Let the Needle Drop: Record Store Day 2011 This Saturday (4/16)

Our picks for the in-store appearances and limited releases you can't miss.

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For those that take music seriously, Record Store Day is something of a religious holiday. One Saturday out of the year, audiophiles wake early and make the pilgrimage to their local, independent record store for special in-store appearances and the chance to grab limited releases before they sell out. And they always sell out.

To best prepare you, we've selected our five favorite limited releases and in-store appearances coming to you Saturday, April 16.

For a list of every participating record store, in-store appearences, and available limited releases, please see Record Store Day's very comprehensive website.

Exclusive Record Store Day Releases

Flying Lotus - Comosgramma Alt. Takes
FlyLo is perhaps the single greatest artist since the heyday of DJ Shadow working within that gray area between instrumental hip-hop and electronica. 2010's Cosmogramma found the artist embracing free jazz and knob twiddling more than on his Los Angeles LP, a record that should be required listening for anyone interested in hip-hop production. On Record Store Day, Cosmogramma will be available on vinyl with alternate takes not found on the initial release. The cult around this artist and the rest of the Brainfeeder collective he's affiliated with guarantee that this will be a tough item to find unless you act hella early.

Panda Bear - Tomboy
As Animal Collective has grown poppier, the work of band member Panda Bear has become more important to the fans that originally looked to AC for more challenging listening experiences. On Tomboy, Panda Bear engages with effects-laden soundscapes that owe as much to the Beach Boys as they do to J Dilla.

Television - Live at the Old Waldorf
This live recording captures one of the finest punk acts ever at the peak of their talents, coming hot on the heels of their second album, Adventure. It's also the last show the band played together before reuniting in 1992. This double LP includes a highly-sought after cover of the Rolling Stones' "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction."

Fela Kuti - Monday Morning in Lagos Parts I and II
If you aren't familiar with the grand maestro of afrobeat, go listen to Expensive Shit, a classic Kuti recording, right now. Let the marathan sessions of funk, jazz, and Yoruba music that Kuti and his huge band originated in the '70s break over you. When you come out of the groove it'll probably be Saturday and you'll need to be picking up this exclusive release, a mono remaster of the original 1971 Nigerian recording.

Adele - Rolling in the Deep (Jamie xx Shuffle) 10"
The pipes on Britain's latest import could peel your face back. On this remix of her colossal single "Rolling in the Deep," Jamie Smith of the xx pitch-shifts her vocals and spices up the drums, making the track a dancefloor burner rather than an angry ex kiss-off.

In-Store Appearances

Talib Kweli
1 p.m.
Shake It Records
4156 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati

My Morning Jacket
Afternoon (check Facebook for updates)
CD Central
377 South Limesone St, Lexington, Ky.

Wiz Khalifa
12 p.m.
Exile on Main St.
1 Main Street #108, Champaign, Ill.

Rick Ross
12 p.m.
Music Depot
416 Greenspoint Mall, Houston

Todd Rundgren
4 p.m.
Hungry Ear Records
418 Kuulei Road, Kailua, Hawaii

RELATED: Pigeons & Planes - How to Run a Successful Independent Record Store in 2013

 

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