Record Store Day 2017: Official Charts team reveal their ultimate vinyl must-haves

April 22, 2017 marks 10 years of Record Store Day, the worldwide initiative that promotes the importance and brilliance of local record shops, the backbone to the revival of the vinyl market in the UK. 

This year's RSD will see 563 exclusive 7", 10" and 12" products become available for the first time, a treasure trove of goodies including remastered material, classic albums available in new colours, demos, b-sides, and rarities. Even Barbie Girl is getting in on the action.

MORE: Record Store Day 2017: The full list of 563 exclusive music releases revealed

The event is partnering with BBC Music for the second time this year; and to mark its tenth birthday, organisers have enlisted for the first time five official UK champions: Slaves, Anton Newcombe (Brian Jonestown Massacre), Kate Tempest, Kate Nash and Izzy Bizu. Elton John has also been named as the first ever Record Store Day Legend. 

All of the above artists are putting out exclusive products for the very first time this Saturday, and other names getting a piece of the action include David Bowie, Air, Madonna, Bastille, Little Mix, Andre 3000, Babymetal, Bullet For My Valentine, The Chemical Brothers and Wiley. Something for everyone then!

The team over at OfficialCharts.com thought to get in on the action, and ahead of us popping into our local indie retailers this weekend, we are today revealing our top picks for #RSDUK. Just don't go beating us to the till for these on Saturday!

MORE: The Official biggest selling vinyl albums and singles of 2017 so far

Martin Talbot, CEO

The The – We Can’t Stop What’s Coming

I’ll be trying to search out the 2,000-edition, one-sided limited 7 inch of the first new song by Matt Johnson’s band in 15 years. It was played by Steve Lamacq’s 6Music show yesterday (Tuesday) and its fantastic to hear the familiar sound of Johnson’s growling, politically weighted vocals, backed by former The The collaborators including (among others) Johnny Marr. 

Jack White - Content and Brand

Sia - This Is Acting (Spotify Sessions)

I am a huge fan of Sia and am really pleased to see her stunning Spotify sessions released on vinyl for the first time. Featuring four songs from This Is Acting and Chandelier and Elastic Heart from 1000 Forms of Fear, this is an essential for my ever growing vinyl collection!

Alex Newberry - Commercial Manager

Madness – Drip Fed Fred

I love all things Ska, especially Madness. Didn’t realise this was also Ian Dury’s last vocal performance before his death. Surely a reason to add it to your collection!

Lauren Kreisler - Head of Brand & Digital

Prince - Little Red Corvette, Diana Ross - Diana, 

I’ll be making a beeline for Diana Ross’s Diana on pink vinyl and the Prince Little Red Corvette/1999 picture disc. (And for the lyrics and karaoke versions, the Aqua releases may get “a casual second glance”, shhhh.)

MORE: The Official Top 40 biggest selling vinyl albums and singles of 2016

Gus Hully - Analyst

Sublime – Badfish EP

To celebrate the 25^th anniversary of 40oz. To Freedom, Sublime are issuing their Badfish EP on vinyl for the first time ever and I couldn’t be happier. Dub, punk, reggae, ska and hardcore all in the space 5 songs showcase why this band is so seminal and much loved to this day.

Gabbie Witham - Operations

RAM Trilogy - RAM Trilogy Chapters 1 to 6 LP Box Set

I cant wait for the release of the RAM Trilogy Chapters 1 to 6 LP Box Set. Ram Records have been pioneers of Drum & Bass for the last 25 years and to have a solid Ram Trilogy collection available for the first time as a fully-fledged boxset is stupid exciting and I look forward to getting my hands on it.

Chris Austin - Head of Operations

God Make Me Funky by The Headhunters

Record Store Day is all about picking up something special/exclusive, and this ticks all the boxes for me. Not reissued since its release in 1975, can’t wait to hear Paul Jackson’s bass lines on vinyl!

Justin Myers - Content

Diana Ross - Diana

From elbowing her way to the front in the Supremes to bursting through a fire exit dressed like a glittering volcano in the video for Chain Reaction, Diana Ross has never done anything by halves. This double-LP reissue features the much-revered original mix of the album, which was said to be too bonkers for general release at the time and hastily redone for a more commercial appeal. It finally makes its way onto vinyl as it should’ve done back in 1980, and as if that feat wasn’t enough, Diana’s determined to get every last bit of my attention – it’s being released on bright pink vinyl. Make way for Miss Ross!

Austen Hornbrook - Finance

The Stooges - Heavy Liquid

I’m really glad vinyl is making a comeback. I think it’s a more personal way to listen to music. Browsing through a load of old LPs in a record store is still one of my favourite things. Also you get to say really geeky things like “I’ll be checking out The Stooges Heavy Liquid blue vinyl limited pressing”.