OT: Drake..

[midnightpulp]

Appreciate it Mid. Funny how things have reversed I can find lots of Cd's even hard to find ones in the secondary market for $5-8.99. LP's new are twice that and their prices on the used market is rising ... that is awesome to hear I will use that serach.

For demo or reffernce material can you give me a suggestion in each of the following categories: Rock, Classical (bach, betthoven etc), rap, Jazz, funk, Disco, Country, 80's pop. No rush , looking for both quality of the music (i know tastes are subjective) but even more important sound staging, instrumentation, quality masters etc.

Lets say Amb came over something you would use to demo for him.
No rush, whenever you get to it.

I haven't personally listed to all of the sound quality heavy hitters, but these are highly regarded recordings in the community.

Classical: Royal Ballet, Living Stereo version (haven't heard). Absurdly expensive, so maybe look for an LP rip. But really, any classical music on any format will be recorded amazingly. Personally, the best sounding classical CD/LP I have is this https://www.ebay.com/p/Holst-The-Pla...ution/55125179. Price is right.

Rock: Dark Side of the Moon, anything by Steely Dan, any 70's prog rock are highly regarded for their audio quality. Nirvana's Nevermind is mastered really well. Dire Straits' Brothers in Arms in a personal favorite. On a side note, here's an essential site to use when looking for the best masters. http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/li...others+in+Arms. As you can see, the 1996 "remaster" and the ensuing "hi-res" DVD-Audio versions have worse dynamic range than the 1985 CD version, which you can buy for a couple of bucks.

On that note, don't fall for the "hi res" audio gimmick. Audio doesn't work like video, and humans can't hear beyond the quality of regular 16 bit/44.1khz CD audio, so all this "remastered at 24bit/192khz!" is nonsense. If a Super CD and regular CD were mastered the same, they'll sound the same. Reasons Super CDs are so coveted is because the best masters are often on the format, not because it's "higher resolution." I say this so you don't start spending a bunch of money buying those 24/192 versions from sites like HD Tracks. Look here. The HD Tracks Time Out version isn't any better than the 2009 CD release. https://www.discogs.com/The-Dave-Bru...elease/2378181

Have to go, but will come back later with more recs.

[Killakobe81]

I haven't personally listed to all of the sound quality heavy hitters, but these are highly regarded recordings in the community.

Classical: Royal Ballet, Living Stereo version (haven't heard). Absurdly expensive, so maybe look for an LP rip. But really, any classical music on any format will be recorded amazingly. Personally, the best sounding classical CD/LP I have is this https://www.ebay.com/p/Holst-The-Pla...ution/55125179. Price is right.

Rock: Dark Side of the Moon, anything by Steely Dan, any 70's prog rock are highly regarded for their audio quality. Nirvana's Nevermind is mastered really well. Dire Straits' Brothers in Arms in a personal favorite. On a side note, here's an essential site to use when looking for the best masters. http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/li...others+in+Arms. As you can see, the 1996 "remaster" and the ensuing "hi-res" DVD-Audio versions have worse dynamic range than the 1985 CD version, which you can buy for a couple of bucks.

On that note, don't fall for the "hi res" audio gimmick. Audio doesn't work like video, and humans can't hear beyond the quality of regular 16 bit/44.1khz CD audio, so all this "remastered at 24bit/192khz!" is nonsense. If a Super CD and regular CD were mastered the same, they'll sound the same. Reasons Super CDs are so coveted is because the best masters are often on the format, not because it's "higher resolution." I say this so you don't start spending a bunch of money buying those 24/192 versions from sites like HD Tracks. Look here. The HD Tracks Time Out version isn't any better than the 2009 CD release. https://www.discogs.com/The-Dave-Bru...elease/2378181

Have to go, but will come back later with more recs.

Solid start like dark side and steely Dan.
Thanks for the hi Res info that will save some money down the road.

[midnightpulp]

Solid start like dark side and steely Dan.
Thanks for the hi Res info that will save some money down the road.

Hip-Hop: I'll sidestep into trip-hop/DnB. Massive Attack Mezzanine. Portishead Dummy. Goldie Timeless.

Jazz: Coltrane A Love Supreme, any stereo LP version. I have a repressed 80's version of ALS and I find it marginally better than the CD version in my Coltrane Box Set. Jazz has the same rules as classical. It'll typically be mastered well, so any Jazz record can be "reference."

Funk/Soul: Another well mastered genre, typically. You've heard the album a million times I'm sure, but Thriller is just on another level of production. Some other ones that stood out to me were Electric Universe by Earth, Wind, and Fire and Ship Ahoy by the O'Jays.

Electronic: Underworld Second Toughest in the Infants. Vespertine by Bjork. Since you have a 5.1 system, seek out the multichannel copy of this. I have it, and it shines in 5.1.

Underrated genre to look out for a great stereo experience is 50s/60s Exotica. Martin Denny, Les Baxter, Esquivel.

[ambchang]

You have a pretty good selection of rap but I wont lie I steer more 90's than other eras because its the one I grew up in and when i could afford music. Definitely add TPAB to your Kendrick list. My dark twisted is Kanye's sonically best album that and droput are good. as far as old school Rap, Rakim is defintely good (iIgot the greatest hits) but for an album I would give Paid in full the edge over Folloe the Leader. EPMD Strictly business is aclassic too.
As you stated some rap is hard to listen to as you age on a consistent basis . The guys you mentioned Outkast/Jay/big/roots are the guys I would go back to. But I would add Ice Cube's death certificate as well which accurately predicted the riots and says a lot about race and politics. Another is Pulbic enemy it takes a nation of millions. I also would recommend Tribe's midnight marauders and the Low End theory which has great jazz samples. I also was a fan of Wutang especially Rae's Only built for cuban Linx (purple Tape) and Wu tang forever ...36 chambers is very good but it sounds as it was mixed in a garage/basement studio.

Thanks for the recommendation. Another $100 gone this weekend .

Always wanted to try tribe as I heard great things. Also want to try fishbone (rock though), and some of the older r&b stuff.

Have you tried portishead? Twenty years later and it still sounds amazing. I think as I age I am getting a better appreciation of softer lighter music. It used to be all nirvana and foo fighters (still love that stuff) but I’m falling in love with music from Jeff Buckley even though I’ve had the album for 25 years.

Also try flaming lips if you haven’t already. Tool as well.

[Arcadian]

I ing love Portishead!

[Killakobe81]

Thanks for the recommendation. Another $100 gone this weekend .

Always wanted to try tribe as I heard great things. Also want to try fishbone (rock though), and some of the older r&b stuff.

Have you tried portishead? Twenty years later and it still sounds amazing. I think as I age I am getting a better appreciation of softer lighter music. It used to be all nirvana and foo fighters (still love that stuff) but I’m falling in love with music from Jeff Buckley even though I’ve had the album for 25 years.

Also try flaming lips if you haven’t already. Tool as well.

Appreciate it.
So glad we turned a thread on corny Drake in to a space to discuss god music not only rap but classical, jazz and Rock.
Either of you do county?
My mom loved all from Beatles to Otis to country.
I dont like it much but I live in Taxas and when any off the old Dolly, Reba, Conway twitty etc comes on I like it.
I am assuming its main stream/pop country though.
I just have never purchased a country song in my life ...well at least not for myself.

[ambchang]

Appreciate it.
So glad we turned a thread on corny Drake in to a space to discuss god music not only rap but classical, jazz and Rock.
Either of you do county?
My mom loved all from Beatles to Otis to country.
I dont like it much but I live in Taxas and when any off the old Dolly, Reba, Conway twitty etc comes on I like it.
I am assuming its main stream/pop country though.
I just have never purchased a country song in my life ...well at least not for myself.

Country really got a bad rep because of all the crappy me country from Garth brooks and shania Twain. But that’s like saying rap sucks because of drake and neu metal is horrible because of limp bizkit.

I don’t listen to country much but Wilco is phenomenal stuff, equal parts insightful and hilarious. A lot of jack whites stuff is clearly country based. Most of the early rock had a country vibe to it to be honest.

Oh, another rock band to recommend, vampire weekend. Arctic monkeys are great as well. The. My bloody valentines, pavement , stone roses, Inspiral carpets, Radiohead, are all fantastic.

Post rock stuff start with Mogwai and sigur ros, then if you are in Texas you have to listen to explosions in the sky.

Totally agree about the corny thread turning into a good discussion thread.

My dad is a big classical guy but I never got into it. Some Mozart’s and Beethoven and Vivaldi but I don’t know anything in that realm.

[koriwhat]

the youngins love pop music not made by the actual pop star who was never hard in the streets but grew up in the suburbs playing make believe on tv and now in the arena of "hip hop". sad times we are living in.

[koriwhat]

I ing love Portishead!

[koriwhat]

Country really got a bad rep because of all the crappy me country from Garth brooks and shania Twain. But that’s like saying rap sucks because of drake and neu metal is horrible because of limp bizkit.

I don’t listen to country much but Wilco is phenomenal stuff, equal parts insightful and hilarious. A lot of jack whites stuff is clearly country based. Most of the early rock had a country vibe to it to be honest.

Oh, another rock band to recommend, vampire weekend. Arctic monkeys are great as well. The. My bloody valentines, pavement , stone roses, Inspiral carpets, Radiohead, are all fantastic.

Post rock stuff start with Mogwai and sigur ros, then if you are in Texas you have to listen to explosions in the sky.

Totally agree about the corny thread turning into a good discussion thread.

My dad is a big classical guy but I never got into it. Some Mozart’s and Beethoven and Vivaldi but I don’t know anything in that realm.

martins robbins, any of the hanks, conway for sure, highway men, etc... great country!

[Killakobe81]

martins robbins, any of the hanks, conway for sure, highway men, etc... great country!

Love Martin Robbins... Even before Breaking Bad the old cowboy dudes are the best does he have a good recording to hunt for or just get Greatest Hits?

[koriwhat]

Love Martin Robbins... Even before Breaking Bad the old cowboy dudes are the best does he have a good recording to hunt for or just get Greatest Hits?

i listen to it all from mr robbins but my fav song of his is "mr shorty". it's such a powerful story.

[Down Under]

Hip-Hop: I'll sidestep into trip-hop/DnB. Massive Attack Mezzanine. Portishead Dummy. Goldie Timeless.

Jazz: Coltrane A Love Supreme, any stereo LP version. I have a repressed 80's version of ALS and I find it marginally better than the CD version in my Coltrane Box Set. Jazz has the same rules as classical. It'll typically be mastered well, so any Jazz record can be "reference."

Funk/Soul: Another well mastered genre, typically. You've heard the album a million times I'm sure, but Thriller is just on another level of production. Some other ones that stood out to me were Electric Universe by Earth, Wind, and Fire and Ship Ahoy by the O'Jays.

Electronic: Underworld Second Toughest in the Infants. Vespertine by Bjork. Since you have a 5.1 system, seek out the multichannel copy of this. I have it, and it shines in 5.1.

Underrated genre to look out for a great stereo experience is 50s/60s Exotica. Martin Denny, Les Baxter, Esquivel.

That's a solid taste in music mate

[koriwhat]

no ween fans around here? a band with differing sound per album. great if you've never heard of them before. they've been out forever and are great.

[lefty]

Still a better artist and PG than Porker...

[midnightpulp]

Appreciate it.
So glad we turned a thread on corny Drake in to a space to discuss god music not only rap but classical, jazz and Rock.
Either of you do county?
My mom loved all from Beatles to Otis to country.
I dont like it much but I live in Taxas and when any off the old Dolly, Reba, Conway twitty etc comes on I like it.
I am assuming its main stream/pop country though.
I just have never purchased a country song in my life ...well at least not for myself.

Yes, a country fan. I like the typical notables: Cash, Haggard, Williams, George Jones, Emmy Lou Harris, etc. Then you have the alt-county movement that started with Graham Parsons, the Flying Burrito Brothers that led to Wilco, Whiskeytown, and all that. More obscure stuff like the Louvin Brothers are great. Haunting song here:



Bluegrass. Bill Monroe, Dock Boggs.

[lebomb]

I dont care how good of a rapper you are,

If your the music sucks that goes along with said rap, I dont care to listen to it. TBQH, most hip-hop today is kinda whack, so I basically listen to the music anyhow. I guess thats why I like Drake, he may not be the strongest rapper, but he usually makes a good hit with good music to dance to. Very listenable IMHO.

[Killakobe81]

I dont care how good of a rapper you are,

If your the music sucks that goes along with said rap, I dont care to listen to it. TBQH, most hip-hop today is kinda whack, so I basically listen to the music anyhow. I guess thats why I like Drake, he may not be the strongest rapper, but he usually makes a good hit with good music to dance to. Very listenable IMHO.

He does have catchy beats.
But I will leave you with this gem from Wu-tang Forever, Triumph:

The track renders helpless and suffers from multiple stab wounds
And leaks sounds that's heard
Ninety-three million miles away from came one
To represent the Nation, this is a gathering
Of the masses that come to pay respects to the Wu-Tang Clan
As we engage in battle, the crowd now screams in rage
The High Chief Jamel-Ah-Rief take the stage
Light is provided through sparks of energy
From the mind that travels in rhyme form
Giving sight to the blind
The dumb are mostly intrigued by the drum
Death only one can save s from
This relentless attack of the track spares none