This might hurt the feelings of those lovely scamps who man the counters at Crash, but Jumbo is Leeds' finest independent record shop. It's bigger, more spacious and while tucked away on the top floor of the St John's Centre, this means you're only going to find fellow music lovers rooting through the many racks of CDs, vinyls and music DVDs with you. And not your mum, chasing the Duffy album for your dad's birthday. Who doesn't like a bit of Duffy though, really? While the prices of the cross-over records - albums by popular bands who you might find in the big high street sellers of music - are more expensive than the prices you might find in say, your local supermarket, it's not these albums which you should be perusing Jumbo for. Not on my watch, anyway. I go to Jumbo for rare 7" singles of bands you probably haven't even heard of yet. Or for an album from the seventies, that apparently influenced your new favourite band. Or for my gig tickets, without extortionate booking fees you unwittingly discover online. Or, indeed, to fix my decks - as I did most recently. To be fair, I'm probably the customer they dislike the most. I bob in on a lunchtime and steal all the free mags/fanzines I can fit in my bag. And then leave, having bought nothing. Oops. Sorry. Thanks! read more

Jumbo Records - Flashy. - Vinyl Records Near Me - Leeds, XWY

Jumbo was like one of those mythical much talked about places when I first moved to Leeds. People would always mention good music, generally some bands that I hadn't yet heard of, and then the name 'Jumbo' would shortly follow. Once I discovered the locale of Jumbo I could see why. For an indie record store the place is just huge! On the back wall are hundreds of live music posters, of all different kinds, yet another accolade to Jumbo's far reaching audiences and custom. They also, alongside Crash records, happen to sell tickets for most of the live music events that are going on in and around Leeds. Their range and selection of CDs and Vinyl is second to none in Leeds realistically, and the staff are really knowledgeable. Great if you have ideas but no names, or tip of the tongue phenomenon! Jumbo is the business and a total must for any music lover in Leeds. And by that I don't mean anything within the sphere of, say, Britney Spears et al. But that might be fairly obvious once you step inside... read more

Jumbo Records - Vinyl Records Near Me - Leeds, XWY

On a hunt for some new sounds, i thought a good old bit of vinyl would do the trick. So i had a bit of a rummage around, and couldnt find anything i particularly wanted, so asked the lass who worked there if they had any Laura Marling. To be honest id probably have preferred it had she completely ignored me! A Neanderthal would have offered more interaction rather than grunts and looks of utter disdain. £30 for a vinyl with that service..... i have news for you Jumbo, Amazon is much cheaper, friendlier and convenient alternative. Support your local record shop? Why bother?! read more

Leeds based music lovers need to become acquainted with Jumbo Records in the St John's Centre, Leeds City Centre. Jumbo records is a major independent record store holding music in every possible form. Jumbo sells current and classic Cd's, DVD'S and Vinyls. Their choice isn't as vast as what HMV may have to offer, however every CD in store has been picked with care and with respect for real talent! The Jumbo staff are very clued up on the scene and are more than helpful if you are looking for a particular album, or even something new to listen to. There is nothing more refreshing than staff that enjoy their job and are passionate about answering customers questions. Jumbo offers this refreshing air! It is not only recorded music that makes Jumbo my personal favourite, and one of the most popular record stores in Leeds. It is their huge variety live gig ticket sales. Jumbo collect lists of ALL live music around the city, venue by venue and day by day! Tell there staff your favourite artists and they will find the tour date almost immediately. I often just pop in and say "i fancy a gig this week, whats on offer" and they talk me through what going on musically in the city! Not only does the shop provide a helpful and smiley service but offer tickets at brilliant prices (often cheaper than what the Internet offers) plus with the ability to book months and months in advance. Recorded music can be a little dear, however some of the Cd's and Vinyls are rather rare and eclectic so you pay for the diversity! read more

I'm a bit intimidated by independent music shops on the whole, but I have come here for gig tickets for many years. I sort of rush in and then out again without daring to look through the rest of the wares on offer because I feel like I might get heckled like the customers in High Fidelity when Jack Black's character doesn't like them. Great place for gig tickets though! And prolly other stuff too if you're brave enough and have those big things in your ear lobes that look like cotton reels. read more

With the ever decreasing circle of music shops, it came as pleasant surprise to realise there were several independent outlets in the city centre, Jumbo Records being one of them. For years I'd been a slave to the buy it in a chain buy it cheaper, but it became a bit tedious when I'd manage to eat up all the generic chart tripe my cd holders would allow, and I started to search beyond these horizons. That's not to say chart music is anything to be sniffed at, sometimes you just want something a bit different. I'd been a big fan of a particular band for a while, and after downloading their stuff, I was semi satiated in the music void department, that was until I had a mini scare with my mp3 player and my external HDD. I've always preferred to have the hard copy when it comes to music, some mp3 players just don't cut the mustard, and there's no warning when those bad boys decide to go to the technology heaven in the sky. Ordering in from the States is a no go cos it's unreliable for the most part and it's expensive when sorting out charges and whatnot. I've traipsed up and down the larger music shops asking in vain if anyone's even heard of my band of choice, let alone do they stock it, and for the most part all I've come across is blank faces and shoulder shrugs. Expecting not much I was in Jumbo Records one day and after sifting gently through the old school style trays of music, I come across my band of choice. Hallelujah. Awesomeness! Seriously, shock and pleasure know no bounds. That was my first yay you moment in here, the second was looking to the right of the till and spotting a stand dedicated to local music, local generated, local artists. Local. Kudos Jumbo. The third was noticing that Jumbo Records sells tickets to gigs. Hmm, you earned yourself another nod there. It looks a little shabby from the outside, but it's got a homely vibe about it, and despite the claims it's the largest independent music store in Leeds, it's not large and cluttered inside, more not small, and nicely filled. There's still a heavy emphasis on vinyl in Jumbo, which I guess is a nice touch to all the die hards out there. But vinyl doesn't really do it for me. It was of worthy note when looking for a gift for a die hard vinyl, and the staff came through on versions and most appropriate gift purchase. Let downs? It's higher priced than chains and internet outlets. But it's local right? So we have to support the extra expense? Don't we? read more

Great little record shop, all staff are so friendly and helpful. Refreshing to find such a nice place in this online era we live in

A good selection of just about every genre and a nice sale section that actually has proper reductions. Most of the staff are friendly but some can be a little fierce even if you've been visiting for years. read more

Jumbo Records is kind of hidden as it is around a corner in the St John's shopping centre. It is a really cool little shop selling every record imaginable! Plus they sell really cool T-Shirts and the staff are really nice! read more

This is a nice friendly independent record store, well-stocked, good gig list. They have an extensive selection of fanzines and other publications. I have been shopping here for years and yet when I rack my brains there are very few items I have actually bought - I am one of those browsers getting in your way while you search for that obscure disc, who leave with no crisp new Jumbo carrier! Perhaps my tastes are too obscure even for this indie emporium, or on the other hand too mainstream. I guess I am just stuck in my ways: I know what I like and I already have most of it, so I am just checking that it's still in stock and nodding my head in approval. Old codgers, eh? read more

A top place to be.. awesome staff.. huge selections.. nice t-shirts.. best place for gig tickets cheap. cheerful. Top notch!

Jumbo Records has been independently run for God knows how long and no-one knows records like the guys in here. They sell oodles of musical genres and a great selection of vinyl, as well as concert tickets for Leeds and the surrounding area. It's a great place for anyone who objects to buying their music from corporate giants like HMV or Zavvi, and prefers to purchase music from those who are truly passion about it. Great to visit whether you want a new release, an obscure track, or just a chat about music with people in the know. read more

last time i was there i picked up a lau cd and before i paid for it the assistant said it was overpriced and offered me a healthy discount - the staff have always been friendly, informative and informed - ticket buying is a joy with a huge range of small and large gigs within yorkshire displayed - and the range of vinyl cd, and dvd recordings is immense, eclectic and never fails to turn up something intriguing thank the lord of the dance for places like jumbo and vinyl tap in huddersfield for paying their taxes (unlike amazon) as well as paying attention to music lovers everywhere read more

The fact that I must give Jumbo Records only four stars saddens me somewhat; it does almost everything right, but as is typical of us English, falls at the final test. Placed somewhat askew of the usual shopper's route through the St John's Centre, it is certainly a route worth pursuing, if not only for the music they play in the store while you browse. Upon my latest visit, they played some scintillating hip-hop/jazz stuff I wasn't familiar with. There is also a lot to choose from, both on vinyl and CD whose respective sections split the store in half. I searched for some lesser known albums recently released which I couldn't find in HMV, and found them all readily available. Aside from their CDs and LPs, they also offer tickets for local gigs which you can pick up in the store (very convenient). But arguably the best thing about Jumbo is the customer service: I emailed them just the other day to ask what that hip-hop/jazz stuff I mentioned was, and they were very helpful in their endeavours to help me identify it. Needless to say, it now sits on my shelf. Sadly, Jumbo Records seems to think that customers value supporting a local business much more than saving money for themselves, and as such even the cheapest albums are horrendously overpriced when compared with online giants such as amazon.co.uk and play.com. While I would love to spend an hour in there looking around, I wouldn't be prepared to pay an extra fiver on each CD I bought. If only they were cheaper, they would be my favourite store. read more

I really want to like this shop because I would much prefer to buy music from an independent store. However, every time I have been in the staff have been very rude: aloof, unfriendly, and unhelpful. read more