Jazz CD Stores in Chicago

[AndrewHill]

Going to Chicago next month and have day to shop around the downtown area (near the Magnificent Mile). Are there any cd stores in the vicinity?

[sal]

The Jazz Record Mart is in the vicinity (Illinois and Wacker). Nice for browsing, with a good deal to be found occasionally, especially if you are into vinyl, but overall a bit overpriced.

[jlhoots]

Sorry to be overly obvious, but Dusty Groove is in the vicinity too.

[Chuck Nessa]

The Jazz Record Mart is in the vicinity (Illinois and Wacker). Nice for browsing, with a good deal to be found occasionally, especially if you are into vinyl, but overall a bit overpriced.

I believe you mean Illinois and Wabash.

[sal]

The Jazz Record Mart is in the vicinity (Illinois and Wacker). Nice for browsing, with a good deal to be found occasionally, especially if you are into vinyl, but overall a bit overpriced.

I believe you mean Illinois and Wabash.

You are correct....sorry about that!

Dusty Groove is a bit off of the Mile, but easily accessible via a short cab ride.

[Rob C]

Three Reckless Records locations tend to have the best used jazz selections. I like the one in Wicker Park the best, but the newest one is downtown, in the loop, and is small but pretty good.

www.reckless.com

[ejp626]

If you are staying downtown, I think Jazz Record Mart and the new Reckless Records are your best bets. Dusty Groove is a short cab or el ride away, but it has a miniscule used section, and they don't have in-store sales, so you are just as well off going through the website, unless you have a yen for flipping through vinyl.

[Chuck Nessa]

If you are staying downtown, I think Jazz Record Mart and the new Reckless Records are your best bets. Dusty Groove is a short cab or el ride away, but it has a miniscule used section, and they don't have in-store sales, so you are just as well off going through the website, unless you have a yen for flipping through vinyl.

If you buy from DG online, you escape the sales tax - depending on the size of the order, that could pay for the shipping.

[AndrewHill]

Wow. Thanks everyone. I think I'm really going to dig Reckless Records. Just poking around on their website has gotten me pretty excited!

[Chuck Nessa]

Fine, just don't miss the JRM.

[AndrewHill]

Fine, just don't miss the JRM.

I won't. I have an interest in going there too.

[Chuck Nessa]

I suggest traveling with a want/dream list. When confronted with so many choices, the brain tends to freeze. Take a friggin' list.

[sheldonm]

Another good place but not in the loop is Groovin' High Records on Belmont. Decent used jazz selection and the owner is a good guy!

Mark~

Groovin' High Records

1047 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago

Tel: (773) 476-6846

Do you place all your records into plastic baggies—treating each one like it is a delicate vinyl piece of communal history? If so, this is your record store. It is obvious that no matter how common or obscure a record is here, they all receive the same (abundant) amount of tender care.

You’ll find the records meticulously organized by category and alphabetically. Unlike many independent record stores, you won't find a few 'R's mixed with the 'T's or a stray Willie Nelson album under R&B. With all the doubles stashed behind the counter, you're able to flip through the records in half the time. It's not overpriced in any way, but Groovin' is also not a place where you'll find a Towns Van Zandt original for 50 cents.

The selection covers a decent variety of genres, though the jazz and blues sections are the largest. Even though the man behind the counter has a long, graying beard, the kind that makes you think he's only interested in hawking Dead albums, he'd be also be happy to sell you a new record from LCD Sound System ($16.99) or Brian Jonestown Massacre's Bravery Repetition Noise ($19.99).

Don't forget to take a visual trip to the past by purchasing a VHS tape. All movies cost less than $5 (including a copy of Drug Store Cowboy that I grabbed for $2.99).