I agree with Dayglow re: 70s and 80s R&B. Even tho it has nothing to do with audiophile style "realistic/natural" sonics, lots of those records were lavish productions. The theme from Shaft is IMO a production tour de force. As is "Sunshower" by Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band (and many, many others).
On a different front, many of the recordings by Eels feature skillful studio manipulation. In particular, main Eel, Mark Oliver Everett, will (I assume) mic his voice differently for the spoken parts in many of his songs versus the sung parts. The results are always interesting sonically IMO. Instruments are usually recorded very nicely, too, often with notable bass.
On a different front, many of the recordings by Eels feature skillful studio manipulation. In particular, main Eel, Mark Oliver Everett, will (I assume) mic his voice differently for the spoken parts in many of his songs versus the sung parts. The results are always interesting sonically IMO. Instruments are usually recorded very nicely, too, often with notable bass.