We all know that there is a lot of difference in the quality of recordings. For example, I've always found that Chesky and Telarc were "better" or more "true" labels. Bluenote seems mixed to me. What say you? Can we develop a list of some of the best music labels (and maybe some of the ones to avoid).
FIM -First Impressions Music. Check out web site @ www.fimpression.com Excellent recordings, first recommended to me by a friend. I just bought "Favorite Chinese Instrumentals" Simply amazing recording, almost eerie.
"Enya Records" (Germany?) has great music (Rabih Abou Khalil) and great recordings. "In & Out Records" has some great recordings/music as well (Lester Bowie: The fire this time). Harmonia Mundi, Reference Recordings etc. are good as well.
Problem is that I would rather choose good music mediocre recording quality that vice versa.
Puntamayo discs usually sound excellent. This is world music and though you may not know what the music is about it sounds great! I never pass up a chance to buy one in the used bins or new! The label features artists from Latin America, North America, Africa, and Asia!
As you mention Blue note, Chesky, and Telarc I assume you're taking about mostly Jazz. If so, Concord Jazz has consistenly good sound and artists as well and a lot of Verve (but not all by some margin).
If you're into classical some of the best labels for sound are Hyperion, Harmonia Mundi, Chandos, Delos, Dorian, Reference Recordings, and Telarc. EMI can be excellent as can London/Decca. For Eastern European music, Supraphon and anything with the Czech Phil. :-)
Don't forget that ALL Telarcs are recorded with the absolute polarity reversed. If you don't reverse the polarity, the top end is a bit bright and the bass is tubby and lacks definition, among other problems.
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