The best sounding (produced/mastered) tracks/albums
Discussion
I wondered if there might be interest in putting in a list of tracks (or albums) that we've heard and thought 'wow' that sounds superb?
Here are a couple that are stand-outs for me in terms of really great production and mastering....
Nightshift - Commodores
I'm On Fire - Springsteen
Trouble's What You're In - Fink
Interestingly (well, to me anyway) the last track is 'only' 44.1/16 bit, but sounds just as good as 96/24 bit. I have a long list of other artists - Steely Dan, Zappa etc, but would be interested to see some music I don't know.
Here are a couple that are stand-outs for me in terms of really great production and mastering....
Nightshift - Commodores
I'm On Fire - Springsteen
Trouble's What You're In - Fink
Interestingly (well, to me anyway) the last track is 'only' 44.1/16 bit, but sounds just as good as 96/24 bit. I have a long list of other artists - Steely Dan, Zappa etc, but would be interested to see some music I don't know.
Some interesting tracks... thanks. Have listened to all I didn't know. Enjoying 'Liberty'.
For jazz lovers try:
Silent World by Wolfgang Haffner. I discovered this recently - superbly recorded drums, no surprise, he is a drummer.
Bubbles by Yosi Horikawa is worth a try... it's like a speaker demo!
For jazz lovers try:
Silent World by Wolfgang Haffner. I discovered this recently - superbly recorded drums, no surprise, he is a drummer.
Bubbles by Yosi Horikawa is worth a try... it's like a speaker demo!
StescoG66 said:
Digger said:
belleair302 said:
Rumors Fleetwood Mac
Hot Buttered Soul Issac Hayes
Slave to the rhythm Grace Jones
Private Dancer Tina Turner the single is an epic production played on the right system.
Yes - stunning.Hot Buttered Soul Issac Hayes
Slave to the rhythm Grace Jones
Private Dancer Tina Turner the single is an epic production played on the right system.
An album that always sounded great on vinyl is Sheffield Steel by Joe Cocker - there's a connect to Grace Jones because of Sly and Robbie featuring.
Funk said:
Check out 'Long After You're Gone' by him as well, great track. Most of the stuff on the Stockfisch label seems to be very well-produced and recorded.
Some recommendations which are reference tracks for me:
Midnight Blues - Snowy White & the White Flames
Blackest Eyes - Porcupine Tree
Detroit - Marcus Miller
Colour to the Moon - Allan Taylor
Raise the Roof - Bob James
Baby King - Marc Cohn
The Grave & the Constant - Fun Lovin' Criminals
Watercolour - Pendulum
Move On - George Michael
On Her Majesty's Secret Service - Propellerheads
Rainmaker - Keb' Mo'
Mona Lisa - Martin Taylor
Played Twice - Fred Hirsch Trio
Sweet Georgia Brown - Monty Alexander
Looking forward to checking out all the recommendations from others later on!
Some great tracks there - a few are new artists to me (Porcupine Tree, Allan Taylor). Interesting to read who is on the Bob James album - er, everyone! Hahahaha.Some recommendations which are reference tracks for me:
Midnight Blues - Snowy White & the White Flames
Blackest Eyes - Porcupine Tree
Detroit - Marcus Miller
Colour to the Moon - Allan Taylor
Raise the Roof - Bob James
Baby King - Marc Cohn
The Grave & the Constant - Fun Lovin' Criminals
Watercolour - Pendulum
Move On - George Michael
On Her Majesty's Secret Service - Propellerheads
Rainmaker - Keb' Mo'
Mona Lisa - Martin Taylor
Played Twice - Fred Hirsch Trio
Sweet Georgia Brown - Monty Alexander
Looking forward to checking out all the recommendations from others later on!
I am going through them, my tinnitus is bad today so I'm not getting the best out of them.
I will still peddle my new discovery - Wolfgang Haffner and the album Silent World. My current go to listening.
Manu Katché is a drummer worth following around, his Third Round album is superbly recorded - Pino Palladino on bass ...

Analogue mixing into digital always sounded better - to my younger ears at least.
It has always been a bit frustrating that only 'some' albums sound great - and this was true with vinyl too. I recall some specific pressings/recordings that were a cut above everything else when played on decent equipment. I think I mentioned Sheffield Steel by Joe Cocker earlier - the vinyl of this was in a different league. Some of Coleman Hawkins was excellent too.
I am 100% digital these days (Qobuz/Roon) and I find most recordings are OK, but not exceptional.
It has always been a bit frustrating that only 'some' albums sound great - and this was true with vinyl too. I recall some specific pressings/recordings that were a cut above everything else when played on decent equipment. I think I mentioned Sheffield Steel by Joe Cocker earlier - the vinyl of this was in a different league. Some of Coleman Hawkins was excellent too.
I am 100% digital these days (Qobuz/Roon) and I find most recordings are OK, but not exceptional.
Byronwww said:
Blink 182 I Miss You came on after and it sounded like my hifi got massively upgraded between songs.
Not my kind of music, but that's very well produced.... very wide panning on the instruments - good microphones too! The treble range sounds buttery smooth on that drum kit. It's good.

legzr1 said:
RSTurboPaul said:
Interstellar soundtrack.
Absolutely phenomenal as a listening experience when up loud, and on a good, full range (20Hz or lower) system, the organ element will be amazing.
Shut yourself into a dark room and sit in the imaging sweet spot, as it feels a bit like a 'journey' IMHO
The 2CD limited edition box is double the goodness but hard to find for a reasonable price now!
I’ve yet to hear a poor production from Zimmer.Absolutely phenomenal as a listening experience when up loud, and on a good, full range (20Hz or lower) system, the organ element will be amazing.
Shut yourself into a dark room and sit in the imaging sweet spot, as it feels a bit like a 'journey' IMHO

The 2CD limited edition box is double the goodness but hard to find for a reasonable price now!
If you have Qobuz try the 24 bit version of the Interstellar soundtrack.
I mentioned Bladerunner 2049 earlier - definitely worth a listen then onto Inception soundtrack. Even Gladiator is a marvel of sound quality and dynamics.

I've been playing with HouseCurve a room correction app which can be used with Roon - I've had good results.
RSTurboPaul said:
NDA said:
I will give Interstellar a go later on - when the house wakes up! 
I've been playing with HouseCurve a room correction app which can be used with Roon - I've had good results.
Let me know what you think!
I've been playing with HouseCurve a room correction app which can be used with Roon - I've had good results.
Just as an aside... I don't really love the whole track to be honest, but the opening of 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover by Paul Simon is worth a go. Steve Gadd on drums, superbly recorded.

StescoG66 said:
Just back after the Oslo HiFi show at the weekend.
Take a listen to The Sound Of Silence by the Ghost Of Johnny Cash.....
The acoustic version? Johnny sounds pretty close to the listener! Take a listen to The Sound Of Silence by the Ghost Of Johnny Cash.....
Have you tried Fink and Trouble's What You're In? It's on a live album - very good.
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