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.

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!

Sister Ray is a super cool record store (and conveniently down the street from a few other great…read morerecord stores). My vinyl crazed husband spent some good time in here. So first, this is a two-story store with vinyl downstairs and CDs upstairs. The downstairs is IMPRESSIVELY organized, which just tickled my fancy because I love it when things are organized. All of the sleeves are empty - the records are kept behind the counter downstairs. And even when you walk up with a stack of records, the organization is so good that they can easily locate all of the albums you wish you wish to purchase in a flash. The staff was great and friendly and they really knew their music too. The young man helping us had a deep discussion with my husband about some artists I don't know. It was a really good stop. And bonus points for the cool vintage cassettes painted on the stairwell.

This record store was everything I hoped for it had a huge selection of everything a classic rock…read morefan could ever want. Service was great to they gave me exactly what I wanted really fast. And the value was about as good as any record store there all expensive but that's what you get for liking expensive hobbies. And the outside of the store even looks great would for sure recommend

My husband LOVES to go record shopping when we travel to other countries, and Sound of the Universe…read morewas on the top of his list of London record shops. It also has the advantage of being located down the street from two other record shops, so it's like a three-fer. Anyway, Sounds of the Universe is in the most picturesque lovely building standing tall on a corner with an understated yellow "Records" sign pointing people towards the door. They have a wide selection of records that are really nicely organized, and the shop is really bright and clean. My husband said they were very smart because they had the type of record collection that encourages people who are into one style of music to explore and find additional albums that are related within easy reach.

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.

Rough Trade js a super cool music store...though I'd argue it's a bookstore and cafe with a music…read morestore attached to it, lol. They have a major selection of everything, books, cds, and records. I perused the books as I'm not much of a hard copy music person and stumbled on a book about J Dilla, which I ended up buying. So, great visit!

Black Market Records is one of Soho's more illustrious record shops. It's been around since 1987…read moreand specialises in everything house: deep, funky, tech, electro and jacking from the dance floors of the US, Europe and other countries. Black Market also own two record labels: Azuli and Z Records so on the odd occasion you'll find promos and exclusives lining their beat-filled vinyl shelves. They offer the buyer quite a few listening stations, so it's unlikely you'll have to wait to hear the latest tracks from the dance genres you love. Go downstairs and you'll find an eclectic drum and bass section, while in the back of the store you'll find all the usual record shop offerings like record bags and other accessories. If you have a DJ friend, find out what genre they play and speak to the man behind the counter about what's hot. At Black Market, you nearly always come right.

I visited London this summer and, of course, Black Market was on my 'must visit' list. I was not…read moredisappointed. The store is split into three areas -- House/Jungle/DnB/Garage/Grime/Dubstep/etc. and Reggae/Dancehall on the top floor. The lower level was filled with DJ equipment. The staff at each area was very helpful and I got some great musical recommendations that matched up with my taste. I would highly recommend Black Market to any dance or reggae music enthusiast. I look forward to visiting again in the future.

While in London earlier this month, I wanted to hit up some record stores; Flashback being towards…read morethe top of the list. This Flashback was cool, but not my favorite Flashback store. For my likes, I felt this store just didn't have what I was looking for. Another Flashback location hit it out of the park though, but this store still had some really cool gems! The service at this location was great though. The employees were nice and willing to answer questions, even though the place was busy. Everything was organized really well and it was easy to find the sections/artists that I was looking for. I would definitely come back here the next time I'm in London.

I'm over from America and stopped at this place, Sister Ray, and Reckless. This was the only shop…read moreworth stopping at honestly. Very kind and friendly staff and reasonable prices. Good music playing over the speakers too which is always nice.

I found out about this shop through social media and the 'old social media', word of mouth. I've…read morebeen aware of Cosmos Records in Toronto for at least 10 years but I just found out that there was a Cosmos Records in London. Going to Cosmos was high on my to do list whilst here in the city of London. I'm glad to say that I was not disappointed with my trip to Cosmos! A GREAT selection of vinyl is to be found in this shop. If you love funk, soul, jazz, Latin, Brazilian, African, Hip-Hop, House, electro, sound libraries, comedy, etc., on vinyl, then you must go there. Don't waste your time and money anywhere else in London; just go to Cosmos Records. Thank me now or later.

It's time someone was honest about this shop. Do they get in a fairly unusual selection due to…read moretheir US connections? Yes. But they price their stock through the roof and anyone with any experience buying vinyl will recognise titles they can pick up for £5-10 elsewhere at £20-30 here. You could then make the argument that at least its all in mint condition and guaranteed first press, for the collector without time to search out these things for cheaper prices, but even this isn't the case. A copy of Ornette Coleman's Free Jazz that they have for an eye-watering £75 is just the orange/green 1974 reissue, barely worth £20-30. Sleeves are often scuffed and worn. If you like the shop, like the people and don't mind paying over the odds by some 50% or more for the privilege then please patronise this establishment. If you have ever bought a record anywhere else in the world, don't bother.

While in London earlier this month, I wanted to hit up some record stores; Flashback being towards…read morethe top of the list. I hit up a couple Flashback locations but this one was definitely my favorite. It had some of the UK stuff that I was looking for, (I hail from the US), and at reasonable prices. I was in the shop for about an hour pursuing my sections/artists and taking second looks at the items in my stack and the employees let me do my thing and didn't bother me, which is always really appreciated. All of the stuff that I was looking for was on the main level, but they do have more vinyl in the basement, which is where I paid for my items. The employees were nice and understood that it was my first time in their shop and I didn't know the process of things. I loved this record shop and will definitely stop by here when I'm in London again!

Have experienced dentists available!! Don't farm out the…read morework to lesser practitioners just to make money!!