Interview with Records Guru - Tom from Atlas Records Discourse
Meet Tom, a die-hard record collector and self-proclaimed Michael Jackson fanatic. Dive into his vinyl adventures, from discovering 'Let It Be' to owning a rare square 10-inch picture disc of 'Man in the Mirror.'
First Steps Down the Vinyl Rabbit Hole
The Beatles' 'Let It Be' was the record that sparked Tom's lifelong obsession with vinyl, purchased during his teenage years at Black Cat Records in Taunton.
Recent additions
Recent acquisitions include the Jak and Daxter Soundtrack and Eminem's 'Kamikaze' picture disc on red and black camo vinyl, reflecting his nostalgic and eclectic taste in music.
Vinyl Acquisition Hotspots
Black Cat Records in Taunton, Somerset, has been the primary stockpile for most of Tom's collection, while some rarer Jackson records have been sourced online, often from eBay.
Preferred Format
12-inch singles are Tom's preferred choice, citing their supposed "oddities" and unique finds.
Pick Three Records
'American Pie' by Don McLean, 'HIStory - Past, Present and Future' by Michael Jackson, and The Jackson's Greatest Hits picture disc, a European release, capturing Tom's affinity for hard-to-find and impressive records.
The Size of Tom's Collection
His collection currently stands at about 100 records, subject to a few variations.
The Rarest Record
A square 10-inch picture disc of 'Man in the Mirror' by Michael Jackson, one of only approximately 20 to 25 known to exist.
Colourful Vinyl
Eminem's 'Kamikaze' on red and black camo vinyl is the most intricate and complex vinyl in Tom's collection.
Signed Records
Tom's collection includes a signed Don McLean 'American Pie' album, an Eminem 'Kamikaze' record, and a signed Chris De Burgh album, among others.
Record Storage and Preservation
Tom keeps his collection in an Ikea Kallax and displays his more valuable items, such as his Jackson Five, Jackson, and Jackson albums, chronologically on the wall.
The Holy Grail
The elusive and expensive 'Someone in the Dark' by Michael Jackson, a picture sleeve seven-inch single from the ET soundtrack, is Tom's ultimate goal.
Favorite Bricks-and-Mortar Record Store
Black Cat Records in Taunton holds a special place in Tom's heart, with its owner still running a Discogs site.
Record > Gig
While Tom loved attending Busted's concert in 2004, he hasn't been to many live performances lately, hoping to see Sam Fender, James Taylor, and Don McLean perform someday.
Cats over Dogs
A cat person through and through, Tom adores felines without any question.
More to Tom's Collection
In addition to vinyl, Tom also collects retro video games and other cool memorabilia from films, TV shows, or whatever he finds intriguing. Visit Tom's Discogs page to explore his collection further - TomV178.
*Tom's fascination with vinyl expanded to include more genres, such as the Jak and Daxter Soundtrack and Eminem's 'Kamikaze' picture disc on red and black camo vinyl, demonstrating a diverse and modern taste in his music collection.* Beyond vinyl, Tom is a collector of other items, particularly retro video games and film or television memorabilia, showcasing a broad range of interests.* Tom's fondness for cats goes beyond mere pet ownership, as he appreciates the feline species more than dogs.* Traveling for unique records or record-related experiences is something Tom looks forward to, having attended Busted's concert in 2004, with future aspirations of seeing Sam Fender, James Taylor, and Don McLean perform.* Tom's love for Michael Jackson extends beyond music, as his ultimate goal is to acquire the elusive and expensive 'Someone in the Dark' by Michael Jackson, a picture sleeve seven-inch single from the ET soundtrack.
