Walking into DJ’s Record Shop in Jacksonville is an ethereal step back to another era, when soul was king and live funky instrumentation was a standard. A time when labels like Motown, Stax and Philadelphia International Records were as much household names as the artists on their rosters. During a recent visit, proprietor and namesake for the store, Jerry “DJ” West shared with me that his store has been part of the community for 48 years. Operating for half a century is an immense feat for any small business, however, for a record store, it’s a testament that speaks volumes for an immeasurable cultural contribution.
To a lay-person not versed in the craft of crate digging, DJ’s Record Shop might seem like just a relic from a time when physical music reigned supreme. And, in that sense, they’d be correct; it is a remnant of the past. However, to those who relish the challenge of combing through cavernous mounds of sonic artifacts, there’s an unspoken understanding that patience can mean unearthing a rare aural masterpiece or two.
For the past several years, vinyl record sales have continued to climb. Ironically, this phenomenon is an unexpected byproduct of
hyper-convenience— technology making the near-endless consumption of music an effortless experience that, for many, made music a valueless commodity. Conversely, die-hard fans seeking a deeper connection to their favorite artists’ music find value in the tangible medium known as the phonograph record. The otherwise antiquated format provides both fanatics and those obsessed with chasing what’s hip with a badge of honor. The configuration’s inherent big art, touted audio fidelity, and collector appeal are elements for the perfect embodiment of both a tactile and an audible experience. The renewed allure of the 100 plus year old format is also a godsend for the music industry. With the continued interest in remastered 180 gram reissues of both the classic and obscure, super fans clamoring for limited editions of the latest releases, and collectors camping out for special titles manufactured for Record Store Day, the music industry has once again hit pay dirt as they monetize the catalogs in their vaults.
For vinyl collectors, DJ’s Record Shop offers an opportunity to bypass many of the tired reissues and delve into an immense inventory of soulful music in an unpretentious environment. Although all genres can be found within the shop’s near-endless stock, they boast a wonderful selection of classic soul, gospel, blues, funk, and Hip Hop. It’s clear West enjoys helping visitors dig through the store’s vast inventory of analog keepsakes to find something a patron will be sure to cherish. That was my experience. He surprised me with a jewels that I was compelled to pick up, including an original promotional pressing of Afrika Bambaataa and The Soulsonic Force’s seminal Hip Hop masterpiece “Planet Rock.” For some, satisfaction culminates in spending hours excavating vinyl in that rare record store with deep collections that have been curated for decades. A place like DJ’s Record Shop, where you can unearth both ubiquitous standards that have survived generations of tastes, and, if your steadfast in your musical archeological endeavor, the rewards can lead to exhuming a hidden gem from the annals of music history. At DJ’s there’s plenty of wax to get yourself lost in. The thrill of the dig awaits. –Israel Vasquetelle
