Best sounding LP nobody else has ever heard of...


I've been off the 'Gon for quite some time due to fatherhood, and was just perusing old threads. I came across "dissapointing audiophile recording" which got me thinking - by far some of the best LP's in my collection (sonically and performance-wise) are NOT the so-called audiophile issues, but just the opposite, they're ones that are never mentioned anywhere. It's often a complete surprise, and sometimes I know within 10 or 20 seconds of dropping the needle that I've got a really special one. So we're not looking for Jennifer Warnes, Pink Floyd, or even Strunz and Farah here... I'm travelling in Asia for 3 weeks, so I can't list mine very accurately by memory, but I will when I return if this thread picks up any steam.
opalchip
A couple more here -

Brian Auger & the Trinity - "Befour" (1970) Title was a pun on the fact that Julie Driscoll had just left the band and there were only four members left. I wouldn't put in the super-audio stratosphere but it's really good for what was being recorded in that era of rock. And it's just plain a great album which I rarely see mentioned.

Reverberi - "Reverberi & Schumann Chopin Liszt", PA/USA 1975 - This is a GREAT lp that gets no respect (possibly because of Reverberi's later horrible "Rondo Venezio" albums). It was kind of Pothead Cult item in 1975 - but there's a reason - it's a psych/jazz/classical composition that really "transports" you. Rather than reinvent the wheel, here's a quote I found on the net which I totally agree with:

"(I) keep playing this over and over. One of those albums which transports you somewhere nice, especially when you turn it up loud. I do get a bit nervous approaching re-workings of classical pieces, but this work's a treat. Often starting each track with simple keyboards or classical instruments, almost faithful to the original, Preludes, Studies and Carnivals are gradually turned into sumptuous electronic orchestral epics – very filmic. Standout track for me is the 10 minute ‘Preludio 20’ which shares beautiful Morricone-inspired scat singing, with Chet Bakery trumpet and a bit of guitar workout (a bit too much if truth be told, but by this point I’ll forgive anything!) too.
Quincy Jones-Quintessence

Big Band Quincy Jones with Oliver Nelson and Phil Woods among the players. Dates from the early 60s.

I purchased my copy as a cut out back in '73. I use this LP to demonstrate to people the differences in CD and LP sound. I own a 20bit CD of the same recording.
Rlawry,

I love both of the records which you mentioned, but both of my copies of Any Kind of Lie are strange in that a couple of tracks (I'll have to check for the titles) have severely limited Don Dixon's bass guitar. It almost sounds like two different records when you move track to track. Unsophisticated Time is even worse in this regard. I wonder if you have a different pressing? Any identifying info on your pressing would be greatly appreciated.

I agree that the best tracks on AKOL are wonderful sounding as is all of Used Guitars. BTW, you gotta love MJ's voice.

Marty
I too vote for Blue Nile, 'A walk on the Roof Top' is excellent.
Another 80's recording, Laszlo Gardony 'The Secret', my favorite jazz recording.