VINYL COUNTDOWN: Philadelphia Record Exchange makes searching easy

Philadelphia Record Exchange has been in the same location for 26 years and it's clear that in that time they've overcome one of the most frustrating record store flaws - the endless search.

options

VINYL COUNTDOWN: Philadelphia Record Exchange makes searching easy

POSTED: Friday, June 10, 2011, 2:00 PM

Intrepid CP entertainment reporter Peter Chawaga sets out on a weekly mission to find the best, quirkiest and - most importantly - still operational record stores our town has to offer.

Philadelphia Record Exchange has been in the same location for 26 years and it’s clear that in that time they've overcome one of the most frustrating record store flaws. While I admit that half the fun of visiting a vinyl purveyor is looking through their stacks for hard-to-find gems, it's still so much easier to Google. That's why Philadelphia Record Exchange’s incredibly clear organization makes it a stand out store in the city.

The store occupies three floors in a converted town house at 618 S. Fifth St. They have over 5,000 records covering pretty much every square inch. The most impressive thing is that you can go inside and follow signs and labels until you know precisely what collection you’re looking through. The top floor houses their jazz and soundtracks collection, the main floor holds the R&B, hip-hop and dance records and the basement is full of classic Rock albums. That’s not to say that each floor is limited to these broad genres, because each is divided into sub-categories so you can find exactly what you’re looking for … and I mean exactly. They have plenty of divisions for even the smallest sub-genres so even the most selective vinyl fan can find their favorite stuff. They have a rare combination of enough jazz and classic rock to attract older customers as well as a large selection of electronic and hip-hop records to satisfy DJs looking for new samples.

It’s hard to say what the coolest record in the store was, but the owner told me they’ve had collections worth thousands of dollars come in and leave within a few days. Philadelphia Record Exchange is doing a stellar job competing with digital music meccas — offering a big chunk of records for 99 cents or less. It's not as easy as a point and click, but you're bound to find something here that you'd never know to look for on Google. Give it a try the next time you're in the market for new jams.

Posted by Peter Chawaga @ 2:00 PM Permalink | 1 comment

Comments (1)

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 4:23 PM, 06/10/2011

I appreciate all of these articles that you are doing on the local record stores. However you should do a little fact checking. This is the Record Exchange's 2nd location. They moved to the present spot in the late 90's.

— F. Harry Stowe

Q&A with SHARI SOLANIS: "The goal isn't pornography"
SEXY TIME Q&A: I've never had an orgasm during sex with a man — and I'm 30!
NOW SEE THIS: Transit cop arrests marijuana activist for alleged disorderly conduct.
CONCERT REVIEW: Primus (3D & quadraphonic sound) @ The Tower 10/17
What we're trying to do this weekend
Q&A with Tony Goldwyn: "Life is gray, and relationships are, too"
ICEPACK ILLUSTRATED: Indian fare rules, Dunder Mifflin lives on, Tom Jones is a god
Bradley Cooper promises he's not an asshole
Q&A with Goon’s Seann William Scott
CITY PAPER WRITING CONTEST 2013: Send stories! Send poetry!

About this blog

Featuring everything from event roundups to concert reviews and sex talk, City Paper's Critical Mass is a space for off-the-wall coverage of Philly's A&E scene.

Follow Critical Mass editors Patrick Rapa and Emily Guendelsberger on Twitter:

@mission2denmark | @emilygee

Search this blog:

Topics:

Blog archives:

May
April
March

February
January

Past Archives: