The Best Record Shops In London According To DJ Nat Wendell

Nat Wendell lives in Berlin, but he was born and raised in Harlesden, London. The DJ and producer honed his ear while walking past the reverberating frontage of Starlight Records on Craven Park Road, and his teenage years were spent on the bus to Ladbroke Grove, Notting Hill and Soho in search of vinyl. The capital’s old pirate studios, jamming out jungle tracks, played their part in his eclectic musical education, too.

Undoubtedly, it’s all had an influence. Brought up listening to the multi-layered sonic identity of his home city, Wendell’s appreciation for all things groovy now plays out in his irresistibly energetic deep house and garage sets. Paying homage to London's Caribbean community, with nods to gospel, dancehall, soul and Bajan soca, the DJ’s ever-evolving sound – heard in leading venues across London and Berlin – is a siren call to the dancefloor.

In partnership with Berlin-based luggage company Horizn Studios and the German capital’s community radio station Refuge Worldwide (where Wendell hosts the show In-Depth), we sat down with the DJ to get his recommendations on London’s best vinyl shops. Here’s what he said.

London’s Best Record Shops

Phonica Records, Soho

After a hiatus in collecting records from the 90s to the mid-00s, Phonica was one of the first record shops I ventured back into for some digging. The infamous Kenny, who was working there at the time, would suggest some wicked tracks that both matched and challenged my taste in a positive way. I'd visit weekly to stock up on the latest releases. Whenever I go back to London now, I always make a trip to Phonica.

51 Poland St, W1F 7ND; phonicarecords.com

DNR Vinyl, Croydon

Going to DNR is always a nostalgic experience; they stock all the music I used to hear on the radio growing up, before I was able to buy my own records. Dan, the owner, is so knowledgeable and always has some serious US and UK house and garage heat.

352 Lower Addiscombe Rd, Croydon CR0 7AF; dnrvinyl.co.uk

Music & Video Exchange, Notting Hill Gate

I used to work near to Music & Video Exchange and, at lunchtime, I would go for a walk and often end up in the shop (very much intentionally), where the late Phil Asher was working. It was always nice talking to him about music – his knowledge was incomprehensible. What I love about the Music & Video Exchange is that they regularly update their secondhand section and you can find some amazing records that aren't exploitative in price.

38 Notting Hill Gate, W11 3HX; mfeshops.com

Starlight Records, Harlesden

Growing up in Harlesden, there was always an undercurrent of music all around – from cars and local radio stations to the record shops. Starlight Records was established in 1976 and is one of the last original shops left in the area. As a child going on the weekly grocery shop with Mum, I'd always enjoy passing by Starlight. They'd have a good rotation of music being played out the door, ranging from soul to dancehall and reggae. It’s another great hub to hang around at on a weekend – especially during the summer.

17 Craven Park Rd, NW10 8SE

Dub Vendor, Ladbroke Grove

On a Friday after college, I used to take the bus down to this shop in Ladbroke Grove: it was like a party inside. The selector would be playing the latest imports and you'd have to call for what version of the riddim [the instrumental accompaniment to a song] you wanted. Even if you weren't into buying music, it was somewhere nice to hang out and listen to new music before it dropped in the clubs and on the radio that week. [While the physical shop is no longer open, music can still be ordered from the Dub Vendor online store.]

dubvendor.co.uk