SLEEVE FACE

Vanesa Aller, Online Stylist

What record did you choose and why?

Madonna’s ”You Can Dance“. I love 80s/90s Madonna; this for me was when she was at her most creative, stylistically and musically, and she possessed a provocative edge.
 

When did you start collecting records?

I started collecting records as a teenager as a result of my love for house and techno music – which is still a big love of mine. 
 

How big is your collection now?

Big…but not big enough!

Michael Ryley, Creative Manager
 

What record did you choose and why?

I chose Yoko Ono’s ”Fly”; it’s an iconic cover and represents a huge chunk of the bedrock of my musical leanings. 
 

What’s your most treasured record?

It changes all the time, to be honest. I love my secondhand copy of ”The Boss“ by Diana Ross that I found in the sale section of the Notting Hill Music and Video Exchange [in London]. I played it when I DJ’d at a friend’s wedding in Italy last year and I have very special memories of that time.   
 

What is it about records that you love so much?

Recorded music has been a compulsion, a hobby, a great love and an obsession since I was aware of it being available to me to buy. It connected to me on a visceral level.

Sanam Steinhart, Art Director

What record did you choose and why?

Grace Jones’s ”Nightclubbing” – the image on the cover is so bold and it oozes attitude. She looks so empowered.

How big is your collection now?

More than I want to count – in the hundreds.

What is it about records that you love so much?

In a world in which anything can be accessed through the internet, there’s something so special about records that are tactile and can be kept forever. Each piece that I’ve collected has the memory of a place, person or time of my life attached to it.

Gavin Panton, Internal Communications

What record did you choose? 

It’s ”Halloween” II by John Carpenter & Alan Howarth.

How big is your collection now? 

I’ve lost count! I have a couple of shelving units that are full and still going. During this time in quarantine, I’ve been cataloguing my horror film scores on Instagram (@vinyl_processing) to show off how pretty they are and to help me remember what I own.

What is it about records that you love so much? 

I love that initial hit of the needle on the record – it’s everything. #longlivephysicalmedia

Nicole Watson, Team Experience Coordinator

What record did you choose and why?

I chose Stevie Wonder’s “Hotter Than July”. I chose it because it’s an album I never get bored of; I could listen to it over and over again. Taking into account everything that used to happen back then, having songs like [’Master Blaster’] ‘Jammin’ was a milestone for popular culture. 

What is it about records that you love so much? 

It brings a different feel to things, everything’s so fast nowadays. Before, you’d sit, listen to a record, feel the music and take it in. Now, when I listen to music, I could be doing any number of things at the same time, so I like the fact it reminds me to slow down.

Anita Patel, Fashion Production Manager

What record did you choose and why?

It’s Kate Bush, ”Hounds of Love”. I remember walking past the HMV flagship store on Oxford Street [London] during my very early teens and it was magnified on the shop window display. It totally stopped me in my tracks – it was mesmerising!

What’s your most treasured record?

New Order’s ‘Blue Monday’ 12-inch record. I love the iconic target design – plus, the music speaks for itself.

What is it about records that you love so much?

To be able to look and scrutinise the artwork on the sleeves.