Sounds of the Universe

Sounds of the Universe is a beloved London record store that started out as a second-hand record stall in Camden in the 1980s, then moved to a permanent location in Soho. Its owner Stuart Baker is also the founder of Soul Jazz Records, an independent label that releases albums in a variety of genres and whose cross-cultural soul, jazz and reggae compilations are legendary among connoisseurs.

The Sounds of the Universe store on the corner of Broadwick Street and Duck Lane features a similarly eclectic genre array as its sister label, ranging from techno to jazz, with an emphasis on music of African origin. The friendly staff are happy to help you find what you’re looking for or suggest new favourites from their vast array of albums. The ground floor features new releases, while the basement is reserved for second-hand releases and rarities, filed under quirky categories such as “Disco-not-disco”.

In addition to the releases in various formats, the store also stocks music books, films, apparel, posters and more music-related paraphernalia, including, of course, Soul Jazz merchandise. You might even catch signings by a new label protégé or run into Four Tet, Questlove, Gilles Peterson or other famous faces digging through the crates while you’re there – the offerings at Sounds of the Universe command serious respect among casual listeners and professionals alike.