On the Record

DJ Blkceaza (a.k.a. John Balthrop) right, tests new tunes at DJ Hut on P Street NW while local music producer Michael "Mooch" Slifka, left, sifts through records with DJ Hut's Jim Pitocchelli. (Ann Cameron Siegal - For The Washington Post)

A Georgetown fixture for more than 20 years, Smash has been in its new location less than a year. This second-floor loft is colorful, fun and punk-rock throughout.

You'll find new or used vinyl and CDs, vintage clothing and accessories, and even $2 cassettes. Satiate your appetite for Electric Frankenstein, Black Flag or Bad Brains.

On the first Tuesday of every month, the store holds a sale with refreshments.

Notable: First anniversary party is May 6.

Quote:"We sell more used vinyl than anything," Lacy says.

Som Records

1843 14th St. NW; 202-328-3345.

Open daily noon to 8.

Owner: Neal Becton.

"Som" is Portuguese for "sound," and 95 percent of the sounds here are on vinyl. "This week's treasures," highlighted on one wall, heralds LPs chosen for the rotating honor, Becton quips, because "they're either really expensive or they look really cool." He pauses, surveying his selections. "Or it's just something I really like."

"The Best of Gherkin," a dance compilation ($29) is displayed next to the Blue Mitchell Quintet's "Down With It!" ($70). The Tony Pastor Show's "Shakin' Up Vegas" ($10) is there just because Becton likes the album cover.

The store also has a well-stocked $1 bin and many LPs in the $4-$10 range.

You'll find most genres, including a good international mix divided by region. Som also takes local artists' recordings on consignment.

Notable: Som is on the same block as the Black Cat club.

Quote:"I'd love to get some more '60s Brazilian records," Becton says.

MARYLAND

Joe's Record Paradise

1300 E. Gude Dr., Rockville; 301-315-2235.

Open Monday-Saturday 10 to 9, Sundays noon to 6.

Owner: Joe Lee.

Joe's fifth location in Montgomery County since 1974 carries a high volume of 45s, LPs, CDs and cassettes. Now poring through 100,000 albums from the estate of well-known Baltimore music aficionado Leon Kagarise, Lee delights at finds, such as the "butcher cover" of the 1966 Beatles album "Yesterday and Today."

The store is known as a place to find obscure and classic recordings, and regulars often know to check for gems in boxes beneath the racks.

A cadre of jazz regulars pops in several times a week. Melvin Stephens, a customer since 1975, found a 78 rpm of the "Wizard of Oz" soundtrack. Comedy fans might find a recording of legendary black comedians Pigmeat Markham and Moms Mabley. Beach Boys fans might find the elusive "Pet Sounds" album.

Notable: Lee has dozens of stories about local music legend Root Boy Slim and has erected a humorous in-store shrine to the eccentric rocker.

Quote:"We've survived because we don't pigeonhole ourselves," Lee says.

Roadhouse Oldies

958 Thayer Ave., Silver Spring;

301-587-1858.

Open Monday-Friday noon to 7,

Saturdays 11 to 7, Sundays noon to 4.

Owner: Alan Lee.

Customer Debbie Greeley took advantage of the listening station recently to hear "Long Tall Glasses" by Leo Sayer for the first time. Nodding her head in time to the music, she seemed to like the beat.

Roadhouse is a cozy, friendly outlet for doo-wop, Motown, soul and '50s/'60s rock recordings. Rows of 45s dominating the center aisle and tacked on the wall have given the place the nickname "the museum."

"It's the whole wow factor," manager Scooter Magruder says. "Folks are surprised that we also provide music played today."

A Silver Spring fixture since 1974, the shop also offers LPs, CDs, cassettes and music DVDs.

Notable: For older eyes, Roadhouse has magnifying glasses, all the better for reading small labels.

Quote:"Music really hasn't changed. It's still about love and heartache -- just presented a different way," Magruder says.

House of Musical Traditions

7040 Carroll Ave., Takoma Park;

301-270-9090.

Open Tuesday-Saturday 11 to 7,

Sunday-Monday 11 to 5.

Owner: David Eisner.

Small selection, gigantic community. A fixture in folk circles for decades, House of Musical Traditions carries only local artists' CDs, primarily folk, Celtic, jazz and blues. It is also known for its focus on folk instruments, classes and its Monday night concert series in Rockville.

Want to preview an album before buying? All you have to do is ask. "We're somewhat old-fashioned in that we're happy to spin a disc for you," Eisner says.

And you just might meet the artist. When a customer sought a gift for someone who "kind of likes blues but doesn't like it too loud," Eisner turned to Miles Spicer, a local blues guitar player who was in the shop. "Hey, Miles, can we put on your CD?" Eisner asked. Sale made.

"We're spreading the music around in a more personal way," Eisner says.

Notable: The store is moving later this month to a house nearby with more space (7010 Westmoreland Ave.).

Quote:"If it has a roots-acoustic basis to it, with emphasis on original material, that's for us," Eisner says.

VIRGINIA

CD Cellar

709-B W. Broad St. Falls Church;

703-534-6318.

Open Monday-Friday 10 to 9,

Saturdays 10 to 8, Sundays 11 to 7.

Owner: Dave Giese.

Vinyl has recently been appearing in CD Cellar's two stores. (The Arlington store closed its current Wilson Boulevard location but will reopen at 2607 Wilson Blvd. on May 1.)

With a stock that is 90 percent used CDs and LPs, CD Cellar replenishes its stock daily, so regulars check in often for first choice of fresh pickings. And if you collect album art, the store sells framed LP covers. Beatles and the groundbreaking art style of '50s and '60s jazz covers are popular.

You'll find a small collection of new CDs and LPs, primarily from Dischord and Eighteenth Street Lounge labels, with a few reissued oldies thrown in.

Notable: A selection of classic, belt-driven turntables have been put into fine working order by in-house electronics wiz Michael Francis.

Quote:"We're knowledgeable and handsome. What more do you need?" says manager and buyer David Schlank.

Record & Tape Exchange

9448 Main St., Fairfax; 703-425-4256.

Open Monday-Saturday 10 to 9,

Sundays 11 to 6.

Owner: Kevin Olsen.

Located next to Trader Joe's in the Fair City Mall, this cozy shop, known as RTX to regulars, offers new and used vinyl and CDs.

Vinyl is what brings folks into this shop, its third location since 1976. What they'll find among the folk, rock, jazz, reggae and country are the small presses of obscure sounds not available for downloading.

RTX will add USB turntables to its stock soon, so all that vinyl can be played via computer.

Notable: Store credit on used vinyl or CDs is usually 50 percent more than cash value.

Quote:"You can get three records for the price of a few downloads," manager Rich Sansbury says.