Favourite ECM Titles

For "Audiophiles" only. Before I came to "Agon" I knew I was an Audiophile, now I'm not so sure. While I've spent 30 years listening to tubes, capacitors and interconnects in the past; now I listen exclusively to music.

The reason I mention this is because I have discovered the sonic qualities of ECM records to be head and shoulders above all of the other records in my collection.

While my musical tastes have changed since I bought these records, listening to them has been an adventure. My analog rig seems much better than I ever thought it was; the 3D sound-stage has expanded my listening room, bass is deeper, and the treble is clear and extended.

Although all music is subjective and one's taste in music can change, the sonic qualities of records are constant. I mention all of this for the analog audiophile's who place an extremely high value on sonics.

I still rate much of the musical content on ECM very high, but my musical tastes have changed somewhat.

The only complaint I can lodge against ECM is that unlike "audiophile" labels like Chesky, they never got into SACD. Commercially probably a sensible decision, but an infinite regret to me.

My taste has evolved too, but there are some very timeless releases on ECM that I keep coming back to, and the occasional new discovery to boot.

Since this is becoming a bit of a world-music / fusion free for all, I have to mention Hariprasas Chaurasia (try "Shikhar"). Absolutely phenomenal raga on the bamboo flute.

Edorr you can get some of them in 24/96 which is the equivalent of sacd!

Unfortuntaley, 96/24 is all 2 channel, which to me is a marginal improvement (as is 2 channel SACD). Multi channel SACD takes things to a whole different level in my experience. No such think available on ECM.

Before, I mentioned how I discovered my tastes had changed when I listened to some of my old ECM records. After hearing "The Astounding Eyes of Rita", I have discovered "we", ECM and me are back in sync.

This is music that existed in ancient biblical times. It also has up to the minute qualities, combined with a dark brooding aura. The title of the album and the photograph on the cover, conjure up a mysterious "Rita" with hypnotic eyes.

This album is so unique, that I don't believe it will ever get old. Many years from now, I will on occasion, still give "The Astounding Eyes of Rita" a spin.