December 17, 2003
Grime Central.
Witness Jim's adventures at Uptown Records. It's a top shop. Probably my most regular Garage haunt, this is largely down to it's placement in the Beatnik's "Golden Triangle" of Soho Record Emporiums.
However, I wouldn't agree with Mickey Toughlove's (admittedly casual) observation that it's got the same vibe as the Black Market Records basement did in the heyday of Jungle. Even though they're on the same street. Something to do with Jungle's UK-wide status meant that THAT WAS the hub of Jungle, as opposed to somewhere slightly outside central London. One would see Roni Size, Gerald and L Double all popping their noses in.
Grime Central, and this is commensurate with it's status as a distinctly "London Someting", is Rhythm Division on Roman Road (Befnall Green innit), as I believe Reynolds correctly ascertained in one of his series of missives on the Ardkore Continuum published in The Wire. The only reason I don't get out there that often (a pathetic single visit this year) is that I'm a puny toff. Jim on the other hand is a barrell-chested cockney mofo, AND lives further east than me, so he hasn't got an excuse.
Posted by Woebot at December 17, 2003 02:44 PMGarage Central?....Not forgetting to mention that mythic spot somewhere in the middle of Keith G'wan Nice It Up's Record Collection.
Posted by: Matt at December 17, 2003 05:30 PMI've heard good things about 'Muzik Emporium' on Rye Lane. Near(ish) to Peckham Rye BR station. Apparently they do a mean line in grime and ugly 2-step, but you'd have to see for yourself as I've not managed the drive yet from Brighton...
Posted by: Peter Mangalore at December 17, 2003 05:46 PMaccording to cameo @ blackmarket when i was there, blackmarket doesn't get the pop-ins it used to because of the congestion charges (something tells me this is a tired excuse though). still, cameo is at the counter and j. sweet works in the back, so there's representation.
i wrote a bit to the 2-step list i moderate on the whole london experience, and there are some bits on blackmarket and rhythm division in there.
http://buddhabull.org/london1.txt
http://buddhabull.org/london2.txt
i'd rather you didn't post those on the front page, though.
Thanks for the links Coopster. I'll be neat and discrete.
Posted by: Matt Woebot at December 17, 2003 08:45 PMrhythm division is nowhere near as intimidating as uptown, its a friendly neighbourhood store, i reccomend it to everyone, plus you might see slimzee or mjor ace or one of the other bow boys ambling about while you're there. it's on roman road, doesn't get more epicentral than that.
'from down the roman badman' major ace