Chicago's Record Store Gems: Funk, Jazz, and Soul Searching in the Windy City

Chicago may be known for its breezy demeanor, deep dish ‘za, and its distinctive version of the blues, but what many people don’t know is that it’s a great place to find vinyl records. As far as my research goes, though it’s hardly definitive, there are quality record stores numbering into the double digits. In 2010, in fact, three of Chicago’s stores made Rolling Stone’s list of top record stores in the country. I checked out one of the stores that made the list, as well as a jazz specialty store, during a recent visit. 

The first stop was Jazz Record Mart, located in downtown Chicago, just off of Michigan Avenue. Downtown has some great architectural accoutrement, but it can be hard to have a small business downtown that stands out. Jazz Record Mart has overcome this hurdle by displaying oversized covers of classic jazz albums as well as some newer up-and-comers in the genre. Entering the store, I got the distinct feeling of the grittiness of an old record store—the overstock shelves loaded with records was reminiscent of older, over-the-counter type stores—and the huge selection of records pressed prior to World War Two was unique and impressive. 

Jazz Records draws you in with ample poster bling.

"As an English teacher, I was impressed that both Jazz Record Mart and Dusty Groove prominently displayed literature about the music they sold. This is a hearty plus for anyone wanting to learn more about the respective genres."


There was a great selection of reissued jazz, and the used albums they had were not your normal fare and very reasonably priced. I found an early album of Chicago native Gil Scott Heron, and was happily delighted in my interaction with the staff member at the desk. When I asked about a certain Jimmy Smith album on LP, he told me he hadn’t seen it but engaged me in a conversation about The Beastie Boys sampling of the album and Gil Scott Heron’s poetry. I wandered out into a downpour, thankful to have visited and that the only records I purchased were still in the shrink.

The next day, I sought out Dusty Groove America, a store known for its rare funk cuts and soul collection. I wasn’t planning on making another trip into the city, but this writer has a soft spot for anything that has a great 60’s and 70’s era, as the kids these days put it, “drop.” This store didn’t disappoint in delivering a great selection of records, though it was definitely a more new-school record shop. Dusty Groove does a lot of business online, but they didn’t sacrifice anything in-store. There was a clean, mainstreamed ambience that would appeal to many different types of people, but this isn’t a crate-digging place. Prices are at a premium, but they had some interesting compilations of world music (Bossa Nova, Indian-Psych-Funk, Afrobeat, to name a few), and a number of James Brown deep cuts. I didn’t have much of a chance to talk to the staff, but they seemed friendly enough. 

Dusty Groove is spacious and well-organized: easy
for an in-and-out visit when you know what you want.

One thing to note about Dusty Groove is that I noticed an interesting collection of music-related books, and I found my favorite record publication, Wax Poetics, there. As an English teacher, I was impressed that both Jazz Record Mart and Dusty Groove prominently displayed literature about the music they sold. This is a hearty plus for anyone wanting to learn more about the respective genres. 

Though there are many more stores that I have yet to check out, I would be willing to make a bet that the Windy City could easily make a run for the Midwest record capital title alongside its numerous NBA Championships, award-winning food, and record-setting skyscrapers. Based on these two stores alone, I’d give a high recommendation to looking for your favorite music on vinyl record in this city, a mecca flush with musical goodness. 

Ray of Light

Rightfully so, Ray Charles has been deemed by many to be one of the original creators of soul music. As with many artists whose longevity is almost mystical, Ray was the ultimate shapeshifter. Going from jazz to country western to psychedelic circles, Ray was able to stand the test of time in his marketing and business savvy, his ambition, and, ultimately, his creativity in the way he approached music.

Though the Ray Charles sound is unmistakable on hits like "Georgia on my Mind" to "Hit the Road Jack!", his true genius lies in the root of it all: the root that stems from having a tough go at it, the root that shows us what it's like to be at the bottom looking up, and the root that reveals just a tiny pinhole of light shedding through if at all. The blues. The notion that we can't always get what we want when we want it, and that, sometimes, it's even harder to get what we need.

The Genius Sings the Blues seems to encapsulate the true meaning of the word. From lonesome heartbreak to hopeful cry in the night, from fiery romance to forging on ahead, Ray Charles shows off the range of the blues itself. From more commonly-known Ray tunes such as "Hard Times" and "The Right Time" to earlier tunes like "The Midnight Hour", Ray shows how the blues doesn't get much more blue than this. This album seems to say, "If you're on the up and up you better cross your lucky stars, or, even better, say a cautious prayer of thanks at the edge of your bed at night because the blues can be hiding around anybody's corner." Do yourself a favor and, whether you find yourself on the high side of the tide or the low, listen to brother Ray tell you how it is. If you find yourself fortunate for what you've got or find solace in the fact that someone else is also missing what they had, you'll be better off whichever way you cut it.