VMP Magazine

The technique of sampling has now been prevalent in the mainstream’s sound for over 30 years. Since sampling began in the late ’60s, no band has been sampled more than The Lafayette Afro-Rock Band, a ’70s funk collective who have mostly dwindled into obscurity after some mild success abroad while the band was still together. While the ensemble never achieved the success they had hoped for in the U.S., the band survived as a favorite of crate diggers who poured over stacks of LPs looking for grooves to insert within their own music. There are 340 confirmed samples of The Lafayette Afro-Rock Band in existence, but undoubtedly more exist. Although the band has been sampled so frequently, DJs have not exactly been creative with The Lafayette Afro-Rock Band’s discography. Only five of the band’s tracks have ever been sampled (in a noteworthy way at least), with the overwhelming majority of those samples being pulled from the tracks “Darkest Light” and “Hihache.” There is a lot to uncover, but Vinyl Me, Please has explored all the ways The Lafayette Afro-Rock Band’s tracks have been warped and scratched to pick the Choice Cuts and Deep Cuts that cannot be skipped.

The 50 Best Record Stores In America is an essay series where we attempt to find the best record store in every state. These aren’t necessarily the record stores with the best prices or the deepest selection; you can use Yelp for that. Each record store featured has a story that goes beyond what’s on its shelves; these stores have history, foster a sense of community and mean something to the people who frequent them.

Remember that strange kid that you always caught picking their nose in class or eating bugs when you were growing up? Well, they’re still gross and probably in a punk band. As you’ve probably found out in your time on this planet, humans are pretty much disgusting. People who make music are no different, often finding depraved enjoyment out of celebrating their inner GG Allin through the albums they release. Over the years, as vinyl record packaging has gotten more gimmicky and extravagant, musicians have been finding newer and more creative ways to produce a more engaging (read: disgusting) piece of physical media. Art is supposed to contain a piece of the artist, but these ten records should challenge how much of themselves you would like an artist to share with you. These are the ten most disgusting records to come out on vinyl. Some of them are relatively affordable (gee, I wonder why), while others will have to be pried out of their filthy owner’s hands with a sizeable check. We’ve come a long way from the Beatles’ butcher cover.

Bruce Springsteen is hardly an artist in need of a career renaissance, but 2016 was one of the biggest years of Springsteen’s post-2000 output, even without him putting out a record. Despite the lack of new music, The Boss managed to put out a new memoir, a massive tour playing the entirety of The River and some emotional cover songs. Springsteen’s continued appeal lies in the fact that he never really went away in the first place. His albums have been consistent and high quality while his live show remains as legendary as ever, with most nights eclipsing the three hour mark. The New Jersey native’s style has endured for the past 40 years with The Boss still electing to wear tight denim jeans, leather jackets and solid black tees.

What is great about owning Bruce Springsteen on vinyl is that he is one of the few artists that is readily available at record stores and thrift stores across the globe, who has also put out a lot of great music (sorry Barry Manilow). Much of Springsteen’s '70s and '80s output can be found used at a relatively affordable price tag due to the sheer quantity of these records that were produced at the time. Amassing a respectable Springsteen collection can be done quickly without breaking the bank. These are the 10 best Bruce Springsteen records to own on vinyl.