The first thing I look for when I travel abroad, are the second hand vinyl shops. Even though I might not buy anything, to feel the atmosphere of something divine for me. I have been a vinyl collector for some time now – before the new trend wave – and always on the lookout for something exciting. I know there are people out there who feel with me and when they visit İstanbul I would like them to dwell into Kontraplak (Kontrarecords) which is a rather new shop along with the many on Yeni Çarşı Caddesi, just down the quater to Galatasaray High School.

Everything is labeled from A to Z and it’s a tremendously clean shop. The “clean” factor is something of a luxury for vinyl shops, as you might already know. You can find a variety of vinyls from rock to jazz, electronic to hip-hop. You can experiment and discover new stuff easily, as the owner Okan Aydın is a very open minded music listener. He can and will recommend stuff for you with the input of similar genres or groups. You can ease your mind and relax your soul on the comfortable coach in the homely atmosphere of the shop.

The rates you find in Kontraplak are very affordable and when compared to similar shops all over, the quality and cost balance is nearly perfect. Okan has not forgotten the possibility of an interest towards Turkish artist vinyl’s and therefore he has a small section for such dwellers.