Image by Kirstie Shanley
Record Shop Lady: In Chicago with Reckless Records' Emily Elhaj
By Sheba White
Published: July 2nd, 2008 | 11:45am
"My mother gave me her LP collection when I was in high school,” New Orleans transplant Emily Elhaj recalled of her first record-collecting moments. “[It started] an obsession that has lasted until the present. What better way to continue collecting, enjoying, and supporting music and artists than working at a record store?”
Elhaj began working in music retail about five years ago at New Orleans' Magic Bus record shop. In 2005, she moved to Chicago and took a position at Chicago institution, Reckless Records. An experienced guitarist-bassist and music-degree holder (Bachelor of Science in Music Business from Loyola University New Orleans) Elhaj seems to have found her niche, despite industry forecasts of record-store closings. "People are still buying music. Most importantly, people are still buying music from local and independent sources. Thank heavens!"
The greatest perk of working at Reckless, Elhaj admitted, is the access to the music. However, “there are some other less noticed perks. For instance, the occasional meeting of a musician or industry person you enjoy. Also, it’s a great place to meet musicians in your city. The exchange with like-minded individuals is a definite plus. Lastly, I get to do something I am actually interested in and passionate about and get paid for it.”
In her own words, Elhaj gives her expert suggestions for similarly obsessed record-collecting ladies.
Lil' Wayne
Tha Carter III (Cash Money Records)
Collaborating with hip-hop and R&B's most noted names; it really feels like the torch is being passed to this young rapper. Self-described and oft noted as being hip-hop's premier voice, Jay-Z is on the second track of the album practically giving "Weezy" the crown and places him on the pedestal alongside heavyweights Tupac and Biggie. With 2008's street-approved and critically acclaimed album, Tha Carter III, Lil' Wayne is more focused than ever. This is his sixth (!!!) solo album and he’s only 25 years of age. That doesn’t even recognize the Hot Boys crew he was a part of as a young teen, the slew of mixed tapes, guest spots, and radio singles he has accumulated since his last venture, Tha Carter II.
Spiritualized
Songs in A & E (Castle)
Post Spaceman 3 and post illness, J. Spaceman and company are back with their sixth studio release. Somewhere between church hymnals, space sounds, and cacophonous My Bloody Valentine-esque rock is where you can find Songs in A & E. What also should be noted is that lead vocalist Jason Pierce was given an opportunity to create the score for a new Harmony Korine film titled Mr. Lonely, alongside experimental trio Sun City Girls. Pierce is quite the busy lad these days, but that doesn’t mean the quality of his projects has been compromised. Songs in A & E is definitely worth your time and forms an eclectic mixture of spaced-out tunes and tender melodies. Who doesn't enjoy that?
Cloudland Canyon
Lie in Light (Kranky)
In addition to being a state park in Georgia, Cloudland Canyon is an exceptional psych-experimental duo on Chicago's own Kranky label. Lie in Light is a healthy combination of kraut-rock influences, ambient structures, and vintage electronic elements that resurrects the 1970s German underground. Heavily drawing from groups like Amon Duul, Harmonia, and Ash Ra Tempel, you can consider this an eclectic mixture of those groups but also a prime example of their original designs. Way too good!
Growing
Lateral (Social Registry)
Growing are ambient, drone messengers! Just think Stars of the Lid on steroids. The collaboration of Kevin Doria, Joe DeNardo, and Zack Carlson (not featured on this album) have quite a few releases that vary from strict atmospheric tones to electronic endeavors that creep into Harmonia realms. This album is an EP that further enforces how talented they are at their brand of aerial and cyclical, mood music. Perhaps it’s the simplicity of their tracks — which are usually no less than eight minutes long — that lets the mind wander. [One thinks] of all the landscapes Growing could be interpreting and all the new directions the music they create could be headed — wonderful and meditative music. Also look for records by Total Life, which is Kevin Doria's side project and are equally as intriguing.
Warmer Milks
Soft Walks (Animal Disguise Records)
The Warmer Milks are a bit of an enigma: a partially exotic experimental group that also manages to reflect a folky-roots feeling. Bordering the territories of Indian ragas and Southern rock, the Warmer Milks take their instruments to the limit of their intended uses. With that being said, the music arrives to your ears as a healthy alliance between Sonic Youth, Flying Burrito Brothers (without the religious overtones), crippled digital machinery, and the Indian interpretations of Bobby Callender. Look out for the freak outs.
(Radish on Light)
Reckless Records Web Site
Issue #35
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