Look out for the latest edition of the Record Collector magazine (#580, Feb 2026), the bible for the crate-diggers of the world - that’s people who collect vinyl records, of course.

Over the last eighteen months, the publication has celebrated forty five years of the 45 single record. Music journalists from Tokyo, Berlin, Dublin, Brighton (and more) have all been selecting 45 choice cuts from their own cities. Now it’s the turn for Coventry - Music Journalist and Coventry Music Museum curator Pete Chambers BEM has selected the 45 records he believes best represent Coventry’s musical output. 

The article takes a journey through some of Coventry’s most interesting releases - some celebrated and others that should have been - from someone who has dedicated their life to Coventry and its wonderful music.

Not wanting to to give the game away, the list spans 56 years, beginning with the ten-inch 78 shellac record of music hall star Reg Dixon and his sheet music hit Confidentially and ending just last year, with a download from Coventry grimepunks Shortstraw and the "dangerous sucker punch of urban reality" they call Bad Turn. Of course, big hitters like The Specials and The Selecter make an appearance, as do King and The Primitives, though other acts like Urge, Adorable, The Dodgers and The Flys are also there for all to see.

Pick up a copy of the Record Collector to read the full article.