Digging in New York 2019

[Soulboy69]

Hi all, i'm heading to New York in a few weeks time (my first time too). 

I know the question has probably been asked a lot before but in 2019 is it still worth the effort of digging for original soul 45's in record shops? 

Any suggestions of decent record shops to check out much appreciated if so. 

Thanks in advance. 

P.S. Suggestions for good places to go in general (bars etc.) also appreciated.

P.P.S. Mods, if this is in the wrong section, please move.

Edited May 2, 2019 by soulboy69

[Tivoli]

Subway soul club have a night on the 1st June at the Coco SixtySix club in Brooklyn, NY if that is of any help.

[Soulboy69]

48 minutes ago, TIVOLI said:

Subway soul club have a night on the 1st June at the Coco SixtySix club in Brooklyn, NY if that is of any help.

Damn, i’ll be back home by then but thanks for heads up anyway. 

[Biggordy]

A1 Records in the East Village had some nice cheap stuff in for a few dollars.  45s at $2 to $5 that might cost £10 or so in the UK but I didn't see anything rare.  

[Soulsides]

Academy Records Annex in Greenpoint,Brooklyn is supposedly a very good place for finding Soul music...there's two other Academy Records shops but the Annex is apparently the one if you're on the lookout for vinyl. 

 

 

 

[Soulboy69]

2 hours ago, Soulsides said:

Academy Records Annex in Greenpoint,Brooklyn is supposedly a very good place for finding Soul music...there's two other Academy Records shops but the Annex is apparently the one if you're on the lookout for vinyl. 

 

 

 

Thank You! Brooklyn is definitely on the cards to visit so I’ll pop in there. 

[Girdwoodinc]

On ‎02‎/‎05‎/‎2019 at 11:55, soulboy69 said:

Hi all, i'm heading to New York in a few weeks time (my first time too). 

I know the question has probably been asked a lot before but in 2019 is it still worth the effort of digging for original soul 45's in record shops? 

Any suggestions of decent record shops to check out much appreciated if so. 

Thanks in advance. 

P.S. Suggestions for good places to go in general (bars etc.) also appreciated.

P.P.S. Mods, if this is in the wrong section, please move.

What are real plans for getting messy for your big birthday?

[Gert Mark]

There is an open air Flea market opposite the Flat Iron building. I have picked up quite a few good records in bad condition from there. Enjoy M

[Sceneman]

bleaker street used to be the place of record shops but dunno if it still is ..just have a mosey round there..

but you could be 30 years too late as mostly CDs ?

 

i have some old 45s catalogues from shops in bleaker street ..prolly 60s priniting

Edited May 4, 2019 by sceneman
additions

[Roburt]

Don't think this place still exists … 

[Soulboy69]

22 minutes ago, Roburt said:

Don't think this place still exists … 

Ha, I'll put that on the "maybe" pile 

[Wally Francis]

Try this place out, I picked up some nice bits a few years ago, had a cellar full of vinyl.

https://www.rags-a-gogo.com/

MONDAY TO SATURDAY 11AM-8PM

SUNDAY NOON TO 7PM         

218 W 14th St, New York, NY 10011

 (212) 254 - 6115

ragsagogo@gmail.com

[Mal C]

I was working in Manhattan a few years back and tried all the shops, would not bother to be honest,  the markets are the only place you will find reasonably priced 45s...

pickings are slim though, but you will certainly find lots of 45s on Spring, hundreds of em !

My advise get out to places like Long Island, get on the subway and travel a bit... and deffo go to flea markets, you never know

Good luck  

 

[Soul Shrews]

If you"re in downtown Brooklyn and thirsty Circa bar has some great beers on tap all brewed on the premises and some decent food too

Cheers Paul

[Blackpoolsoul]

On 02/05/2019 at 11:55, soulboy69 said:

Hi all, i'm heading to New York in a few weeks time (my first time too). 

I know the question has probably been asked a lot before but in 2019 is it still worth the effort of digging for original soul 45's in record shops? 

Any suggestions of decent record shops to check out much appreciated if so. 

Thanks in advance. 

P.S. Suggestions for good places to go in general (bars etc.) also appreciated.

P.P.S. Mods, if this is in the wrong section, please move.

I suggest flea markets as well

If you find anything let me know

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=flea+markets+new+york+records&npsic=0&rflfq=1&rlha=0&rllag=40731378,-73983136,2408&tbm=lcl&ved=2ahUKEwitlaay5YTiAhXdUBUIHd6iCt0QtgN6BAgKEAQ&tbs=lrf:!2m1!1e2!2m1!1e3!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:1&rldoc=1#rlfi=hd:;si:;mv:!1m2!1d40.7874858!2d-73.49042829999999!2m2!1d40.665167!2d-74.1005416;tbs:lrf:!2m1!1e2!2m1!1e3!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:1

Edited May 5, 2019 by Blackpoolsoul
Typo

[Carty]

As was mentioned earlier , Greenpoint in Brooklyn  is a place several record shops either sprung up or re located  a few years ago , come out of the subway at Manhattan Ave , you have  " The Thing "( massive cellar in thrift store  full of  mainly albums and  12s ) .Not too far across the road .    not sure if " The Record Grouch " is still on Manhattan Ave .   Running parrallel , but behind the main street , you have a road  that has   " Academy  records annexe" , and if you carry on further up for about ten minutes , you will come to "Co-op 84 records ".   ( Permanent records used to be on this road but had moved to Park Slope  Brooklyn a couple of years ago )  On the way back from co op 84 , get back onto Manhattan  Ave until you get to Calyer  street , this is where you will find " Captured Tracks records "( Hipster vibe , plenty of soul  albums and 45s )                                    Spent time in New york regularly for years until recently and always found this to be a fruitful circuit .      The shops did seem to move , open and close a lot  though , it was a fast changing scene .Think Greenpoint became the place where they set up shop after   Williamsburg became to expensive . 

[Neiljon31]

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/09/nyregion/soul-music-botanica-radio.html

 

pop here if you’re there on a Wednesday. 

 

And if albums are your bag try Super Elevation records in Brooklyn. 

[Sceneman]

the house of oldies maybe still going

https://foursquare.com/v/house-of-oldies/4ba38862f964a520fd4438e3

House of Oldies

35 Carmine St (btwn Bedford & Bleecker St)
New York, NY 10014
United States

https://mbvintagenewyork.blogspot.com/2011/11/house-of-oldies-selling-last-centurys.html

google house of oldies

Edited May 6, 2019 by sceneman

[Seano]

17 hours ago, carty said:

As was mentioned earlier , Greenpoint in Brooklyn  is a place several record shops either sprung up or re located  a few years ago , come out of the subway at Manhattan Ave , you have  " The Thing "( massive cellar in thrift store  full of  mainly albums and  12s ) .Not too far across the road .    not sure if " The Record Grouch " is still on Manhattan Ave .   Running parrallel , but behind the main street , you have a road  that has   " Academy  records annexe" , and if you carry on further up for about ten minutes , you will come to "Co-op 84 records ".   ( Permanent records used to be on this road but had moved to Park Slope  Brooklyn a couple of years ago )  On the way back from co op 84 , get back onto Manhattan  Ave until you get to Calyer  street , this is where you will find " Captured Tracks records "( Hipster vibe , plenty of soul  albums and 45s )                                    Spent time in New york regularly for years until recently and always found this to be a fruitful circuit .      The shops did seem to move , open and close a lot  though , it was a fast changing scene .Think Greenpoint became the place where they set up shop after   Williamsburg became to expensive . 

Some photos here from quite a few years back, but a few shops (like The Thing in Greenpoint) that might still give a flavour of ones that have stayed put:

Have a great trip!

Not sure why the links don't show correctly but they do seem to work if you click on the box with the question mark in it. In order, they are of these albums on Flickr:

NYC Records and shops April 2010

Greenpoint Brooklyn

NYC record shops Easter 2008

New York Records October 2007

New York Soul Easter 2006

Edited May 6, 2019 by seano
Links look odd with question marks, but appear to work.

[Carty]

Great pics Sean , Thanks for posting .

[Source Team]

 

test

its seems the best way with flickr may be to post individual links

eg the above comes from

https://www.flickr.com/photos/seanosullivan/4921027235/in/album-72157624792714688/

 

and...

 

 

[Soulboy69]

20 hours ago, Soul Shrews said:

If you"re in downtown Brooklyn and thirsty Circa bar has some great beers on tap all brewed on the premises and some decent food too

Cheers Paul

Sounds great, thanks for that. 

[Soulboy69]

2 hours ago, seano said:

Some photos here from quite a few years back, but a few shops (like The Thing in Greenpoint) that might still give a flavour of ones that have stayed put:

Have a great trip!

Not sure why the links don't show correctly but they do seem to work if you click on the box with the question mark in it. In order, they are of these albums on Flickr:

NYC Records and shops April 2010

Greenpoint Brooklyn

NYC record shops Easter 2008

New York Records October 2007

New York Soul Easter 2006

Wow, think I better extend my holidays 

 

[Spook]

Walk along the Highline to Chelsea market, there was a small record stall inside but they had  more LP's thans 45's when we went.

 

[Neiljon31]

......also check if any record fairs / shows taking place. There’s often one up near Columbus Circle, I went last October time, worth a subway ride for sure. Also there is a bigger one on Long Island that clashed with my flight home !! 

[Soulwolf]

See a pevious discussion, although some of the shops mentioned may now have closed - https://www.soul-source.co.uk/forums/topic/326543-new-york-crate-digging

Also see this link about record shops in New York  - https://foursquare.com/top-places/new-york-city/best-places-record-shops

I tend to go to East Village - A1 Records and Good Records, nearby is the 12th Street Ale House, good selection of beers, happy hour etc.

Also endorse members comments re the flea markets.

Happy digging, be useful to hear how you go and if you managed to find any bargains.

 

[Mal C]

On 06/05/2019 at 08:56, sceneman said:

the house of oldies maybe still going

https://foursquare.com/v/house-of-oldies/4ba38862f964a520fd4438e3

House of Oldies

35 Carmine St (btwn Bedford & Bleecker St)
New York, NY 10014
United States

https://mbvintagenewyork.blogspot.com/2011/11/house-of-oldies-selling-last-centurys.html

google house of oldies

The only thing with this shop is the owner has two boxes of evenly priced 6/7ts more collectible soul funk 45s,  you have to buy 2 or 3 to see any more from behind the counter.

id have done it but there simply wasn’t anything for me in those first boxes... so I walked out 

 

he had great Lps as well, heard he is sitting on some good stock but it’s only offered if you buy a min...

Edited May 8, 2019 by Mal C

[Guest]

On 08/05/2019 at 15:46, Mal C said:

The only thing with this shop is the owner has two boxes of evenly priced 6/7ts more collectible soul funk 45s,  you have to buy 2 or 3 to see any more from behind the counter.

id have done it but there simply wasn’t anything for me in those first boxes... so I walked 

I went into The House of Oldies off Bleecker Street a few months ago. There was a older guy in there so I asked to see the large amount of 45's they have in a  long row of shelves on the right hand wall. He said I could not look, but to tell him some record titles for him to go and look for! I thought this was silly, so I decided to be just as silly!  We were right next to 7th Ave, so I asked him for the Seventh Avenue Aviators! That drew a blank stare, so I asked him for Frankie Beverly and some other records. He didn't know anything, so why does he not let people just go and look for themselves!!

Edited May 14, 2019 by Guest

[Soulboy69]

4 hours ago, solidsoul said:

I went into The House of Oldies off Bleecker St a few months ago. There was a older guy in there so I asked to see the large amount of 45's they have in a  long row of shelves on the right hand wall. He said I could not look, but to tell him some record titles for him to go and look for! I thought this was silly, so I decided to be just as silly!  We were right next to 7th Ave, so I asked him for the Seventh Avenue Aviators! That drew a blank stare, so I asked him for Frankie Beverly and some other records. He didn't know anything, so why does he not let people just go and look for themselves!!

Wow, how ridiculous is that! 

Thanks for the heads up on that one.

[Jazz]

Picked a lot of cheap bits up from the thing a while back worth a rummage 

[Seano]

5 hours ago, solidsoul said:

I went into The House of Oldies off Bleecker St a few months ago. There was a older guy in there so I asked to see the large amount of 45's they have in a  long row of shelves on the right hand wall. He said I could not look, but to tell him some record titles for him to go and look for! I thought this was silly, so I decided to be just as silly!  We were right next to 7th Ave, so I asked him for the Seventh Avenue Aviators! That drew a blank stare, so I asked him for Frankie Beverly and some other records. He didn't know anything, so why does he not let people just go and look for themselves!!

Same experience myself in one of the shops on Bleeker St (maybe the same one) back in 2002 - consistent if nothing else!

[Mal C]

Can’t remember his name now but he is a famous dealer that guy, bought mail order from him, but if your British after Soul in off the street, forget it....And all around that area it’s much the same I’m afraid... 

 

[Douglaschip]

Same experience with tbe same guy 2 years ago. Some nice albums on display but over priced.  

[Weingarden]

As mentioned above, check out my bar night if you're there on a Wednesday....Botanica, 47 E. Houston St., Manhattan, 9:45 p.m. till 2:30 a.m. or so. If you email me and give me some idea of what kind of stuff you're looking for, I can put together a sales box for you too.

Matt

[Roburt]

I have been to Botanica in the past (when my son lived in NY). Apart from being conveniently situated, having good folk in charge & featuring great soul music, the night has nothing going for it. 

[Sceneman]

mentioning houston TX i did the record shops there about 7 years ago and all i found was rotten heavilly scratched 45s not worth a cent

[Speedlimit]

On 08/05/2019 at 15:46, Mal C said:

The only thing with this shop is the owner has two boxes of evenly priced 6/7ts more collectible soul funk 45s,  you have to buy 2 or 3 to see any more from behind the counter.

id have done it but there simply wasn’t anything for me in those first boxes... so I walked out 

 

he had great Lps as well, heard he is sitting on some good stock but it’s only offered if you buy a min...

Also been to house of oldies two years ago very reluctant to show you anything he has a celler full of stuff but won't let anyone down there. 

[Guest Spain pete]

Probably dead bodies

[Seano]

I've just had this from a guy who works in NYC:

"Academy in Williamsburg moved to the next neighborhood, Greenpoint, about six years ago. Oak Street near Franklin Street., they still have Manhattan stores on West 18th Street and East 12th Street. Manhattan."