Excellent shop, great range of records - and they really live up to their name…read more I visited their shop and like I kid in a candy store ended up buying a large number of records. including 3 and 4 of the collection. "London Is The Place For me. In the chaos of me chucking records from the racks at them they accidently pout the discs for parts 1 and 2 in the covers. When I rang to ask if they could sell me the discs for 3 & 4 in the sleave for 1 & 2, they refused, but just said: " No we will post the correct disks and sleave to make upo the set free of charge. Fantastic place.

If you didn't know, Jon is Honest. He's jsut this little shack in Notting Hill filled to brim with…read morerare music. Mostly Reggae and old skool R n'B, they also hold a collection of local artist nestled in amongst the vinyl and CDs. I was taken here once by a boy, this boy was in a band and it was an oh so cool day out. We mooched around the market and stumbled upon this gem. We even found his records on the shelves, but apparently it's uncool to point that out. In an area that is overwhelmed with the wealthy and tourists this is a hidden gem that shows you what Notting Hill was like before the movie, before Hugh Grant and his stupid hair cut ruined it all. Serious music lovers, don't expect racks and racks for fabulous music. It's a small selection of perfectly picked records that are icon and important and need to be heard. Die hard music fans only.

They've got a great door here, a great faded wooden façade. It's worth it just for that. Inside…read morethere's a record store - mostly post 60's stuff but it's pretty varied. I'd say if anything they compromise on depth in any one genre and go for real breadth. Most of the classics from the US and UK scene are here plus they've got quite a bit of New Wave and Punk. There's CDs & Vinyl, LPs, 45s and also a good stash of memorabilia and posters. Come too if you want to get rid of anything - they buy at pretty decent prices.

Minus Zero closed down on Saturday 1 May 2010. Conjoined with Stand Out Records it has been a…read morewonderful place to buy records for 26 years. You can read a tribute - some photos and audio from the last day - on my website; just search for eccentric sleeve notes and minus zero. Simon

The biggest electronic music section I've ever seen, and the gentleman was very nice!!read more

If you're a music lover or a DJ , then Phonica is for you. I can't recommend this place enough. The…read moreStaff is so attentive and will quickly look up what you need and if they have it will be set aside as you do more shopping. Their knowledge and ability to procure rare and new records is amazing. They recently had new pressings I did not know I needed! But a warning! You can spend 5 hours here and not even realize it! If you're coming from the states and need new records go on their website and pre shop ! You will not be disappointed.

You know that oft-quoted line from the movie High Fidelity that goes "I agreed that what really…read morematters is what you like, not what you are like... books, records, films -- these things matter"? The truth of this is up for debate, but are you someone whose eyes light up (and ears perk up) at the mention of The Smiths, Belle and Sebastian, Arcade Fire, and The Strokes (who were all signed to Rough Trade at one point or another), even though you're loath to admit that you read Pitchfork occasionally...? Go on. This is just the place for you. Make a pilgrimage to Rough Trade because we both know that you're the kind of person who'd wander around Brick Lane anyway. Rough Trade makes me feel like that this is probably what an everyday record store looked like back in the heyday of college radio back in the '80s and '90s. (Recent former college DJ here, confirming that absolutely no one listened to our station because we were online.) There's something for every music fan here, from indie to underground CDs and vinyl to hip music memorabilia such as posters and clothing. Browse to your heart's content and remember to stop by when there's a free gig going on. Soak up the cooler-than-you vibes that'll help boost your indie cred, fork out some money for the trendy black-and-white photo booth (you know you can't resist it), and brag to all of your friends back home that you discovered a cool new band here that they've probably never heard of before.

I loved getting to check out Rough Trade Records. As a vinyl junkie, it was like a music pilgrimage…read morefor me while I was in London. I wanted to check out the original location, though I read it was not in the original location/building any more and we were never quite close enough to it while on our trip to make it a convenient stop. So this one became the one for me given that I read it had the best overall selection in the city. Loved this place. Active, vibrant, folks everywhere checking out records. There's a coffee and bar up front so after shopping I sipped a pint and continued to listen to the great music they played throughout. Prices were fair, a lot of new sealed vinyl at "2 for 50 (pounds)" or even 13-20 pounds single. I loved the notes and "essentials" stickers pointing you to different music. I picked up several albums, focusing on ones I don't often (or ever) see on the rack in the states, a book, some rough trade branded merch. I love that they sell quality turntables and stereo gear, etc.--but sadly none of that would fit in my carry-on! The only thing that keeps this from being a "5 star" record shop for me is that if I lived here, it couldn't be my "go to" given that there are no used/trade-in options. I popped in one other Rough Trade location on our trip and guess that is standard, these are sealed/new record sellers only. But it's such a cool spot and I'm glad I went. Saved my Rough Trade cloth bag for display.

Record stores can be an intimidating place for a girl, especially one that has never successfully…read moreput on a record without dropping the needle or getting sweaty fingerprints all over everything. I am a music lover but grew up slightly too late in the last century to cultivate a record collection and am unfortunately a child of the comparatively uncool and prehistoric CD generation. Nevertheless, as a Hip Hop fan, vinyl and record stores hold a fascination and I often try to sneak in to them without being detected, sniffed out and mortified like the bumbling nerd in High Fidelity. However, I don't have to worry about this at Wyld Pytch because last time I went there I was actually invited inside. I was standing outside for a stalkerishly long time debating whether the Fela Kuti t-shirt in the window would fit me or not, when, out of nowhere, owner Digger Elias (yeah that's right) turned up behind me and said "like my shop? Come in!" So I did. They specialise in R&B, Funk, soul and of course Hip Hop, the staff are all DJs and there is a friendly atmosphere of camaraderie and shared love of music rather than the pretentious posturing often witnessed in record shops as the workers argue out the pros and cons of the most recent remix of a remixed remix. They also sell (a few) CDs and do a worldwide mail order service, however the best thing to me about the shop is the t-shirt collection, some of the best adorned with the faces of greats like Gil Scott Heron, Fela Kuti and Richard Pryor.

Don't walk too fast, you just might miss it. I think the bulk of Wyld Pytch's business is on-line,…read morebut a visit to their small store is essential if you love hip hop or if you are a DJ. Wyld Pytch specializes in Hip Hop, House, Breakbeats and much more. Their selection of t-shirts is impressive- they were having a big sale when we were there, plus they will cut you addl deals if you buy multiples... This is the type of place where regulars, staff and newbies can wax poetic on all topics from old school hip hop to Bansky. This place is a must for stocking up on your old head hip hop cred :)

Plenty of music to find here for CD and vinyl enthusiasts alike. The main floor was CD-based, so I…read morespent my time here. Prices were reasonable enough at 8 to 11 pounds ($10 - $14 at this time), but given that most London shops take CDs out of their cases I don't recall if everything was new at that price (fine) or used (uh oh). I did appreciate the area of the room near the staff table that had some albums and books at a discounted price and managed to get a few good choices there. Given its deep selection and proximity to other music stores in Soho, Sister Ray is definitely worth a look on a music-buying trip.

Visiting from out of town, the set up to this place is unique, only cds on the floor and all the…read morevinyl is behind the counter. I also walked in a minute from closing time at 6pm, and thought I might buy a shirt, but was rudely told that they were closed. Will spend my money elsewhere like Reckless Records who are open until 7pm. Cheers!

DO NOT PRE ORDER FROM ROUGH TRADE IF YOU WANT RELEASE DAY STUFF…read more Pre ordered the Springsteen Nebraska 82 set as I wanted to get it the day it came out. It didn't arrive, it's now days later and I've had no news about when I'll get it either. I've tried contacting them via customer service messaging and emails and have been ignored. According to the Shop app, my package is still 'being prepared' which means absolutely nothing

I first learned about the iconic Rough Trade record store through my love for The Smiths, and I…read morecouldn't resist the magnetic pull of this indie vinyl haven. My friend Robert and I had to visit it while on a long layover in London. Despite its dilapidated state and small size, Rough Trade's undeniable charm was evident in every corner. It's a treasure trove for indie and obscure music! However, I must admit that the physical state of the store left me longing for more. It's not as impressive as the one in New York! We didn't buy anything though, we've never heard of some of the bands that were on display. lol

What a gem of a place, music that spans all good music tastes and huge amounts of rarities that…read moreisn't as expensive as the other local record shops. Mark is a legend and he is always fun to chat with about music and very helpful to get some recommendations. A part of my local community so go support! Its 10 meters off brick lane so really easy to find.