DG Mono 2023 Record Store Road Trip! 🎥 🏢 🚗💨 🗺️

Ako and Rich tour the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic United States in the summer of 2023 hunting for jazz vinyl gems. Enjoy!
Burlington, VT:
00:17 Autumn Records
02:15 Burlington Records
Rockport, MA:
04:19 Mystery Train
Boston:
07:29 Stereo Jack's (Somerville)
New Haven, CT:
09:27 Nuggets (Boston), Elm City Sounds
Allentown, PA:
15:20 NJ Jazz Record Bash, Double Decker Records
Philadelphia:
19:35 Brewerytown Beats
21:11 Milkcrate Café
23:05 Molly's Books & Records
Washington D.C.:
24:16 Beautiful World Syndicate, Long in the Tooth (Philly), Joe's Records
28:14 HR Records
31:06 Som Records, Joint Custody, some general thoughts on record stores
Pittsburgh, PA:
35:40 Jerry's Records
37:21 The Attic
Rochester, NY:
39:01 Bop Shop
Beacon, NY:
46:23 Hudson Valley Vinyl
DISCLAIMER: We generally focused on record stores we have never been to, which is why we skipped NYC entirely and Revilla and PRX in Jersey, FYI ✌️🙏

[@dgmono]

DISCLAIMER: We generally focused on record stores we have never been to, which is why we skipped NYC entirely and Revilla and PRX in Jersey, FYI ✌️🙏

[@akonakagawa9579]

The best trip I've ever had😇

[@autumnrecordsvt]

thanks for stopping by our shop! it was great to meet both of you. unfortunately, shops can't ever compete with amazon & i know you know this! the margins are so thin on new vinyl as it is already. we appreciate every single one of our customers that chooses to shop with us rather than just getting records online for a bit cheaper, it keeps us alive!

[@thibs2442]

But it makes sense that consumers on a budget can't pay that extra to stores. Otherwise they forego additional records. Its a choice between supporting local stores and saving hard earned money.

[@autumnrecordsvt]

@@thibs2442 for sure, its a choice we all have to make with our money in these present times. send it to a massive corporation that can sell in high volume with tiny (or sometimes no) profit margins & pay no taxes or support a local shop in a local community which needs a regular profit margin to survive & pay the rent, taxes, bills, etc.. its a nuanced discussion and decision, everyone has their own boundaries / lines with it all.

[@thibs2442]

@@autumnrecordsvt it’s a bummer for consumers because it feels like a lose lose decision either way.

[@user-fg4fr2bz5y]

Sometimes you can end up dropping $5. here and there until it adds up to $20. or more and you realize you could have bought that rare item you skipped. I would rather have 1 rare item than 5 or so mediocre choices. A cautionary tale from an old experienced collector.

[@bopmodalfree5035]

Awesome video and trip, thanks for sharing and documenting! 10, even 5 years ago stores across the country were so much better than now, I remember what it was like. With the vinyl resurgence and all the amazing information online, everybody can quickly learn what to search for, and with the finite amount of vintage jazz records, it’s very picked over now. BUT, people go for what the current trends are (look at spiritual jazz). Ako is right to listen to different types of jazz. The trick is to trust your ears and explore. Use your experience and decide what you think is an interesting sub-genre, and go for that before it gets hot. You will have many deals. 8 years ago Chet Baker stuff from the 80’s was dirt cheap, as an example, as were all the OJC’s.

[@SameOleBS]

New subscriber here. This was a fun watch. Would be cool to see a recap video.

[@emilspec1227]

Love the mike 😁

[@dsonyay]

I’m so happy with my under 50$ Blue Note reissue of Soul Station BN 80/Classics. I could never afford to pay the price of these originals so the opportunity to buy an all analog re-issue on premium vinyl with beautiful jackets. It’s just too good of bargain to pass up.

[@nickhollier6896]

Great stuff, really enjoyed this. Everything you said about the 'state of the market' and record shop digging in general rings true here in the UK as well only doubly worse here! Sad to say this is why Discogs holds sway, but if you want an item badly enough you have to pay the going price! We now have the added tax and duties and shipping costs to contend with also , so even the Discogs route has been badly eroded.

[@mariomarques9951]

Great video trip. Thanks. Motivates me to hit the road!!!

[@trevorpreston3152]

Thanks Rich and Ako. This is such a nice and original video. I enjoyed this. Although personally, I like the old school digging experience of flipping until you find something! Interesting observations about record stores and jazz vinyl selection. This is happening pretty much everywhere ; stores in Toronto are pretty much picked clean. I think in order to continue our passion, we need to redefine what our definitions of ‘junk city’ is. Move away from blue note and impulse , and seek new labels and interests. Thanks again rich and ako san ! TP

[@dgmono]

Thanks for the thoughtful comment! Yes, for me, the joy of collecting is largely in looking for things other people aren't looking for. That said, sometimes stores just have a ton of Herbie Mann and Errol Garner and the like and I don't see myself warming up to that stuff any time soon 😝

[@kuglepen64]

Finding good stock is difficult. Here in euroland the shops also import 2nd hand Japanese reissues. They do it because that stock is available. America and Europe has largely dried up. The emergence of Discogs has been a double edged sword. PS: Awesome video.

[@mr.bigsquid8422]

Discogs is the enemy of record collecting. Worst thing to happen to the hobby. I really dislike it lol

[@dsonyay]

I have the recent Blue Note reissues/remasters.. wow. The stereo version is stellar. 50 or 60 bucks? Can’t remember the exact price, But it’ll do perfectly over the sound quality of an original and the cost of buying a NM version.

[@fwrarejazzvinylcollector]

Very interesting stuff! I’d like to visit HR, Hudson Valley and Bop Shop for sure. Looking forward to the next video! // Fredrik

[@SamuelRivera_DAMN]

Excellent video!! More please

[@derosa1989]

Epic! So fun to ride along.

[@dustinshaver3173]

I was just contemplating on buying a John Coltrane library mono pressing for 150 😅 though it was too much

[@Localbandography]

I make a trip up to Bop Shop from NC every December. Tom is the man. I love digging in the basement. Pulled some heavy pieces there. Did you hit up Record Archive while in Rochester?

[@dgmono]

We did and it was pretty much junk town, when we were there anyway

[@bobh5392]

It’s too bad about the Philly stores and it sounds like overall things were really hit or miss. And it’s definitely so nice to come across well curated stores whenever possible for many reasons!

[@SteS71]

I’d always assumed the USA was a diggers delight for jazz vinyl, interesting to here it’s kinda similar to the UK, with most second hand shops full of junk. It’s a shame, as the best part of the hobby for me is browsing in a record shop; however, to get the stuff I want, I have to shop on Discogs.

[@dgmono]

Yes I feel the same way. I have always *wanted* the record store experience to be more fulfilling and I don't see it getting any better moving forward. My favorite way to buy records continues to be record fairs. :)

[@Budgetphile]

Loved this. The microphone reminds me of old school local news anchors reporting Live. Glad you guys had a great trip and always impressed that you guys are able to hold to your budget and plan!

[@dgmono]

Miraculously I wasn't all that tempted by the $150+ stuff I saw, which was a lot. I wish there was as much $50-150 stuff at stores, probably not because people buy it faster--because it's cheaper!

[@Budgetphile]

@@dgmono luckily, I remain I tempted by expensive OGs. I usually try to not spend more than $50 on a single album.

[@mr.bigsquid8422]

Your reviews are spot on. I’ve basically stopped collecting, things are just too overpriced and it requires too much work. I partially blame that on IG and the way stores promote/market new collections they receive. Doesn’t make sense to stop into a store randomly when they always post anything good on IG first. Philly and NYC tend to be the best, HR has good stuff. It’s a bummer, but music collecting & vinyl have become so mainstream it’s largely destroyed a hobby I enjoyed (and still do to a lesser extent). Many stores price using Discogs which is a whole other issue, it’s negatively impacting the market too. I’m shocked stores allow any phone usage, as I somewhat commonly see folks buying huge stacks of records merely to flip them online (presumably). It’s quite odd to see someone with all the “hot” records and checking them each on Discogs prior to purchase. I do wish stores cleared out the junk, or did a better job curating and displaying why some records should be more appreciated. One of the most bothersome aspects is folks buying only 50-60’s jazz or now “spiritual” jazz. It doesn’t seem that this frenetic and recent interest in jazz has carried over to the actual living and local jazz artists. Excellent video. I’m glad you did this road trip and had a nice time!

[@dgmono]

I enjoyed this thoughtful comment so much, thank you! We are kindred spirits. Since I got back I tried picking some things up online and was rudely reminded of the minefield that buying online is. And after scrolling and scrolling, I agree, the prices are pretty much just outrageous across the board. Japanese Blue Note reissues and blue label '70s pressings consistently for $100+ now, this is not the hobby I joined 11 years ago.I think you nailed it, collecting (jazz) vinyl has become more mainstream in the past five years. And stores pricing based on Discogs seems to happen way too often, which sucks because half the time Discogs prices are absurd. But inflation hasn't helped either. Also, funny story, speaking of looking things up in the store: I walked in to Academy Records on 12th last week. Nice original copy of David Bailey 2 Feet in the Gutter on the wall for 75 bucks. I pick it up, look, put it back and nod. Pretty good deal but I already have a nice Japanese pressing. The moment I step to the side the guy lurking in the jazz bins nearby walks over, picks it up, pulls out his phone, looks it up, takes it to the listening station, then takes it to the counter to buy it lol. I'm not quite sure why that sequence of event bothered me but it did. Maybe I wanted a "thank you" from the guy at least haha (not from the store, they were sure to sell it soon either way).

[@mr.bigsquid8422]

@@dgmono that is a good story lol I’d say your interest made him interested! That would bother me too. I’d say it summarizes the current market pretty well. Also, I enjoy all of your thorough reviews, excellent channel and blog.

[@mondoxi398]

Thank you. That was great. Hope you enjoy all the goodies you found. I really like the Walton/Mobley lp. I think if that was a blue note recording it would be a much more sought out and pricy lp.

[@dgmono]

I am really loving the Walton/Mobley record too! PS: I dig your avatar, love that album

[@mondoxi398]

@@dgmono Do you think you would ever do any content on hip hop and or any specific lps, similar to some your your jazz clips? Keep up the great work and a very belated congrats to your bride and yourself on your marriage.

[@dgmono]

@@mondoxi398 I have contemplated reviewing other genres, especially hip hop, but I always feel like as many people as there are reviewing jazz albums on the internet, there are a lot more hop hop experts.

[@67Pepper]

Really enjoy your videos. You don't hold back or mince words. 36:00 🤣🤣

[@dgmono]

I have to be honest, when I watched the video that exact moment made me lol

[@67Pepper]

@@dgmono It's great when you can make yourself laugh Rich, keep making videos. They're always entertaining!

[@boogiewoogie9770]

I feel your frustration at times but as you show if you keep digging you'll find gold. I bagged a nr mint copy of F Hubbard's Goin Up in a local charity shop recently. Genuine first mono and cost £30. This a bizarre event in the UK. Because of the condition and sheer rarity over here I would assume that this was part of a well cared for collection that had been donated. However they had nothing else similar and nothing else has shown up in other local shops. So far it seems to be a lone occurrence but I live in hope that more will show up.

[@davidweber2143]

Nice video. I've been to a couple of these stores (HVVinyl and Elm City) and found them to both be fantastic. Sounds like we're looking for slightly different things, although there is definitely overlap. I'd be curious to check out the other stores personally and see if they align with me. Also thanks for the Harold Land recc. On the never ending wantlist!

[@dgmono]

The Harold Land is great, thanks goes to my wife, Ako, who pulled it!

[@thibs2442]

I feel the same way about record stores. I can never find what I am searching for at a store due to the fact that I only search for a small list of records at any given time since I have most of what I want. I also only collect jazz on vinyl even though I love all styles of music I am not in the vinyl market for them. Most stores don't have a fresh collection of NM prestige blue label mono pressings in all the time and that is just how it is. Stores will never really be able to provide the types and condition of records I am looking for on a regular basis.

[@dgmono]

I share your feelings pretty much exactly the same.

[@NEEDLEGROOVEVINYL]

Pretty much how I feel anytime I go to a record store now. Very rarely get wowed. Combination of state of the market and getting more selective. Great video even though the record finds we’re underwhelming for you two. I did a similar, not as formal, breakdown of my Arizona digging excursions last year.

[@dgmono]

Yeah getting more selective with experience plays a role, though I will definitely give a store a good review if they a bunch of awesome records I already have. I'd say the stores themselves were a bit underwhelming but our finds are not disappointing us at all!

[@Localbandography]

Nothing can be more disappointing than In Groove lol

[@NEEDLEGROOVEVINYL]

@@Localbandography 😂

[@vinylarchaeologist]

Fantastic video, Rich ❤ I must say, Europe is kind of the same: junk city for the most part. Cannot compete to Japanese stores at all in terms of musical value.

[@wgb113]

Great video! As a Jazz guy you’ve gotta hit PREX next time instead of Allentown and Philly.

[@dgmono]

We focused on stores we have never been to for this trip (been there many times). I'll add a little disclaimer in the video description

[@jonathanpeters5027]

Hey Rich, just curious. When you were in the Midwest last year, what stores in Detroit did you visit? I do remember you being underwhelmed by your overall trip.

[@dgmono]

I remember going to Found Sound and People's. People's really didn't have much I was looking for, and condition was generally not so great. Found Sound was cleaner and had a few decent things but nothing crazy. I did get a G+ OG Monk Prestige 10-inch from People's for 5 bucks, I found it in the 78s.

[@jonathanpeters5027]

@dgmono Ah, I see. If you ever come back, I recommend the Detroit Record Club. Their jazz collection is generally the best in the area. Peoples usually has great stuff, too, but, you must've caught them during a dry spell.

[@dsonyay]

The Art Blakey LP, you passed on, probably a good thing. so much mike distortion throughout. It almost makes it unlistenable to me. It is a very popular collectable album to a so I guess it’s good to have, but listening to it is another story.

[@kevinm3850]

If you’re only looking for collectible records you’re probably better off buying off eBay and discogs… you kind of act like this stuff grows on trees, but it doesn’t. On top of it you have Rolex tastes and a Casio budget.

[@kevinm3850]

A Casio budget is a little harsh, more like Omega budget.