It's the last day of our Daptone Records Record Store Day 2010 Label Showcase and we're going straight to the top. Gabriel Roth, aka Bosco Mann, is Daptone's co-owner, engineer, producer, arranger as well as bass player for Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings.
I never pass through Austin without a jaunt over to Breakaway Records. Proprietor Gabe Vaughn maintains an extraordinary depth of stock ranging from Jazz to Rock with a particularly heavy focus on Rhythm and Blues. Every time I'm there I leave with a teetering tower of sevens (sweet soul, R&B, blues, gospel...) and a mountain of choice LP's.
Notably, I picked up Little Willie John's "Talk To Me" Lp on my last visit (one of my favorite all time albums of which I had previously owned only a ratty strange pressing,) as well as Carolyn Franklin's "Chain Reaction" (an album by Aretha's sister containing the superb "You Really Didin't Mean It".) I found "Good Things" 45 by the Five Royales there, and Art Neville's "You Won't Do Right" 45 the time before.
The condition of the records tends to be strong for the most part, and most remarkable are the fair prices. Though Vaughn is an incredible DJ and prolific collector (whose enthusiasm and penchant for New Orleans R&B inspired him to name his store after an Irma Thomas song,) he somehow does not sink to the ebay-driven mentality that has lead too many record store owners to over-price every single record based on some mythical Japanese collector who once paid something ridiculous in an online auction.
Breakaway has a mellow vibe and two welcoming listening tables (with WORKING headphones!) which invite you to listen not only to the well sorted nuggets filed under "King" or "Stax", but also dig fearlessly into the undiscovered troughs of "Misc." and "New Arrivals". Next time you're in Austin, head over to Breakaway for a quality afternoon of vinyl digging. Tell 'em the other Gabe sent you.
Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings - I Learned the Hard Way (Mp3)
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