Rough Trade

Yesterday saw my first visit to the Rough Trade East store, and I was literally blown away. The only way I can describe this experience is by comparing it to the feeling of watching Juan Roman Riquelme dictating the play of a football match (for those of you who don't know him make sure you look him up, a true artist and footballing genius), magic arises. This store made me so excited it's unreal, I don't think I had been this happy since discovering Joy Orbison.

As soon as I entered the shop I came across the 'dubstep' vinyl section, which was so extensive it was beyond belief. And this wasn't terrible dubstep, it was vinyl of the highest quality, with brand EP's and LP's from the likes of Mount Kimbie, Scuba, Ramadanman, Shackleton, F, Pangaea, Martyn, Peverelist, Joy Orbison etc. Next to this was the 'hip-hop' section, which quite brilliantly had a whole section for J Dilla, which I was delighted to see. It's the little details of the shop that I appreciated as much as the brilliant vinyl/CD collection. Whether it's the description of the artist/album on the sticker on the from of the vinyl/CD you're looking at or the multiple turntables placed around the shop to enable you to listen to vinyl before you purchase it, the store creates the perfect conditions for a music lover.

Rough Trade began trading in 1976, with a shop based on Kensington Park Road in Notting Hill. The store originally was know for specialising in imports of US and Jamaican material, but soon established itself as a leader in the distribution of the punk scene in the late 1970's and early 80's. Rough Trade's reputation is great worldwide, renowned as the taste maker and leading specialist in both old and new music. There is literally something for everyone here, and the genres they specialise in are Rock-Pop, Reggae-Dub, Techno, House, Breakbeat, Downtempo, Electronic, Country-Folk-Blues, Jazz, Modern Composition, Rap-Hip Hop, Soul-Funk, and World.

There are currently two Rough Trade stores in business. The first is Rough Trade East, the much larger of the two, which can be found at 'Dray Walk', Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, London, E1 6QL. The second is Rough Trade West, a much smaller store, which can be found at 130 Talbot Road, London, W11 1JA. Both stores are excellent in all honesty, but if you do get the chance to visit Rough Trade East then you must, you will not be disappointed.

I thank my lucky stars that I don't live too close to this place, I mean I'd love to, but I think I would be quite a way into my overdraft if I did in all honesty. Please do visit the place, it's heaven for anyone who really loves their music. Just ask Dave Wood. For more information, and to purchase goods online, visit http://www.roughtrade.com/.