a interesting sort of current state of vinyl sales look

https://www.avclub.com/toronto/articles/cratedigging-through-torontos-best-vinyl-outlets,62581/

I went to Kops last time i was in Tornonto about 3-4 years ago. It was shockingly poor for rare / northern soul.

I went to Kops last time i was in Tornonto about 3-4 years ago. It was shockingly poor for rare / northern soul.

I agree, I went in a few years back as well. Lots of northern all along the back wall but mostly reissue labels and common stuff.

Boiling hot as well. Couldn't stand it for long.

I agree, I went in a few years back as well. Lots of northern all along the back wall but mostly reissue labels and common stuff.

Boiling hot as well. Couldn't stand it for long.

You should have asked to see what he had in his cellar! I went there 3 times in the mid 80s and it was like Alladin's cave in the shop, even better in the cellar. And he let us stay at his house for a few nights going through stuff in the huge cellar there + his own rare records room. THEN we went to his warehouse! While we were there he took a call from Snooker's Steve Davis enquiring about a deep soul 45. We had a great time and Martin was a great host and fantastic in directing us to rare stuff. I was collecting R&B, Latin, just what I liked rather than what was rare (although R&B/Latin hadn't really taken off by then). I got a few copies of Use It Before You Lose It/The Hawg/Prince Conley etc etc. Sold a few and virtually paid for the trip! My mates were more into Northern and got loads of stuff inc Reatha Rees/Matthhew Barnett etc. Martin also took us to Bad Bob's record shop and The Beat Goes On in Niagra where I got a few mint copies of Little Queenie & Little Red Book & Solomon Burke on Mint London's!

Bad Bob is now dead and his store has gone. Legend is there are 2 tractor trailers full of vinyl somewhere that used to belong to him.

I have to agree that Kops is a shadow of its former glory, even in the 12 years I have been here. Saying that he does have some good stuff come through if you are there before it ships to UK. Last time it was HB Barnum - Heartbreaker on mint Canadian Capitol.

Aki at Cosmos is WWWAAAYYY over priced but it pays to ask to go into his basement. Had a good score there 2 or 3 years ago.

Sonic Boom is shite for 45's