New York: Manhattan: Midtown South
(Chelsea, Flatiron District, Gramercy Park Area)

Last updated September 1, 1997
 

Barry's Records and Tapes
119 East 23rd Street
(212) 677-9095
Like you¹ve entered a time warp and it¹s about 1983. Lots of sealed vinyl in the back. Nothing unusual or alternative, but maybe some old R&B or rap you may want. CDs & cassettes in front.

Center for Cuban Studies
124 West 23rd Street
(212) 242-0559
Mon-Fri, 9 -5
One of the few places that carries imports from Egrem, Cuba¹s national label. Vinyl, at a great price of $10, is getting pretty scarce, so cassettes and a full range of US releases of Cuban music on CD.

Disc-o-Rama
40 Union Square East
(212) 260-8616
The top-30 hits and most other titles at an affordable rate. Also OK for its rap/dance 12"s.

Downtown Records
164 W 25th Street
(between 7th & 8th Avenues)
(212) 924-5791
(800) 945-6874
Mon-Sat, 10:30-7:30; Sun, 12-6
A DJ store: rap, house, techno. The latest, and plenty of one-hit wonders from as long ago as last month! This vinyl playground also has a good selection of UK & US white-label releases and Dancehall mixes. For the wannabees a great wall of decorator turntable mats. Average prices, a few CD's and CSs. AmEx.

Jazz Record Center
236 West 26th Street 8th floor
(between 7th & 8th Avenues)
(212) 675-4480
Tue-Sat, 10-6
With its slightly academic feel, the JRC can't be beat for its selection of jazz on vinyl. Be sure to take some time browsing through the shelves of related books and discographies.

Naghma House
131 Lexington Avenue at 28th Street
(212) 532-0770
What¹s left of Manhattan¹s Little India (now in Queens and NJ) lies between Lexington & Park Avenues, from 26th to 29th. One of the largest selections is in the back of this electronic/housewares store, with over 500 film soundtrack LPs, decrepit boxes of 45s, CDs and a zillion cassetts. Lots of ragga-muffin stuff to be found here, combining bhangra (Punjabi electro-harvest music) with Jamaican techno Ragga‹and all because the word "raga" is common to both ³Indian² cultures! Classical and folk also. Many stores and quick food shops in the area catering to taxi drivers also sell Indian/Pakistani cassettes at $2 - $3.

Norman's Sound & Vision Too
288 7th Avenue
(212) 255-0076
Uptown relative of the Norman's on Cooper Square (see East Village).

NYC Liquidators
158 West 27th Street
(212) 675-7400
Grab bag store where treasures can be found if you're willing to wade into the morass. Some vinyl, tons of CDs, cassettes and video. We know him, we love him: your host, Norm.

Skyline Books & Records Inc.
13 West 18th Street
(212) 675-4773
Across the street from Academy, Skyline used to have a whole back room of used rock/pop LP's and 12". Good used music book selection. Cozy. CC & local checks.

26th Street Flea Market
At Sixth Avenue
Every weekend as long as it's warm. Many dealers. Get there early.

Pyramid Records
201 7th Avenue
(between 21st and 22nd Streets)
(212) 243-5588
Mon-Sat, 12-7
With that "someone¹s basement" look, this is a real contender for my favorite used-vinyl store in the city. Absolutely the best prices for old soul in good condition, hovering between $10 -$30. An odds-bodkin World section that can easily sprout something great for under $7. Cash only.

Worldtone Music / Folk Dance Music International / Record Loft / Dance Records & Shoes
230 7th Avenue
(between 23rd and 24th Streets)
(212) 691-1934
Mon-Fri,10:30-7; Sat, 10-6; Sun 12-7
Only New York could spawn such an eclectic specialty store that buzzes you upstairs to a world of ballet shoes, costume patterns, folk songbooks, recordings and an extensive collection of dance 45s - from square to round, cha-cha to hustle.

 
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