There is something light and airy wafting through Lower Haight. No, It is not the french toast at Kate's Kitchen, or the cornbread at Memphis Minnie's. Actually, it is not food at all. Treat your ears to the sweet sound of soul music coming from the unassuming doorway speakers in front of Rooky Ricardo records.

In a time when music culture has shifted its weight to MP3s and iPods, laptop DJs and techno beats, Rooky's is a testament that the old school still remains. There is a little city subculture that has a lot love for the good ol' days of vinyl, and that is where many collectors, DJs, and fans share a connection in history, nightlife, and fun.

To enter Rooky's is to step into a dark wonderland of murals drawn by the creator of the children's cartoon Spongebob Squarepants, jukeboxes that may or may not work, piles of record players and a row of listening stations. There are boxes upon boxes of records with some dangling from the ceiling, not to mention Big Mama, a giant Paper Mache woman holding a sign that reads "As Seen on TV" posting up in the corner.

"Hello!" Dick Vivian sings, stretching his vowels until they fly out the door.

Laid back, wearing a t-shirt and khaki pants, adjusting the glasses that sit high up on his nose, Vivian spends his days as the owner of Rooky's.
He sits at a round table nestled below Big Mama, surrounded by soul, funk, disco, and rock 'n roll records and people, naturally. He is almost always accompanied by at least one fellow card playing friend, to pass the time in between sales.

Vivian is a vinyl fanatic's best friend, catering to DJs and collectors alike, who make treks to his store from sometimes half way around the world.

Boasting fifty-six years of age, it is no wonder that Vivian is also able to boast fifty thousand 45s and five thousand LPs as his ever growing personal collection of music. Some may refer to him as a vinyl fanatic himself.

Those numbers are out of this world compared to younger generations' collections, but they are carrying on the tradition and "respecting not just the intent of the artist, but the producer and record label," according to Nick Waterhouse, by purchasing all types of music recorded within its original format - vinyl.

"It's analog to source," Waterhouse continues. Considered a regular at Rooky's, not to mention a former employee, he estimates close to eight hundred 45s and two hundred LPs in his own collection. A collection which he uses on a weekly basis to DJ various nights in the city, including his own party called Do Right at Koko on the second Saturday of every month.

Whether it's monthly or weekly, there is often a dance party happening on any given day, accompanied by the musical styling of vinyl records. Disco at Gemini Disco, funk at Sweater Funk, and soul, rhythm and blues, and girl groups at 1964, Do Right, and Ooh la la are a large variation of genres played, spanning throughout the decades of your parents party days. So why stick with what seems like an ancient form of audio?

Derek Opperman, one of the founding members of Gemini Disco, a monthly disco party at Underground SF, explains that DJing with vinyl is a lot more entertaining.

"I gravitate towards vinyl because it's tactile, it's easier when you have a product in your hands," he adds.

Opperman got serious about expanding his record collection when he moved to San Francisco, and now owns one thousand LPs and around three hundred 45s. Now he is able to flex his array of disco knowledge to the large following he's acquired through his monthly gig as well as countless guest DJ opportunities, having celebrated Gemini Discos success with a recent three year anniversary party.

It is funny because vinyl records never died, it seems as though they have just been hanging out under the radar for the past decade, giving the rest of technology a chance to advance around it. But for some reason there has been a recent trend and resurgence in the lifestyle and music that vinyl encompasses.

"I've seen kids make the total transformation," Waterhouse explains, "and everyone involved in the scene is so different. Every night is it's own little world."

It is what keeps kids coming back for more, whether it be at Rooky's or those nightly dance parties thrown throughout the city. There is a family sense to this subculture - after all, your dad can probably attest to the greatness of vinyl records. Give it a listen.