Special Section: Audiophile Discs

Emmylou Harris – Quarter Moon In A Ten Cent Town (1978) [1979, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]

Emmylou Harris - Quarter Moon In A Ten Cent Town (1978) [1979, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]

Emmylou Harris – Quarter Moon In A Ten Cent Town (1978) [1979, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]
Vinyl Rip | Hi-Res / FLAC Tracks / 24bit / 96kHz | CD-Quality / FLAC Tracks / 16bit / 44.1kHz
Full Scans Included
Total Size: 745 MB (Hi-Res) + 202 MB (CD-Quality) | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab | Pressed In Japan | Cat#: MFSL 1-015 | Genre: Country
Half-Speed Mastered

Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town is a transitional effort that bridges the curveballs of Emmylou Harris’ earliest solo work with the more traditional country albums that comprise the bulk of the second phase of her career. For the first time, she covers no Gram Parsons tunes or pop music chestnuts, relying instead on newly exited Hot Band member Rodney Crowell for two songs (“Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight” and “I Ain’t Living Long Like This”) and Dolly Parton for another (the devastating “To Daddy”); the highlight is a gorgeous cover of Jesse Winchester’s “Defying Gravity.” Continue reading “Emmylou Harris – Quarter Moon In A Ten Cent Town (1978) [1979, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]”

The Manhattan Transfer – Live (1978) [|979, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]

The Manhattan Transfer - Live (1978) [|979, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]

The Manhattan Transfer – Live (1978) [|979, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]
Vinyl Rip | Hi-Res / FLAC Tracks / 24bit / 96kHz | CD-Quality / FLAC Tracks / 16bit / 44.1kHz
Full Scans Included
Total Size: 1.26 GB (Hi-Res) + 367 MB (CD-Quality) | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab | Pressed In Japan | Cat#: MFSL 1-022 | Genre: Jazz, Swing
Half-Speed Mastered

This is a particularly interesting release because it features the 1978 version of Manhattan Transfer performing at three different concerts. This is how the ensemble sounded live when Laurel Masse was still in the lineup along with Tim Hauser, Janis Siegel and Alan Paul. The pacesetting vocal group (accompanied by a quintet that includes guitarist Wayne Johnson and Don Roberts on reeds) runs through 18 songs, many of which are quite brief. Continue reading “The Manhattan Transfer – Live (1978) [|979, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]”

Joe Sample – Rainbow Seeker (1978) [1979, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]

Joe Sample - Rainbow Seeker (1978) [1979, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]

Joe Sample – Rainbow Seeker (1978) [1979, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]
Vinyl Rip | Hi-Res / FLAC Tracks / 24bit / 96kHz | CD-Quality / FLAC Tracks / 16bit / 44.1kHz
Full Scans Included
Total Size: 908 MB (Hi-Res) + 244 MB (CD-Quality) | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab | Pressed In Japan | Cat#: MFSL 1-016 | Genre: Jazz, Fusion
Half-Speed Mastered

Back in 1978 when this set was recorded, fusion (the mixture of jazz improvisation with rock rhythms) was declining. Keyboardist Joe Sample, best-known for his work with the Crusaders, was in the process of being one of the founders of “contemporary jazz,” an idiom that has since solidified into smooth jazz. Sample emphasized catchy melodies, light funk rhythms, appealing chord changes and a pop sensibility. Continue reading “Joe Sample – Rainbow Seeker (1978) [1979, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]”

Earl Klugh – Finger Paintings (1977) [1980, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]

Earl Klugh - Finger Paintings (1977) [1980, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]

Earl Klugh – Finger Paintings (1977) [1980, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]
Vinyl Rip | Hi-Res / FLAC Tracks / 24bit / 96kHz | CD-Quality / FLAC Tracks / 16bit / 44.1kHz
Full Scans Included
Total Size: 770 MB (Hi-Res) + 208 MB (CD-Quality) | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab | Pressed In Japan | Cat#: MFSL 1-025 | Genre: Jazz, Funk, Soul
Half-Speed Mastered

This 1977 release was the third studio album by Earl Klugh. The album hit the Billboard 200 at number 84. The guitarist was inspired at the age of 13 during a performance by Chet Atkins on the Perry Como Show. He mae his first recording at age 15 and later played on George Benson’s White Rabbit album. Continue reading “Earl Klugh – Finger Paintings (1977) [1980, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]”

Neil Diamond – Hot August Night (1972) [1980, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]

Neil Diamond - Hot August Night (1972) [1980, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]

Neil Diamond – Hot August Night (1972) [1980, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]
2x Vinyl Rip | Hi-Res / FLAC Tracks / 24bit / 96kHz | CD-Quality / FLAC Tracks / 16bit / 44.1kHz
Full Scans Included
Total Size: 1.89 GB (Hi-Res) + 584 MB (CD-Quality) | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab | Pressed In Japan | Cat#: MFSL 2-024 | Genre: Adult Contemporary
Half-Speed Mastered

This is the ultimate Neil Diamond record. Not necessarily the best — he’s at his most appealing crafting in the studio — but certainly the ultimate, capturing all the kitsch and glitz of Neil Diamond, the showman. And that also means that it’s not just loaded with flair, but with filler, songs like “Porcupine Pie,” “Soggy Pretzels,” and “And the Grass Won’t Pay No Mind” — attempts to write grand, sweeping epics that collapse under their own weight. Still, that’s part of the charm of Diamond and while it can sound unbearable on studio albums, it makes some sense here, surrounded by his pomp and circumstance. Continue reading “Neil Diamond – Hot August Night (1972) [1980, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]”

The Crusaders – Chain Reaction (1975) [1979, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]

The Crusaders - Chain Reaction (1975) [1979, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]

The Crusaders – Chain Reaction (1975) [1979, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]
Vinyl Rip | Hi-Res / FLAC Tracks / 24bit / 96kHz | CD-Quality / FLAC Tracks / 16bit / 44.1kHz
Full Scans Included
Total Size: 889 MB (Hi-Res) + 255 MB (CD-Quality) | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab | Pressed In Japan | Cat#: MFSL 1-010 | Genre: Jazz-Funk, Funk, Disco
Half-Speed Mastered

One of the tastiest concoctions of the mid-’70s jazz-fusion era, Chain Reaction finds the Crusaders at the top of their form. The compositions are both accessible and memorable, and the playing is uniformly excellent. Guitarist Larry Carlton delivers some of his finest licks and funkified rhythm work. Wayne Henderson shows there is a place in fusion for the trombone. Continue reading “The Crusaders – Chain Reaction (1975) [1979, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]”

Little Feat – Waiting For Columbus (1978) [1979, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]

Little Feat - Waiting For Columbus (1978) [1979, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]

Little Feat – Waiting For Columbus (1978) [1979, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]
2x Vinyl Rip | Hi-Res / FLAC Tracks / 24bit / 96kHz | CD-Quality / FLAC Tracks / 16bit / 44.1kHz
Full Scans Included
Total Size: 1.82 GB (Hi-Res) + 546 MB (CD-Quality) | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab | Pressed In Japan | Cat#: MFSL 2-013 | Genre: Blues Rock, Southern Rock
Half-Speed Mastered

Little Feat was one of the legendary live bands of the ’70s, showered with praise by not only their small, fiercely dedicated cult of fans, but such fellow musicians as Bonnie Raitt, Robert Palmer, and Jimmy Page. Given all that acclaim, it only made sense for the group to cut a live album. Unfortunately, they waited until 1977, when the group had entered its decline, but as the double-album Waiting for Columbus proves, Little Feat in its decline was still pretty great. Continue reading “Little Feat – Waiting For Columbus (1978) [1979, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]”

John Klemmer – Touch (1975) [1978, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]

John Klemmer - Touch (1975) [1978, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]

John Klemmer – Touch (1975) [1978, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]
Vinyl Rip | Hi-Res / FLAC Tracks / 24bit / 96kHz | CD-Quality / FLAC Tracks / 16bit / 44.1kHz
Full Scans Included
Total Size: 1.01 GB (Hi-Res) + 276 MB (CD-Quality) | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab | Pressed In Japan | Cat#: MFSL 1-006 | Genre: Soul-Jazz, Smooth Jazz
Half-Speed Mastered

John Klemmer. The Romanticist, Consummate Artist, Renaissance Man and Innovator. A composer of Emotional Song. He always has a message and is a truly unique, individual and original saxophone player and composer as expressive as the greatest of singers, expressing feelings that cannot be said in words. Continue reading “John Klemmer – Touch (1975) [1978, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]”

André Previn & His Pals – West Side Story (1960) [1983, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]

André Previn & His Pals - West Side Story (1960) [1983, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]

André Previn & His Pals – West Side Story (1960)
[1983, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]
Vinyl Rip | Hi-Res / FLAC Tracks / 24bit / 96kHz | CD-Quality / FLAC Tracks / 16bit / 44.1kHz
Full Scans Included
Total Size: 818 MB (Hi-Res) + 211 MB (CD-Quality) | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab | Pressed In Japan | Cat#: MFSL 1-095 | Genre: Jazz
Half-Speed Mastered

The last of a series of showtune albums recorded by the trio of pianist Andre Previn, bassist Red Mitchell and drummer Shelly Manne finds the all-star group focusing on the music of West Side Story (Previn and Manne alternated leadership, and it was the drummer’s good fortune to have the famous My Fair Lady album under his own name). Continue reading “André Previn & His Pals – West Side Story (1960) [1983, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]”

Bernie Krause – Citadels Of Mystery (1979) [MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]

Bernie Krause - Citadels Of Mystery (1979) [MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]

Bernie Krause – Citadels Of Mystery (1979) [MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]
Vinyl Rip | Hi-Res / FLAC Tracks / 24bit / 96kHz | CD-Quality / FLAC Tracks / 16bit / 44.1kHz
Full Scans Included
Total Size: 766 MB (Hi-Res) + 258 MB (CD-Quality) | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab | Pressed in Japan | Cat#: MFSL 1-505(100J-8) | Genre: Jazz
Half-Speed Mastered

Considering the fraught circumstances in which this album was recorded, it’s a miracle it sounds as serene as it does. Originally, this was planned as a collaborative project between Krause and his musical partner, Paul Beaver, for Columbia, but that deal collapsed when CBS executive Clive Davis was fired. Continue reading “Bernie Krause – Citadels Of Mystery (1979) [MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]”

Nat King Cole / George Shearing ‎– Nat King Cole Sings / George Shearing Plays (1962) [MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]

Nat King Cole / George Shearing ‎– Nat King Cole Sings / George Shearing Plays (1962) [MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]

Nat King Cole / George Shearing ‎– Nat King Cole Sings / George Shearing Plays (1962)
[MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]
Vinyl Rip | Hi-Res / FLAC Tracks / 24bit / 96kHz | CD-Quality / FLAC Tracks / 16bit / 44.1kHz
Full Scans Included
Total Size: 804 MB (Hi-Res) + 207 MB (CD-Quality) | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab | Pressed In Japan | Cat#: MFSL 1-081 | Genre: Easy Listening, Vocal Jazz
Half-Speed Mastered

Although it would have been interesting to hear Nat King Cole play some piano and perhaps accompany a vocal by George Shearing instead of exclusively the other way around, this session was a big success. Cole is in prime form on such tunes as “September Song,” “Pick Yourself Up,” and “Serenata.” Shearing’s accompaniment is tasteful and lightly swinging, and the string arrangements help to accentuate the romantic moods. Continue reading “Nat King Cole / George Shearing ‎– Nat King Cole Sings / George Shearing Plays (1962) [MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]”

Chuck Mangione – Feels So Good (1977) [1983, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]

Chuck Mangione - Feels So Good (1977) [1983, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]

Chuck Mangione – Feels So Good (1977) [1983, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]
Vinyl Rip | Hi-Res / FLAC Tracks / 24bit / 96kHz & 192kHz | CD-Quality / FLAC Tracks / 16bit / 44.1kHz
Full Scans Included
Total Size: 2.85 GB (Hi-Res) + 398 MB (CD-Quality) | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab | Pressed In Japan | Cat#: MFSL 1-068 | Genre: Contemporary Jazz
Half-Speed Mastered

Due to the title cut, this was a huge seller when it originally came out. Reissued on CD, this set from flügelhornist Chuck Mangione (which helped give guitarist Grant Geissman some fame) is actually stronger from the jazz standpoint than Mangione’s subsequent dates. Continue reading “Chuck Mangione – Feels So Good (1977) [1983, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]”

Keith Richards – Talk Is Cheap (1988) [1992, MFSL Remastered]

Keith Richards - Talk Is Cheap (1988) [1992, MFSL Remastered]

Keith Richards – Talk Is Cheap (1988) [1992, MFSL Remastered]
EAC Rip | FLAC Image + Cue + Log | Full Scans Included
Total Size: 345 MB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: MFSL | Cat#: UDCD 557 | Genre: Pop Rock

Keith Richards is not a man you want to be cross with you. After two decades of occasionally uneasy give and take between Richards and Mick Jagger, the Rolling Stones seemed on the verge of imploding when, after making himself scarce during the recording of 1986’s Dirty Work, Jagger made it clear he not only wasn’t going to tour with the band Continue reading “Keith Richards – Talk Is Cheap (1988) [1992, MFSL Remastered]”

Natalie Cole ‎– Thankful (1977) {1980, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip}

Natalie Cole ‎– Thankful (1977) {1980, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip}

Natalie Cole ‎– Thankful (1977) {1980, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip}
Vinyl Rip | Hi-Res / FLAC Tracks / 24bit / 96kHz | CD-Quality / FLAC Tracks / 16bit / 44.1kHz
Full Scans Included
Total Size: 778 MB (Hi-Res) + 221 MB (CD-Quality) | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab | Pressed In Japan | Cat#: MFSL 1-032 | Genre: Soul, Jazz

Thankful could be subtitled the finest hour for Natalie Cole and the songwriting/production duo of Chuck Jackson and Marvin Yancy. The album flows from track to track. It boasts the beautiful number one R&B/Top Ten pop million-selling ballad “Our Love,” as well as radio-aired tracks: the rousing, gospel-ish “Be Thankful,” ” Just Can’t Stay Away,” the lushly orchestrated torch number “Aint Nothing Stronger Than Love,” and the smooth tropical-flavored “La Costa.” Continue reading “Natalie Cole ‎– Thankful (1977) {1980, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip}”