Most people w/ our disease generally can agree on whether or not a given recording provides good resolution, tonal quality and dynamic range, but opinions are like .... and nearly everyone dislikes some great artistic achievments that are beautifully recorded. Gotta agree w/ the above, (especially w/ ECM and Soul Note). Here are a few other labels that send a jolt of electricity though the fingers and brain when I get to hit the record stores:
IDA(France), Justin Time(U.S.,CAN.), CMP(Germany),9Winds,(U.S.),Creativeman(Jap.),Red,(Italy)Arabesque(U.S.)Intakt(Switz.), Ramboy(Neth.), Buzz(U.S./Neth.), Intuition(U.S.), Tone Center(U.S.), Cryptogramophone(U.S.), Koch(Int.), Ambiences Magnetiques(Can.), Songlines(Can), Hat(Switz), Cuneiform(U.S.),New World Records/Crosscurrents(U.S.), Tzadik(U.S.), Day Eight Music(Swed.), Enja/Tutu(U.S.), Jazz Haus(Ger.), Avant(Jap.), Carbon7(Bel.), GM(U.S.), NaxosJazz(Int.), Altri Suoni(Italy), Brain(Ger.).
You probably have found a few landmines if you're purchasing by the label. The artist and instrumentation info(if available) on the back can also provide good clues when you're on the hunt for new audio intoxicants. Good luck, save some for the rest of us!
IDA(France), Justin Time(U.S.,CAN.), CMP(Germany),9Winds,(U.S.),Creativeman(Jap.),Red,(Italy)Arabesque(U.S.)Intakt(Switz.), Ramboy(Neth.), Buzz(U.S./Neth.), Intuition(U.S.), Tone Center(U.S.), Cryptogramophone(U.S.), Koch(Int.), Ambiences Magnetiques(Can.), Songlines(Can), Hat(Switz), Cuneiform(U.S.),New World Records/Crosscurrents(U.S.), Tzadik(U.S.), Day Eight Music(Swed.), Enja/Tutu(U.S.), Jazz Haus(Ger.), Avant(Jap.), Carbon7(Bel.), GM(U.S.), NaxosJazz(Int.), Altri Suoni(Italy), Brain(Ger.).
You probably have found a few landmines if you're purchasing by the label. The artist and instrumentation info(if available) on the back can also provide good clues when you're on the hunt for new audio intoxicants. Good luck, save some for the rest of us!