Analog heads rejoice: our favorite retail holiday of the year is upon us - Record Store Day! Figuring out where to go and what to cop can be a little overwhelming (and pocket-draining), but as usual, Okayplayer's got your back. Paying actual money for physical copies of music may seem like a lost art these days, but since its inception, RSD has ensured that audiophiles, collectors, and casual listeners alike will have a few things worth leaving space for on their shelves. We here at Okayplayer know that being prepared is half the battle, so we've compiled a list of what we think are the can't-miss releases dropping tomorrow to help keep your wallet and mind at ease while enjoying the vibes at your favorite local wax emporium. And if you're in the major cities of New York or Los Angeles, there are a couple events worth checking out, even if dropping cash on music that won't fit in your pocket isn't your jam (we have a feeling it might be after seeing this list, however). Check out the (abbreviated) event listings below, and click on through to get your RSD 2013 shopping list in order, friends.
NYC Events
- Turntable Lab: DJs all day [Ayers, Eli Escobar, Dopeshoes + more], extended hours, and a thorough selection of RSD Releases
- Halcyon: DJs all day, free coffee from Archway Coffee for those who line up early
- Good Records NYC: Free food, drinks and music all day, plus an impression of rare original and out-of-print pressings
LA Events
- Mount Analog: DJs all day, stand-up comedy by Fred Armisen (!), 50% off sale select items, special exclusive releases
- Permanent Records: DJs all day, open at 5AM, exclusive releases
- Origami Vinyl: DJs all day, first customer in line gets to shop the entire store alone for 5 minutes, original RSD zine distributed while supplies last, extended hours
1. The Roots - Things Fall Apart 2 x LP. 180-gram audiophile vinyl housed in a double-gate fold album cover. Limited to 4,000 copies.
2. Roland TR-909 Flexi-disc + Book
Get On Down stays true to formula with a series of creative and exciting re-issues specially made for the day. First up, we have a double set of plastic flexi discs - one orange, one clear - commemorating the iconic Roland TR-909 drum machine (drum machine not included). The two discs feature sounds from the machine, housed in a gatefold mini-book. For more info, check out their blog, and peep the recent New York Times profile on the label if you're so inclined.
3. GZA - Liquid Swords 4xLP + Chess Set
Not the type of company to do the "one-and-done" move, Get On Down is re-upping their super limited chess box set of GZA - Liquid Swords, this time in 4xLP vinyl form. That's right y'all, the entire album comes with a full chess set, as well as stickers, original artwork, and extended liner notes. Once again, more information can be found on their blog.
4. Ghostface Killah x Apollo Brown - Twelve Reasons To Die "The Brown Tape".
Limited edition cassette-only (that's right, not vinyl) remix album of Ghost's collaboration with Adrian Younge, Twelve Reasons To Die.
5. The Notorious B.I.G. - Ready to Die 2 x 12" White Vinyl LP. Limited numbered edition of 3,000.
6. A Tribe Called Quest x The Pharcyde - Bizarre Tribe: A Quest To the Pharcyde 3 x LP (Colored Vinyl).
Note: this is not an image of this year's release - the 2013 Record Store Day release will be on multicolored vinyl, but you have to use your imagination until seeing it in person!
7. Black Milk - Synth or Soul. Vinyl-only EP release special for Record Store Day.
8. Gil Scott-Heron - The Bottle.
You heard ahim. 7" Green Vinyl, Record Store Day exclusive.
9. El Michaels Affair - Enter The 37th Chamber.
12" Picture Disc, Record Store Day Exclusive.
10. Bonobo - The North Borders.
Deluxe 7 x 10" Box Set with CD Album and booklet.
11. The Beat Junkies - Picture Disc Collection.
Super dope 12" Picture Disc.
12. Gary Clark, Jr. - HWUL Raw Cuts, Vol. 2.
12" 45RPM Single with 17-minute live version of "When My Train Comes In," along with album version. Limited edition of 1,000 of each color: gold, white, and clear.
13. Blu feat. R.A. The Rugged Man & Tristate [Durag Dynasy] - Thelonius King Limited 7".
B-Side: exclusive Blu-only remix.
14. King Tubby + Lee 'Scratch' Perry - King Tubby Meets the Upsetter.
12" LP, first time available in 10 years.
15. The White Mandingos - Mandingo Rally. 7" two-colored vinyl.
B-side: Black Girl Toof.
16. Rhye - Open.
12" single never-before-released on vinyl, includes live version previously unreleased.
17. Sly & The Family Stone - I Want To Take You Higher.
10" vinyl featuring exclusive tracks not featured in upcoming box set.
18. Various Artists - Black Gold.
12" Compilation featuring 4 brand new tracks from Alice Russell, Harleighblu, Natural Self, and the Hot 8 Brass Band doing a Stevie Wonder cover.
19. Shuggie Otis - Introducing.
12" Re-issue on audiophile 180-gram vinyl.
20. Enjoy The Experience: Homemade Records 1958-1992. (Book)
Only one of two non-vinyl items on your pick-up list - this amazing coffee table book exploring the homemade record phenomenon that phased out with the introduction of compact discs in the early 1990s.
Well, folks, we would spend more time showing you all the dope stuff out there for tomorrow's festivities, but your time is probably better spent resting up and enjoying the discoveries for yourself. Happy digging, and we'll see you in the crates.
