As promised, here’s my five best vinyl finds of July. Thanks so much for the positive response on June’s. I’m hoping to get you August’s done for you well before October roles around and hope this was worth the delay.

What were your best vinyl finds last month?

1. Mexican Beatles EP
Found: Sonic Boom Ballard
Cost: 7.99

Of course the biggest band that has ever existed had releases in countries all over the world … I’d just never put two-and-two together until I found this Mexican Beatles EP in the new arrivals in Sonic Boom Ballard’s 7” section. With what looks like a photocopied cover and some rusty Spanish translations, these EPs released in the late ’60s in Mexico are basically “best of’s” from Beatles albums.

After finding two in the Sonic Boom used bin and realizing there had to be more, I came home and made the mistake of Googling “Mexican + Beatles EP.” From there I ended up on eBay and realized there are LOTS of records on eBay. Records I want to buy, but can’t afford, but can’t resist. Like five more of these Mexican Beatles EPs, which have now joined the originals. One day, I’ll buy the Indonesian and Danish releases, but for now, I think we can agree, I’ve already got a big enough problem on my hands.

2. Seattle World’s Fair Postcard and 45
Found: No Parking Antiques
Cost: $15.00

It’s a postcard! It’s a record! It’s a piece of kick-ass Seattle nostalgia that I had to have!

From a series of six playable-postcards featuring scenes from the oh-so-futuristic World Fair including the Monorail, the Information Center, the “U.S. Science Pavilion” (we call that the Science Center now), the International Fountain and the Space Needle, they make me wish this was part of the dream of the future that caught on.

See the rest of my favorite finds from July

3. Cave Singers - Invitation Songs
Found: Everyday Music Capitol Hill
Cost: $8.00

Nothing like finding a vinyl copy of a great record for cheaper than you could buy it on CD. In terms of new local vinyl sneaking its way in to the used bin, sometimes still sealed, Everyday Music on Capitol Hill has been a gold mine for me. I’ve picked up copies of Cave Singers, Unnatural Helpers and Perfume Genius for under ten bucks and some great lo-fi garage albums like Thee Oh Sees and Shannon & The Clams too. Whoever’s selling their recent record collection (or, my sneaking suspicion, their review copies), I thank you.

At the risk of being scooped by you all, you should make a stop by the “New Used Arrivals” bin at Everyday at least once a week. There are always some gems in there.

4. Courtney Love EP from K Records
Found: Spin Cycle
Cost: $4.99

I admit, when I bought this EP I thought it was by THE Courtney Love. But the stripped down acoustic guitar and drum two piece with twee lyrics that greeted me was no disappointment. This Courtney Love, is Lois Maffeo, a one time roommate of the “actual” Courtney Love. The band formed to play an Olympia party in 1989 and lasted a couple years, releasing three EPs on K Records and surely confusing many used bin combers beyond me. But, I think that’s what I love most about diving into the Used Bins. Even when what you get is unexpected, it’s always a discovery and often exceeds expectations.

5. Chuck Simmons - Hustler’s Strut
Found: Neptune Records
Cost: $11.99

Neptune Records is the kind of store that rewards patience. And which should be tackled with some sort of grid-like-map to make sure none of its corners or under-the-shelves collections go unsearched. Everywhere you look and probably places you can’t see, there are records. Thousands upon thousands of them and almost all with fastidiously written notes on whatever gem you browse by.

It is, in a word, overwhelming. Especially when you wander in there only 30 minutes before close. I kid you not, this is more a 30 days to explore kind of place, than 30 minutes. But I did my best, sitting cross legged on the floor, thumbing through 7′’s, used folk albums and comps. It was in the comps section that I stumbled on this record by Chuck Simmons, put out by Funky Delicacies. I have a rule that whenever I see a Funky Delicacies record, I buy it. Purveyors of rare and unreleased New Orleans soul and funk, Funky Delicacies describe their catalog correctly as “should-have-been-classic funk that collectors salivate over.”

While this Chuck Simmons record isn’t the best Funky Delicacies jam I’ve heard, those go to the “Funky, Funky New Orleans” series, I still love to put it on, pretend my humid shotgun shack is in New Orleans and dance.

Other Favorite Finds:

Unnatural Helpers - s/t (sealed, Everyday Music, $8.00)
Learn Danish - (Easy Street West Seattle, 3.00)
Pappa John Creach - (Easy Street West Seattle, FREE)