That's Mark up there, looking pensive....but don't let his stern looks fool you. He runs one of the most startling record shops you've never heard of. Sound 323. In North London's leafy Highgate, sells an incredible range of music. The majority of which you wont find in the major chains and even in Soho. This is music that lives 'under the radar', 'on the fringes' and definitely not in most people's record collections.

Since I first visited it in 2005 (its been operating since 2000), its been an essential part in redefining my musical taste (not that I had any to begin with). But there's a charm in walking into a record shop and not recognising the vast majority of releases. Avant Garde, Musique Concrete, Noise, Ambient, Drone, Free Jazz, Improvisation....you get the picture. Initially dedicated to the CD format, it has since expanded to include books, DVD's, artifacts and vinyl.

Both Sound 323 and the recently opened Alternative Music Distribution have suddenly made Highgate the new hub for truly adventurous, independent music. I'd be silly if I said that it was all to my liking, but I'm glad they exist and hope more people venture beyond Camden on the Northern Line for new music.

And since last year, the basement (previously used for hosting impromptu gigs) has been cleared to make way for Second Layer Records. Initially a one man bedroom operation which deals with the more rougher, DIY, extreme end of music. Alongside CD's, its awash with vinyl, fanzines, DVD's, t-shirts, cassettes and tambourines (!). There's some crossover, but it compliments activities upstairs perfectly. Between them, covering everything that almost everyone else chooses to ignore.

But the great thing now (and the main reason for this post) is that you can experience Sound 323 online. In my professional guise, we (that is myself and business partner Vijay as FAIL) have developed a brand spanking new site for the shop. It replaces the ageing online store they had and functions much smoother (but of course, we'd say that). But there's an agreed roadmap of features and improvements and we're hoping to introduce them over the coming months.

Won't get a chance elsewhere so props to: Vijay Mahrra, Ayla Sancaktaroglu, Mark Wastell, Jonathan Webb, Pete Johnstone, Damien Beaton and Brian Marley.

The new Sound 323 website is available at http://www.sound323.com. Tell them Sheikh sent you (though that might not guarantee any favours!)