After many years of chasing "perfect" digital playback, I’ve ordered a new vinyl playback rig, and am dusting off my old vinyl, and am so to speak, going back to the future.
While I've found many posts, web sites etc., with vintage vinyl recommendations, finding a list of well-recorded, excellent-sounding new, or READILY available pressings, has not been so easy.
What highly prized, must have LP's, should I be looking for? As most of us, my musical tastes are quite varied, and with the exception of rap, hip-hop, and opera (quite a combination huh?), I'm open to your list of EASILY procurable, LP's to die for.
One that I bought recently that has truly superb sonics as well as being wonderful musically is BoB Marley's Kaya, it's a 180 gm. Simply Vinyl, highly recommended
If your willing to lay out some serious change a currently available recording of Bach Suites for unaccompanied Cello reissued on 3 Lps by Janos Starker will make you wonder why you ever gave up analog.
My recommendation would be to pick up as many of the Analogue Productions 45 Jazz series now before they are out of print. At $50 a pop it gets expensive real fast. But trust me you won't be sorry you did. Start with Sonny Rollins "Saxophone Colossus" and the rest will follow. Those can be found at Red Trumpet, Music Direct and of course Acoustic Sounds. Best-Gary
CLASSICAL Stravinsky's Firebird Ballet (Mercury) - 45rpm reissue from Classic Records (the best of the Classic Records Mercury reissues) This LP is no longer in print. Buy it now.
Mendelssohn's Scottish Symphony (Decca), 45 rpm reissue from Speakers Corner (also in the list mentioned below.). This LP is no longer in print. Buy it now.
The best of the Speakers Corner Decca reissues from another thread. All of these fall among my top recommendations for sound quality and performance. Choose based on your musical preferences.
2nd on Rushton's recommendationa of the 45rpm Fantasy Jazz reissues and the Speakers Corner classical reissues. For less coin, white label test pressings of Analog Productions from Acoustic Sounds sound great, and can be had for < $20. For example, I bought a test pressing of Art Pepper - Eleven for $10, that sounds amazing.
Two other reference quality standouts for me are: Louis Armstrong - Satchmo Plays King Oliver(200g); St. James Infirmary is to die for! Holly Cole - Romantically Helpless(LP w/45rpm extra disk) Enjoy your vinyl! I always do. Cheers, Spencer
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