diggin guide - Bordeaux (France).

Here's the first installment of a series of articles that will give tips to dig records in particular places. Hopefully, y'all will be able to contribute. Notice that there are of course other sources over the web to get infos about diggin over the world. My goal is only to contribute to the global info.

Today, Bordeaux, on the west side of France. 

Bordeaux was a nice surprise when I decided to dig records. I previously did what anyone nowadays would do : I searched over the web the names of record stores. Then I asked my bro, who lives in town, about his own experience of the records stores. 

Three names popped up : Disc'Ayres, Total Heaven and Bam Balam. 

Disc'Ayres and Bam Balam are located in the same area, and share the characteristic of looking like Ali Baba's cave. They are specialized in second hand records, and that's what make them so cool. 

When arriving in the rue Ayres, you will notice Disc'Ayres by the shopping cart located in front of the store. It contains the "1€ bin", with more discounted records inside the store. Once inside, you will need a lot of time if you didn't get in with a precise goal in mind. At first, you have the impression that the shop is small, and then, you realise there's a big room in the back. Boom! Jazz, world, rock, pop, soul, funk, French... everything's there. And, rare thing, the records are not over-priced. Let's say the prices are reasonable. In a world where smartphones make it possible to get accurate info about prices at any time, you will be able to confirm.

At the next crossroad, there's Bam Balam. Crates are everywhere and it is sometimes necessary to undo the piles in order to access the records. Diggin ain't a joke and you don't want to miss a great opportunity just because you've been lazy.  The classification is sometimes a bit weird and messy, but I insist : have a look everywhere. There again, you will need time to dig in Bam Balam.

Total Heaven is another style of store, more dans le vent. The new vinyls are separated from the used ones. This takes away a bit of the magic but it's also another way of dealing with your priorities ; do you want originals or new copies ? what price range are you looking for ? what sound do you want ? etc. 

The interesting tip is to check the crate of sales ; new releases are sometimes sold at special prices, in order to make room in the crates for others records.

If you're efficient, you will not spend too much time in Total Heaven, but you will perhaps find interesting pieces, mainly in the new LPs, because the used LPs are a bit disappointing. Nonetheless, a good shop. And don't forget the 45's section on the counter.