Straight from the heart of Downtown Ann Arbor, this is the place to be if you’re looking for some good music-especially if it’s out-of-print, reissued, or have yet to make it to Amazon or iTunes.

Encore Records in A2

I make it a rule that every time I come here, I never leave empty-handed, especially if I’ve driven for an hour’s time gettin’ here! I introduced my wife to this store-which I haven’t stepped foot into for over a decade, I might add-and she was impressed to say the least. When I was single, I’d spend hours here.

I doubt if I could do that now!

But allow me to share two vintage gems that I dug up from two late greats that I grew up on back in the day…

From L-R: Gato Barbieri, Tropico, and Joe Sample, Rainbow Seeker. Both released in 1978. They both died in recent years. Gato in 2016, and Sample in 2014. I’ve seen them both in concert, and they did not disappoint.

Their music lives on.

If you’re in Ann Arbor, Ace Deuce, A2 (a-square), be sure to check this joint out! They even have EIGHT TRACKS! Yes, 8-track cassettes (haven’t seen or heard one since the 80s)! I wouldn’t be surprised if they come back, just sayin’, people!

Just sayin’!