Soul, Reggae & R&b Music | Film & Music

In a world where pop, techno, garage and house music sometimes appear to be dominant, it can sometimes be difficult for you to find music to buy if you are a fan of soul, reggae or R&B music. For these types of music you may have to work a little harder to find what you want. Here is some advice about where to source soul, reggae or R&B music as well as some tips on making a purchase.

Finding where to buy soul, reggae or R&B music
While it will always be worthwhile having a look at the music your local music store stocks it may be difficult for you to find a big enough selection of the type of music you like. So, one of the best approaches may be for you to search online. Have a look at some of the classified advert websites where you should be able to find specialist stores or individuals selling your type of music. These adverts will generally supply contact details so that you can email or phone the seller to find out if they have exactly what you want. Second hand music stores or even car boot sales will also be possible places to find some of the less modern or more unusual types of music. Specialist music magazines may also be able to help.

Advantages of buying music online

Searching the web should allow you to source music from a wider geographical area, giving you more chance of finding rarer or collectable items.
Look out for websites that have a 'want list' where you can list music that you want but can't find so that if someone has this particular music and they are prepared to sell it, they can contact you.
Search for specialist music stores which concentrate on your particular genre of music. These stores may be able to offer a bigger range of rare or even un-issued tracks.

> What to be aware of when buying music on line

Contact the seller to ask for further details of the album or track they are advertising if you are not sure that it is exactly what you are looking for before you buy it.
Check if the seller has a returns policy or will agree to refund your money if the music is damaged in any way when you receive it.
For second hand items, check for a scoring system which describes the condition of the music so that you will have some come-back if, when it arrives, it is in a poorer condition than that described in the advertisement.
If you are buying from an individual, try to check their selling history to make sure that they are reputable and reliable. Some websites provide comments from previous buyers which you should check out if possible.
Check the costs for packaging and posting as some sellers will charge a low price for the music but then add on a huge amount for postage. It is frequently possible to find free packaging and posting.
Music, in the form of vinyl or CDs is quite fragile and easily damaged so check the method of packaging used by the seller to make sure that it arrives in good condition.
Find out what methods of payment are possible. If electronic payment is required then check that the payment system is secure if you have not used the site before or it is not one of the major players.

Buying second hand music
As you are more than likely to be looking for a very specific track, album or artist, you may be buying older, rare or collectable items. In these cases, it is highly likely that the music you buy will be second hand and not new. There is always an element of risk in buying second hand goods although an astute buyer can minimise the risks to a reasonable degree. If you are buying music from a shop or a car boot sale you can actually look at the record or CD and check for any visible signs of damage. You may not always have the chance to play it although this may be possible in some specialist music shops. When buying second hand music online try to ascertain its condition before you buy it. Many ads will contain detailed digital photos. If not, ask yourself why. Most people now possess digital cameras -- it is perfectly reasonable of you to ask the seller to email you a digital photo.

If you are a fan of soul, reggae or R&B music you may sometimes have to put a bit more work into finding your type of music -- but it is not impossible. Even if you have very specific music interests such as Motown rather than modern or crossover soul music or you prefer a particular reggae artist such as Bob Marley, Eddy Grant, Jimmy Cliff or Marcia Griffiths you should be able to source it as long as you are aware of any potential pitfalls when buying online or second hand.