Amazon wiped-out countless book shops, now it’s coming for your vinyl store: While physical media hasn’t been Amazon’s forte in recent years, it’s easy to forget the company started life as an online book store when the Kindle revolution was still a twinkle in Jeff Bezos’ eye. However, it’s still somewhat of a surprise to see Amazon attempt to cash in on the vinyl revival with a new record of the month subscription service in the United States. And, in some respects, it isn’t a surprise at all. The $25-a-month Vinyl of the Month Club, like so many of the vinyl subscription services, sounds like a service for people who want a record collection, but don’t really care enough about music to curate it themselves. Or, as Amazon puts it, “the music lover who’s just fallen for analog sound.” Amazon is promising an album from the “Golden Era of Vinyl” each month, which it classes as the 1960s and 1970s. It’ll be ‘hand-picked by the experts at Amazon Music.’ So what can users in the US expect? Well, the likes of Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Led Zeppelin, Miles Davis and ABBA, for starters. Given some of the classics retail for upwards of $30 in the United States, it probably will work out quite well.
El Paso, TX | All That Music and Video celebrates part one of Record Store Day 2021: In honor of Record Store Day 2021, All That Music and Video opened their doors at 9 a.m. June 12, two hours earlier than their usual hours of operation. Last year, Record Store Day was broken up into three days to account for social distancing. As COVID-19 cases have gone down and people become more comfortable with going out and participating in events, Record Store Day 2021 has been broken up into two days: June 12 and July 17. Record Store Day is a worldwide event that honors and celebrates independently owned record stores. Every year, record stores all across the world celebrate by selling special records and albums, which are often exclusive and limited edition, made specifically for Record Store Day. All That Music and Video has been celebrating the annual event since 2008, but this year, the store experienced its biggest turnout yet. Some record stores have their own traditions, but the staff at All That Music and Video keep it simple: they offer exclusive records and albums. They are happy to meet record– collecting customers who are just as excited as they are.
Washington, DC | Feelin the Vibes of Black Music History at HR Records: DCW50 visits HR Records to talk about black artists you should know about, the music scene of DC, and how this black-owned record store is keeping Jazz and Soul and alive in our city. This past week the team at DCW50 took a field-trip to HR Records in Brightwood Park. The self-described (and frankly we agree) ‘best brick and mortar shop in Washington D.C for used Jazz, Funk, Soul, and More!’ to learn about some of the many hidden gems of Black Music History. We spoke to Charvis Campbell, owner of HR Records about his music mission, and the incredible selection at the shop. Below are some of the albums Charvis talked about. We highly recommend you give them a listen if you can, most were available on Spotify. However as often happens with great black artists: their work is hard to come by today.
Lakeshore, MI | KDL puts a spin on traditional music library with its Grooves vinyl collection: In recent years, with a huge nod from an entire holiday dedicated to the flat, black, circular disc, vinyl records are not only popular again, but they’re back with a vengeance. Record Store Day has boosted sales with special releases, timely reissues and promotional products, including special-colored discs. Additionally, through in-store performances and a host of special activities, it has helped support local independent record stores and artists alike. Current artists are releasing their music on records, and customers are buying tangible music again, despite large streaming numbers. Collecting vinyl can be a rewarding, yet costly hobby, but for local library cardholders, it doesn’t have to come at a hefty price tag. Kent District Library (KDL) offers patrons an opportunity to give vinyl a spin with its own collection of records. The KDL Grooves vinyl collection launched in 2019 and has grown to include over 1400 individual titles to check out at eight branches. KDL Collection Development librarian Stacy Schuster is in charge of purchasing for the entirety of the branch library system. She purchases adult nonfiction, adult music, CDs and items for their growing vinyl records collection.
Wonder Woman 1984 Soundtrack Getting Vinyl Release With New Posters: Mondo is teaming up with Warner Bros. and WaterTower Music for a special vinyl release of the Wonder Woman 1984 soundtrack and new posters. Mondo is teaming up with Warner Bros. and WaterTower Music for a special vinyl release of the Wonder Woman 1984 soundtrack and new posters. The DC Extended Universe sequel picks up just over 65 years after the events of the first film as Gal Gadot’s titular hero is still reeling from the loss of Chris Pine’s Steve Trevor. However, as she looks to uncover the secret behind his surprise return, Diana must also face off against the charismatic businessman Maxwell Lord and Cheetah. On the heels of announcing a special vinyl release for the soundtrack of Zack Snyder’s Justice League, Mondo has announced a three-disc vinyl release of Hans Zimmer’s score for WW84. Featuring artwork by La Boca and housed in a tri-fold jacket with holofoil elements, the vinyl pressing also features liner notes from writer and director Patty Jenkins. The vinyl pressing are being offered in a special 180-gram fireworks colored vinyl exclusive to Mondo’s webstore in a limited 1,000 copy inventory, as well as 180-gram black vinyl and swirl-colored vinyl through select independent retailers.
