Among vinyl enthusiasts, Record Store Day remains a top holiday. While the world hasn’t fully gone back to normal, a tweaked version of RSD will be happening at a store near you with plenty of options for you to shop.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, 2020’s RSD had to undergo some changes in order to survive a tough time. After pushing the event’s date back from April 18 to June 20, it eventually resumed in the form of Drops: three events spread over three months last fall. In 2021, the Drops will be taking place over two subsequent weekends in June, starting on the 12.
Although visiting your local store was nearly impossible, vinyl sales went up in 2020. The format presented a 46% growth compared to the previous year, making it the 15th consecutive year of an upward trend. According to a study, more than 27.5 million copies were sold in the U.S. alone. However, this was not reflected on record stores, which is why RSD remains an important day for retailers as well as artists and fans.
Here are some of the most notable releases to keep in mind to grab when you visit your favorite record store:
Rage Against The Machine – ‘The Battle of Mexico City’ (12,350 copies)
In 1999, RATM paid a long overdue visit to Mexico to the acclaim of fans from all over the country. The show is legendary for the band’s fiery performance as well as for the number of people in the crowd—fans rushed the venue doors and crashed the show. The chaotic energy is all present here.
Deftones – ‘Digital Bath’ (Telefon Tel Aviv version) / Feiticeira (Arca remix) (8,500 copies)
Last year, Deftones celebrated the 20th anniversary of their landmark album White Pony by releasing an accompanying remix project called Black Stallion. For RSD, the band is sharing two more reworks in a picture disc—and with apologies to the brilliant Telefon Tel Aviv—we can’t wait to hear what Arca does to White Pony’s opening track.
El Cuarteto Patria & Manu Dibango – ‘Cubafrica’ (1,800 copies)
In 1998, hot on the heels of Buena Vista Social Club, Eliades Ochoa and a group of Cuban musicians teamed up with Cameroonian funk great Manu Dibango to make a crossover event that resulted in some amazing music. Irresistible son cubano meets African jazz and funk, Cubafrica remains a cult classic.
VA ‘Dedicated To You: Lowrider Love’ (2,000 copies)
When it comes to soundtracks for cruising on a supped-up vintage convertible, few things do the job like old school soul, funk, and R&B. This compilation gathers classics and deep cuts from The Impressions, Joe Bataan, Brenton Wood, and many others. Now that summer is here, it’s perfect to throw on the turntable to get the barbecue going.
Celia Cruz y Willie Colon – ‘Celia y Willie’ (2,000 copies)
Originally released in 1981, Celia y Willie was not the first time these two salsa titans collaborated on a project but it’s arguably the best, featuring versions of classics like “Cucurrucucú Paloma” and “Berimbau” as well as hits like “Dos Jueyes” and “Come Down To Miami.” This is essential for tropical music fans.