When in London, make sure to roll through the amazing People’s Sound Records
Troy Lewis spent time with Daily Reggae to talk about People’s Sound Records historic place in the music industry.
Daily Reggae spoke with Troy Lewis at People’s Sound Records in London’s Notting Hill neighborhood.
Tell me about your role here at People’s Sound Records!
My name is Troy Lewis. My role here is to do the web design and sell on Discogs.
You have such an incredible store here! Can you tell me about its history?
The store opened in 1988. It was opened by Daddy Vego. He was a DJ in the ‘50s along with Duke Vin. He was one of the first DJs in the UK. They used to DJ a club in Soho called The Roaring 20s. It ran in SOHO. A lot of big named stars attended the club like The Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger. A lot of jazz stars like Art Blakey went there. He was known as a big DJ.
Our sister store is Peckings Records, which opened well before us. It’s on Askew Rd. in Shepherd’s Bush.
In our store, we mostly stock revival reggae - roots, dancehall and dub. We mostly sell vinyl.
Do you ever put on shows in London?
Yes, we play outside at our neighborhood carnival every year. We are part of the sound system collective on Portobello. We’ve played every year since ’88 and it’s very famous. A lot of people come from around the world to hear our particular sound, which is People’s Sound Records.
Where are some of the best places to see reggae in London? I saw Freddie McGregor recently played the Electric Brixton.
Mostly the big concerts. But most of the best reggae you hear is at private parties. My colleague has his own sound system, Red Flame. Another colleague that works here just released an album, Karl Amata and The Whispers Reggae Project.
Who are some of your favorite musicians that you sell their music here?
I saw you photographing that blue album up there from Lloydie Slim - Roots From The Record Smith. He’s one of my favorite producers. He worked with The Aggrovators and King Tubby. He came in here the other day. That’s a signed copy actually.
Also, through the door here we’ve had a lot of reggae artists. Protoje came through, as I mentioned Lloydie Slim, and the Twinkle Brothers. The old time reggae producers know this shop as the place to come in the UK.
Can you tell more more about Notting Hill and Portobello Road’s history?
This street is famous because of Frank Crichlow. He was just a restaurant owner across the road. It was one of the first big cases against the police in this country, and a big civil rights moment.
Bob Marley used to record in the studio around the corner from here. He was friends with Daddy Vego. Daddy Vego knew him from Jamaica. Bob used to come smoke a spliff, listen to music and just talk with some of the famous people who’ve come here over the years.
