That's why I kind of focus on one or two artists at a time
for a little while.

For instance, when I first got into jazz
naturally it was through Miles because he was
the name I'd heard the most.
I'd do some internet homework, research and then start
with a time period. Listen to a few things and move to next
phase of career. When got to electric period - BOOM.
THAT'S THE SOUND I WAS LOOKING FOR. So got into that heavy
and then branched off to other artists and see if they
were doing the electric thing as well.

Bring that full circle to collecting music:
Focus on two artists who have a vast catalog
and a period that I like. When I go to the 4 or 5 shops here
in New Orleans, I look for albums on the lists I've created first.
If I strike out, then I look for other stuff I might want:

Source material used to create classic hiphop songs.
Jazz fusion records, electric period albums from jazz cats.
Madlib shit.
I'd like to find classic hiphop 12"s but there are NONE in New Orleans.
I'm not a HUGE fan of digging on the net but if there's something
I've searched high and low for here and just haven't been able to find... I pass it off to my girl and say hint hint I'd like this
record at some point.

Also sometimes gotta use the net if there's only a select number
of limited product: IE the new FLY LO, You're Dead LP boxset.
Not gonna find the box set in a store. Or that Dilla SP boxset.
But 279 dollars or whatever the fuck they wanted is RIDICULOUS.
ESPECIALLY for beats we've probably already heard.