Sun Ra, Prince and Shaka in Brockley Road

Some musical legends commemorated at Lorenzo's Records Wanted shop at 260a Brockley Road, the mural painted in 2023 by Butch Attai. Those featured include Jah Shaka, Prince, Ennio Morricone, Sun Ra, Yukihiro Takahashi and Holger Czukay. Some stuff for the real heads there and an indication of the kind of music you can find inside. Just down the road from the Roy Ayers mural too - can any other street in the world boast such a line up?

Someone has defaced Sun Ra (heresy), but found earlier image at Lorenzo's instagram

The  artist has also posted their original sketch for the piece

Jah Shaka from New Cross of course some of the others may have passed briefly through South London. Sun Ra's first London gig was at the South Bank centre (Queen Elizabeth Hall) in 1970 and of course there was Prince's 2007 residency at the 02 in Greenwich.

 

New record shops in New Cross and Camberwell

Not one but two new record shops in the area...

Planet Wax at 318 New Cross Road, next to the New Cross House, is not technically new. It was previously in Deptford Market Yard but has relocated. As well as a record shop specializing in jungle/garage/dubstep/techno/electro etc it has a dubplate studio and a bar. As such it will be hosting regular events including tomorrow night (Friday 25th November 2022) South London producer/DJ Controlled Weirdness.

After becoming a promising place to hang out Deptford Market Yard is looking a bit empty at that end. Aaja music bar has also gone, currently operating next to the Birds Nest. As the new flats nearby fill up a few residents have taken to complaining about the noise - I don't know where they thought they were moving to - making it inhospitable to Deptford nightlife.

Meanwhile in Camberwell 'Dash the Henge' has opened on the site of the longstanding and much loved Rat Records (348 Camberwell New Road). An eclectic selection of old and new vinyl plus live music events - Dash the Henge is also a record label.

Aloha Dead live in store on 26th Nov 2022

 

Green Onions and Red Lion - healthfoods, vinyl and coffee in Clifton Rise SE14

Tucked off the New Cross Road in Clifton Rise SE14, Green Onions has been going for about 18 months offering a great combination of healthfoods and vinyl.

 

Out front there's vegan goodies, gifts and all the tea bags...

Head to the back though and there's racks of vinyl from Spotty Vinyl Records... some great finds to be had for all you crate diggers, with new stock every week.

I was sorely tempted by a couple of disco 12"s, maybe next time. Don't think they had this soul classic though...

Green Onions is open every day, including until 7:30 pm Monday to Friday, so handy for popping in on the way to or from New Cross Gate if you're commuting.

Also in Clifton Rise you can now get a really good coffee (not to mention plenty of food) at the new Red Lion Coffee Company. I know there's no shortage of cafes in the area, especially up near Goldsmiths, but lets just say coffee quality can be variable if you are as fussy as me.

Red Lion is on corner of Clifton Rise and Batavia Road near to Fordham Park.

Poseurs record shop in Lewisham: 'spinners equivalent of Mecca' (1980s)

The British Record Shop Archive, who put on an excellent exhibition recently about the history of Peckham record shops, mentions a few Lewisham shops on its website:

- Chequers, Lee High Road - 1970s/80s.

- Nicholls Hi Fi, 432-434 Lee High Road, SE12 -1960s?

- Muzik City and Raw Power (1980s) - both in Lewisham model market, reggae singer Winston Groovy worked at the former.

- Diamond Records (1960s) - 199 Rushey Green - it had booths in to listen to the records.

One not mentioned there is Poseurs:

'Desparate disc jockeys have been converging on a shocking pink building in Lewisham... they've discovered the record spinners' equivalent of Mecca - a shop dealing solely in 12 inch dance singles dating back to 1970. Tiffany Lee, a former pirate radio DJ, set up Poseurs three months ago' (South London Press, 17 August 1984).

Anyone remember any more about it, or other local record shops?

Peckham 33-45-78 RPM

'Peckham 33-45-78 RPM' is an exhibition celebrating the history of record shops in Peckham presented by The British Record Shop Archive. It is open at 91 Peckham High Street (next to the Peckham Space) and runs until January 29th, 11 am to 6 pm, including weekends - free entry. 

I had a look in yesterday and they've got some great material, with photographs, bags and other memorabilia from some of the 25 or so record shops that have been based in the area at some point over the last 50 years.

Red Records (86 Rye Lane), Reed records (Parkstone Road, off Rye Lane, Maestro Records, 61 Rye Lane)

Advert from Black Music magazine, May 1975 including on right 'Intone Records & Tapes', 48 Rye Lane:
'Rockers dub King Tubby's style. Pre-release and Import Soul'. Intone was run by sound system operator Lloyd Coxsone. DJ John Peel made regular visits to Intone to source reggae tracks for his radio show. The British Record Shop Archive say that reggae 'DJ David Rodigan (MBE) is known to have sold records out of the railway arches in Peckham' and the famous reggae store Dub Vendor, later situated at Clapham Junction, was briefly based in Peckham. Earlier, in the 1950s, Harry Tipple's newsagent in Peckham Park Road had a sideline in Jamaican 45s which you had to make an appointment to see.

Woolworths - the Rye Lane store was one of many across the country where people bought chart hits

Sound Ville Records, Rye Lane Market - reggae singer Winston Groovy once worked there, going on to manage the Muzik City shop in Lewisham Model Market

 If you've got any memories, photographs, flyers or anything else relating to Peckham record shops or related music scenes, the (Peckham-based) British Record Shop Archive would like to hear from you.

Pop up Record Shop in New Cross Road

You go for years without a record shop in the area then two open within a month. Vinyl in Deptford is planning on sticking around, but there's also a temporary one opening in New Cross Road this weekend. This from Goldsmiths:

'A pop-up record shop in the heart of New Cross will open on Saturday (19 October) in association with NX Records, a collaborative independent label from Matthew Herbert’s Accidental record label, and Goldsmiths, University of London. Launched just six months ago as a platform for Goldsmiths students from the BMus in Popular Music, NX Records has already hosted live shows, produced an acclaimed introductory mix-tape and is now proud to announce the opening of the NX Records Pop Up Shop.

The first venture of its kind in New Cross, the shop will be open from Saturday 19 October until Saturday 23 November, and will offer a unique record-buying experience in a lively, friendly atmosphere. The most desirable new vinyl and CDs from a range of labels, limited edition releases from NX Records artists and friends unavailable elsewhere, and unique handcrafted releases and zines will also be on offer.

From mainstream to underground, the BMus in Popular Music at Goldsmiths embraces popular music in its many forms: rock, pop, folk, urban, jazz, experimental and commercial. It is also the programme that produced Mercury Prize 2011 nominee Katy B, and James Blake – also nominated for the Mercury Prize and a 2012 Ivor Novello award.

Honouring Goldsmiths' commitment to the local creative community and to a new generation of upcoming artists, the shop will also host talks, workshops and Q&A sessions from industry experts, and one-of-a-kind, intimate in-store performances from NX and other local artists including Holy Milk, Thefft, Buffalo Ink and Crewdson.

Simon Deacon, Director of Popular Music at Goldsmiths, commented: "NX Records exists to showcase the talents, and hopefully launch the careers, of up and coming artists who have begun their creative journey at Goldsmiths. The Pop Up Shop shop will be a creative hub for NX Records and will give New Cross residents a great opportunity to experience some of the amazing talent we have at Goldsmiths."

Goldsmiths recently announced it will be creating new recording studios at 286 New Cross Road for the use of its students from the Department of Music. Once completed, it is hoped the professional-level studios will be available for public hire'.

- For more information about the pop up shop visit http://310nxroad.tumblr.com/

- For more information about NX Records visit http://www.nxrecords.co.uk/

- In-Store events (doors 19:30):

Sat 19 Oct (Opening night) - Thefft (DJ set) + Holy Milk
Fri 25 Oct - Jacob Aria + James Marples
Fri 1 Nov - Tom Morley + King of Hearts
Fri 8 Nov - Femme + Lisa Busby (DJ set)
Thu 14 Nov - Lake Dysmal and Crewdson (workshop and gig)
Thu 21 Nov - Niomi Eve + Jamie Coe
Sat 23 Nov (Closing Party) - Buffalo Ink + Special Guest DJ

Datacide in Deptford

Datacide, international 'magazine for noise and politics', has its origins in the underground techno/speedcore/noise scene in 1990s London. Its founder, Christoph Fringeli, also initiated Praxis records and the legendary Dead by Dawn nights at the 121 Centre in Brixton (for a while Praxis had a record stall in New Cross Road in what is now Prangsta). Today it is published out of Berlin, but with contributors spread around the globe. As well record reviews and other music news, it features in depth articles and interviews on the related cultural politics, anti-fascism, and much more.

In a return to its South London origins, there will be a launch event for the new issue 13 on Sunday 20th October 2013 at Vinyl, the new record shop/cafe/bar at 4 Tanners Hill, Deptford SE8. It will run from 7 pm to 10 pm (admission free).

There will be talks from contributors including:

- Christoph Fringeli - An overview of Datacide.

- David Cecil  - 'Confessions of an Accidental Activist – Sexual politics and homophobia in Uganda'. David was arrested in Uganda and deported earlier this year. He found himself in the media spotlight after he produced a comedy drama in Kampala (Uganda) which was mistakenly portrayed as a piece of ‘gay activism’. The US evangelist movement, international rights activists and the mainstream media have all contributed in different ways to misleading perceptions of sexuality in Uganda. Meanwhile, more substantial and complex factors of post-colonial socio-economic transformation have been (deliberately?) overlooked, along with the actual experience of daily life for LGBTI people in Uganda (David was also involved in the 1990s free party sound system scene).

- Neil Transpontine ' 'Revolt of the Ravers - the movement against the Criminal Justice Act in Britain'.  It is now 20 years since the UK Government announced its plans for new laws notoriously targeting gatherings with music 'characterised by repetitive beats', sparking off  mass opposition. A look back on that movement and its impact.

Sunday nights sounds will be supplied by South London bassnik DJ Controlled Weirdness.

Deptford Vinyl: New Record Shop in Tanners Hill

Excellent... Vinyl,  a new record shop in Deptford, kicking off with some events this weekend:

'Moving south from Soho and Camden, Record Shops Ambient Soho and Dragon Discs touch down in a new retail spot after spending 12 years in festival world with the addition of a coffee bar and gallery. Jenny and Ron bring you a new space to to invade, with Jerome Hill in the record shop

VINYL...Gallery, Record Shop and Coffee Bar is Deptford's latest micro venue serving coffee smoothies cakes and paninis with a licensed bar.

Friday 27th September: Vinyl Gallery premier exhibition Transformation. 6.30 - 9.00 pm Part of Deptford X

Artists: Jenny Brown, Annie Chapman, Chris F Clark, Punkvert, David Vallade, Sam Mattacott.

Saturday 28th September: DJs from 2.00 - 9.00 pm Record Shop Disco

Sun 29th September 2.00 - 7.00m Chill House Downbeat

4 Tanners Hill, Deptford, SE8 4PJ (07930421113)'

I used to frequent Ambient Soho in Berwick Street during the 1990s techno golden age, so will definitely be checking this out.

Spotty Vinyl Records

I was intrigued by this sign outside the Hob in New Cross Road for 'Spotty Vinyl Records'.

In fact it's a few boxes of second hand vinyl inside Dig This Nursery & Garden Centre, next to the pub opposite New Cross Gate station. Worth a browse for passing crate diggers, and you can pick up a few plants too!

Record Store Day in South London

Record Store Day is on tomorrow, Saturday 20 April, a celebration of independent record shops.

Holding up the South London end is Camberwell's Rat Records (348 Camberwell New Road), with live DJs from 10 am to 7 pm. Line up includes DJ Terror Eyes, still remember a fantastic set by him at Dead by Dawn in Brixton.

Meanwhile at Casbah Records in Greenwich (320 Creek Road, SE10), there's acoustic sets from Peter Parker's Rock n Roll Club at 14:30 and Nathan Persad at 16:00 - plus a Clockwork Orange-themed competition. In the 1971 film, Alex goes to the Chelsea Drugs Store where people are browsing through the vinyl. The records on display are the kind of 1960s/70s classics that Casbah specialise in, and if you can spot five albums in the shop that can also be seen in A Clockwork Orange there's a prize. To help you, the scene is analyzed in detals at John Coulthart's Feuilleton blog.

South London Shellac

My friend Richard Sanderson (Hither Green-based musician) shared his fine collection of 1930s records with me last week, with their sleeves historical documents of South London record shops in that era.





The Musical Box (proprietor G.H. Papworth) was at 254 High Street, Lewisham

Wallace was at 111 & 113 New Cross Road ('opposite free library')

L.R. Robin was at 96 and 98 East Street, Walworth.

Saunders & Fortescue had branches at 251 Rye Lane, Peckham and 135 High Street, Lewisham. They sold bicycles and prams as well as records.

Richard plays his records on this rather fine wind up gramophone.

He was using it as part of a sound performance at the 10th December lanch party for  issue no.4 of the surrealist journal Patricide, held at Massive Little World. This is in one of the railway arches behind the Deptford Project railway carriage cafe.

The event included 'Richard Sanderson with an amplified toothbrush and wind-up gramophone, poetry by Daniel Lehan and Jazz Poetry accompanied by improvised trumpet, bass and drums'. It was concluded by Sonic Egg, which featured an egg being boiled to an improvised soundtrack including a man playing guitar with a mannequin's foot. Or as Patricide reported it 'the Elite were soft boiled in egg form before being dashed against a wall'.



(by the way Grace Pailthorpe, later a British Surrealist painter, worked in New Cross during the First World War, as previously discussed at Transpontine).

Deptford Soul City

In autumn 1966 the first specialist soul records shop in Europe opened at no. 21 Deptford High Street, with a speech about freedom by novelist Brigid Brophy. The shop, Soul City, was the brainchild of 'an Esperanto-speaking vegan-anarchist from Bexleyheath, Dave Godin' (see here) and his friends David Nathan and Robert Blackmore.

The shop attracted enthusiasts from all over the country in search of soul obscurities, and later in 1967 (apparently after a burglary in the Deptford shop) it moved to Monmouth Street in Covent Garden).

Dave Godin (1936 -2005) was a key figure in promoting soul music in the UK through his shop, record labels and writing in Blues and Soul magazine. Born in Peckham and raised in Lambeth and Bexleyheath, he has been credited with introducing soul music to Mick Jagger at Dartford Grammar School and with coining the term 'northern soul'. As well as the record shop, Soul City was also a record label for a while.


The image above of the Deptford shop is reproduced from 'The In Crowd: The Story of the Northern and Rare Soul Scene' by Mike Ritson and Stuart Russell. The bottome picture shows Trevor Churchill, later of Chiswick and Ace Records (left) and Dave Godin (centre) outside the Deptford shop.
As with all our history material on this site, we'd love to hear more - anybody out there remember the Deptford shop?