New York Blog

In 2009, the traditional practice of exchanging physical copies of records for money is a trade that might best be called quixotic. But New Yorkers are stubborn people, and the record store is not dead. Below, the top ten records that sold in the last week at a store near you.

Rock and Soul started as a vinyl-only shop in 1975 but has since evolved into a one-stop for DJ equipment, CDs, '12 inches, speakers, accessories, and t-shirts. "A lot of people think DJing is hip now, but it's always been popular," says employee Efrat Yogev. The store's rich history includes former patrons like Grandmaster Flash, and current ones like DJ AM, Funkmaster Flex, and Talib Kweli. The spacious midtown store, located next to Penn Station, has a mezzanine for events like DJ tutorials and its famous annual open-to-the-public Christmas party. Inventory includes classic R&B, old-school hip-hop, dance, and reggae. "Right now it's the biggest record store that is still active in New York City," Yogev says. "Because everyone else closed down."

The Top 10 Records Sold at Rock and Soul for the week ending July 28:

1. Rock Ross: Deeper than Rap (Def Jam)
2. Busta Rhymes: Back on my BS (Universal Motown)
3. Lady GaGa: Pokerface (Streamline)
4. Trey Sonz: I Need a Girl (Atlantic)
5. The-Dream: Walking on the Moon (Def Jam)
6. Jeremiah: Birthday Sex (Da Representers)
7. Amerie: Why R U (Def Jam)
8. Fabulous: Throw it in the Bag (Def Jam)
9. Method Man and Red Man: A-Yo (Def Jam)
10. Jay-Z: D.O.A. (Roc Nation)

Rock and Soul is located at 462 7th Ave. It is open 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.