Arts & Culture

There’s a place in San Francisco that brings together the sounds of the world. From Ethiopian Jazz to Brazilian tropicalia to Norwegian thrash metal and even the songs of bats.

It’s hailed as one of the best independent record stores in the U.S. by both Spin and Paste magazines. Aquarius is not only the oldest one in San Francisco; it just may be the most intriguing. I investigated why and how one record store has helped keep the light shining on underground music.

The upstairs room at an old plantation house on the Caribbean island of Curacao was insufferably hot. But jazz vocalist Gregory Porter was cool and collected, even while wearing his trademark winter cap. Known for his silky smooth voice and socially conscious lyrics, Porter has reason to be confident. His first album, “Water,” garnered critical acclaim and a Grammy nomination for the 2010 Best Vocal Jazz album. This February, he released his second album, “Be Good.” And now, he’s in the Caribbean to perform at the annual Curacao Jazz Festival.