Record Shops

THE BEAT GOES ON
24 Cotham Hill, Bristol, tel: 0117 973 7211, email: mclaren7500@aol.com • The Beat Goes On is something of a vintage vinyl scavenger’s paradise, though CDs, videos, DVDs and even books have been known to grace its shelves. The stock is quality- rather than genre-specific too, so you’re sure to find something you want, even if you didn’t know you wanted it. Open 12noon-6pm Mon-Fri, 11am-6pm Sat, 11am-5pm Sun.

BROAD STREET JAZZ
11 Broad St, Bath, tel: 01225 427494, email: jt@broadstreetjazz.com • There’s not many of ’em left, but Broad Street Jazz is still going strong as one of the country’s leading jazz-only record stores. With CDs, DVDs and vinyl aplenty, you’ll find everyone from John Coltrane to Courtney Pine on their shelves, not to mention a few hard-to-find imports. Open 9.30am-5.30pm Mon-Sat.

CHEMICAL RECORDS
Unit C2, St Vincents Trading Est, Feeder Rd, Bristol, tel: 0117 971 4924, email: info@chemical-records.co.uk, web: www.chemical-records.co.uk • Not just a record store but a ‘Music Lifestyle Store’, you’ll find everything from clothing to DJ gear under Chemical Records’ virtual and physical roof. But the draw is still the voluminous stock of dance records, everything from drum & bass to grime, dubstep, hardcore, hip-hop, house and more. Loads of their stock has a sample uploaded on the website too, so you needn’t trek down to get a taste of what you’re after - but if you do, you might catch one of the regular in-store events. Open 11am-7pm Mon-Fri, 11am-6pm Sat.

DROP RECORDS
27 Broad St, Bath, tel: 01225 444577, email: info@droprecords.co.uk, web: www.droprecords.co.uk • Right in the centre of upstanding Bath, Drop Records is an independent store offering drum & bass, jungle, funk, soul, dubstep and more. You can also order online, where many of the products are accompanied by sound clips. But if that doesn’t tickle your fancy, the top floor holds a large stock of secondhand CDs to suit all tastes. Open 10am-6pm Mon-Sat.

DSWAT
Unit 34, The Coach House, 2 Upper York St, Bristol, tel: 07814 271976, email: armin@dswat.net, web: www.dswat.net • The personal webstore of Parasite, California-born breakcore producer and founder of Death$ucker Records. As you can imagine, the focus is on stuff you wouldn’t find in your average high-street store -underground breakcore, mash-up, ragga jungle, drum & bass and dubstep. They also stock new releases from local artists, producers and labels. You can browse the store in person too - but give them a call beforehand.

DUCK, SON AND PINKER
9-12 Bridge St, Pultney Bridge, Bath, tel: 01225 465975, email: info@ducksonandpinker.co.uk, web: www.ducksonandpinker.co.uk • This well-established instrument shop also sells a range of CDs, mainly in the jazz, classical and opera arenas. Open 9.30am-5.30pm Mon-Sat.

FOPP
27-29 College Green, Bristol, tel: 0117 937 7110, web: www.foppreturns.com • Saved from the scrapheap by HMV’s muscle, Fopp offer a great selection of CDs at very competitive prices indeed. There’s a choice selection of vinyl upstairs too, and plenty of price-slashed books and DVDs. Open 9am-6pm Mon, 9.30am-6pm Tue-Fri, 11am-5pm Sun.

PAYBACK RECORDS
45 St Nicholas Market, Corn St, Bristol, tel: 07966 347412 • You’ll find a critic’s pick of funk, soul, reggae and rock at Payback, but only if you’ve got a turntable - vinyl is most definitely the format of choice. Reggae is a particular strong suit, with stock ranging from classic to contemporary. Open 10am-5pm Mon-Sat.

PLASTIC WAX RECORDS
222 Cheltenham Rd, Bristol, tel: 0117 942 7368, email: dave.kellard@plasticwaxrecords.com, web: www.plasticwaxrecords.com • The sheer size of the catalogue draws many to Plastic Wax, with a staggering 18,000 secondhand or rare items in stock, and around 10,000 of those LPs. Pretty much every format is stocked, and those hunting for forgotten classics or unusual finds will be exceptionally well catered for. There’s also a discount card available if you’re planning on buying in bulk - 10% for a meagre five quid or free if you spend over £50. The ideal place to fatten up your collection. Open 9.30 am-7pm Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm Sat, 12noon-4.30pm Sun.

PRIME CUTS
85 Gloucester Rd (below RePsycho Clothing), Bristol, tel: 0117 983 0007, email: msavage72@hotmail.com • Get yourself kitted out in classy vintage clobber upstairs, then head downstairs for a fine selection of vinyl. Particularly strong on drum & bass and hip-hop, you can also purchase tickets for local events - if they sold food and booze, you wouldn’t need to shop anywhere else. Their CD and DVD stock now resides primarily at 8 Gloucester Rd (open 7 days a week, weather permitting). Main store open 10am-5.30pm Mon-Sat.

PK MUSIC EXCHANGE
51 Gloucester Rd, Bristol, tel: 0117 924 1658, email: paulsellit@hotmail.com • Buy, trade and sell everything from CDs, vinyl, hi-fi equipment and DJ gear at this mini Gloucester Road bazaar. Open 9am-5pm Mon-Sat.

PROVIDENCE MUSIC
1 St George’s Rd, Bristol, tel: 0117 927 6536, fax: 0117 927 6680, email: sales@providencemusic.co.uk, web: www.providencemusic.co.uk • If sonatas, fugues, concertos and études are your thing, then Providence music is the place to visit, with a wide range of classical CDs. They also sell gifts and accessories for the melodically-minded, as well as tickets for classical performances in Bristol. Open 9am-5.30pm Mon-Sat. See also Music Shops, Instrument Makers and Repairs.

RISE
70 Queen’s Rd, Clifton, Bristol, tel: 0117 929 7511, email: bristol@rise-music.co.uk, web: www.rise-music.co.uk • A recent addition to ever-trafficked Queen’s Rd, stocking CDs to suit pretty much any taste and every budget. They do a nice line in DVDs and books too, so you can read, watch and listen all at the same time. Open 10am-7pm Mon-Sat, 12noon-6pm Sun.

THE ROCK SHOP
79-83 St Nicholas Market, Bristol, tel: 0117 927 7300, web: www.myspace.com/therockshop_uk • With the focus most definitely on tinnitus-inducing rock and metal acts, this store also stocks a range of band merchandise. Slipknot’s sticksman Joey Jordison and Amen’s Casey Chaos have visited previously, which should be testimonial enough. Open 9.30am-5pm Mon-Sat.

ROOTED RECORDS
9 Gloucester Rd, Bishopston, Bristol, tel: 0117 907 4372, email: rootedrecords@aol.com, web: www.rootedrecords.co.uk • Bristol boasts one of the healthiest dubstep scenes in the UK, and Rooted Records has no small part to play in that. Vinyl is the order of the day, as you’d expect, covering practically ever genre in the underground dance scene - but if you get confused, the staff are knowledgeable and willing guides. CDs and DVDs are also stocked. Open 10am-6pm Mon-Sat.

TUMI
Unit 2, Ashmead Business Centre, Ashmead Rd, Keynsham, Bristol, tel: 0117 986 9216, fax: 0117 986 2588, email: sales@tumiwholesale.com, web: www.tumimusic.com • The guys and gals at Tumi specialise in all things world music - particularly, though not exclusively, from Latin America - and have a strong selection available from their website.

WANTED RECORDS
Unit 1, St Nicholas Market, Bristol, tel: 0117 929 0524, email: info@wantedrecords.co.uk, web: www.wantedrecords.co.uk • Rather super new vinyl-only store from the gent that brings you Blowpop. Stocks classic rock through jazz, blues, folk, soul, reggae and hip-hop - everything, really, so long as it’s not a bit shit or Chris de Burgh. Also contains a section for sample-miners. Open 9.30am-5pm Mon-Sat.

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