Continuing our spotlight series called Favourite Finds, we ask some of our favourite DJs, collectors and selectors to tell us the story behind how they came across one of their favourite records.
For the next instalment, we’ve asked Brighton-based beatmaker, label owner and deep digger, The Purist to tell us the story behind how he came across one of his favourite records.
‘Purveyor of luxurious beats’ to some of the biggest names in the business, Lawrence Lord aka The Purist has worked with who’s who of hip-hop and rap’s finest. Producing for MF DOOM, Freddie Gibbs, CASisDEAD, Action Bronson and Loyle Carner to name only a handful, Lawrence knows a thing or two about digging for records. It’s a passion that has also led to him running the highly collectible Daupe! label now in it’s thirteenth year, with artists like WestsideGunn and Lord Apex on their roster.
"In the mid 2000s I went on a digging trip to New York. One of the most memorable spots I was shown was a vintage store in Greenpoint called The Thing. Brooklyn has changed a lot since then - I remember it being a ghost town.
As I stepped into the huge dingy basement, stocked with tens of thousands of vg + or worse LPs, I spotted this gem. I don’t know if you would come by this so easily now! It was the cover that caught my eye but one closer inspection I recognised the producer, Tom Nixon. I was a fan of his work with the Temprees & Ernie Hines, so copped it for a few dollars."
"Turns out it's one of my favourite soul records to this day. I’d describe it as Labi Siffre meets Al Green - incredible production. ‘To The Establishment’ is a Masterpiece and has been Sampled by The Alchemist, Outkast and many more.
I think I’ve probably bought this LP 4 or 5 times since - forever on the hunt for a mint. I don’t think they even exist but I’d be happy to be proved wrong..."
