Anyone that lives in northwest Europe will most likely think of the city’s Football club when hearing about Dortmund. An industrial city that is among the oldest in the region dating back to 882. As the eight largest city in Germany there are also plenty of record stores in Dortmund scattered across its city centre. The record scene looked promising enough for us, that’s me and my partner in crime always on the hunt for that absolute steal, to plan a trip. After an one hour drive to my friend’s house it took another two hours driving to Dortmund so there was plenty of time for catching up. It felt very pleasant that for once someone else took care of the preparation; researching which record stores in Dortmund to visit, most convenient routes, where to park and I was simply there to enjoy the ride.
Andrä – Musik Filme Games
Situated in the heart of the city on a bystreet of the main shopping street, the Westenhellweg, Andrä is easy to locate. Their location offers more perks as you can park your car relatively cheap at the Trier Gallery right next to it and is a good starting point to than walk towards the other record stores in Dortmund (10-20 minutes tops). From all the stores we have visited it is the largest and most crowded, which also has to do with the fact that they also offer games and movies. I found the LP section a bit disappointing in the sense that I travelled for three hours and was expecting to find at least a couple of records to bring home. All major genres are present, some in more numbers such as Rock and Soul, and others by the few. There are two cabinets plus three bins of rarities. The top floor is fully dedicated to CD’S and I believe it is rare to still see so many enthusiasm for this dying format. I had a blast going through the CD section and took three titles home leaving behind a copy of Brenda Boykin and the Jan Luley Trio titled See Ya Later. After listening to the album on my way home I knew I had made a bad judgement call on that one.
K.C. Douglas – The Country Boy (LP)
An original 74’ release on Arhoolie Records that I listened to for the very first time after taking it home. Definitely a keeper.
Doug Wimbish – Trippy Notes For Bass (CD)
Bass player for Sugar Hill Records back in the day and later core member of the On-U Sound family. No-brainer as I love everything that is even remotely linked to On-U Sound.
Nils Petter Molvaer – Khmer (CD)
I’ve seen Nils play together with Sly and Robbie twice, so took a chance on this one as I never listened to any of his other work.
Corey Harris – Mississippi To Mali (CD)
I’m a sucker for Greens From The Garden and Down Home Sophisticate. So it feels like natural progression to me!
Idiots Records
Hard Rock, Death Metal, Hardcore Punk and related genres is what Idiots Records has in large quantities. Not something I would travel to Dortmund for but that has more to do with my personal preference. They offer a wide selection down to the most nitty gritty sub genres. According to my friend the titles were pretty good and prices were more than decent wasn’t it for the fact he owned a copy already of all the records that he seemed to pull out of the bins. We even managed to stumble on a record by A Tribe Called Quest so there is a chance you will find something unexpected if you are willing to put up with the unrelentless growls for more than 10 minutes. The staff is very friendly and the store is something to behold. There is not a lot of space left that hasn’t been used to showcase posters, memorabilia, clothing, hats or caps. I like my fair share of Death Metal but after 30 min decided I had enough and we left emptyhanded.
Black Plastic
Perhaps the best or at least one of the best record stores I had the pleasure to visit in Europe. All categories are represented and not just by a small margin of unwanted titles but a superb selection that will satisfy any serious collector with market competitive prices. From MoFi’s Master Recordings to rare Japanese pressings they literally have it all. Once you move past some of the serious rare records all collectors are drooling over, in my case Afreaka! by Demon Fuzz for a whooping 455 euro’s, you will soon find out there’s is enough left in the bins to make your trip to Dortmund worthwhile. My enthusiasm took hold me and the stack of records kept growing beyond what I could possibly take home before I even reached the turntables for further inspection. Thinking back I can hardly believe I took home only three records. I could have blown my whole budget on the first bin alone. Black Plastic simply can’t be ignored if you visit the record stores in Dortmund or the Ruhr metropolitan region.
Delroy Washington – Rasta
An original copy in absolute pristine condition to replace my current copy of which the cover has some minor defects. Amazing and highly underrated Roots gem.
Preston Love Ft Shuggie Otis – Preston Love’s Omaha Bar-B-Q
Some fine Funk grooves with Shuggie Otis on guitar. They just don’t make like this anymore!
Jethro Tull – This Was
First Japanese press from 1969. Much more Blues orientated that their later mix of progressive Folk Rock.
Archiv CD’S and LP’s
Walking back towards the shopping district we joined the march of Dortmund fans in their black and yellow outfit towards the stadium at some point taking a hard left for our next record store. Archiv CD’S and LP’s is exactly as the name of the store suggest. A record store that carries a good amount of mostly new CD’S and LP’s in all major genres with just a small selection of used records. However small it did yield me another find. As probably one of the few people in Dortmund the owner wasn’t into Football and seeing we were the only clientele in the store he had more than enough time to have a chat. There are a few boxes with rarities right in front of the counter that are worth going through. My friend let go of an original White Zombie La Sexorcisto with a price tag of 175 euros. However hefty the price tag you could just be looking for that title for years in near mint condition. Also, the portable toilets in front of the store come in handy. I wouldn’t place this store on the top of my list of record stores in Dortmund, but it sure is worthwhile to visit if you have the time. Perhaps we would have found some more gems amongst the dirt if we spent a little more time at the store but seeing the temperatures climbing to a scorching 31 degrees we took our loses.
Zap Pow – Zap Pow
One of Jamaica’s premiere bands in its heyday with the fierce Zap Pow Horns featuring David Madden and Glen DaCosta. On vocals you can also hear a young Beres Hammond with the self-penned legendary tune “Last War” among other tracks.
Flat Earth Record Store
The last stop on our trip supposed to be Flat Earth Records but walking up the small stairway we already noticed it was closed. We took a peak through the store window which looked very promising. A neat and cozy record store. What might have been we can only guess.
Dortmund has more record stores that we weren’t able to visit due to time restraints. I believe Amsterdam Record Shop, Rare Records, BigBankHank and XXL Musicworld would complete the list. I really enjoyed this trip and would recommend visiting the city if ever you are close by and want to do some record shopping if not just for Black Plastic alone. If you had the opportunity to visit any of the record stores in Dortmund mentioned or just have something to share feel free to drop a comment.
For more of my record store trips check out any of thelinks below.