I'm too tired to organize my thoughts this morning (very busy yesterday) so here's how it's pouring out of my head:

1. As mentioned previously, we will be starting to bring in a small qty of new CDs (as in sealed). As I did with the new vinyl when we started that seven months ago, I'll be concentrating for the most part on smaller labels and lesser-known artists. We'll also stock the latest releases from the hip bands that the kids are listening to these days.

For instance, in the next few days, weeks, we expect the latest releases on both vinyl and CD by Spoon, Vampire Weekend, Ben Frost, Tindersticks, Leyland Kirby, Them Crooked Vultures, Grouper, Black to Comm, and a few others. As the weeks and months pass I'll try to stay on top of these titles so we have them on their first day of release.

In addition, we'll be stocking some older titles that are out of print or harder to find in Toronto. One such title will be My Morning Jacket's second, and, in my opinion, best album: At Dawn. I've managed to get my hands on just 8 copies of this title in its original edition, which was as a double and limited to a pressing of just 2000. The regular CD is nice enough on its own but the bonus disc of demos is also a delight. I'm pretty comfortable saying it's unlikely anyone else in the city or country will have these as they've been out of print for close to a decade. To my recollection, we've never even had a used copy come into the store in the years I've been there. I've spoken directly with the label and they've assured me it's not going to be repressed.

We will be pricing these titles as reasonably as possible and should be competitive with the downtown shops. For instance, the new Spoon will be $14.99 on CD and $19.99 on vinyl. I don't know what the other indie shops will be pricing it at yet as it doesn't come out until next Tuesday, but Amazon and HMV are at least a buck or two higher than that.

Now, because of the set up of our store and the lack of a security buzzer at the door, I obviously don't want to put sealed product on the floor. As a result, we will open one copy of each title for display purposes and keep sealed copies behind the counter. When we're down to our last copy of a title or when the title doesn't warrant me stocking more than one, the CD will be open, but it will still be new and unplayed. Such is the nature of the beast.

I will appropriate a section of the wall directly above the New Arrivals, between Compilations and Folk, and place this new product there. New vinyl will go in the new arrivals where it always is.

If there are titles in particular you'd like to see, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and I'll see what I can do.

2. I've been catching hell from a number of customers because I've been playing the excellent second release from Budos Band without having any on hand to sell. I finally found a source for their stuff, but on vinyl only. I placed an order yesterday so we should have them in a week or so. I'll be bringing in all their titles as well as other artists on Daptone Records: Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Daktaris, Antibalas, and Sugarman 3 (with Lou Donaldson). We also have access to their 45s, but I'll only be bringing those in on a special order basis.

3. A heap of ambient/drone/modern classical is on its way. Most of it is very small run stuff, limited to 300 or so copies each, all on CD. Artists will include Richard Skelton, Concern, Scott Tuma, Evan Caminiti, Elm, and many others. These aren't well known artists but they're turning out quality stuff. Click the links to read Boomkat reviews. As you'll see, they don't even have stock on most of them anymore. Again, not sure who else in the city carries this stuff.

One of the choicest finds in this haul will be the last copies I could find of Black to Comm's first release, Ruckwarts Backwards on vinyl. Limited to just 222 copies. BtC's Fractal Hair Geometry is also on its way on vinyl. Limited to 500 copies. Given the high praise the artist's received for his latest release, Alphabet 1968, which made a number of year end top 10 lists, and which we sold out of promptly (it is limited to 500), these should be nice treats for those who dig Richter's particular take on electronic.

4. I've got another copy of Charley Patton's 4LP set coming in next week. We sold out once already and this will probably be my last order of it as it's limited to 275 copies world-wide. $125. That's $25 cheaper than the competition sells it for downtown.

5. Another heap of Numero Group titles will probably be in in about 2 weeks. For the first time, we'll also be bringing some of their titles on CD. Should happen around first week in February.

6. Restock of some Mississippi Records titles are on the way: Clara Rockmore and Reverend Overstreet in particular.

7. I added the ability to sample some audio to the site. This entry features a track from the above mentioned My Morning Jacket release. You should see the option in the left hand column under Listen To. If you experience problems with the audio player, please .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

That's all I got at the moment. Back to bed with me.

Our second shipment of Numero Group titles has arrived, including copies of Light: On the South Side and the Eccentric Soul: Twinight's Lunar Rotation 4LP box set.

Get 'em while you can--last time we sold out of the Light: On the South Side in one day! We will not be getting more stock before Christmas.

Also back in stock: Mississippi Records titles, including a few that are out of print: Bishop Perry Tillis, Love is Love, String of Pearls, and Last Kind Words. We will definitely not be getting more of these. More Abner Jays were in the box, too, along with some Mississippi Fred McDowell, and the wonderful Fight On, Your Time Ain't Long compilation.

Okay, so our first order of Numero Group LPs has arrived and will hit the shelves tomorrow (Saturday)!

With a couple of exceptions, we basically brought in two of each of the titles and we're offering them at what we think is the best price in the city. If you know of someone selling them cheaper, we'd love to hear about it.

We've even managed to beat the big box stores and of course you don't have to pay shipping. For instance, Amazon offers the Light: On the South Side 2LP + Book for $58. We've got it for $54.99 Canadian. The 3LP Don't Stop: Recording Tap (AMG review) is $36.99 plus shipping from Amazon or $34.99 from us. We're also matching the label's prices on all the double LPs, but in local funds, so they're just $19.99 each, which is about $5 cheaper than any place I've seen them around town.

I can say with a heap of certainty and a total lack of hyperbole that if, on your Christmas list, you've got a fan of the blues who's got a turntable, there is no finer gift than the Light: On the South Side box set. It's a stunning piece of work. Two terrific albums and a glorious book of black and white photos. The book also has an afterward by photographer Michael Abramson and an introductory essay by novelist Nick Hornby.

Check out the trailer for Light: On the South Side. A video of the box and book itself is also below.

The Numero Group is a USA-based label that specializes in rarely-heard gems from (mostly) little-known American acts of the soul, folk, and international variety. Their titles are beautifully mastered and packaged. They were originally a web-only label, meaning their items were unavailable in stores. One of the reasons I've been reluctant to bring in their titles is that they're a little pricey when imported and redistributed by a Canadian company. I've now found a reliable source south of the border at what I think is the best price possible and our first shipment is on its way.

Here's a list of what's coming, along with links to more info on each title:

Various Artists - Wayfaring Strangers: Lonesome Heroes
Various Artists - Wayfaring Strangers: Guitar Soli
Various Artists - Eccentric Soul - Young Disciples
Various Artists - Eccentric Soul - Smart's Place
Various Artists - Local Customs: Downriver Revival
Various Artists - Soul Messages from Dimona
Various Artists - The ABCs of Kid Soul: Home Schooled
Various Artists - Eccentric Soul: The Prix Label
Various Artists - Eccentric Soul: The Deep City Label
Various Artists - Eccentric Soul: The Big Mack Label
Various Artists - Eccentric Soul: The Capsoul Label
Various Artists - Don't Stop: Recording Tap
Various Artists - Cult Cargo: Grand Bahama Goombay
Various Artists - Cult Cargo: Belize City Boil Up
Various Artists - Eccentric Soul: Twinight's Lunar Rotation
Various Artists - Good God! A Gospel Funk Hymnal
Various Artists - Light: On the South Side

All of The Numero Group's titles thus far have been wonderful but this last title is a stunner. Light: On the South Side is 2 LPs documenting Chicago's South Side night club scene between 1975 and 1977 accompanied by a 12x12 132-page hardcover book with photos by Michael Abramson. For those unfamiliar with Abramson's work, here's a PDF of an article called Groove Memories from last year's Chicago Tribune.

That article--and those photos--were the spark for The Numero Group doing this boxed set. Here's a photo of the box and book:



I don't yet have pricing on any of this stuff as it'll depend on what happens when customs gets hold of it, but I'll do my damnedest to offer them at the lowest price in Toronto. You can read more about the Numero Group on their site.