Introducing Dick, Ed and Jeanet of Back Beat Records in Amsterdam… a cosy shop with heaps of character and a superb collection of jazz, funk and soul. Their answers may be somewhat enigmatic, but who cares… they own a shop that was opened by soul legend Arthur Conley. Nuff said, as they say…
Please introduce yourself: what’s your name and where do you reside?
The shop is owned by Dick Baars, Ed van Bennekom and Jeanet de Jager (all musicians in Amsterdam).
Do you have an internet site? – Please tell us the address…
http://www.backbeat.nl/ and you can contact us at backbeat@xs4all.nl.
Which styles of music do you sell and when was the store established?
The store was opened 25 years ago by Arthur Conley.
We specialize in funk, soul and jazz.
How many records do you have in the store?
The shop is very small, so not all the copies are in the shop, but all together about 5,000.
Why did you decide to deal with records? Is it just love? Just business? Just …?
Love music.
Short and sweet. I like it. Tell us a bit about your customers… who are they, and who might be your most famous client?
We have regular clients and tourists. Mick jagger was here once.
Where do you get your records from?
New from wholesale and 2nd hand we’ll buy anywhere.
Do you have an archive system for your records? Where do you store them?
Not for LP’s, as they come and go.
How do you recognise an interesting record?
Craftsmanship. The label is important for the value…
Quite right, never give away your secrets… Any tips for cleaning a dusty, old record?
Alcohol.
What’s the oldest record you have in store?
We have 78 records too, so late 1920′s.
Is there any record in particular that you especially crave for, one that is still missing from your shop’s collection?
Grant Green’s Live At The Lighthouse
Has anyone ever stolen your records?
It happens… More often people nick empty CD boxes more (and download the album).
What is your most valuable record?
The first print of Eric Dolphy’s Last Date.
How do you set your prices for rare records?
Experience.
Which one has got the most beautiful cover?
Jazz At The Philharmonic LP’s have nice artwork. Buttshaker’s are nasty.
What does the future look like for the vinyl business?
CD’s will go in 2012, but vinyl will last forever.
Please tell us your 5 favourite records…
Aretha Franklin – Live At The Fillmore West
Ledisi – Feelin’ Orange
Grant Green – Live At The Lighthouse
Dexter Gordon – Our Man In Paris
Marvin Gaye – I Want You
Are you a dealer, collector and/or also a DJ/Producer? What is your ‘artist’ name?
Matthew In Boston.
Have you got some interesting or rare records coming in?
It’s always a surprise.
Backbeat
Egelantiersstraat 19
1015 PV Amsterdam
Photos by SEBASTIAN MARGGRAF.
