New York City Record Store Suggestions??

I'll be in New York City on Business in early August, based on my criteria, can anyone help me with suggestions on record stores?? I'll have a 6 hour window to go record shopping...

My criteria:

#1: I won't have a car so it'll have to be in the city or a short train ride away.
#2: I like the idea of finding things like Imports and a good selection of vinyl. I think Rough Trade is a must.
#3: I'm not a cheap bargin bin guy. I know a lot of people who think "I don't care about the sleeve, I got this great album for a dollar!" I'm not that guy. I want to go where I can potentially find a grail record if possible.
#4: I like Indie shops and indie vinyl releases... even if new or re-issues.
#5: I like indie rock, British or American, Jazz, old school hip hop, electronica, classic R&B and classic rock.

Can anyone help?? THANKS!

 

since you mention jazz - I will suggest my favorite NYC shop:
Downtown Music Gallery - New York City | »

 

Rough Trade is in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, so if you go there, you could hit up Academy (85 Oak St, Brooklyn, NY 11222) afterward. It's in Greenpoint, about a 10 minute walk North along the water. From there, you could head to Captured Tracks (195 Calyer St, Brooklyn, NY 11222), which is only about 5 minutes East. Those seem like your best bets, and would be no problem to do in just a couple hours. If you aren't worn out, you could also try Record Grouch (986 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn), Co-op 87 (87 Guernsey St, Brooklyn, NY 11211) and Earwax (167 N 9th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211), also in the Greenpoint-Williamsburg area.

 

Thanks. This is awesome. I forgot about Captured Tracks. I think I bought my SoftMoon Records from them online... maybe another band too...

 

awesome recommendation! Thanks! Would love to find some blue notes or verve records...

 

Yeah, I find Captured Tracks to be good for jazz. I've gotten a bunch of early Blue Note LPs there. Another small Brooklyn shop that I've had good luck for jazz lps is Human Head (168 Johnson Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11206), but that's a little bit of a hike or a subway ride from the others I listed.

 

Yes, I'd definitely recommend Academy, Co-Op 87, Captured Tracks and Record Grouch. Earwax is skippable, IMO.

 

Slim pickings these days. 20 years ago you would have had a field day!

 

Jazz Record Center on W26th between 7th and 8th

 

How is Rough Trade?

 

I went to NYC in April and that was my experience. I came away with virtually nothing of value. I had a similar experience in the Bay Area last year.

 

Good luck.

 

Norton Record Shop - Crown Heights - Brooklyn, NY »

 

Sad because we have tons of fantastic record stores in California... And they're not even close to closing.

 

Don't forget Record Runner on Jones Street. Added bonus - the street outside the store is right where the cover photo for The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan was taken!

 

nice suggestion...

I'm hoping to find a place where I'd have the best chance at finding my grail wishlist records. Like an original copy of Pink Floyd's "Relics", even if it's expensive...

 

Forget NYC then. Either they won't have it or you'll wind up paying through the nose. Most NYC record stores charge insane prices for sup-par condition stuff (see Second Hand Rose or House Of Oldies for two prime examples). You'd be much better off searching on ebay.

 

SEATTLE?

 

Somebody mentioned Academy records in Brooklyn, but they also have a great store in the Village at 415 E. 12 St.

 

Seattle Record stores are just OK...
I had a day to record shop and places like Amoeba in California are so much better than Sonic Boom, it isn't even close... I actually liked SilverPlatters better than Sonic Boom, but that was kind of gimmicky... too many toys and too many DVDs... The most I found was at this little downstairs basement style record store ..Neptune maybe?

 

Academy's instagram is decent for getting an idea of some of the stuff they get in. Current intriguing wall items include an original Litter "Distortions" LP and the first Tyrannosaurus Rex LP...

Academy Records NYC (@academyrecords) • Instagram photos and videos »

 

Sonic boom is mediocre, the best are Easy St and Jive Time.

 

I like the owner. His prices are reasonable too.

 

Thanks for the tips...

 

Are you a mohel by any chance?