London’s Heritage Record Stores

In his odyssey of the capital’s vinyl vendors, Billy Holmes visits the robust businesses that have been propped up and venerated by not just London’s enthusiasts but crate diggers from all over the country.  

London’s record store history is rich and mystical, a collector’s paradise for the few but an obsolete time capsule for the many. Few stores survived the digital battle but the ones that remain have lasted for a reason. I spoke to some of London’s best vinyl DJs to pinpoint the most legendary stores in the city. As numerous recommendations rolled in, it soon became apparent that there were certain stores that were wholly sacred to the collector – stores with a reputation and legacy not only important to the people, but for music and its history.

Soul Brother – East Putney

On the corner of an unassuming road in East Putney lies Soul Brother, a smooth and effortlessly cool supplier of the latest and greatest Soul, Funk and Jazz. In business for 26 years, owner Laurence Prangell admits it’s been “tough and challenging, but we still have people travelling from all over the world to come to Soul Brother”. As I continued to learn about their long history, soul collectors huddled inside the pokey store to spin some of the rarest Soul selections from the vinyl back catalogue. I could have been in Memphis for all I knew. As the records played out I realised I was somewhere special. The past, present and future all equally important as each time the needle hit the wax.

Not only a store but also an independent record label, Soul Brother is responsible for many incredible releases over the years. “The South London Jazz scene and Neo-Soul movement have really refreshed the scene here, staying current is important. We have an organic soul. Groups like Ezra Collective still drop off their records here for us to sell.” Hosting an array of classics from the known to the obscure Soul Brother is proof that the genre and community still celebrates the old school in the most classy of fashions.

Honest Jons – Portobello Road

Established back in 1974 the once-butchers shop is arguably the most important record shop in London, if not the world. A selection that has pulled in the likes of Malcom McLaren and Joe Strummer, the shop originally set up by Jon Clare has been through decades of change and struggle in an ever-bustling Portobello Road. As tourists piled in with their DSLRs swinging round their necks I spoke to a builder on his lunch break as he was purchasing a fresh stack of new records. “I used to come here was I was about 16 to get all the latest Punk records, this was the place to find the most shocking and life changing music around. Things have changed round here but the records on the shelves haven’t.”

Honest Jon’s has managed to negate a genre specific reputation by constantly being at the forefront of all rebel music, from Hip-Hop, Dancehall, Rare Groove to 140 Jon’s has had it all. Honest Jon’s Records own label is also responsible for some killer releases over the past years from Tony Allen to Carl Craig –  278 Portobello Road has relentless proven itself throughout the ages to be the powerhouse of not only London record stores but of the global music scene.

Peckings – Shepherd’s Bush

More than just responsible for the birth of reggae music in the UK, Peckings has united race and shaped the cultural landscape of London. George ‘Peckings’ Price was at the beginning of Jamaican sound system culture, collaborating with originators such as Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry and Prince Buster on the streets of Kingston. Moving to London in the 1960’s George began trade with fellow Caribbean ex-pats who were similarly miles away from their home, Jamaica, the birthplace of Reggae and Blue Beat.

In 1973 Peckings opened to the public with an over-the-counter service. After years of ongoing racial discrimination there were some small glimpses of change as the music’s popularity boomed. In 1994 George sadly passed away but his three sons continued the legacy in true Peckings style. The store opens when it likes, so visiting can be problematic at times. I ran in to a DJ from Leeds who drove all the way down here just to visit the store: “Peckings is history man, this place is world famous – if it doesn’t open today I will just sleep in my car and pop by tomorrow.”

Alan’s Record Shop – East Finchley

26 years in the business and Alan has supplied to London’s biggest DJs for years, from techno to house and metal, he has it all. He’s a busy man, and as I enter he is near buried under a new order of vinyls, sorting them into genre for the next costumer to arrive. “We are lucky here, people are loyal and the younger generation has such a passion for records. We get a lot of young girls coming in with their parents to buy records, and not just The Stones obscure specialist records. It’s great.”

With crates full of records, it’s almost impossible not to spend a few hours in this vinyl lair. After sifting through his eclectic collection my fingers we not just dusty but incredibly sore. Although I may get in trouble here for revealing London’s DJs best kept secret, Alan’s Record is heartening reminder that we don’t have to succumb to the lightning fast pace on inner city living.

Supertone – Brixton

It would be rude to not include my local vendor on here. Supertone is Brixton’s long standing reggae, dancehall, soca and gospel specialist, established by the stern yet charismatic ‘Wally B’ in 1984. He tells me: “This is a proper Jamaican record store, exactly how it would be in Jamaica.” With a chin-height serving desk – that Wally B is often hidden behind – records line the walls, from old lovers rock, 90’s dub to the latest Chronixx release, they have it all. I asked Wally B about his survival within the gentrifying Brixton, he said: “People are buying fewer records obviously, but the Europeans, French, Spanish and German are keeping the sales high. They want the records now and they want a lot of them.”

I got further access to behind the desk where the all of a sudden the emporium truly began to reveal itself, hundreds of tapes, memorabilia and dubs were stacked to the ceiling. An hour had passed and I had barely even touched the surface. I still opt for buying my gig tickets from Supertone as if the internet doesn’t exist and strongly encourage you to do the same. And remember – if you want to get dusty fingers I you couldn’t look further than Supertone.