Suggest one obsure album we all should hear

At the risk of sounding as if attempting to impress with a classical selection, I submit the Philips recording of "Messiah" (Handel, of course), conducted by John Eliot Gardiner.

Not sure how "obscure" this is, but given the majestic diversity witnessed on these forums, me thinks I'm safe on that one.

The Philips Eliot recording of "Messiah" is--from my humble experience--the finest ENGLISH recording of Handel's "Messiah". I believe it is a full digital recording and mix of some of the finest musicians and vocalists. So both the production value (quality of recording) as well as excellence in performance are really second to none. It is my reference recording (specifically, "And the Glory of the Lord" track) when checking out speakers.

This recording will reveal the harmonics and richness of both solo and choral voices, as well as string instruments better than any I know. It showed me the true worth of Sonus Faber speakers, which made the choir and instrument just about sit on my lap. This recording is why I am aiming to get the Amati Tradition (please feel free to dissuade me).

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/handel-messiah-john-eliot-gardiner/20033http://

A great reference track for checking out amps/speakers is “Flight of the Cosmic Hippo” on the album of the same name by Bela Fleck and the Flecktones.

Not only is this a great track to put a speaker through some paces, the group is quite good to hang with a beer of glass of wine, being a blue-grass fusion band.