Well keep it to yourself but If Music...'s list of regular customers reads like a DJ Supergroup; Gilles Peterson (Radio 1), Norman Jay (Radio London/Good Times), Patrick Forge (Kiss), Mark Ronson, Tom Middleton, Nitin Sawhney, Mr. Scruff and other Ninja deejays.

The shop is run by the charismatic Jean-Claude Thompson who is one half of the Amalgamation Of Soundz. The Amalgamation of Soundz have their own track record of success in the underground dance scene over many years and as top DJs themselves with a current residency at Fabric, i.e. Jean-Claude knows what moves feet and bums on the dance floor.

The shop has been open for nearly 2 years and he says it's "The biggest broken beat shop in Europe" breaking Max Sedgley and Yam Who? last year and this year, Blackbeard and LA four-piece group, Plant Life. He was selling test pressing of Plant Life's album earlier in the year and the group did a signing session in the shop to support their first UK appearances this month. Comparisons have been made with Outkast, Prince and The Neptunes; hence the buzz; "just what I've been looking for, the new generation of funk" (Mos Def). The album is called 'The Return Of Jack Splash'. If Music... currently stock a 7" boxed set and a sliver embossed card covered CD. The debut single 'When She Smiles She Hits They Sky' is due out next February. Also check 'Beautiful Babies' for more Andre 3000 vibes.

So what about some more predictions for 2005? Jean-Claude's tips are: -

• The Magic Numbers - No. 4 in their top sellers list at the moment.
• Afronaut - 'Golpe Duro Calinda' (Big Broken Beat - "better than Carnaval").
• Red Astaire - Scandinavian bootleg mixer currently on GAMM.
• Tommi Sparxx - 'When We Were Young' (White).
• Fat Freddy's Drop: Reggae (mostly) 7 piece band from New Zealand! Going to sign for major label soon, probably see them as the nu-UB40 but they are better than that.
• Atlantic Conveyor - 'Fantastic Incidents' More NZ funkiness.
• Telefon Tel Aviv - Signed to Gilles' favourite label, Hefty. Recent remix for Bebel Gilberto.
• Jade Fox, Elmore Judd & Sa-Ra - More Gilles favs.
• Visioneers (4 Hero's Mark Mac) on Omniverse.
• Aaron Jerome: Most played at CDR (a bring your own CDr night) and top assistant in shop.
• CDR - "The night of ideas and tracks in the making mixed from recordable CD's and other digital media".

He forgot to mention the other New Zealand talent, Mark de Clive-Lowe, whose album sampler is currently No. 2 in their Top Sellers list. I'm sure he won't mind me tipping Tide's Arising as a break through album for next year.

And where did he get the copies of the Ira Sullivan L.P., Strings Attached? Very rare, hence £50.00.

If you can't get to the back streets of Soho to get to the shop in person, check the web site for sound clips and purchases plus the usual array of other stuff, such as Artwork(!), Trainers and T's (nice looking Bugz In The Attic T-shirt at £19).

So the next time you feel a 'Saturday Morning Rush'* to go "up West to buy records" you now know where to get your vinyl fix. Happy record buying.

*definition the desire to own the latest 12" at all costs as perfectly encapsulated by Earl Zinger on the album Put Your Phazers On Stun Throw Your Health Food Skyward (2001) (!K7).

If MusicÖ 3 Greens Court, London, W1F 0HD, UK tel: +44 (0)20 7437 4799

30th March 2005 'You Need This' @ Plastic People. If MusicÖ 2nd Birthday Party with Mark Ronson (NYC) and Gilles Peterson (Worldwide)

Links:
www.ifmusic.co.uk
Gilles P Awards
www.fabriclondon.com - Next Amalgamation Of Soundz Sat. 11.12.04
plant-life.net
www.gutrecords.com
www.fatfreddysdrop.com
www.burntprogress.com

--(photo Gerry Hectic)--