Crate digging in NYC? What CD/record stores are must visit in NYC?
January 24, 2019 10:55 AM   Subscribe

In late February I'm going to be in NYC to see a show and hit MOMA with my partner. While there, I also want to do as much crate digging as possible. What stores are the best bets if I can only spend about a day total in record hunting?

Last time I was in NYC I managed to hit Rough Trade and a couple of other record stores that were so-so. I'm working under the assumption that there should be some amazing used record stores in New York City where I can find stuff that isn't as easy to find in my area (Triangle area in North Carolina) or at my hometown go-to store (Vintage Vinyl in St. Louis).

I'm particularly looking for out-of-print jazz, funk, and oddities like Salty Songs for Underwater Listening. Current music I'd prefer to get on CD, stuff like Bill Laswell, Khruangbin, The Olympians, and anyplace where one might find overseas rarities like a Japanese pressing of an album/CD that has tracks not found on the U.S. version.

So - folks knowledgeable about such things... in my limited time in NYC, which stores should I prioritize? (Any exceptional used book stores are also of interest.)
posted by jzb to Shopping (7 answers total) 3 users marked this as a favorite
 
Best answer: Bushwick has some good ones: Superior Elevation, Human Head, and Second Hand Records are all a good time. Not much for CDs, though!

There's also great spots in Greenpoint: Academy Records, The Thing, Captured Tracks.

A1 Records in the village, too!

I dig for different things than you, so I think it's worth googling a bit about which of those are worth your time for your specific needs, though. Have fun!
posted by wemayfreeze at 11:12 AM on January 24, 2019


Best answer: One place to _avoid_ is Village Music World in Grenwich Village. They overcharge for extremely common records in poor condition.
posted by SansPoint at 11:39 AM on January 24, 2019


You should check out the Jazz Record Center in Chelsea.
posted by pinochiette at 6:16 PM on January 24, 2019


http://www.academy-records.com/
posted by eusebis_w_adorno at 10:36 PM on January 24, 2019


House of Oldies is worth a visit. Call first -- hours are sporadic.
posted by spilon at 12:52 PM on January 25, 2019


Best answer: Downtown Music Gallery sells mostly avant-garde, free jazz, experimental and improvised music, etc., and they have more Bill Laswell than Bill Laswell.
posted by box at 2:41 PM on January 25, 2019 [1 favorite]


Response by poster: Thanks for everybody who responded. I did not make it to all of the stores, but I did make it to several and I found tons of wonderful stuff.

I thought @box was exaggerating about "more Bill Laswell than Bill Laswell," but no. So much, including some rarities not even listed on Discogs. Academy Records was great, and OMG the Jazz Record Center!! So. Much. Jazz. awesomeness. Well-curated, beautiful selection. Thank you all.
posted by jzb at 6:41 AM on February 25, 2019 [2 favorites]


« Older Aftermarket mopar part?   |   Secular Israel tours for an older couple, one with... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.