Sounds of the Universe, Soho's Soul Jazz record shop
A record shop with new vinyl upstairs and rarities below, run by the founder of Soul Jazz, a short walk from Berwick Street.
By Only Soho Editorial
Sounds of the Universe sits on the corner of Broadwick Street and Duck Lane, at 7 Broadwick Street. It is a short step from the Berwick Street record strip, but the shop itself is on Broadwick Street, so aim accordingly. It is the shop of Soul Jazz Records, and it sits directly below the label's offices.
What it is
Owned by Stuart Baker, who also founded the Soul Jazz label, this is a physical shop and a mail-order business. The range runs across reggae, disco, dubstep, Latin, hip-hop, post-punk and soul, with books, films, posters and Soul Jazz merchandise alongside. Londonist called it the best-named record shop in London, then joked that technically it should be sounds from Earth.
A little history
Baker began by selling records from a stall in Camden Town market, above Dingwalls. According to Westminster Extra, he had set his heart on Soho: first a shop on Ingestre Place, then Broadwick Street. He has said he grew up in Bromley and came to Soho record shops as a teenager, and that in the early days there was no telephone, with a fax machine arriving after about six months. The shop has been here for decades. Westminster Extra lists Led Zeppelin and Prince among past customers, and The Vinyl Factory names Prince, Moodymann and Questlove as visiting musicians, with Gilles Peterson, Kieran Hebden (Four Tet) and Theo Parrish among the locals.
What to see and what to buy
- Ground floor: new vinyl and CDs. Look to the back wall for new dub-techno 12" records.
- Basement: second-hand records and rarities, filed under headings such as "Disco-not-disco". The Vinyl Factory points to deep jazz rarities and music books down here.
If you want something to carry out, start with the Soul Jazz compilations, the label's own releases. The shop's site lists Studio One reissues (the label's partnership with the Jamaican label is celebrated as 25 years), Miami Sound Vol. 2, a 2024 edition of DIY (post-punk and punk funk), a new 2026 edition of London Jazz Classics and Deutsche Elektronische Musik. Some limited editions are sold only through Soul Jazz and Sounds of the Universe, such as a first edition of 300 copies of David Lee Jr., Evolution. Staff are described as friendly and happy to recommend records, so ask.
The world music section is also worth the time: African, Brazilian, Latin, Calypso, Indian and Middle Eastern, according to a Portico travel listing.
When to go
The shop's own hours are Monday to Saturday, ten until half six, and Sunday, eleven until half five. Check before you travel. We have no firm word on quiet times, but weekday opening is a sensible suggestion if you want room to dig through the basement. The phone number is 020 7734 3430.
Prices and booking
Entry is free, it is a walk-in shop and there is nothing to book. Sample prices on the shop's website, which are worth checking are current: £28 for a new double LP, £23 for a single coloured-vinyl LP, £13 for a 7" single and £10 for a CD. Full details are on the shop's contact page, and its web shop is here.
For after
Walk five minutes to Bar Lina, 18 Brewer Street, in the basement of the Lina Stores deli. The Infatuation describes it as a classy Italian aperitivo bar and praises its Negronis. Order the Negroni, and play your finds in your head while you drink it. Check its hours before you go.
Berwick Street's other record shops are close by if the crate-digging bug has not been cured: Sister Ray is at 75 Berwick Street.
