Mike Bloom is a New York-based musician, recording engineer and sound designer. He’s spent over a decade Djing in some of the finest clubs in NYC while also working as a recording engineer for the studios of XL Recordings and Red Bull Music Academy, contributing to music by artists like Robyn, Blood Orange, Sampha, Arca, and Standing on the Corner. He owns and operates an independent record label called Maddjazz Recordings, releasing records from a curated selection of international artists on vinyl and digital. On top of that, he’s one of Bespoke Sound’s go-to curators for his careful selection and thoughtful yet wide approach to our clients’ musical desires.

We asked Mike to help us kick off our new series, “Crate Digging With” where we ask our favorite creatives where they like to find records. Mike took us around New York City to some of the city’s best record stores. While it’s hard to pick favorites with each shop having its own style, clientele, and expertise, these three below are the ones Mike keeps going back to. Take it away, Mike!

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A1 Records

Not really much I can say about this one that hasn't been said already. No record shop feels more like a New York hub for dance music/vinyl aficionados than this one, and it's the one I've spent the most time in by far. It's also probably the most visited shop for tourists and traveling DJs while passing through New York, largely due to the bins, full of relics from NYC's "Golden Era" of underground dance music; ‘90s and the early 2000s. Like all good shops though, their selection is well rounded, offering a huge selection of all genres, specifically Jazz, Funk, Pop, and Rock, all of which the staff are experts in.

A1 Records
439 E 6th St
New York, NY 10009

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Jazz Record Center

This one is near and dear to my heart. A seemingly random loft in a building in the garment district, this is the only shop devoted to purely Jazz. Feels kind of like an old library from the '80s but that's part of the charm. One record in my collection that stands out from here is a copy of Mingus Plays Piano. It's the best soundtrack for a rainy day in NYC.

Jazz Record Center
236 W 26th St #804
New York, NY 10001

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Human Head

Really wonderful Brooklyn shop with just a great selection of all genres. It's a shop for real collectors but it's fairly priced keeping it a mainstay in my rotation. The new arrivals are where it's at here, and Travis and his team are so good at keeping it evolving every few days. They have a knack for finding highly sought after records and collections of rare Brazilian, Free Jazz, Dub... just to name a few.

Human Head
289 Meserole St
Brooklyn, NY 11206

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