I think Cosmos has all these beat in terms of selection and diversity. However, the prices are also higher.
Cosmos is a more European/Japanese styled record store.
I was impressed by Cosmos, but TSL has records in better condition. Cosmos was VG + records that aren't that rare[/b] at extremely high end prices.
You buy hip hop... The thing with Cosmos is. While the smaller store has the hip hop out. Don't be afraid to ask for a better copy. Which he might have 3-10 copies in the back or down the street at the other store in the basement. And Aki never really puts the rare stuff out ever. Most dudes won't...
But I agree with JP. Each store on any given day can blow ur mind. Tho I haven't been to Good yet. But I'm sure JP could make me feel like I'm a silly little school gurl without a problem. Even before he showed me a single record.
I think Cosmos has all these beat in terms of selection and diversity. However, the prices are also higher.
Cosmos is a more European/Japanese styled record store.
I was impressed by Cosmos, but TSL has records in better condition. Cosmos was VG + records that aren't that rare[/b] at extremely high end prices.
You buy hip hop... The thing with Cosmos is. While the smaller store has the hip hop out. Don't be afraid to ask for a better copy. Which he might have 3-10 copies in the back or down the street at the other store in the basement. And Aki never really puts the rare stuff out ever. Most dudes won't...
But I agree with JP. Each store on any given day can blow ur mind. Tho I haven't been to Good yet. But I'm sure JP could make me feel like I'm a silly little school gurl without a problem. Even before he showed me a single record.
You can't fuck with the shit Aki can get hold of. You saw that picture and that's the beginning.
I went into the old TSL basement a few times '99 or so and they had serious shit too, but
multiples of Hot Chocolate, Lou Ragland, Jackson Sisters, Sounds of City Experience..I didn't see.. Don't get me wrong, there's only a few shops in the world that can reach that level, but Aki was my Man!!
PS, what happened to the TSL drum 45 that they pressed up from an OG they said they found in a junk shop down the road?? Did anyone take that of their hands??
what happened to the TSL drum 45 that they pressed up from an OG they said they found in a junk shop down the road?? Did anyone take that of their hands??
They did press up a few copies... Rob says maybe 100, maybe 200. I forgot all about this until you mentioned it, now I gotta go dig it out.
The idea that Cosmos has only VG+ records, or TSL has only M- records, or A-1's records are all hammered... is ridiculous. All of these stores are better than 99.999999% of what is out there and you have to be either ridiculously picky or just straight up ignorant if you can't find decent records in them.
NYC is like the only place on earth besides Japan and maybe London with a half dozen or more SERIOUS shops... it's quite a luxury and worthwhile checking them all.
I agree with most of this but assuming you don't have the time to hit up every store, if I were going to prioritize, I'd do Big City, Good and Academy. The last two times I've gotten out to New York, I had relatively little time to go record shopping and given that, I'd rather hit up places that I find 1) worth the time and 2) pleasant. Most of the stores mentioned in this thread fall into category 1. Can't say that about #2 save for the three stores I just named. I've never been to Cosmos though.
what happened to the TSL drum 45 that they pressed up from an OG they said they found in a junk shop down the road?? Did anyone take that of their hands??
They did press up a few copies... Rob says maybe 100, maybe 200. I forgot all about this until you mentioned it, now I gotta go dig it out.
This sounds suspiciously like a 45 that i have. Anyone got a scan of this 45 handy?
One location in Manhattan and a second one in Brooklyn.
Can't really speak on the BK one, but the Manhattan one has really gone downhill. They have increasingly employed a straight-to-eBay policy when big pieces come in the door, which I think is pretty indefensible. Throw them up on the wall for a week or so first, and let the customers who have supported you for years have a chance at them.
One location in Manhattan and a second one in Brooklyn.
Can't really speak on the BK one, but the Manhattan one has really gone downhill. They have increasingly employed a straight-to-eBay policy when big pieces come in the door, which I think is pretty indefensible. Throw them up on the wall for a week or so first, and let the customers who have supported you for years have a chance at them.
Atomic in Burbank has a similar policy. Mega-wack.
Atomic in Burbank has a similar policy. Mega-wack.
Oh my dear friend....Atomic has a lot more mega-wack things about it than just that. Have you ever spoken with either of the two brothers who own this place? The smaller one isn't quite as bad - but they have the MOST annoying voices of all time. Like some shit straight out of a Mike Judge movie...."uuummm sir you seem to be handling the records incorrectly." If you ask to maybe break out a portable while you're there "yeaaa uh we don't really need extra damage being done to the records." They're on some musuem shit - like the goods they're selling aren't meant for actually listening to - but for jerking off. and while they get good shit in - you can NEVER find deals there. real pompus pricks.
Atomic in Burbank has a similar policy. Mega-wack.
Oh my dear friend....Atomic has a lot more mega-wack things about it than just that. Have you ever spoken with either of the two brothers who own this place? The smaller one isn't quite as bad - but they have the MOST annoying voices of all time. Like some shit straight out of a Mike Judge movie...."uuummm sir you seem to be handling the records incorrectly." If you ask to maybe break out a portable while you're there "yeaaa uh we don't really need extra damage being done to the records." They're on some musuem shit - like the goods they're selling aren't meant for actually listening to - but for jerking off. and while they get good shit in - you can NEVER find deals there. real pompus pricks.
I've brought in a portable twice, asked politely, and been allowed to use it both times. Looks like their policy is inconsistent, at best.
I had a chance to go there last week and I can say it is one of the best stores I've been to (still haven't been to Good tho!). Granted, the prices are high on some things, but if you're not looking for average records you won't be disappointed.
I ended up copping the Cuban joint up top and a few others not pictured here.
Names & addresses, please. Being from Buffalo, I keep intending a Toronto trip whenever I get back home. If Toronto is indeed another record store Mecca, I'll definitely make the extra effort. PM me if you want to keep those spots a secret.
I had a chance to go there last week and I can say it is one of the best stores I've been to (still haven't been to Good tho!). Granted, the prices are high on some things, but if you're not looking for average records you won't be disappointed.
I ended up copping the Cuban joint up top and a few others not pictured here.
I think Cosmos has all these beat in terms of selection and diversity. However, the prices are also higher.
Cosmos is a more European/Japanese styled record store.
I was impressed by Cosmos, but TSL has records in better condition. Cosmos was VG + records that aren't that rare[/b] at extremely high end prices.
You buy hip hop... The thing with Cosmos is. While the smaller store has the hip hop out. Don't be afraid to ask for a better copy. Which he might have 3-10 copies in the back or down the street at the other store in the basement. And Aki never really puts the rare stuff out ever. Most dudes won't...
But I agree with JP. Each store on any given day can blow ur mind. Tho I haven't been to Good yet. But I'm sure JP could make me feel like I'm a silly little school gurl without a problem. Even before he showed me a single record.
You can't fuck with the shit Aki can get hold of. You saw that picture and that's the beginning.
I went into the old TSL basement a few times '99 or so and they had serious shit too, but
multiples of Hot Chocolate, Lou Ragland, Jackson Sisters, Sounds of City Experience..I didn't see.. Don't get me wrong, there's only a few shops in the world that can reach that level, but Aki was my Man!!
PS, what happened to the TSL drum 45 that they pressed up from an OG they said they found in a junk shop down the road?? Did anyone take that of their hands??
Peace Mo
yup those multiples of Hot Chocolate...Thrust etc ect are cool word up to my cat Mazi Jahi for diggin that shit up for Aki @ Cosmos...just proof postive that Toronto...I meant Cleveland has records!
Comments
You buy hip hop... The thing with Cosmos is. While the smaller store has the hip hop out. Don't be afraid to ask for a better copy. Which he might have 3-10 copies in the back or down the street at the other store in the basement. And Aki never really puts the rare stuff out ever. Most dudes won't...
But I agree with JP. Each store on any given day can blow ur mind. Tho I haven't been to Good yet. But I'm sure JP could make me feel like I'm a silly little school gurl without a problem. Even before he showed me a single record.
You can't fuck with the shit Aki can get hold of. You saw that picture and that's the beginning.
I went into the old TSL basement a few times '99 or so and they had serious shit too, but
multiples of Hot Chocolate, Lou Ragland, Jackson Sisters, Sounds of City Experience..I didn't see.. Don't get me wrong, there's only a few shops in the world that can reach that level, but Aki was my Man!!
PS, what happened to the TSL drum 45 that they pressed up from an OG they said they found in a junk shop down the road?? Did anyone take that of their hands??
Peace
Mo
Dress
They did press up a few copies... Rob says maybe 100, maybe 200. I forgot all about this until you mentioned it, now I gotta go dig it out.
I've never even heard of Cosmos--it's in NYC?
Two stores. Both within a block from each other.
This sounds suspiciously like a 45 that i have. Anyone got a scan of this 45 handy?
One location in Manhattan and a second one in Brooklyn.
Can't really speak on the BK one, but the Manhattan one has really gone downhill. They have increasingly employed a straight-to-eBay policy when big pieces come in the door, which I think is pretty indefensible. Throw them up on the wall for a week or so first, and let the customers who have supported you for years have a chance at them.
Atomic in Burbank has a similar policy. Mega-wack.
Oh my dear friend....Atomic has a lot more mega-wack things about it than just that. Have you ever spoken with either of the two brothers who own this place? The smaller one isn't quite as bad - but they have the MOST annoying voices of all time. Like some shit straight out of a Mike Judge movie...."uuummm sir you seem to be handling the records incorrectly." If you ask to maybe break out a portable while you're there "yeaaa uh we don't really need extra damage being done to the records." They're on some musuem shit - like the goods they're selling aren't meant for actually listening to - but for jerking off. and while they get good shit in - you can NEVER find deals there. real pompus pricks.
I've brought in a portable twice, asked politely, and been allowed to use it both times. Looks like their policy is inconsistent, at best.
I had a chance to go there last week and I can say it is one of the best stores I've been to (still haven't been to Good tho!).
Granted, the prices are high on some things, but if you're not looking for average records you won't be disappointed.
I ended up copping the Cuban joint up top and a few others not pictured here.
Aki is also an incredibly cool dude.
I spent way too much time (and money
Names & addresses, please. Being from Buffalo, I keep intending a Toronto trip whenever I get back home. If Toronto is indeed another record store Mecca, I'll definitely make the extra effort. PM me if you want to keep those spots a secret.
I just found today for 2.00!!!!!
we are lucky to have cosmos in our city.
607 queen st w. is the original, the new one is just a few blocks down, west of bathurst.
yup those multiples of Hot Chocolate...Thrust etc ect are cool word up to my cat Mazi Jahi for diggin that shit up for Aki @ Cosmos...just proof postive that Toronto...I meant Cleveland has records!