[jazzcourier]

Will be in New York the second week of December for a good part of that week and want to probe the group mind here for some hints,ideas,suggestions and warnings on your favorite vinyl haunts.My interests are Jazz,Classical,Blues,Bluegrass and might look at anything and might buy anything from African to the odd Rock LP.Please do not refer to newly manufactured records i can obtain most anywhere on the web and likewise for cd's.I might go to J and R to buy cd's -do they still have the mega-section to rival Tower? Is it worth the trip to the Princeton Record exchange in New Jersey? Grateful for any or all comments.It has been about a year since i prowled the big apple and things change so give me your best shot! Thanks!

[orthobiz]

I haven't been in two or three years, BUT...
Start on 2nd Ave and St Marks Place (8th Street).

Walk west, there are a few record/CD stores on either side of the road, one on the south side on the second floor for records. Then, turn left on Third Ave (near Cooper Union) and another good store on the east side of the block as you go downtown. You can cross on 4th (I think) and go towards Broadway (used to be Tower around this point) and go south again on Thompson. I think you'll pass Second Coming Records.

Heck, things change, I don't know how many places are left but that used to be my FAVORITE walk, you can hit a half dozen stores easy. Hopefully someone else will chime in. Plus, you can end at Village Oldies on Bleeker near MacDougal.

Paul

[Wayner]

Could you look for Queen, Innuendo and XTC, Nonesuch for me? I'd gladly pay you for your efforts, Can't find these albums anywhere.

Wayner

[SET Man]

Hey!

   Well, J&R now carry new vinyls but don't expect it to be big. Also, Virgin on Time Sq. and on 14th Union Sq. also have a good selection of new vinyls, for pop, rock and dance/electronica these would be good.

   And there are few downtown on the West side around Bleeker Street like...

   Rebel Rebel, Bleeker Street Record, Generation Record and there is another one near E,F train West 4th station on 3rd street I think of which I forgot the name. 

   And there is the Academy Record of which have a few locations and one in Manhattan with used Pop/Rock/Jazz selections. I haven't there for a while and heard that they moved to a new location.

   Oh! And don't forget the weekend flea markets on 25-26th street and 6th AVE. There are two of them one in a parking garage if you have time.

   But try to check out Bleeker Street Record and Academy of which might have used vinyls of the type of music you want.

   Anyway, if you Google these store they should come up.

   It had been awhile since I went on vinyl shopping. Well, have fun

Take care,
Buddy

[jazzcourier]

Thanks for the ideas and keep them coming! Wayner if i see those records i will snag em' for you,but you gotta give me your price points! Maybe i'll suprise you and find mint copies in the 99 cent section.Any comments on the Princeton Record Exchange?

[bundee1]

Ok this will be in bits and pieces and a lot of these places dont exist anymore but itll be a fun day looking for them:

 Nostalgia and All That Jazz   You may not be able to turn the clock back but at least you can get the soundtrack. Old style jazz, early radio broadcast, and posters.   217 Thompson St., Greenwich Village................................ .....................................Te l: 212-420-1940

Ax, v, mc;  Brdwy-Lafayette St (W.Houston:B,D,F,Q); Map       
 Record Mart   Exotic selection of music from all corners of the globe, including calypso, salsa, samba, and reggae.   1470 Broadway, Fashion District............................... ....................................... ..........Tel: 212-840-0580

Open daily; Map       
 Satellite Records   The latest genres and sub-genres and sub-sub-genres of the ever changing electronica world are all represented here, large stock and helpful staff.   342 Bowery, Noho................................... ....................................... ...............................Tel: 212-780-9305
   Internet:....................................... ....................................... ................................http://www.satelliterecords.com/

Ax, v, mc; Map       
 Sonic Groove   Come to where the beats are at Sonic Groove, with enough techno and trance to ensure a killer party. Technophiles rejoice!   41 Carmine St., Greenwich Village................................ ....................................... .....Tel: 212-675-5284

Sun 1PM-7PM; ax, v, mc; (6 & 7 Ave.); Map       
 Super Power Records   Ya mon! Come to Superpower for the most comprehensive reggae collection with the newest CDs and vinyl of all genres.   Brooklyn (4905 Church Ave.)....................................... ....................................... ...........Tel: 718-282-7746
 Top
 Temple Records      241 LaFayette St., NoLita................................. ....................................... .....................Tel: 212-334-3595
   Tel: ....................................... ..........212-475-7552;    Internet:......................http://www.temple-records.com/

LM (Spring & Prince Sts.); Map       
 Throb      211 E. 14th St., Stuyvesant............................. ....................................... ......................Tel: 212-533-2328
   Internet:....................................... ....................................... ....................................... ............http://www.throb.com/

(2 & 3 Ave.); Map       
 Upstairs      Tel: ....................................... ....................................... ....................................... .....................718-332-3322
       
 Vinyl Mania Records      60 Carmine St., Greenwich Village................................ ....................................... .....Tel: 212-924-7223
   Fax:....................................... ....................................... ....................................... .....................212-463-9586

Mo-Sa 11-21, Su 11-19, Open daily; ax, mc, v;  W. 4 St-Wash.Sq.(A,B,C,D,E,F,Q); Map       
   
 It's Only Rock 'N' Roll      49 W. 8th St., Greenwich Village................................ ....................................... ..........Tel: 212-777-7090

 5 Borough Groove      185 Orchard St., Lower East Side.................Internet:newyorksearch.com/E/V/NYCNY/0015/17/84

[bundee1]

Part 2


Life; http://www.life-nyc.com. An inventive, animated, graphical nightclub web site featuring live broadcasts -- video, audio -- of concerts, DJ mixes, celebrity events and interviews. Twenty-seven text pages updated weekly, including a guided tour of the club (for event planners), love advice, articles, an archive, cyber soap, and live chat.
 
 125th St. Record Shop   Possessing over 50 years of legacy in the Harlem Community. It is a cultural phenomenon regarded as #1 in the musical experience of the African Diaspora in the Americas.   274 W. 125th St., Harlem (Betw. 7th & 8th Aves.)....................................... ................Tel: 212-866-1600

Mo-Sa 10-9;  125 St (St. Nicholas Ave/8th:Cx,D,B,A),  125 St (Lenox/6th Ave:2,3); Map Top
 13 CDs Specializes in electronica with a nice selection of rock and jazz too.    13 St. Marks Pl., East Village (near Third Ave.)....................................... ...................Tel: 212-477-4376
   
 Accidental   This place appears a pile of just at first sight, but under the garage sale like surface you'll find gem after gem of bootlegs, out of prints and cult favorites.   131 Ave. A, East Village................................ ....................................... ........................Tel: 212-995-2224
   
 AKY Recording Supplies Tape, CDs and cassettes retail & wholesale.    1600 Broadway, Theater District............................... ....................................... ...........Tel: 212-757-1401
   Fax:....................................... ....................................... ....................................... .....................212-765-7407

V, mc, ax, dis; Map       
 Altitunes Partners      1104 Lexington Ave., Upper East Side................................... ..................................Tel: 212-696-0764

 Bate Records CDs, tapes, Latin new releases, accessories.    140 Delancey St., Lower East Side................................... ....................................... ..Tel: 212-677-3180
   Fax:....................................... ....................................... ....................................... .....................212-777-1466

Daily 10-7:30; mcc;     
 Bleecker Bob's Golden Oldies   If Tower is breaking the bank and doesn't have that import single you're looking for then Bleeker Bobs might be the light at the end of the tunnel, that is if you can make your way through the chaos of this stores eccentric organization but fear not as the clerks are extremely knowledgeable and friendly.   118 W. 3rd St., Greenwich Village (Betw. 6th Ave. & MacDougal St.).......................Tel: 212-475-9677

Su-Fr 12-1, Sa 12-3, M-Th, Sun-12-1a.m.; Fri & Sat 12-3 a.m.; mc, v, ax;  W. 4 St-Wash.Sq.(A,B,C,D,E,F,Q); Map       
 Bleecker St. Records Rock, jazz, and blues, on CD and vinyl. Thousand of 99 cend records are found downstairs, though a bit unsorted.   239 Bleecker St., Greenwich Village (near Carmine St.)....................................... ...Tel: 212-255-7899
       
 Dance Tracks   This place is like a museum of past techno trends as it retails some of the oldest and rarest deep house grooves, along with a good selection of newer beats.   91 E. 3rd St., East Village................................ ....................................... ......................Tel: 212-860-8729

(1 & 2 Ave.); Map       
 Dayton's      799 Broadway, Greenwich Village (at 11th St.)....................................... ..................Tel: 212-254-5084

    Eightball Records The Shop   House, trance, techno, and more electronica to bob your head to.   105 E. 9th St., Greenwich Village (near Fourth Ave.)....................................... ..........Tel: 212-473-6343
   Internet:....................................... ....................................... ......................................http://www.eightballnyc.com/

 Etherea   Jaded from K-ROQ? Sick of Z-100? Come to Etherea for cutting edge indie and experimental joints with a little bit of electronica thrown in for flavor. No boy bands allowed.   66 Ave. A, East Village................................ ....................................... ..........................Tel: 212-358-1126
   Fax:....................................... ..........212-393-9267;    E-mail:..............................etherea@earthlink.net

Ax, v, mc; LM (4 & 5 Sts.); Map       
 Fast Life Music LLC      740 Broadway, Greenwich Village................................ ....................................... ......Tel: 212-253-7799
   
 Fat Beats   Hip-hop, electronica, and R&B are found in abundance at Fat Beats, catering mostly to D.J.s and ravers.   406 Sixth Ave., fl. 2nd, Greenwich Village (near 8th St.)....................................... ...Tel: 212-673-3883

[bundee1]

Half of these places dont exist anymore but it would still be fun looking for the rest:
  
            
 Shrine If you worship folk rock then this is truly a Shrine to come to. Good selection of the regular used rock type stuff, mostly CDs.   441 E. 9th St., East Village................................ ....................................... ....................Tel: 212-529-6646

 Smash   This place is a collectors paradise, with hard to find but slightly overpriced new and used CDs.   33 St. Marks Pl., East Village................................ ....................................... ................Tel: 212-473-2200

Su-Th 11-22, FrSa 11-23; ax, v, mc; (2 & 3 Ave.); Map        
 Sound & Fury Obscure indie, monthly in-store concerts. CDs and vinyl.    192 Orchard St., Lower East Side (near Houston St.)....................................... ........Tel: 212-598-4300
          
 Sounds A collage of rock, jazz, and classical CDs, new and used.    16 St. Marks Pl., East Village................................ ....................................... ................Tel: 212-677-2727
   Fax:....................................... ....................................... ....................................... .....................212-667-2725

Mo-Fr 11-19, Sa 12-19, Sun 12AM-6PM; ax, v, mc; (2 & 3 Ave.);    
 St. Marks Sounds   A expansion of this store famous for it's good collection of rock, classical, and jazz. You probably won't find better prices either.   5 Cornelia St., Greenwich Village................................ ....................................... ........Tel: 212-463-8900
  
Mo-Fr 11-19, Sa 12-19, Sun 12AM-6PM; ax, v, mc; Map        
 St. Marx Music      67 Cooper Sq., Noho................................... ....................................... ..........................Tel: 212-228-7779

 Strange Cargo   Fun, electric atmosphere with eclectic genres like Goth, garage, and punk. Novelty items like Kiss mask are plentiful.   117 E. 7th St., East Village................................ ....................................... ....................Tel: 212-260-6495
        
 Venus Records      13 St. Marks Pl., East Village................................ ....................................... ................Tel: 212-598-4459

Su-Th 12-22, FrSa 12-23; ax, v, mc; (2 & 3 Ave.);  Astor Place (8th St/4th Ave:6); Map        
 Viper Records      230 Mott St., NoLita................................. ....................................... ..............................Tel: 212-873-4415
  
 125th St. Record Shop   Possessing over 50 years of legacy in the Harlem Community. It is a cultural phenomenon regarded as #1 in the musical experience of the African Diaspora in the Americas.   274 W. 125th St., Harlem (Betw. 7th & 8th Aves.)....................................... ................Tel: 212-866-1600

Mo-Sa 10-9;  125 St (St. Nicholas Ave/8th:Cx,D,B,A),  125 St (Lenox/6th Ave:2,3); Map Top
 A-1   Looking for some beats? A-1 is the DJ's source of some of the rarest and eclectic vinyls out there with reggae, hip hop, and house to rock the party.   Sixth Ave., Midtown South (1st Ave/Ave A)....................................... ...........................Tel: 212-473-2870
   Fax:....................................... ....................................... ....................................... .....................212-477-6568
        
 Academy Records & CDs   Come to the Academy and get a comprehensive schooling of all the classical and cool cat jazz LPs and CDs out there. Good selection of rock, soul, and blues too. 12 W. 180th St., Washington Heights (5th/6th avs)....................................... ............Tel: 212-242-2000
   E-mail:.................staff@academy-records.com;    Internet:..................http://www.academy-records.com/

Map 12 W. 18th St., Flatiron District............................... ....................................... ..............Tel: 212-242-3000

Jazzy beats emanate as you walk through the narrowed halls staring at rows and rows of rare classical and jazz CDs, with a good selection of LPs to add to your collection. ; Map        
 Bleecker St. Records Rock, jazz, and blues, on CD and vinyl. Thousand of 99 cend records are found downstairs, though a bit unsorted.   239 Bleecker St., Greenwich Village (near Carmine St.)....................................... ...Tel: 212-255-7899

Map        
 Carosello Pentagramo Italiano   Get your slice of Italy here at this informal multi purpose store that mainly specailizes in Italian recordings and operas, but also services as a bookstore, imports store, and gift shop.   119 Mulberry St., Little Italy.................................. ....................................... ...............Tel: 212-925-7253

Daily 11-23; It; ax, v, mc; Map        
 Casa Latina Latino pop and salsa, mambo music; bongos and congas sold.    151 E. 116th St., East Harlem................................. ....................................... .............Tel: 212-427-6062

(3 & Lexington Ave.);  116 St (Lex: 6x,4); Map Top
 Classical Record   One of the cities most comprehensive collections of classical music, all on vinyl. Over 150,000 recordings, ranging in price from $9 to $900.   306 W. 38th St., fl. 14th, Hell's Kitchen (near Eighth Ave.)....................................... .Tel: 212-675-8010
   Internet:....................................... ....................................... ..............................http://www.classicalrecords.com/

Map        
 Downtown Music Gallery   Owner Bruce Galater keeps this place with his junkie like addiction to rare jazz, soul, world, and reggae. Also a good place for renown experimentalist John Zorn.   211 E. 5th St., East Village................................ ....................................... ....................Tel: 212-473-0043

(2 & 3 Ave.); Map        
 El Barrio Music Center   If you're living la vida loca then come to El Barrio for the latest in Latin music and Salsa flares.   2102 Third Ave., East Harlem................................. ....................................... .............Tel: 212-876-3409

Mcc; Map        
 Footlight Records Hard-to-find Broadway and big band records.    113 E. 12th St., Greenwich Village (bet 3rd and 4th ave)....................................... ...Tel: 212-533-1572

Mo-Fr 11-19, Sa 10-18, Su 12-17; v, mc;  14 St-Union Sq. (Brdwy) (4th Ave -w of Brdwy:4, 5, 6 ); Map        
 Gryphon Record Shop Tons of rare and out of print LPs in this world famous music store.    233 W. 72nd St., Upper West Side................................... ....................................... ...Tel: 212-874-1588
   Fax:....................................... ....................................... ....................................... .....................212-874-2039

Mo-Sa 11-19, Su 12-18; ax, v, mc;  72 St (Brdwy:1,2,3,9); Map Top
 House of Oldies Vintage records, ranging in price from $5 to $5,000.    35 Carmine St., Greenwich Village (near Bleecker St.)....................................... .....Tel: 212-243-0500
   Internet:....................................... ....................................... ..................................http://www.houseofoldies.com/

Map        
 Jazz Record Center Rare to modern CDs, records, and cassettes. Also books and posters.    236 W. 26th St., fl. 8th, Chelsea................................ ....................................... ...........Tel: 212-675-4480

Mo-Sa 10-18; (7 & 8 Ave.);  28 St (7th Ave:1,9),  23 St (8th Ave:C*,CX?,E,A); Map        
 Juilliard Bookstore The place for the classical music lover. Books on and about music, as well as dance and drama. Sheet music, current and historic classical CDs, and music accessories. Order on line.   60 Lincoln Center Plaza, Lincoln Center (Plaza level 65th/B'way)..........................Tel: 212-799-5000
   Fax:....................................... ..........212-755-0469;    E-mail:..........................mailto:bookstore@%20juilliard.edu
   Internet:....................................... ....................................... ......................................b ookstore.juilliard.edu

Mo-Fr 10-18, Sa 12-18; ax, v, mc; Map        
 Liquid Sky Selections upstairs of trip-hop + electronica.    241 LaFayette St., NoLita................................. ....................................... .....................Tel: 212-343-0532
   Fax:....................................... ..........212-274-1490;    Internet:.......................http://www.liquidskymusic.com/

Mo-Sa 13-20, Su 14-19; ax, v, mc; LM (Spring & Prince Sts.);  Spring St (Lafayette:6,4); Map        
 Moonska   If Ska was a ice cream flavor, then this place would be Baskin Robbins, featuring all types and styles of the genre. Unknown Jamaican ska crooners to Mighty Mighty Bosstones to Sublime.   84 E. 10th St., Greenwich Village................................ ....................................... ........Tel: 212-673-5538
   Internet:....................................... ....................................... ....................................... ....http://www.moonska.com/

LM (3 & 4 Sts.); Map Top

[bundee1]

Finyl Vinyl Well stocked robust selection of oldies from the swinging' 30's to the disco '70's.    204 E. 6th St., East Village................................ ....................................... ....................Tel: 212-533-8007
   Fax:....................................... ....................................... ....................................... .....................212-533-8025

 8 St - NYU (Brdwy:N,R),  Astor Place (8th St/4th Ave:6); Map       
 Generation Record Imported CDs and obscure music.    210 Thompson St., Greenwich Village (Bleecker St.)....................................... ......Tel: 212-254-1100
   
M-Th 11-22, Fri & Sat 11-1a.m. and Sun 12-22; Eng; mc, v;  W. 4 St-Wash.Sq.(A,B,C,D,E,F,Q); Map       
 Golden Disk      239 Bleecker St., Greenwich Village................................ ....................................... ..Tel: 212-255-7899

 House of Oldies      35 Carmine St., Greenwich Village................................ ....................................... .....Tel: 212-243-0500
   
 Joe's CDs If you're looking for Kenny G..don't come here. Rock type music with a bit of electronica and hip hop, used CD's in the back room.   11 St. Marks Pl., East Village................................ ....................................... ................Tel: 212-673-4606

Mo-Th 11-23, FrSa 11-24, Sun 11AM-9PM; (2 & 3 Ave.); Map       
 Kim's Mondo Mini-chain of movie/music stores with everything indie. Electronica & indie music, magazines, books, and records crowd the store as the colorful staff amuse themselves.   6 St. Marks Pl., East Village................................ ....................................... ..................Tel: 212-598-9985
   Fax:....................................... ....................................... ....................................... .....................212-598-9987
 Lethal CDs Beavis and Butthead would love this place. This store sells music so heavy it'll give you a hernia. Hard rock, skacore, clubing hardcore, etc.   117 E. 7th St., East Village................................ ....................................... ....................Tel: 212-614-8567
           
 Norman's Sound & Vision   Fairly priced rare and popular CD's populate this well organized shop, full of hidden gems and dusty classics.   67 Cooper Sq., Noho................................... ....................................... ..........................Tel: 212-473-6599
   
Daily 10-22; mcc;   
 Norman's Sound and Vision Too   This is the sequel to the shop famous for it's well priced rare and classic CD's.   228 Seventh Ave., Chelsea................................ ....................................... ..................Tel: 212-255-0076
   E-mail:....................................... ....................................... ..........Daryte@normansSoundandvision.com

Mo-Sa 10-22, Su 10-20; ax, mc, v, dis;

 Other Music   Not your regular music store, Other Music serves up new wave, old wave, and other niche genres that are often ignored at other "mainstream" music stores.   15 E. 4th St., Greenwich Village................................ ....................................... ...........Tel: 212-477-8150

Sun 12PM-7PM; ax, v, mc; Map       
 R P M Music Productions Inc      48 W. 10th St., Greenwich Village................................ ....................................... .......Tel: 212-228-9132
 
 Rebel Rebel   Get ready for vinyl overload at this niche record store, carrying rarities in almost every category you can think of.   319 Bleecker St., West Village................................ ....................................... .............Tel: 212-989-0770

     
 Record Runner      6 Jones St., Greenwich Village................................ ....................................... ...........Tel: 212-255-4280
       
 Revolver Records      45 W. 8th St., fl. 2nd, Greenwich Village................................ ....................................Tel : 212-982-6760

Daily 11-22;
 Rocket Scientist   Your basic hip village record store with new releases, hard to find collector items, plus a good selection of garage and psychedelia.   43 Carmine St., Greenwich Village................................ ....................................... .....Tel: 212-242-0066
       
 Rockit Scientist Records   West Village new/used records and CD shop, with a emphasis on sixties garage.   43 Carmine St., Greenwich Village (at Bleecker St.)....................................... .........Tel: 212-242-0066
     
 Rocks In Your Head   Punk is still! Here at this little basement store you can find new/used vinyl and CDs, plus some other hip stuff like a Mr.T tee shirt.   157 Prince St., Soho................................... ....................................... ..........................Tel: 212-475-6729
   Fax:....................................... ....................................... ....................................... .....................212-228-4557

[ZLS]

    Is it worth the trip to the Princeton Record Exchange? A resounding Yes!   a definite must do. The  iPrinceton Record Exchange is located in Princeton, New Jersey.  Being located in a college town, this place has everything including an extensive selection of vinyl.  Jazz, Blues, R&B (my particular interests) current hard rock,world and extensive box sets of various music, all at good to reasonable prices. 
    The best thing about it is it still exists as a thriving business! 
    Though it is not my place in as much as I am not a member, I would suggest that the NYAR organize a field trip to visit the place.  I have been there twice, and both times I could have bought  two or three times the amount I actually did.  I would be so proud of myself if I didb't work out with a big bag of CD's both times!   

    Perhaps others who have been there can chime in, but IMHO it is a definite must do. 
    There  are some pretty good places to eat also (had some dynamite Thai Food )

[Wayner]

$10 to 15 for each?

Wayner 

[jazzcourier]

Great comments and suggestions greatly appreciated ! Guess i will be devoting a least part of one day going to the Princeton record exchange! Wayner-i am in L.A. and will be looking for your wants and hope i can find you copies in great shape at less than your extended price cap.Seems like i have seen that XTC lp somewhere recently in the .99 cent section.Different record stores have different priorities for stock and pricing and what they think something will sell for and what they have too much of.I am sure many Circle members who buy vinyl and live outside large urban areas would be shocked and amazed at the selection and quality of some stores "giveaway records" at the .99 price.Just for  example Keith Jarrett Standards vol.one on unplayed promo ECM and Rob Wasserman "Duets" with the the now infamous Jennifer Warnes "Runnaway horses"-one of the prime "go to" sources for speaker set up-both for .99 cents each.On the other hand i am likewise shocked and amazed at the other end of the pricing spectrum,the "gouge" on less than perfect copies of so-so records selling for 10-15-20 bucks a pop and up.The greed factor in the vinyl market is overwhelming.The .99 cent bin balances this out a bit.

[Wayner]

I have an entire shelf of jazz, folks like Stanley Turrentine, Bob James and stuff like that. Perhaps you may be interested in a couple of them (as a treat on me). Please don't go out of your way, but if you could sneak a peak, I'll try and make it worth your while.

Wayner 

[orthobiz]

yeah! Norman's Sound and Vision, great place!!!

I found an Idle Race Back to the Story CD there, before reissued, used to go for over 100 on eBay.

Norman used to be Buzzy Linhart's roommate back in the day, in case that means anything to anyone.

Paul

[Wayner]

Thanks bundee1 for all the great work on the lists. This next weekend I will visit many with websites.

Great effort!

Wayner

[lonewolfny42]

Will be in New York the second week of December for a good part of that week and want to probe the group mind here for some hints,ideas,suggestions and warnings on your favorite vinyl haunts.My interests are Jazz,Classical,Blues,Bluegrass and might look at anything and might buy anything from African to the odd Rock LP.Please do not refer to newly manufactured records i can obtain most anywhere on the web and likewise for cd's.I might go to J and R to buy cd's -do they still have the mega-section to rival Tower? Is it worth the trip to the Princeton Record exchange in New Jersey? Grateful for any or all comments.It has been about a year since i prowled the big apple and things change so give me your best shot! Thanks!

How did your the trip go ? Any nice finds ? 

[mjosef]

For future reference.
Future vinyl shoppers may want to plan their vinyl shopping trips around early November and try and catch the annual WFMU Record Fair which usually falls on the first weekend of November (however this year it took place on the last weekend in October). Most of the NYC metro area dealers participate and its a unique opportunity to meet all (or most) the vendors under one roof. Plus they tend to be more open to bargaining at the Fair vs in the store.
There were tables upon tables (and under the tables) of vinyl, both used and new, rare and collectable.
Bazillions of CDs also.

 

[jazzcourier]

Thanks to all who posted comments and suggestions about the vinyl haunts in NYC.I wish i had a little more time to explore some of the more obscure stores but in all i visited about 6 stores.First,anyone who walks into Bleeker Records and expects to find a record priced within reason is dreaming.They have a basement full of pretty common records priced at about 70% higher than 80% of other used record stores.These places are a timewaster and generally piss me off and put me in a bad mood.Bad for Jazz and pretty bad for rock and other genres unless you find that record you can't live without.The only upside is the huge gray cat that patrols the premises,fat off the rats.I needed a little cat therapy after seeing that stock! Around the corner is another store i happened upon,neither the name or the street come to me now but it is a small,dank place run by a small dank guy with the personality of a porcupine.Upon entering i spied a box of beat up Bluegrass lp's all priced 20.00 each. In VG shape these might be 10.00 records,but here in the nether world of abused vinyl they were "gems".It got worse when i found the boxes of Jazz lp's buried under the Christmas lp's,all 70's crap and beat to high heavens.The good news these were only 10 bucks each...when i started to move the boxes the guy went bonkers and fearing for my safety i left the "silence of the lambs" shop.I would bet you 5 bucks there is a raccoon living in that store somewhere.From there i strolled down through Soho to J and R Music World figuring i could find some interesting and off the wall cd's.What i found was large,but uninspired sections of Jazz,Blues and international.The classical section was nice,but  everything in that store can be found for less elsewhere.At that point i walked over to the 9/11 site and on that rainy afternoon i paid my due respects.
  The Jazz Record Center in the 20's on the Westside is always a fun stop for the amazing amount of books and related objects that adorn the place.I swear there are still records in the bins i have seen there for years.The selection is large on vinyl and you can get lucky or start a collection or fill in some spaces in your existing collection easily here.As much as i like the place and the general vibe,the good music played loud and the somewhat friendly folks who run it i have to say anything good is way up there price wise if it hasn't been Ebayed and the remaining stock is somewhat sagging under the weight of the high prices.There is a nice section of Jazz cd's and some bargains in that category if you have the time to fuss with the filing system in boxes in a floor to ceiling alphabetical maze.Even if you don't buy anything this is one of the best browses  anywhere if you love Jazz .You can literally be in there for hours and be the only customer.I could have layed down and taken a nap between the bins and might not have been disturbed until closing.Then again i could be locked in all night  and spun records till morning and drifted back to the bins and sauntered off in the morning with so much as a nod from the clerk.This really is a great store and brings back memories of the original Rare Records in Glendale or Jack's Record cellar in San Francisco.Record stores that seemed to exist for the music and the people that loved it.
   The original Academy records on 18th street is now all used cd's and dvd's in the front and Classical lp's and cd's in the back.It is a decent collection of lp's and the prices are fair for the most part.Shopping for classical lp's makes my head hurt.Do i have this version of this or that recording of this or is it one that i have in mono and need a stereo or is my copy worn and this is better.I have to strive for clarity and sometimes it is just not there,so i moved east to the other Academy records on E. 12th where the "other" music lives.They moved this store,from i think 10th st. since i was last here and i kept asking people in the store if they knew of another store in the area that had the counter on the opposite side of the store,i finally figured out the "there" was "here" and locked in on the stock.My super favorite section in any record store is the "new arrivals" section...ah,a first crack at the new stuff,this feeds my obsessive desires like no other. I linger at the mix of styles and decades of music rubbing shoulders like no other section in the store,here they can freely muse with each other before they head off into the various sections.Ah,Flatt and Scruggs next to Sam Cooke next to the Stones next to Sonny Rollins next to Madonna....? Well that reverie ends with a vision of Rollins in a mohawk holding his horn and madoona fingering her tosseled hair lips  parted,saying "browse on,faster,faster....The Academy store gets some high marks for interesting stock,lots of imports and generally good condition.Yes! a pair of audition turntables too! Oh,some nice Jazz imports 10-15-20 bucks and beyond.The Abkco reissue of the Rolling Stones "now" 6 bucks! On the box played a record i had not heard since it came out...Eric Burdon and War..Black man's burden..The first double lp-it stopped me dead in my tracks,i could smell the cheap mexican pot and taste the wickedness of the excesses of my youth in that record.I had to have and i bought it right off the turntable for 15.00,on the original "far-out" label distributed by MGM.I have that record home now and play it when no one is around delight it it's outrageous bravura and remember how much fun it was to be young and stupid.You will find some good records in that store and have a good time.The next record he put on was Otis Redding.I paid and hugged my bag the 30 block walk back to my hotel.
    The next day i ponied up my 20 bucks for a round trip ticket to Princeton New Jersey,home of the tigers,Albert  Einstein and the Princeton Record Exchange.From the Princeton station you take a shuttle train to the edge of the campus and walk 10 minutes and off a side street you are there.This store has an amazing presence on the internet,it seems every time you look for a record store an ad for the PRE comes up,i was not really sure what to expect.What i found so far exceeded my expectations i was overwhelmed with the tons of used Jazz lp's in the bins and boxes under the bins.This was by far the largest and the best selection of used Jazz i have seen in years and maybe the best in this country.Great selection of quality vinyl and all priced fairly and many priced below fairly,to the darn out and out cheap.Great Japanese imports 10 bucks! Plenty of good middle of the road stuff at 4/5 bucks and lots of imports at 6 bucks.The other sections are smaller,except for the 1.00 section which is massive.Tiny classical section,but a nice little Blues section.Folk and Country.In all fairness i must say the 10.00 price on a lot of the records might be excessive in other musical genres,and the rarity vs. that price point might be an issue to some buyers,but one can make a major dent in creating a good Jazz library with a visit here.Massive new arrivals section which i sort of discovered late into my visit.I slumped over the bin and wordlessly thought Homer and Jethro the new romantics count basie all nestled together,hang in there guys,you will be home soon.