About the film
A compelling film, highlighting a previously-hidden history of England’s independent record stores that specialised in Black music. With valuable insight from those who worked and shopped in them through the decades. Featuring Jazzie B, Trevor Nelson, Marcia Carr, Claudia Wilson, Ammo Talwar MBE, DJ SS, DJ Rap, DJ Spoony, Wookie, Jeff Smith and Simon Dunmore. Managed by 2Funky Arts and produced by Simon Phillips.
The documentary was officially launched at Greenwich University in October 2024 with subsequent screenings in Brixton, Manchester and Leicester.
Simon Phillips
Director
Starting his journey as a DJ in the nineties, Simon Phillips is one of the UK’s most respected broadcasters and pioneers of Black music, currently presenting on Jazz FM & Magic Soul. He has worked with broadcast production houses Screen Glue and Elephant Studios, as well as independent film makers on ‘One Nation Under Groove -The Story of the Southport Weekender’ and ‘Devil’s Dust’, which earned him Best Editor and Best Sound at the IOP Indie Film Awards in 2019.
The Record Store & Black Music, England’s Tastemakers sees Simon tell the story of his journey through music with his close network of industry friends.
Winstan Whitter
Director of Photography
Winstan is an award-winning director, cinematographer, editor and film facilitator with expert technical abilities in lighting, cameras and video editing, with over 20 years of professional experience in broadcast tv, cinema and online productions.
Featured Record Stores
Expansion
Owned by Richard Searling and managed by Dean Johnson, Expansion was a Manchester record store that operated between 1987 and 1999. First located on Corporation Street and then Swan Street, Expansion specialised in soul, jazz, dance and R&B records.
Groove Records
Located at 52 Greek Street in Soho was Groove Records. The store was owned by Jean Palmer, with her sons Tim and Chris. The store, which ran from 1978 until 1991, specialised in electro funk, hip hop, rap, soul, jazz, as well as being known for its American imports.
“(Groove) was a bit more stush. It knew it was the number one I think because if I remember rightly, it was probably the number one in London for that sort of music. They were still friendly enough. Still nice people.”
– DJ Bigger
Dub Vendor
Dub Vendor started as a reggae stall on Clapham Junction Market, before expanding and opening a number of stores across London. The first opened in 1976, with Dub Vendor having a store at two locations in the Ladbroke Grove area, as well as a further store in Lavender Hill near Clapham Junction.
The chain was founded by John MacGillivray and Chris Lane, the latter leaving the business quite early in its life and going on to form the Fashion Records label.
The Ladbroke Grove store closed in June 2008, while the Lavender Hill store closed in September 2011 after sustaining damage during the London riots. Dub Vendor still operates as an online distributor.
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