Just back from an afternoon wander around Camden Town, when I was briefly enveloped in a cloud of German teenagers dressed in identical black ‘I love London’ hoodies.

I haven’t been up that way in years, at least not the market and record shop side of town. It’s a heartbreaking place nowadays – it was always a shithole, but since the market redevelopment any remaining charm has been thoroughly shattered.

I think I was drawn to the epicentre of the 90s musical universe by the timewarp feel of this week’s events – The Bluetones gig last night, the Manics and El Jarvo* releasing new albums this week and Liam Gallagher driving off the edge of Beachy Head to promote his new clothing line.

I was in the market for a few old vinyl singles, since I have been informed that the venue we have for London Loves this Saturday features very temperamental CD decks. And no pre-fade.

I was amazed at the prices. They were taking the piss, even for more recent bands. Early Long Blondes singles were £14 – and Graham Coxon’s Freakin’ Out (optimistically placed in the RARE BRITPOP section) was £6.

Even Chas n’ Dave’s Snooker Loopy was £2.

* more on this when I hear it, but judging by the ‘orrid single my hopes aren’t high