Record Store Day - one of the biggest annual events on the music calendar - returns this Saturday 22nd April and two of Stroud’s independent record stores have been busy over the last few week’s ordering a hoard of ltd edition RSD releases. The third will also be participating - albeit in a different way…
All three have brought forth a multitude of events for the day including live performances, DJ sets, exhibitions, discounts and much more.
We asked Tom Berry from Sound Records, Simon Vincent from Trading Post and Sean Roe from Klang Tone Records to recommend some of those RSD releases, some not RSD releases and what they’ve got going on instore for the day…
SOUND RECORDS
“Sound Records marks Record Store Day 2023 with a showcase of some of the finest hip-hop talent Gloucestershire has to offer. Various local MCs & DJs will be in store dropping tracks throughout the afternoon with support from local DJs including Fade, Jake B Kirton and Tom Lowrie (Heavy-T). The main event at 4.30 when Bro, Layman (Harry G), JChalks, Griz-o & Dutty Goonz step it up with a live in store performance, bringing RSD home in style…” explains Sound Records’ Tom Berry; “In addition the shop will be selling all the usual exclusive releases, providing goodie bags to those first in the queue and offering discounts on records throughout the day. This year we are seriously upping our RSD exclusive stock so be sure to get to us early!”
SIX RECOMMENDED RSD RELEASES:
1. Larry Levan's Paradise Garage
”Many regard Larry as the greatest DJ ever to do it and who are we to argue - disco greatness!”
2. Althea and Donna: Uptown Top Ranking
”Perhaps the greatest one hit wonders ever - Althea and Donna's classic reggae LP gets the reissue treatment...”
3. Mike D presents...Brazil 45
”What it says on the tin. Beastie Boy Mike selects 5 of his favourite Brazilian 45s and they're assembled in a lovely Mr Bongo collection - sure to disappear early!”
4. Bert Jansch: Toy Balloon/When The Circus Comes To Town
”Reissue of two of the Pentangle frontman's later LPs.”
5. Blur Presents The Special Collectors Edition
”Release of a Japan only release of the bands B-sides - includes a cover of Rod Stewart's Maggie May!”
6. Carole King: The Legendary Demos
”A release of outtakes including from the Tapestry sessions... “
Sound Records can be found at 23 George Street. Follow them on instagram and facebook for news and updates.
TRADING POST
“Apart from hundreds of exclusive vinyl releases being available on the day we also be entertained by twelve DJs from 8am through to 5pm including Neil Arthur from Blancmange, Keith Allen and Tamzin Malleson, Situation Sound, Neil ‘Dubbu’ Wilson, Will ‘Mendoza’ Cookson, Tom Savage, Andy Edwards, Nadine ‘DJ Spooky’ Phillips, Mz Monique, Danny Toft, Steve Brown and the Donnelly Sisters. This year's Record Store Day will be my last one behind the counter at Trading Post so I hope to see as many faces both old and new on the day. Fear not, I'll still be running the shop for a good while longer and there'll be a celebration when the time comes for me to go, probably March 2024.. So come and queue, fill ya boots, grab a beer or six and dance like no one's watching…”
SIX RECOMMENDED RSD RELEASES:
1. Pixies: Demos 10”
The songs on this release were recorded by Pixies in March 1987 and were included in what has come to be known by diehard fans as ‘The Purple Tapes’.
2. Blur Presents The Special Collectors Edition
2LP pressed on coloured vinyl, featuring a collection of B-sides taken from the of their first three studio albums.
3. Pixies: Doolittle Live In Brussels 2009
Captures the band’s complete show in Brussels in 2009, newly remixed by Tom Dalgety from the soundboard multi-tracks.
4. The Prodigy: Invaders Must Die Remixes
A special remix version of The Prodigy’s 4th album ‘ Invaders Must Die’, their 4th consecutive UK No. 1 studio album (2009).
5. Pearl Jam: Give Way
Recorded during Pearl Jam’s Melbourne Park show on March 5, 1998 during the Australian tour in support of their 3rd studio album Yield, the highly sought after Give Way released on vinyl for the first time.
6. David Bowie: Laughing With Liz: - The Vocalion And Deram Singles 1964 - 1967
Bowie's early Deram singles collected in a 7" box for the very first time
Trading Post is situated at 26 Kendrick Street. Follow them on facebook for news and updates
KLANG TONE RECORDS
“Klang Tone Records will be celebrating RSD by not officially participating in it! As a shop I don’t fulfil the criteria to join…I have been saving some of the best items that have come in to Klang Tone over the 6 months -so when I open the shop on Saturday 22 April, I will put out 500 astonishingly good records - some hard to find items amongst them . A jamboree of sounds from around the world! NO RSD STOCK WHATSOEVER! I’m opening at 7am - the early bird will get some Ear Worms! I’ll be serving free snacks and tea throughout the day and local Electronica act Ten Hyphen Twenty (Ed Davenport) performs live at 4pm.” explains Klang Tone’s Sean Roe; “ I’ll be playing the usual mad selection of music all through the day and we also have an exhibition of local poet Ollie Swanston’s Haiku poems that were turned into artworks after putting them into the Midjourney AI art engine, with some unusual results!”
SIX RECOMMENDED RELEASES FROM THE '“500”
1. Five Days Rain S/T
UK four piece who recorded an album in 1970 that never saw an official release at the time and which took some 20 years to resurface. They blend psychedelic rock and folk - hey it was recorded in 1970!
2. Googoosh: Finders Keepers Comp
Iran’s best kept secret - performer of some of the “rarest and unheard heart melting pop music in the world” say the liner notes. Banned after the 1979 revolution her songs were spread and preserved by cassette exchanges.
3. Sonny Sharrock : Ask The Ages
This is the 2019 reissue on Hive Mind - originally issued on CD only in 1991. This lp features Pharaoh Sanders and Elvin Jones in devastatingly good form This must be played loud to be appreciated!
4. Marvin Gaye: What’s Going On
This 2021 repress is so beautifully packaged - The music is beautifully mixed -incredible attention to detail. Sides 3 and 4 feature mono versions and stripped down re-edits.
5. Bombay S Jayashri : Shravanam
One of classical Indian vocalist “Bombay” Jayashri Ramnath’s most mesmerising works. Revered as one of the greatest living exponents of Carnatic music. Unusually this record is reverse cut-plays from the inside to the edge..
6. Maria McKee: You Gotta Sin To Get Saved
A bit of a forgotten second solo lp . This is darker and rockier than her previous country tinged outing. Features two Van Morrison covers. Rare 1993 original pressing
Klang Tone Records can be found at 50A London Rd. Follow them on instagram and facebook for news and updates.