Cold Weather, Warm Vinyl

By Chris Gayomali

On my morning walk for coffee the snow was falling with a gentle, cheery softness reminiscent of a meticulously stirred-up snow globe. Then, I received word that class was being canceled (???), no one had to go into work, and New York city was essentially shutting itself down for the rest of the day.

A few moments ago, the weather decided to comply and shift into a higher gear. A quick sideways glance out the window reveals what I believe to be the the meteorological term for, “Oh shit.”

But it’s days like this that I couldn’t be happier to lie lazily under the covers, abated by the  warm  scratches of a recently transplanted record player (a gift from my uncle during junior year).

Thankfully, I came across (yelped) Academy Records here in the city. It boasts a small, but quality, selection of classic used vinyl for an average price of around $5 a record.  I usually walk in with a twenty and walk out with a nice, hefty bag full of new digs. Some recent pickups include:

• Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66 – Crystal Allusions ($1)
• Al Green – Explore Your Mind ($5)
• Sly & the Family Stone – Stand Up ($1)
• Edith Piaf – The Best Of ($5)
• Aretha Franklin – Two Album Greatest Hits Collection ($1)
• The Jam – Snap! ($12)
• The Psychedelic Furs – Talk Talk ($3)

It’s the safest place outside of Brooklyn to do some quality crate digging, and since today is looking like God’s version of a Head and Shoulder’s commercial, I think my best chances for a productive day are under the covers with a textbook and Edith in the background.

Academy Records is located on W. 12th and 18th St. in the Flatiron district. They also offer a massive selection of cheap, used CDs you otherwise wouldn’t be able to torrent.