NEW ORLEANS FEATURES - On The Record
On The Record: Find Your Favorite Music in Local Stores
You're bound to hear something at the Jazz Fest that's out of blue and out of this world. Local music stores and record labels can help you take it all back home. Besides carrying CDs by local artists on smaller independent labels, several feature them in in-store performances in the mornings or evenings when there is nothing going on at the Fair Grounds.
Louisiana Music Factory (210 Decatur St., 586-1094)
The Louisiana Music Factory has an excellent selection of local music in all genres. They have deep catalogues of local artists and a fair amount of independent and self-released CDs. The Factory hosts in-store concerts and is very well connected with the local music scene, so it is not uncommon to see local musicians drop by to chat or shop. There is also a selection of videos and music related books and magazines. Upstairs, they have a large collection of used vinyl, focusing more on jazz and rock music from recent decades.
The Virgin Megastore (620 Decatur St., 671-8100)
Virgin offers everything in new local and national releases. The first floor features major popular releases in all genres. The second floor is devoted to New Orleans and Louisiana music, from blues and gospel to Cajun and zydeco. There is also a section of imported music from Latin, Caribbean and African countries. Virgin schedules in-store performances during Jazz Fest. All media are well represented at Virgin, from DVDs and video games to books and magazines.
Magic Bus (527 Conti St., 522-0530)
The Magic Bus deals in new and used CDs and vinyl. Besides a large selection of rock and jazz, they have an excellent selection of Reggae and Brazilian music. There's also plenty of folk and classical music on CD or vinyl. Music fanatics can find a selection of official imports, Japanese imports, Gold Discs and out of print material. Magic Bus trades CDs and doesn't specialize in particular genres. Instead, they look for quality everywhere. So Magic Bus is an excellent place to browse.
Basin Street Records (www.BasinStreetRecords.com)
Founder Mark Samuels built Basin Street Records the hard way. In its early years, he spent nights and weekends handing out leaflets and wearing a sandwich sign to promote his artists at the clubs. Since then he's signed some of the most popular local jazz bands and Los Hombres Caliente releases on Basin Street have been the best selling albums at the Jazz Fest for several years. He's also signed trumpeter Kermit Ruffins, drummer Jason Marsalis, Pianist Henry Butler, clarinetist Dr. Michael White and R&B artist Jon Cleary.
Louisiana Red Hot Records (www.LouisianaRedHot.com)
Also a relatively young label, Louisiana Red Hot features the music of South Louisiana from New Orleans to Cajun country. Releases span elder statesmen like pianist Ronnie Kole to precocious newcomers like New Orleans' Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews to Cajun teenagers Feufollet. Red Hot has also released many compilation samplers for those who want to hear a range of new performers.