The Flip Side Listed as One of the Best Record Stores in the World

Congratulations to Dubai record store The Flip Side. Shadi Megallaa’s vinyl emporium is listed as one of the best record stores in the world by Condé Naste Traveller. The travel magazine turned to London-based vinyl lover Rob Crossan for a list of the best record stores on the planet. BBC Radio 6 Music show and podcast host Crossan selected The Flip Side among his top five.

“Opened by UAE DJ and producer Shadi Megallaa in 2017, The Flip Side is one of the very, very few specialist vinyl stores in the Middle East and has an eclectic range of vinyl from all corners of the globe, plus its own house-produced fanzine, No Budget, and a diverse range of contemporary Arabic music released on pioneering local record labels such as Ark to Ashes and Bedouin Records,” writes Rob. “It currently ships only to other countries in the Middle East, but if you email the store through the website, the team will be happy to suggest other sources where you may be able to get your hands on rarer releases.”

Psyched

The Flip Side features in Rob’s list alongside Record Mad, in Johannesburg, and Lucky Records, in ReykjavÍk. Prague’s Yuku Music and rm.360 in Seoul also appear. Flip Side boss Shadi is “psyched” his Dubai store is included. Wander down there yourself to see why Crossan was so impressed. Find The Flip Side at Unit 71 in Dubai’s trendy Alserkal Avenue.  

Preview

Shadi is also the boss man behind the Ark to Ashes record label and has a new EP primed for release in September. Across four tracks, the E.X.P EP brings two new productions from Shadi – one a collaboration with fellow Dubai resident Omar Fayyad – and two remixes. Enjoy a little sneak preview of the EP here.

Meanwhile, Rob Crossan embarks on a new series of The Happiness Map on Sunday 8 August. Broadcast on BBC Radio 6 Music and later available on BBC Sounds, The Happiness Map invites musicians onto the show to share tracks inspired by their favourite travels.

Also read: Former Dubai Resident Salar Ansari Scoops Detroit Music Award