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By Geoff Przekop
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Photo by Brian J. Morowczynski
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In a city of a thousand record stores, it still can be hard to find music that
isn’t solidly mainstream. March to the beat of your own drummer at these
off-the-beaten-track record stores.
Dusty Groove
1120 N. Ashland Ave.
Dusty Groove began in an apartment where DJs sold their extra records. It has
grown into a specialty store that was rated the Best Indie Record Store in Chicago
in 2000 and 2002 by New City. And for good reason. It reliably stocks titles
you can’t find anywhere else, including hard-to-find represses and imports
of reggae, funk, soul and jazz from labels like JazzActuel, ESP and Trojan.
Still, the store isn’t snooty. “We don’t intimidate people
who don’t know anything about music,” says owner Rick Wojcik.
If you don’t have time to browse, you can place your order online or over
the phone and then pick it up at the drive-though window. www.dustygroove.com;
(773) 342-5800.
Borderline Music
3333 N. Broadway
Tiny Borderline Music is plastered with posters, records, signed photos and
magazine pages featuring some of the biggest names in dance, including Madonna,
Cher and Cindy Lauper. For dance music fans, it’s a one-stop shop for
the latest and greatest releases.
The store is split into new and used records, singles and other videos, DVDs,
books and anything vaguely diva-related.
Owner Scott Jannush is picky about what he purchases, so the used section is
small but good.
Borderline also sponsors local charity events, throws invitation-only parties
for regular customers, hosts in-store appearances by artists such as C.C. Penniston
and Donna DeLory (Madonna’s longtime back-up singer). (773) 975-9533.
Jazz Record Mart
444 N. Wabash Ave.
Jazz Record Mart, which has been open in one form or another for 50 years, is
the largest jazz record store in the country and quite possibly the world. It
carries more than 45,000 records and CDs from all areas of jazz. The only thing
you will not find at this store is anything by Kenny G.
“We stopped stocking Kenny G. because it never sold,” says owner
Bob Koster, “We don’t carry jazz that makes you sleepy.”
The store also stocks hard-to-find represses of Impulse!, Delmark and Blue Note
Records, as well as videos and imports. Most of the items are new, but there
are also some used CDs and records and the bins stay fresh. There are two listening
stations for customers who want to hear before they buy.
Some locally prominent jazz players have worked behind the counter at the Jazz
Record Mart. Joel Patterson from Jimmy Sutton’s Four Charms and Maurice
McIntyre of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians have sorted
and stocked records here. (312) 222-1467.
Dead Wax
3819 N. Lincoln Ave.
You can’t help but feel relaxed at Dead Wax. The door is wide open wherever
the weather permits; the records, CDs and videos are easily accessible; and
plenty of help is available to find a title, or if you just want to talk about
music.
Dead Wax pays well for used CDs and LPs, so the inventory is diverse and extensive.
You’re likely to find some great obscure vinyl, like a Tracey Ullman spoken-word
album, or Dr. Seuss reading “The Cat in the Hat.” The prices are
fair, the selection is outstanding, and the owner is knowledgeable about every
type of music. (773) 529-1932. 
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