1. Jane Monheit, "Come Dream With Me". If you like young, sultry, female vocalists who can emotionally communicate, go no further than this CD. The recording is spectacular in an unecumbered way, but it is Monheit's voice and conviction in what she is singing that will have you playing this CD over and over, even if Tom Harrell's performance as a sideman on this CD is somewhat shaky.
2. Carmen McRae, "Carmen Sings Monk". What a great, great, singer this lady was. Beautifully recorded intimate night club setting.
3. Sergio Mendes, "Brasileiro". Still one of the greatest recordings of any music, regardless of genre, I've ever heard. If this doesn't get you moving...you're dead.
4. "Gypsy Passion: New Flamenco", a Narada Collection. The liner notes say" sensuous rhythms, scorching guitar, profound spirit...". The liner notes are right on target.
5. Leonard Slatkin conducts Russian Showpieces, RCA Red Seal. Everything to test the soundstaging capabilities of your system, and its micro and macro dynamics. Beautiful music, beautifully done. (Pictures At An Exhibition, Prokofiev's Classical Symphony in D, etc.,).
2. Carmen McRae, "Carmen Sings Monk". What a great, great, singer this lady was. Beautifully recorded intimate night club setting.
3. Sergio Mendes, "Brasileiro". Still one of the greatest recordings of any music, regardless of genre, I've ever heard. If this doesn't get you moving...you're dead.
4. "Gypsy Passion: New Flamenco", a Narada Collection. The liner notes say" sensuous rhythms, scorching guitar, profound spirit...". The liner notes are right on target.
5. Leonard Slatkin conducts Russian Showpieces, RCA Red Seal. Everything to test the soundstaging capabilities of your system, and its micro and macro dynamics. Beautiful music, beautifully done. (Pictures At An Exhibition, Prokofiev's Classical Symphony in D, etc.,).