Book Corner: Record Store Days: From Vinyl to Digital and Back Again

By: N.D. McCray, Music Editor

Record Store Days: From Vinyl to Digital and Back Again [Hardcover]

Authors: Gary Calamar and Phil Gallo

Foreword by Peter Buck of R.E.M.
According to the Scratch DJ Academy –a world renowned DJ and music production school here in New York, “The record store is like the barber shop of the music industry” and Record Store Days: From Vinyl to Digital and Back Again (Sterling, $19.95) only solidifies that statement by bringing a book full of love, respect and appreciation for a community that’s a second home to DJs, producers and rabid music fans. Comprehensive and informative with stories from musicians, record store executives, singers, songwriters, record store clerks, as well as record store managers themselves, the 225-page tome brings to light why the record store is such an important part of music history. It also takes readers through decades-worth of memorabilia, photos, first albums, and 45s, LPs, singles, as well as record stores from New York to Kentucky to Chicago, California and back.

What’s even more beautiful about Record Store Days? It was compiled by two music heads: Gary Calamar, a music supervisor for hit shows such as True Blood, House and Dexter; he’s also a radio jock at KCRW in Santa Monica; and Phil Gallo, a music journalist with 25-years of experience who’s appeared on nationwide shows to talk music.

Book Corner: Aliya S. King's Platinum

By: ND McCray, Music Editor

Culled from an article in VIBE about the wives, girlfriends and lovers of hip-hop rap stars, Aliya S. King’s debut novel PLATINUM (Simon & Schuster, $24.99) reads more like an E! True Hollywood Story than fiction.


Alex Maxwell is a freelance writer (secretly) engaged to an up-and-coming rapper, whose latest assignment is to interview the women who are involved with hip-hop heavyweights.

Beth Saddlebrook is a white girl married to “Z”, a rapper past his prime --who she’s been with since the age of 15. They have three kids, one on the way; but only one child respects her, while her husband deals with his own demons.

Beth’s best friend, Kipenzi Hill is a multi-platinum selling R&B singer-songwriter who has worked in the music business since she was a child, and now she is ready to retire and live happily ever after. Thing is: she’s in a relationship with Jake, one of the hottest rappers alive; yet he refuses to publicly acknowledge their connection.

Ras Bennett, the super-producer married to a fashion designer gives his wife everything and twice more; but all she wants to give him…a child.

And then there’s Cleo Wright, the video vixen who’s about to throw shade in all their lives. All in all, Platinum is fast-paced, dramatic, and salacious; it’s a perfect read for hot summer days and nights. But have a drink afterwards; because you’ll definitely need it!

Platinum is in bookstores now!

 Know a book SSNY should read? Let us know! Send your recommendations to besonewyork@gmail.com!