in West London and soon launched its own record label, Rough Trade Records, becoming the label of bands such as The Smiths and The Libertines. Its reputation for post-punk grew and other stores soon followed in London, along with Nottingham, Bristol, New York, and most recently, Berlin and Liverpool.
Today, a much wider range of musical genres are available both instore and online with Rough Trade becoming synonymous with the alternative and underground scenes. You can sense their strong ties to the industry and deep-rooted affection for great music. This is not a shop simply peddling records (we’re looking at you Fopp); it’s a well-curated and considered collection of new releases and back catalogue albums. Online, you’ll find exclusives packed with intelligent reviews of new albums alongside the option to preview tracks to help make up your mind.
Check out their Rough Trade Essentials – a curation of must-have iconic albums and their annual ‘Counter Culture’ compilations – their staffs ‘mix tape’ of the year’s best tunes.
91 Brick Lane, E1; 130 Talbot Road, W11; 50-54 Beak Street, W1F; roughtrade.com
Sister Ray is a major force behind Record Store Day
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Sister Ray has been selling music from its home in Soho for 30 years with probably the friendliest and most enthusiastic staff around. Named after the Velvet Underground track, Sister Ray has survived the twists and turns of the music industry and consumer trends – limping through the years when the internet turned the world upside down as retail and records died a slow death.
But through sheer determination and commitment to the vinyl format – and by becoming a major force behind Record Store Day and the recent vinyl revival – Sister Ray has emerged as one of the UK’s foremost record shops with a reputation as the authority on vinyl.
Their shop is legendary (immortalised on the cover of (What’s The Story) Morning Glory by Oasis) and as you take the steps down to the basement vinyl haven you can’t help but feel part of something special. Their online store is the gateway to a vast array of music – new and old.
New releases, pre-orders or dinked editions by artist, label or genre and be impressed by the detailed product info, artist bio, track list and soundwave (short clip) that accompanies most listings – a great way to expand your knowledge or discover new music. You can even sell your vinyl or pop into their online merch shop or check out their Latest News section with updates on upcoming gigs or reviews. Sign up to their mailing list for updates.
Sounds of the Universe has come a long way since its humble beginnings as a Camden stall
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‘Possibly the largest selection of Reggae, Dubstep, House, Disco, Funk, Soul, Latin, African and world beats in the UK’ and connected to the Soul Jazz Record label, Sounds of the Universe resides proudly in Soho, a specialist outlet primarily stocking African and Latin origin music and is a mecca for cross-cultural vibrations.
It’s come a long way since its humble beginnings as a Camden stall three decades ago when founder Stuart Baker first started trading and with its iconic tiled facade it has become a must-visit store staffed by a team of enthusiastic music lovers who love nothing more than helping you unearth your next gem.
The likes of Prince, Questlove and Gilles Peterson have all famously visited for a dig and the shop has the honour of ‘Best Retailer’ at the Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea Chambers of Commerce Awards 2023.
The longest standing record shop of Soho, Reckless was founded in 1984 and remains the beating heart of Soho’s vinyl scene – once renowned as Europe’s record haven (I still miss those days of digging around the dozen+ Soho record shops all within spitting distance from each other on a Sunday afternoon with the occasional pit stop in a nearby pub) – Reckless has built its reputation on stocking a strong eclectic mix of secondhand LPs, priced fairly and with a team of staff who live and breathe music. I make a beeline for the techno section and never leave disappointed.
Flashback Records has a strong connection to the local music community
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Founded in 1997, Flashback Records proudly boasts three locations. Islington, Crouch End and my personal favourite on Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, for the vibe you feel before you’ve even entered its doors. That ‘pre-dig’ anticipation. Once you’re in, you’ll be treated to a diverse range of genres to add to your vinyl collection from rare gems to classic collectible must-haves.
It’s also a great place to sell your old records (or other formats). What makes Flashback special though is its connection to the local music community and support for emerging artists. The shop hosts shows at The Old Blue Last, The George Tavern and the Shacklewell Arms providing artists with a platform to shine.
50 Essex Road, Islington N1; 131 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E2; 26 Topsfield Parade, Tottenham Lane N8; flashback.co.uk
A relative newbie on the vinyl scene, Peckham Soul, est. 2015, is located on the iconic Rye Lane and ‘aims to reflect the vibrant diversity of Peckham and South London’, according to founder and DJ Craig. Spread across two floors, you’ll find both new and vintage titles spanning Soul, Funk, Jazz, Reggae, Ska, EDM, Hip Hop, Latin, Indie, Punk and Prog – many of which are rare finds and collectable.
The Peckham Soul logo that echoes the ‘Northern Soul’ hands has quickly achieved iconic status and you’ll find branded tee shirts, hoodies and slipmats in store that you just won’t be able to resist.
Established in 2003 after the all-important stall in Camden Market, All Ages is now celebrating its 20th year as the specialist Punk and Hardcore record shop in London and is always worth a visit; you never know what you might find in the racks. Open every day – including bank holidays – not only can you buy/trade or swap your records here, you can also keep up-to-date with upcoming gigs, new bands and the UK punk rock scene plus secure gig tickets across the counter. It’s a real hub for the punk scene of Camden and wider. And if you’re looking to top up your pin badge collection, then look no further. Proper old school.
You won’t find a more community-orientated record shop embedded in the local fabric than Supertone Records. Owner Wally, a proud Jamaican, has been trading in the heart of Brixton for 40 years serving up a soulful blend of reggae, ska, roots, dancehall and dub music making it the original vinyl dealer in Brixton.
It feels like this shop has barely changed in this time, and with its record sleeve-covered interior and high counter it’s like a step back in time to when records were at their sales peak well before CDs and digital streams elbowed their way into the market space. So laid back is the vibe, you’d be forgiven for wondering whether Wally is even aware of the evolving landscape of music. Check out the second hand and collectors corner and bargain boxes for a good deal.
Honest Jon’s is approaching its half century anniversary
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Approaching their half century anniversary and boasting Neneh Cherry and Damon Albarn as regular customers, Honest Jon’s is a small but perfectly formed record shop in Ladbroke Grove. Shying away from the mainstream artists and bands in favour of championing the more underground acts, Honest Jon’s (and its record label) have had a massive influence on the music scene and pride themselves on their reissues of Black British recordings, gospel and southern soul and the shops staff live and breathe music. Open every day.
Eldica is the epicentre of Dalston
Eldica
Dalston. Once a no-man’s land. Now, the epicentre of London cool. Opened in 2000, Eldica was born around an area buzzing from Hoxton Square’s Blue Note (MetalHeadz on a Sunday night was legendary), the 333 club and the Electricity Showrooms. Whilst the chain bars and restaurants are inevitably creeping in to all areas of our great capital, Eldica stands proud as an independent trader and one that is proud to be part of the local fabric. Specialising in music of black origin from around the
world – from funk, soul, hip hop, calypso, jazz and reggae
don’t expect to find much pressed after the shops actual birth year. Husband and wife duo Andy and Annie sell the kind of music they’re into ensuring an authentic and sense of passion as soon as you walk in its doors – which, by the way, feels like a little step back in time. Think eccentric grandma vibes. In fact, you could spend just as much time taking in the décor and vintage record
players as you would digging for that rare find. And if you’re lucky, you’ll bump into regular digger DJ Spoony.
Enjoy the Love Vinyl divide and conquer ethos
Love Vinyl
Established in 2014 by four music lovers (a perfect blend of DJs, music promoters and veteran record dealers) in the heart of east London, Love Vinyl is a ‘mecca for dance music lovers’. From the latest in techno and house to 70s disco. As you walk in, you can immediately sense this place is run by people who live and breathe music (tbf, this is true for most indy record shops) but with a clever split curation of new vinyl served from one counter and used vinyl from another. The majority of used vinyl seems
to be from music aficionado’s collections. ‘Old rave dads’ relinquishing their prized assets to fund a more grown up life. Quality.
5 Pearson Street, Bethnal Green E2 8JD
Which equipment to choose?
Whether you’re new to playing records or looking to upgrade your existing turntable, choosing a new one doesn’t have to be difficult. I always go by the rule that a good jockey doesn’t choose to ride on a donkey… to get the best out of your records, ensure what you’re playing them on – and through – is going to get the best out of them.
Consider the whole set up, with your amplifier and speakers needing equal consideration. With an array of models and options to choose from, its also important to buy the right turntable for your needs – a stable platform and stable motor, a well-designed tonearm and a good cartridge are key factors for me but also consider if you’d be better off with a Belt Drive or Direct Drive? Phono stage built in? Bluetooth or USB? Personally, I’d generally advise against any of the cheap and cheerful options on the market as you won’t be getting the best sound from your vinyl (and may be doing them damage with poor tonearm weighting or low quality stylus).
Below are three great premium options…
Cambridge Audio
Elegant in design and quick and easy to set up, this Direct Drive turntable by Cambridge is a vinyl player’s dream.
Let’s start with the plinth. Made from perfectly weighted Polyoxymethylene (a semi-crystalline thermoplastic that’s both stiff and stable) and with a finely polished matt black finish and floating wedge base, it provides a solid base for the Direct Drive motor to do its thing. The 8 pole, 3 phase, brushless DC quartz-controlled motor ensures precision control, consistent speed stability and silence from within. The lunar-grey aluminium top plate is the cherry on top. Solid and stylish construction combined.
The Alva TT V2 connects to most audio systems, due to a switchable integrated phono-stage and also works wirelessly with high quality Bluetooth speaker systems. In fact, with the built-in Bluetooth aptX
HD you can place your turntable wherever you like without the additional set up elements crowding around it – handy if surface space is limited and if you’re like me, you can connect them to your wireless headphones and chill elsewhere. A quick touch of the stylish 33/45 speed button and you’re off.
One of the joys of record playing is lifting the tonearm and releasing the stylus down onto your vinyl. The Cambridge Audio engineers have ensured maximum detail will be picked up with its high-mass and low resonance, and with the all new cartridge (more anon) it’s a record playing ritual delight. The anti-skating dial is also on hand to fine tune.
The piece de resistance to this set up though is high-output bespoke Moving Coil cartridge and exposed cantilever. You’ll notice a reduction in vibration and resonance giving you high levels of gain and pristine musical detail. Its also pre-installed so no faffing.
This turntable has breathed fresh air into my collection in ways that I didn’t think were possible. The sound is superb and the uplift in clarity, bass, treble and reverb is infinitely better than anything I’ve heard before.
Direct drive. Bluetooth aptX HD. RCA Phono/Line Level switchable. Weight 9kg;
dimensions 435mm w x 139mm h x 368mm; £1399 ; buy it here
Technics Direct Drive Turntable System SL-1500CEB-W
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Sporting a simple design without the unnecessary frills you find on some other models, this complete direct-drive turntable with a Built-in Phono Equaliser and cartridge offers high-precision stable rotation and excellent sound quality. The static-balance S-shape tonearm carries on the long Technics tradition and boasts a high-quality Ortofon 2M RED cartridge, ensuring you maximise the sound potential of your records.
It’s also handily equipped with an auto-lift tonearm function once you’ve reached the end of a side, preventing unnecessary wear of your records and stylus (come on, we’ve all woken up in the morning with the crackle of a record still spinning, right?). Up there with the best quality turntables for sound and ideal for pairing with another turntable for mixing.
Weight 9.9kg; dimensions 453mm w x 169mm h x 372mm; £1099; buy it here
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The term iconic doesn’t do this belt-drive turntable justice. Renowned for its lightweight rigid plinths, the foundation of its success (What Hi-Fi? Product of the year 2016-2021 says it all), the Planar 3 model by Rega reaches a whole new level in design, with its acrylic laminated stiffer-than-before plinth (crucial for a sturdy non-vibrating surface ) and 12mm float glass opti-white polished platter (gloss red or gloss black also available). Pure class.
The RB330 tonearm incorporates Rega’s 35 years of tonearm design experience, ensuring extreme stability, and it will exhibit fewer points of possible resonance. One of the best turntable options for the purest of groove reading and sound. Simple to set up, but make sure you add a suitable cartridge.
Weight 6kg; dimensions 447mm w x 117mm h x 360mm; £799; buy it here
FLUANCE RT85 Reference High Fidelity Vinyl Turntable
Fluance
This aesthetically pleasing turntable from Fluance is a vinyl listeners dream. Meticulously engineered from the ground up with three height-adjustable rubber isolation feet minimise contact with any surface you place it on and the multi-layered
wooden chassis both reduce unnecessary vibrations. It’s a stunning plinth worthy of lounge and available in four finishes. The acrylic platter and visible belt drive band with speed regulating optical sensors that ensures the perfect RPM finish off the look immaculately. Add to that the balanced s-shape tonearm with its Ortofon 2M Blue elliptical cartridge and anti-skate adjuster provide a warm and natural sound perfect for any discerning vinyl junkie. My son, a music sound engineer and producer, will only listen to his records on a Fluance.
Weight 7.6kg; dimensions 16.5cm h x 41.9cm w x 36.2cm d; £435 (with pre-amp
+£87)
PRO-JECT Colourful Audio System
Pro-Ject
If you are confused with how to pair the separate elements you need for a sound system (and it is important you ensure your turntable, amp and speakers are compatible and get the best out of each other) then the System from Pro-Ject is your answer. Available in six colours, it carefully pairs up its award-winning Debut Carbon EVO turntable, the Speaker Box 5 S2 bookshelf speakers and the renowned all-in-one MaiA (My Audio Integrated Amplifier) S3 network streamer… just connect up and you’re
spinning. The ideal solution that gives high quality sound at a very reasonable price. In a nutshell, you’ll enjoy an expertly crafted turntable that focuses on the core aspects of a top quality player ensuring you get the most out of your records that’s supported with an amp that you can also connect digital sources to – ideal for streaming your music from your phone or computer. Finally, the compact speakers with their 130mm fibreglass cones offer a full-bodied midtones with a punchy bass. Its also worth noting that the LS S2 speaker cable that comes in the box.
CAMBRIDGE CXA81 MKII Integrated Stereo Amplifier
Cambridge Audio
The latest in a long line of award-winning amps, the new CXA81 MKII reveals all the emotion and nuance to whatever album you choose to play. With a focus on the crucial super-efficient short ‘signal path’, each element has been re-engineered from start to finish alongside an upgraded DAC to ensure clarity and depth beyond expectations. Each sound – from the individual instruments to the vocals – is elevated… its like watching high definition TV for the first time. You’ll feel the emotion of the music as if its being performed in front of you.
Offering up 80 watts per channel and class AB amplification for a well-balanced and smooth output performance, its powerful enough to drive whatever speakers you have (you can also connect to a second set of speakers in another room). The key to any decent amp is its sound-staging ability – or in layman’s terms, it’ll enable you to achieve a target system volume that minimises noise or distortion. Sonically, it’s bold, exciting and tremendous fun. Connect wirelessly to your other devices, including the above Alva TT V2. Looking to play your digital music? The amp was designed with an upgraded digital analogue converter to enable your audio files to be unpacked and heard in full effect.
The important stuff
Stereo RCA inputs, balanced XLR sockets; Bluetooth apX HD
CAMBRIDGE EVO S Bookshelf Speaker
Cambridge
If you prefer bookshelf speakers over a floor-standing speaker, and are looking for cute, stylish and compact options, then look no further. The EVO S options from Cambridge Audio offer a full-range performance sound with their black silk dome tweeters, anodised alu mid-bass drivers and rear bass port. Designed and engineered with premium materials and components they may be small but they certainly pack and punch and produce a perfect clean sonic sound.
Weight 7.1kg; Dimensions 20cm w x 28.4cm h x 21.6cm d
ARIA EVO X NO.4 3-way Floorstanding Loudspeaker
ARIA
If floor-standing speakers are your preference over bookshelf speakers, these stunning loudspeakers are a must. Designed to optimise sound reproduction, they boast an aluminium/magnesium TAM tweeter with ‘M’ shaped inverted dome, two large subwoofers and a midrange flax coned speaker driver that provide a silky smooth treble, a perfectly defined and rich midrange and a dynamic, natural sound that’ll leave you purring. To top it off, they’re beautifully designed and will become the centre-piece of any lounge.