Record Store Day 2019: Independent Record Shops reveal their top picks

With over 500 special releases up for grabs, what are music shop staff keen to get their hands on this Record Store Day?

Record Store Day 2019 takes place this Saturday (April 13) and will see music fans and collectors queuing outside their local music shops to get their hands on a selection of this year’s exclusive vinyl releases.

While the exclusive releases attract legions of music fans, the heart and soul of Record Store Day is the independent record stores and their owners, who work every day of the year to keep vinyl thriving. On the day, many of the 250-plus shops taking part will host gigs, DJ sets, mini festivals and more to celebrate.

With over 500 special RSD releases up for grabs this year, which are shop owners keen to get their hands on? We’ve spoken staff from record stores across the country to get their picks.

Matt Bradshaw - Jumbo Records, Leeds

The Mighty Boosh – The Complete Radio Series

It’s apt that this is our pick since Julian Barrett used to be a regular customer when he lived over here, and what with them being this years RSD Ambassadors it’s even more special.

In the spirit of the BBC Radio Comedy Records of yore, it harks back to those great Hancocks Half Hour / Two Ronnies releases that you’d find yourself just popping on, closing your eyes and laughing your head off… A perfect RSD release!

More info on Jumbo Records and their Record Store Day plans here

Jon Tolley – Banquet Records, Kingston

Steve Lamacq - Lost Alternatives

I personally, and Banquet is too, am all about new music. But this year one of the records I’m most looking forward to is the Steve Lamacq compilation Lost Alternatives.

I can’t think there’s many tracks on this compilation I don’t have as a 7” somewhere, from a time when I was just discovering the indie-disco, and a subculture that I fell in love with and became my life.

Check out Banquet Records' instore events to mark Record Store Day

MORE: The Official Top 40 best-selling vinyl releases of 2019 so far

Claire Howell - Vinyl & Vintage, Wolverhampton

Colour vinyl from Knight Rider, The Crow and more

There are so many great titles this year, with many coming from TV and Film. These are becoming more and more popular so I was delighted with the selection of Knight Rider on Purple Vinyl, The Crow on black and white etched vinyl, and Mad Max 2 on a lovely sand and oil spill colour vinyl. Not to mention the delicious South Park Box set!

I’ve been buying and selling Records for over 30 years and the fantastic array of colours and interesting releases that are on offer on RSD still gets me excited. There is something for everyone - and as a rock fan I’m hoping a Rolling Stones and Robert Plant release will be available when the queue goes down!

Keep an eye on Vinyl and Vintage's Facebook page for all RSD related updates.

Treacle - Vinyl Revolution, Brighton

Associates – Club Country

We are thrilled to see this 12” single on coloured vinyl. Not only was Billy Mackenzie a legend but he kept whippets. That works for me!

Learn more about Vinyl Revolution's RSD plans here.

Nigel House - Rough Trade West

Fela Kuti and Roy Ayers - Music Of Many Colours

Another great year and my favourite release is Fela Kuti and Roy Ayers - Music Of Many Colours. For me this is Fela's best ever album and it has been really hard to get for a long time. (Closely followed by Captain Beefheart - Trout Mask Replica and the Delines – Colfax.)

See Rough Trade West's brilliant Record Store Day lineup including KT Tunstall and Celeste here.

Dave Burgess - Empire Records, St. Albans

The Prodigy - Fight Fire with Fire / Champions of London 7"

I'm a huge Prodigy fan, so had my eye on this from the day it was announced, but with the recent passing of Keith Flint, it's become a lot more poignant. I want to blast this at full volume in tribute to one of the greatest front men of all time!

Follow Empire Records on Facebook for all RSD updates.

Matthew Marra - Assai Records, Broughty Ferry, Dundee

Aidan Moffat & RM Hubbert - What The Night Bestows Us

I am very much looking forward to Aidan Moffat & RM Hubbert’s What The Night Bestows Us LP for RSD 2019. It’s a stripped-back live collection, recorded on their tour last year, which is very fitting for us as the duo will be performing in our shop on the day! It’s a clear vinyl pressing on one of our favourite Scottish labels Rock Action too.

Assai Records are counting down their favourite releases and RSD plans over on their Facebook page.