I haven't been to this Circle in a long while, but this thread is so good I had to contribute my loves. Looking through my collection, here are some recommendations by genre. I haven't read through the entire thread, so if I've repeated some, sorry about that. These are just albums I love. I'm an album guy, and typically listen to entire albums at a time. If, however, there is a specific track I tend to favor, I've noted it. Artist is listed first, then album title. My musical taste is a bit eclectic, so I've tried to pick out some music that perhaps people have not heard, or even heard of. Sound quality is generally quite excellent, but the well known audiophile discs already listed will undoubtedly sound better than most of what I've listed. I'm just trying to add some interesting choices for those curious enough to look them up.
Rock, alternative and country:
1. The Civil Wars, The Civil Wars
2. Jack Johnson, Brushfire Fairytales
3. Kings of Convenience, Declaration of Dependence- but I love all their albums
4. Erin McKeown- Grand- Track 12: James
5. Gillian Welch- The Harrow and the Harvest
6. Kim Richey- Thorn in My Heart
7. Beck- Sea Change
8. David Byrne and St. Vincent, Love This Giant
World Music:
1. Dead Can Dance, Into the Labyrinth, Spirit Chaser, and Anastasis are all great... with amazing sound quality
2. Ayub Ogada- En Mana Kuoyo- Track 9- Kothbiro
3. Bebo and Cigala, Lagrimas Negras
4. Caetano Veloso and David Byrne, Live at Carnegie Hall
5. Celso Fonseca and Ronaldo Bastos, Juventude/ Slow Motion Bossa Nova
6. Daboa, From the Gekko
7. Kodo, Mondo Head
8. Juan Martin, El Alqemista (The Alchemist)
9. Roberto Fonseca, Zamazu
10. Renaud Garcia-Fons, Entremundo
11. Seu Jorge and Almaz, Seu Jorge and Almaz
12. Vassilis Tsabropoulos, Melos
Blues:
1. Muddy Waters, Folk Singer
2. Keb' Mo', Just Like You
3. Buddy Guy, Blues Singer
4. John Lee Hooker, Jealous
Electronic, World Beats, etc.
1. Tosca, Dehli 9
2. Koop, Waltz for Koop
3. Mercan Dede, Nefes
4. Suba, Sao Paulo Confessions
5. Thievery Corporation, The Richest Man in Babylon
Jazz:
1. Gregory Porter, Liquid Spirit
2. Leon Parker, Awakening
3. Don Byron, Bug Music
4. Oscar Brown Jr., Sin and Soul
5. Count Basie, 88 Basie St.
6. Jamie Cullum, The Pursuit
Classical:
1. Arvo Part, Miserere- ECM release
2. Nigel Kennedy and Lynn Harrell, Duos for Violin and Cello
3. Osvaldo Golijov, La Pasion Segun San Marcos
4. Zbigniew Priesner, Requiem for my Friend
5. Kroumata Percussion Ensemble, Garbage Concerto- Rock Symphony- BIS release, available at HD Tracks
6. Henry Purcell and George Crumb, Apparition, Performed by Christine Schafer and Eric Schneider
There are, of course, tons of albums I love which don't sound stupendous, but I'll leave that for another thread. Actually, that would be an interesting thread; Outstanding Music, Bad Sound.
Happy Hunting. If any of you do not use Spotify on your computer, I recommend it. It's a free streaming program that allows you to listen to any music they have (you'll be able to find most rock and jazz listed, world and classical is hit and miss). You can listen to entire albums, radio, playlists, etc. I use it to audition new music I may want to purchase, and for those great one hit wonders that you don't really want the whole album.
Cheers,
Drew