Jamie Taylor. Studio Electrophonique: The Sheffield Space Age, from The Human League to Pulp.

First, a disclaimer, this is super niche. But then again, that’s kind of the point of our Book and Record Shop, to introduce you to things that fly a little under the radar. And this does have a brilliant cover with which to impress your friends and brighten up your coffee table.

But, to the matter in hand. This book is wonderful. It is the true story of a small home studio that played a key part in the launch of some of Britain’s most beloved bands. In 1961, Sheffield mechanic Ken Patten won a tape-recording competition by mimicking the sound of a rocket with a pencil and bicycle pump.

This is the story of the role this homemade studio then played in the careers of a generation of truly pioneering British (specifically Sheffield) musicians, from The Human League to Pulp and way beyond. It’s great!