One of our favourite downtempo / Balearic acts Zero 7 have hit the 100 Million streams mark on Spotify with the beautiful “In The Waiting Line” featuring the sultry tones of Sophie Barker.
The guys announced the news on their Facebook page and received a barrage of positive, supportive comments from their legion of fans.
DAY 7 OF 50 REVIEWS ON THE LEAD UP TO A RECORD STORE OWNER'S 50TH BIRTHDAY in 2021
Day 7 in my 50 favourite albums is a stunning Balearic masterpiece.
I absolutely adore this album and how it pretty much created it’s own genre.
“Simple Things” has been a permanent feature on whatever turntable, CD player, car stereo or headphones I’ve owned for many years.
This beautiful collection of inoffensive, coffee shop trip hop was first released 22 years ago. The two Brits in front of the studio mixing desk, Henry Binns and Sam Hardaker have had their music compared to the French electronica style of bands like Air. I can totally appreciate there may be influences, but in the same breath i believe they’re on a much different page.
It still shocks me when i learn that friends haven’t had the pleasure of Zero 7 and I love to introduce people to their music.
If for some reason they have passed you by and you appreciate soulful downtempo music for sunny afternoons, I urge you to spend an hour or two bingeing their albums, I guarantee you will spot instrumental music that you’ve heard somewhere before but just can’t put your finger on where. Probably a tv travel show or midday property programme.
When you listen to and dissect the songs you will appreciate how many subtle parts go into the making of this album.
Some of the vocals and harmonies are just beautiful and feature two stunning performances from a young Sia, on the tracks "Destiny" and "Distractions"
Everything within this collection of soulful songs happens at exactly the right time and you grow a deeper understanding of their production skills with every listen.
Soulful, uplifting and just plain lovely.
BUY THE VINYL OF SIMPLE THINGS FROM BELFAST UNDERGROUND
CHECK OUT THE OFFICIAL ZERO 7 WEBSITE
I always like to make time and check out some of the records that have sold in my shop before shipping.
This morning i was packing this beauty from Karen Smith on the brilliant Mango Records and i am ashamed to say that when i listened to this, i had not been previously aware of it.
Every single day i discover new songs and versions of songs that i didn't know existed, even after 32 years of running record shops.
I have well documented love of Sade but am always slightly sceptical of cover versions. I absolutely love this.
Produced by the legendary Sly & Robbie this cover version has such a beautiful, simplistic, happy vibe.
I'm wishing now that i had held on to this one. But alas, some fine collector of quality reggae in Glasgow is now the proud owner of this gem. Enjoy sir.
TURN THE RECORDS THAT YOU DON’T USE ANYMORE INTO CASH OR EXCHANGE THEM FOR FRESH VINYL THAT YOU WILL USE.
WE believe that lurking in everyone’s attic / roof space is a dusty old box of vinyl records or at the bottom of your shelves there’s a ton of records that you bought years ago and your taste may have changed and you no longer like.
We buy and trade those records that you may have grown out of or have double copies of. These unloved pieces of plastic could be generating serious cash for you and offering a well needed financial boost on the lead up to Christmas.
Cash is paid on the spot for records of ALL styles OR an exchange rate of 1.5 times the amount is offered
FOR EXAMPLE
If we value your collection at £100. We offer you a choice of either £100 in cash OR £150 in store credit to use either in-store or online. This credit option is particularly useful if you want to refresh your collection.
Get in contact with details of any records, CDs, instruments, equipment that you wish to offload..
Did a little bit more learning about basic web coding this morning and implemented a few very subtle changes to the website that most probably won't notice. It works in pretty much the same way that a standard bricks & mortar store works in that you need to keep things clean and work on areas that could be performing better.
Every single day is a learning curve, in work and life i suppose.
Yes, you read correctly, i work Sundays as well. Sunday is a day that i need to get caught up with processing orders and also adding stock to the website. It's usually a quieter day for me, with fewer distractions. This can create an ideal environment for focused work, allowing me to (in theory) accomplish some tasks through the coming week more efficiently. I received a couple of big used record collections this week that are currently being processed and will be going onto the site over the coming weeks.
Added a few more gems to the used section today. I have started to add a few of my substantial 7 inch collection to the website along with every other 12 inch and dance single. This breaks up the flow of listings all being of the same style or format. I believe this also keeps the website fresh and interesting.
So, in the past few days i got to add a lot of 80's funk, soul & electronic synth pop along with some US House music and a few oldskool classics like these belters from The Good Strawberries and Spirits.
CHECK OUT THE LATEST USED ADDITIONS
DAY 3 OF 50
Back in 2021 on the 50 days leading up to my 50th Birthday, i posted a daily review of my 50 favourite LPs of all time. This rundown was a varied selection of everything from acoustic folk music to dark metal and French electronica.
Today, day 3 of 50 is a monster album and tale of turmoil from its tortured frontman.
LINKIN PARK - Hybrid Theory
Until tomorrow folks, have a lovely evening.
TURN THE RECORDS THAT YOU DON’T USE ANYMORE INTO CASH OR EXCHANGE THEM FOR FRESH VINYL THAT YOU WILL USE.
WE believe that lurking in everyone’s attic / roof space is a dusty old box of vinyl records or at the bottom of your shelves there’s a ton of records that you bought years ago and your taste may have changed and you no longer like.
We buy and trade those records that you may have grown out of or have double copies of. These unloved pieces of plastic could be generating serious cash for you and offering a well needed financial boost on the lead up to Christmas.
Cash is paid on the spot for records of ALL styles OR an exchange rate of 1.5 times the amount is offered
FOR EXAMPLE
If we value your collection at £100. We offer you a choice of either £100 in cash OR £150 in store credit to use either in-store or online. This credit option is particularly useful if you want to refresh your collection.
Get in contact with details of any records, CDs, instruments, equipment that you wish to offload..
Another week draws to a close for the humble little record store. This week had it's share of ups and a LOT of downs, but i managed to keep things together until the end and shall enjoy a nice relax now as reward. I met a few lovely new music enthusiasts this week and each day was filled with many twists and turns, but most importantly, that unmistakable aroma of vinyl (mostly peoples roof-spaces and garages to be fair)
From Monday's quiet hum to the finale of Saturday's usual frenzy, every day brought its own rhythm (pardon the crap pun) and energy. Customers flipped through stacks of records, seeking gems from all genres and eras.
And, most importantly for me, i gained some more skills and learned a bit more about web development. You should notice the formatting of my posts hopefully becoming a bit more steamlined over the coming weeks. There is such a feeling of achievement when you fix any problem by yourself, without having to pay an expert.
Today saw quite an eclectic selection of music flying out the door. A lot of Drum & Bass from the likes of Roni Size, Goldie and Ed Rush were in demand and also some great titles from a favourite label of mine, Compost Records from Germany. Some gems from the downtempo & lounge section also sold, alongside the usual spread of big dancefloor fillers and full on anthems! Bangers and blissful beats living together perfectly.
Had our Royal Mail collection this afternoon which is proving incredibly handy and it also makes it a race against time to get as many orders packaged and ready to go before our friendly postie arrives. This has further increased productivity.
DAY 2 OF 50
Back in 2021 on the 50 days leading up to my 50th Birthday, i posted a daily review of my 50 favourite LPs of all time. This rundown was a varied selection of everything from acoustic folk music to dark metal and French electronica.
Today, day 2 of 50 Is a beautiful, emotional masterpiece from a true goddess of the music world.
KATE BUSH - 50 Words For Snow
Until tomorrow folks, have a lovely evening.
TURN THE RECORDS THAT YOU DON’T USE ANYMORE INTO CASH OR EXCHANGE THEM FOR FRESH VINYL THAT YOU WILL USE.
WE believe that lurking in everyone’s attic / roof space is a dusty old box of vinyl records or at the bottom of your shelves there’s a ton of records that you bought years ago and your taste may have changed and you no longer like.
We buy and trade those records that you may have grown out of or have double copies of. These unloved pieces of plastic could be generating serious cash for you and offering a well needed financial boost on the lead up to Christmas.
Cash is paid on the spot for records of ALL styles OR an exchange rate of 1.5 times the amount is offered
FOR EXAMPLE
If we value your collection at £100. We offer you a choice of either £100 in cash OR £150 in store credit to use either in-store or online. This credit option is particularly useful if you want to refresh your collection.
Get in contact with details of any records, CDs, instruments, equipment that you wish to offload..
Today, I want to express my sincere gratitude for the incredible support i have received during this holiday season. The shop has seen a great surge of activity, and it has been lovely to witness the music passion and joy of such a wide cross section of customers. As a result, I haven't had much time to sit down and work on a longer blog post, but I couldn't be happier about it. This period is a testament to the hard work and dedication we have put into creating a unique shopping experience. Thank you for your continued support, and I am feeling very positive and excited to share more updates and stories with you!
Today was a mixed bag on the sales front, had a few customers collecting orders that were made online and a few older records moving again. This huge big trance anthem from the early 90's, Source T-10 "Emotion" sold today. From what i could see before pricing, this was the only copy available for sale in the world. It went to a very nice new home with someone who i know will appreciate it greatly. Was a big day for trance sales in general, sold loads of big anthems. Party season is upon us and the boys are after the bangers.
DAY 1 OF 50
Back in 2021 on the 50 days leading up to my 50th Birthday, i posted a daily review of my 50 favourite LPs of all time. This rundown was a varied selection of everything from acoustic folk music to dark metal and French electronica.
In order for this rundown to live on for eternity in the realms of Google, i'm going to post one of this website every day for the next 50 days.
So, today i'll start with No 50 which was a charming album from a guy i found when i was going through a low period in life. Henry Jamison - The Wilds
Until tomorrow folks, have a lovely evening.
TURN THE RECORDS THAT YOU DON’T USE ANYMORE INTO CASH OR EXCHANGE THEM FOR FRESH VINYL THAT YOU WILL USE.
WE believe that lurking in everyone’s attic / roof space is a dusty old box of vinyl records or at the bottom of your shelves there’s a ton of records that you bought years ago and your taste may have changed and you no longer like.
We buy and trade those records that you may have grown out of or have double copies of. These unloved pieces of plastic could be generating serious cash for you and offering a well needed financial boost on the lead up to Christmas.
Cash is paid on the spot for records of ALL styles OR an exchange rate of 1.5 times the amount is offered
FOR EXAMPLE
If we value your collection at £100. We offer you a choice of either £100 in cash OR £150 in store credit to use either in-store or online. This credit option is particularly useful if you want to refresh your collection.
Get in contact with details of any records, CDs, instruments, equipment that you wish to offload..
One of the things that i love about Christmas, from a business perspective is that i get to see a great upsurge in orders from around the world and for the most varying styles of music. People picking up records for relatives, possibly that they listened to together as children or that hold another special bond between themselves and a loved one.
Christmas is a special time for gift-giving, and buying records for a loved one can be a wonderful idea as it shows a lot of thought and understanding of the person that they are. Music for me has a magical way of bringing joy and a feeling of nostalgia on so many levels.
When choosing records as a Christmas present, consider the recipient's musical taste and preferences. Think about their favorite artists, genres, or even specific albums they might have mentioned before. Whether it's a classic record from their favorite band or an album from a new and upcoming artist they've been wanting to explore, the options are endless.
To make it even more special, online platforms such as Ebay are full of limited edition or collector's editions of their favorite albums. These will often come with extra features such as exclusive artwork, bonus tracks, or even signed copies, adding an element of uniqueness to the gift.
Remember, the joy of giving is in seeing the delight on your loved one's face when they unwrap their present. So, take the time to select a record that truly reflects their musical taste and let the music bring them joy and happiness.
Today i saw a great upsurge in what i spoke about above, the "Christmas Purchase" I am a great believer in adding pretty much every record of every style onto the website. I'll leave the niche music market to other stores. Mickey Marley's Roundabout was released back in 1980 and is the happy folk song story of a travelling fairground that did the rounds back in simpler times for Belfast. I'm almost certain that this was purchased as a very thoughtful stocking filler for a slightly older relative.
Along with some specialist Christmas LPs and seasonal music, today saw great sales in the big obvious classic dance tracks. I also suspect that a lot of these were also for presents.
Vinyl mixing has experienced a great resurgence among young DJs in recent years. Despite the convenience and portability of digital music formats, many aspiring DJs are drawn to the unique and authentic sound of vinyl. The tactile experience of selecting and spinning records on turntables adds an element of artistry and nostalgia to their performances. Vinyl also allows DJs to explore a vast sea of musical treasures, uncovering forgotten gems and rare releases that are not easily found in digital libraries. This renewed interest in vinyl signifies a deeper appreciation for the physicality of music and a desire to celebrate the rich history of DJ culture.
Until tomorrow folks, have a lovely evening.
TURN THE RECORDS THAT YOU DON’T USE ANYMORE INTO CASH OR EXCHANGE THEM FOR FRESH VINYL THAT YOU WILL USE.
WE believe that lurking in everyone’s attic / roof space is a dusty old box of vinyl records or at the bottom of your shelves there’s a ton of records that you bought years ago and your taste may have changed and you no longer like.
We buy and trade those records that you may have grown out of or have double copies of. These unloved pieces of plastic could be generating serious cash for you and offering a well needed financial boost on the lead up to Christmas.
Cash is paid on the spot for records of ALL styles OR an exchange rate of 1.5 times the amount is offered
FOR EXAMPLE
If we value your collection at £100. We offer you a choice of either £100 in cash OR £150 in store credit to use either in-store or online. This credit option is particularly useful if you want to refresh your collection.
Get in contact with details of any records, CDs, instruments, equipment that you wish to offload..
This post provides a personal perspective on buying records or CDs online and how i recommend maximising the value of shipping costs by adding more items to the package.
From a personal perspective, when i buy something like records or CDs from any online website trader, whether it be Ebay, Discogs, Amazon or any independent business website, i always research with the company how much i can physically fit inside the package that is being shipped to me.
I look at it this way. I'm already paying the shipping charges, and if my items are being posted from somewhere like Europe, there will usually be a sizeable fee involved to post my package. So, especially if its records (for me) i will spend a bit of time browsing the company's other products to see if i can find any tasty bargains to piggy back into the same package, as these items will effectively be with FREE postage.
As a shop, i regularly receive orders from the other side of the world that sometimes contain postage charges that are up to 8 times the cost of the actual record. For instance this week i shipped a record to USA that cost £1.50 and the postage was £17.95.
I have started from this week, sending a standard message to anyone who places an order like this, informing them that anything else they add to the order can easily be slotted inside their existing package and therefore be viewed as FREE postage.
TODAY IN RECORD SALES
Today was a great day for classic re-issues. We managed to completely sell out of the exquisite MENTAL CUBE - Q REISSUE and are running very low on stormers such as Laurent Garnier's Man With The Red Face, Edge 1, Lustral Everytime and Alison Limerick Where Love Lives.
Also sadly had a record today that couldn't be located in my racks. I spent around 2 hours searching for a record with Danny Tenaglia remixes but had to give up in the end. This does happen occaisionally as we did have a degree of theft in our big shop in Belfast and the only way that we get to find out is when someone orders a record and it can't be found.
Thankfully this is becoming a very rare occurrence these days as the stock control system has been fine tuned over the past few years.
Until tomorrow folks, have a lovely evening.
CHECK OUT THE LATEST CLASSIC REISSUES
TURN THE RECORDS THAT YOU DON’T USE ANYMORE INTO CASH OR EXCHANGE THEM FOR FRESH VINYL THAT YOU WILL USE.
WE believe that lurking in everyone’s attic / roof space is a dusty old box of vinyl records or at the bottom of your shelves there’s a ton of records that you bought years ago and your taste may have changed and you no longer like.
We buy and trade those records that you may have grown out of or have double copies of. These unloved pieces of plastic could be generating serious cash for you and offering a well needed financial boost on the lead up to Christmas.
Cash is paid on the spot for records of ALL styles OR an exchange rate of 1.5 times the amount is offered
FOR EXAMPLE
If we value your collection at £100. We offer you a choice of either £100 in cash OR £150 in store credit to use either in-store or online. This credit option is particularly useful if you want to refresh your collection.
Get in contact with details of any records, CDs, instruments, equipment that you wish to offload..