Best Sounding Jazz Recordings

S Clark · « **Reply #60 on:** 17 Aug 2013, 02:15 am »

Quote from: S Clark on 14 Aug 2013, 05:00 am

The Andy McKee and the Casino Royale just mentioned are top notch, audiophile recordings.
I also recommend the Manhattan Jazz Quintet's Autumn Leaves for amazing dynamics.

Oops, it's My Funny Valentine that has the amazing dynamics, although the Autumn Leaves is pretty good also.

jimdgoulding · « **Reply #61 on:** 17 Aug 2013, 03:02 am »

Scott turned me onto that. It's a burner with some intense sound.

richidoo · « **Reply #62 on:** 17 Aug 2013, 04:16 am »

Recorded live by his wife Chan on his own portable tape recorder at a fund raising event. Lots of background noise, people talking, tinny piano. His solos make that all fade to silence, leaving the essence of jazz at its peak.

dB Cooper · « **Reply #63 on:** 17 Aug 2013, 04:28 am »

I'm sure it is awesome but you mention several significant flaws with the sound and the original premise was "Best Sounding Jazz Recordings". I am more than willing to listen to a less-than-stellar recording if the performance is good enough too, but it's kind of a different premise.

Some others mentioned the label but I would like to reiterate: Practically anything released on ECM.

Kind of Blue.

Sonny Rollins "The Bridge", although it is kind of "ping-pong" stereo.

A couple of lesser-known but great sounding records, both on my all time favorites list:

Great, innovative modern big band music with dynamics galore:

For that matter, I'm pretty damn impressed with both the performance and the sound on the album I just listened to for the first time tonight, "Hot House" by Chick Corea and Gary Burton.

jimdgoulding · « **Reply #64 on:** 17 Aug 2013, 04:54 am »

Quote from: richidoo on 17 Aug 2013, 04:16 am

Recorded live by his wife Chan on his own portable tape recorder at a fund raising event. Lots of background noise, people talking, tinny piano. His solos make that all fade to silence, leaving the essence of jazz at its peak.

Nicely put, Rich. Very nicely.

bladesmith · « **Reply #65 on:** 23 Dec 2013, 10:18 pm »

This is pretty sweet..

TwymanJ · « **Reply #66 on:** 12 Apr 2014, 03:03 am »

dbCooper had it right. For sound quality alone (though I also like a lot of their substantive content), anything from ECM.

K.F. · « **Reply #67 on:** 22 Apr 2014, 06:30 pm »

I chose 5 live albums, and to get off the beaten path of albums we all know only too well, I put these 3 albums from the small but highly acclaimed Sound Liaison label on top, but also because I really do think they are superior in sound quality, even when compared to ECM's Keith Jarrett.
Bobby Timmons ''in Person'' is an old favorite with a prominent Ron Carter right in the middle of the sound stage, and no I don't think that my LP's sounds better than these hi-res downloads. I wish they did but ....that is life. On the plus side I would probably not have discovered these wonderful ''young'' musicians if I had been stuck with only listening to my vast collection of L.P's

1. Batik; the old Man and the Sea.

http://www.soundliaison.com/

2. Paul Berner; Road to Memphis.

http://www.soundliaison.com/

3. Carmen Gomes Inc.; Thousand Shades of Blue

http://www.soundliaison.com/

4. Keith Jarrett; Somewhere http://www.hdtracks.com/somewhere-live-in-lucerne-2009

5. Bobby Timmons Trio ( LP)

jimdgoulding · « **Reply #68 on:** 22 Apr 2014, 10:05 pm »

Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers Live at Keystone 3 on the Concord Jazz label is pretty alive from an audience standpoint. Or, should I say sittingpoint. The entirety of the band, the stage, the audience and club ambience is all there. You should be, too. I think this album is readily available from the usual sources. Side two, start to finish would be my recommendation. Do listen to this pretty loud. Concord Jazz recordings are typically more polite than, say, Blue Note.

jimdgoulding · « **Reply #69 on:** 22 Apr 2014, 10:12 pm »

Quote from: jhm731 on 26 Mar 2013, 10:03 pm

Jim, see:
http://www.allmusic.com/album/centennial-newly-discovered-works-of-gil-evans-mw0002387999

I am familiar with the "Barbara Song" and it is lovely.

jimdgoulding · « **Reply #70 on:** 22 Apr 2014, 11:53 pm »

That's nice, K.F. Real nice.

Kenny Barron Quintet "Live at Fat Tuesdays" (enja);
Andrew Hill Sextet "Point of Departure" (Blue Note);
Chick Corea Quartet "Three Quartets" (Warner Bros);
Art Blakey "Free For All" (Blue Note);
Joe Henderson Quartet "So Near, So Far" (Verve);
Joe Harriott Quintet "Free Form" (Gott).

That last one is by Ornette Coleman's contemporary in Britain around the same time, in the late 50's. There was an article about him in TAS just a few issues ago. It's available on CD if you're interested. That's how I have it bought just a couple years ago.

But, now, of these albums and many more, there is ONE tune that continues to draw me in no matter when and how often I listen to it and turns me every which way but loose and it's the opening track of the Andrew Hill album. He is the eye of the hurricane, his hurricane as its composer, and when he solos or comps chords against the grain of its winds and waves, his bandmates and soloists are soooo responsive. You can and hopefully will hear and feel this. Drummer Tony Williams, a mere kid at the time, is marvelous on this track. If you have never heard this phenom on drums, you will know PDQ why Miles Davis hired him. He responds to what a player is doing and what he is about to do as instantly as light travels in time.

Knowledgeable fans will appreciate the players on this. Richard Davis on acoustic bass, for example, who contributes so beautifully to Laura Nyro's best album, imo, tho I can't remember the name of it as I type. Chris, help me out.

Quiet Earth · « **Reply #71 on:** 23 Apr 2014, 12:32 am »

If you like the E.C.M. stuff you should check out the band called E.S.T.

All of their albums sound really good but I kind of like this one in particular :

]

Quiet Earth · « **Reply #72 on:** 23 Apr 2014, 12:34 am »

If you like the old school vocal jazz but are getting a little tired of listening to Sinatra, check out this one from Bobby Caldwell :

]

Quiet Earth · « **Reply #73 on:** 23 Apr 2014, 12:39 am »

If you like a world beat flavor and dig the live sound, this one should be in your rotation :

Quiet Earth · « **Reply #74 on:** 23 Apr 2014, 12:41 am »

Looking for more of a crowd pleaser, but still very high quality sound? This one by Tom Scott and Friends will do it :

jimdgoulding · « **Reply #75 on:** 23 Apr 2014, 12:47 am »

Quiet Earth . . where have you been?? Gimme directions to your house. I promise to bathe.

Quiet Earth · « **Reply #76 on:** 23 Apr 2014, 12:51 am »

Also, check out some albums by Dr. Lonnie Smith. The dude has been around forever. Some of the most heartfelt and soulful jamming I have ever heard, and outrageously good sound quality too. Not sure if it qualifies as blues or jazz, but it won't matter when you hear it. You will dig it!

That's enough for now.......

Quiet Earth · « **Reply #77 on:** 23 Apr 2014, 12:52 am »

Quote from: jimdgoulding on 23 Apr 2014, 12:47 am

Quiet Earth . . where have you been?? Gimme directions to your house. I promise to bathe.

How about if I don't take a shower and we can stink it up together!

too funny Jim......

Quiet Earth · « **Reply #78 on:** 23 Apr 2014, 01:00 am »

OMG! I almost forgot this one. Kenny Werner, Balloons. Buy this one now. You won't regret it!

I promise to stop now.

jimdgoulding · « **Reply #79 on:** 23 Apr 2014, 01:23 am »

Quote from: Quiet Earth on 23 Apr 2014, 12:51 am

Also, check out some albums by Dr. Lonnie Smith. The dude has been around forever. Some of the most heartfelt and soulful jamming I have ever heard, and outrageously good sound quality too. Not sure if it qualifies as blues or jazz, but it won't matter when you hear it. You will dig it!

That's enough for now.......

Well, ok, then, Q. Kindly recommend one. I know I'd like your first three rec's and here I thought you were milk toast

. So misgiven I am it would seem. Gladly.