Here's a few of my favorites: Pat Metheny - standouts are "First Circle" (wonderful sense of composition and performance aesthetic, but only average sound quality) and "Secret Story" (widely eclectic mix of styles, very detailed production). Liquid Tension Experiment - "Vol. 1" & "Vol. 2" - Progressive rock isn't dead...it just snuck behind Metal, choke-slammed it and stole it's wallet when it wasn't looking. Seriously, though, some of the most brilliant keyboard work from Jordan Rudess, loud, fast and cool compositions. Manic drum work from Mark Portnoy...best double bass work I've ever heard. Anyone who was into early Genesis, Gentle Giant, ELP or King Crimson (and then got into Metallica, Blue Murder or Queensryche) has gotta hear these two instrumental discs. Diana Krall - "When I Look in Your Eyes" - wonderful, understated and elegant - quiet cool of Nat "King" Cole, gorgeous voice, immaculate, detailed production. Keith Jarrett - "Hourglass/Staircase" - I'm not sure of the whole title, but originally a double record album. Solo studio piano, more contemplative than similar live work (i.e., Koln Concert) of same period. Incredible piano timbre...I think I read once it was Manfred Eicher's personal rosewood Steinway on this record. Van Der Graff Generator - "Pawn Hearts" - '70's progressive without the "fairy dust, alien-world" lyrics. Instead, you have the very dark ruminations of bandleader/singer/guitarist Peter Hammill seemingly slowly going insane. You want angst? You want desperation? You want driven existentialist rants? NIN seems childish and obvious by comparison. Vladimir Ashkenazy - "Complete Chopin Etudes" - There may be cleaner recordings of the Etudes, but one of my personal faves. Tilson Thomas conducting Rachmaninov 2nd Piano Concerto - more romantic than Marvin Gaye or Luther Vandross. And good recent recording, decent production aesthetic. Bill Bruford's Earthworks - "Earthworks" - their first release. In which Bill proves you can jam in 15/16 and still stay in a nice hotel. Seriously, though, wonderful blend of electronic percussion, acoustic percussion, traditional jazz small ensemble and way cool modern composition. Lyle Mays - "Lyle Mays" - I think Mays is good candidate to pick up the mantle of our dearly missed Bill Evans. Very sensitive used of electronic keyboard orchestration, great tunes. King Crimson - "Discipline" and "Beat" - hard to describe...the harder-edged incarnation of the '80s of this long-lived band. "Larks' Tongues in Aspic", "Red" and "USA" are also watershed releases from Crimso. Barber's Adagio - I have a recent release which contains every authorized version of this wonderful work (for string ensemble, pipe organ, choir) as well as more innovative versions...every one is a gem. I have hundreds more I could list...but this post is too long as it is. Sorry about that.