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Bob's Blues & Jazz Mart

4.6 (14 reviews)
Closed • Closed

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David D.

Bob Koester, the man behind the Jazz Record Mart, has returned. The store has just opened, and he sold off much of what he had stocked at the JRM before it closed. So, the new place is not starting out at the same level as where the JRM was before it closed, it's true. However, it looks to be a great replacement, with live music events many Saturdays coming up, and a similar kind of charm to what the JRM had. It's also a great place to get jazz, blues, and classical music, even if the selection is on the small side right now. A lean, mean, new version of the classic...

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22 days ago

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

A gem of a record store! I paid my first visit today and I'll be back for the incredible selection and low-key vibe.

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8 years ago

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10 years ago

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6 years ago

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6 years ago

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6 years ago

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9 years ago

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9 years ago

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10 years ago

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10 years ago

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7 years ago

A must stop if you are looking for classic jazz or blues on vinyl! An incredible selection, and chatting with Bob is the icing on the cake.

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9 years ago

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Review Highlights - Bob's Blues & Jazz Mart

“Bob's collection is back along the Delmark label records.”

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Laurie's Planet Of Sound

Laurie's Planet Of Sound

3.8(189 reviews)
1.6 mi•Ravenswood, Lincoln Square
•$$

his place never ceases to amaze me! Talk about a store that caters to my audio/musical niches, BOY…read moreHOWDY! As a DJ / audiophile ( not to be confused with that hump leader of the free world, President Pedophile), this store COMPLETELY runs the gamut! From '70's and '80's IMPORT 12" Remixes, to 1930's Old Time Radio Shows. How about 45's for your jukebox? Yep, classic finds are here for those too! Picture sleeves also. Bootlegs anyone??? Nancy Sinatra said THESE boots were made for listening! And let's keep in mind the QUALITY of the product here! This is not stuff from your local second hand store, oh no! Sorry, no Lawrence Welk or Jim Nabors albums here. I haven't even mentioned the video aspect of things sold here or the books (music reference and personalities). They could very well have called this store Laurie's Treasures, because that's exactly what you'll find here! Happy hunting! https://youtu.be/1Wxf8bv9mG8

Best record store in Chicago, period…read more I lived in Lincoln Square for 4 years and made it a part of my regular routine to stop here on my walk home from the train station at least once a week. They are always getting new goodies in so you have to go often or you might miss something good! Very well organized. Insane selection of vinyl, CDs and actually a good book collection in the back. From brand new music to classics from the 60's, they carry it all. And eclectic stuff that is tough to find. The people who work there will become your friends. Gem store in the best 'hood in Chicago!

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Laurie's Planet Of Sound - Casey Kasem radio show

Casey Kasem radio show

Laurie's Planet Of Sound - Martin Denny

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The Exchange

The Exchange

4.0(103 reviews)
3.6 mi•Wicker Park, West Town
•$

The Service these guys provide is great!!! Got to handed to their enthusiasm and care for the…read morecustomers and the store itself, they have a lot of good selections of music, games, toys etc. Although the layout is average for a store it's kinda cramped when walking through the store when you're in a group of three ( don't try bringing and carry a book beg here it'll will get in the way of people walking around) and there is no public restroom here. Other then those two things this place is great, and would come back again.

I am writing this to share feedback regarding my recent experiences with this store. While I…read moreappreciate the inventory, the trade/sell process and customer communication have been very disappointing. Recently, I brought in an Xbox to trade. I was told I would receive a call the following day once it was tested. After receiving no update, I called the store myself and was told my offer was ready and to come in. After driving over 40 minutes, I was informed in person that you could not accept the console due to a fan issue--information that should have been communicated over the phone. Additionally, during a previous visit to sell a collection of Naruto Funko Pops and manga, I explicitly asked to complete the transaction that day to avoid another trip. Despite assurances, I was kept waiting until closing time, only to be given a rushed and surprisingly low offer. Clear communication and respect for customers' time are essential. I hope you will address these issues to improve your service going forward.

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The Exchange - Guitar Hero Xbox 360

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The Exchange - They have everything here !

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Reckless Records

Reckless Records

4.0(233 reviews)
3.3 mi•Lakeview
•$$

I stopped by the Wabash and Belmont locations of this store, but for Belmont specifically, this…read morestore is a MUST for vinyl, CD, cassette, and game collectors. The store is extremely big, the service was quick and things were easy to find utilizing the store website, reckless.com. The prices were pretty average, around $15 for a new CD and $30 for vinyl. I didn't check the prices for cassettes, but I'm sure they were great. They also had posters of popular albums, featuring art from various artists. They also had used console games, for Xbox One, PS4, retro Nintendo consoles, and I even saw a few SEGA Dreamcast games! This place is nothing short of heaven for music lovers!

DO NOT TRUST THEIR GRADING OR LABELS!!!…read more I stopped by for the first time a couple of weeks ago to check the place out. They have a nice variety of albums, but unfortunately, my experience has been less than impressive. The day I stopped in, I purchased what was labeled as a 1968 "Near Mint" copy of Days of Future Passed by The Moody Blues. When I got home, I discovered significant noise throughout the first third of Side A. Since I live in the suburbs, I wasn't able to get back into the city for two weeks. They did take the record back, but because their return policy is only one week, they would only offer store credit rather than a refund. They took the record back, and I found a "Near Mint" copy of the 2012 remaster of The Beatles' White Album. The label specifically stated "w/ poster & photos." I even asked an employee about it before purchasing it, and they confirmed that the poster and photos were included. Sure enough, I got home, opened it, and neither the poster nor the photos were there. Needless to say, I'll be returning this record, and I won't be coming back. Two purchases, two significant issues with the condition or contents being inaccurately represented.

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Reckless Records
Reckless Records - Inaccurate description.

Inaccurate description.

Reckless Records - False information!

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False information!

Interstellar Space Records

Interstellar Space Records

4.9(7 reviews)
1.8 mi•Ravenswood

This small record store opened at the beginning of the year, just before the pandemic. I live…read morenearby and had been intending to check it out, but didn't get around to it, and then you-know-what happened. Now they've reopened with limited hours so I popped in and I'm glad I did. It's a tiny shop, so small that when they first opened I thought it might just be a temporary pop-up store. But the selection is *curated* and the curation is what sets this place apart. Every record in the store is vintage vinyl, so there are no reissues or new stuff. So it's not a full-service record store. It's more like browsing the personal collection of someone with good taste. Despite the small size, I found more tempting potential purchases here than I usually do at a record store. Price-wise, there is a split between the higher-priced rarities that hardcore collectors can shell out for, and more moderately priced records for the casual browser like me. I found plenty of good stuff priced around $10, so there's something for everyone. It's across the street from Ravenswood Used Books, so this block on Montrose is becoming an analog media mecca! Make an afternoon of it and get your record/book shopping done on the same block. The owner seemed like a very nice guy too. I feel for the bad timing of opening a business right before the pandemic, so this place is worth supporting.

Very cool selection of records. The owner clearly has a passion for rare records as well as having…read morethe classics. Got to talk with him and he seems like a genuinely good guy. I highly recommend dropping in if you're a collector of rare records or you want to stock up on your first few records to get started.

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Interstellar Space Records - Interstellar Space Records

Interstellar Space Records

Interstellar Space Records
Interstellar Space Records

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Bob's Blues & Jazz Mart - musicvideo - Updated October 2026

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