Best Audiophile Albums of 2020

Also check out :
Best New Albums of 2020: • The 21 Best Albums of ...
Best Archival Reissues of 2020: • Best Albums of 2020 : ...

[@chadmcnabb9193]

What a wonderful list. Thank you for sharing. I have learned so much about audiophile vinyl from you this year.

[@Markymarkvinylnut]

Thanks Mazzi, Happy New Year from us in the UK.. so grateful to you, Michael 45rpm and Mike from the Ingroove in Arizona. Jazz has pulled me out of the depths of despair last year, wonderful, thought provoking music that has enriched my life...2020 was a fabulous year!!! Thanks... Mark

[@adrianluscombe9532]

Another great video. Thanks for turning me on to so much excellent music this year. Best wishes for 2021

[@garrettmcnabb8471]

Great video!! Very thorough and informative! I am hooked on all the series you mentioned, outside of Music Matters and Mofi.

[@closedchannel2713]

Wow Mazzy that was a great jazz showing I love Sidewinder and Blue Train they are both wonderful, Cheers Snowy

[@Michael45RPM]

Great List Mazzy, you really wrapped (hope it is the right term :-) this year 2020 perfectly, thanks a lot Mazzy !!!

[@ginntonic123]

Great video Massy !! Loved the Tone Poet Choices 👏🏻👏🏻

[@listen_to_records444]

I missed out on that Dylan Desire Mofi super vinyl. Thats one of my favorite Dylan records. Glad you snagged one. Those music matters pressings are really nice too. Wow! Nice collection of records there Mazzy!

[@baq8680]

Some great picks! Thanks for posting!!!

[@DismasM]

Wow. I was listening to my new Sidewinder when your video popped up. I'll watch later because--I'm listening to Sidewinder.

[@Rockoli]

Fantastic picks, Mazzy! Those Bob Dylan MoFis are sublime 👌

[@pbthal]

Great choices Mazzy, I have them all as well except the Dylan, have a great new year!

[@RandyforRoyals]

I bought quite a few of these and many of them were from watching you and Michael at 45 RPM. I love Chet Baker and he was probably the first jazz artist in which I took an interest. Happy New Year. --Randy

[@MrLovell1971]

Mazzy i was drooling over those SRX 's i totally missed out on those pressings. I'm noting ones i have to add awesome picks have a Happy New Year Norman. lovellandrew

[@MelindaMurphy]

I couldn't agree more about so may of your picks. Getz/Gilberto is one of my favorite pick ups of the year. I still need to get the Vanilla Fudge album. Have a wonderful new year Mazzy!

[@mazzysmusic]

Sane to you Melinda. Watching your year end video right now.

[@johnlamarca3339]

Happy New Year Mazzy! Another great video, thank you. One I would add is Neil Young’s Homegrown. That release was a nice surprise in an otherwise crappy year.

[@mazzysmusic]

Yeas Homegrown is great. I did include it my my best of archival and reissue video linked here. ✌🏻

[@BarakaPDub]

Great video Mazzy! I still wish I would have had my hand on the dial for the secret SRXs but I do appreciate you notifying me about them.

[@mazzysmusic]

I tried 🌞

[@ivanmaltoni8760]

Fantastic list. Thanks from Italy

[@pierremartin9048]

Great stuff, thanks for sharing.

[@frankschneller2627]

Fantastic Picks. Thanks, Mazzy. Stay safe.

[@tinostabile3256]

Hi there, Exquisite list of incredible music.... in a terrible year we all want to forget. Thank the Lord for music and the knowledge that you possess, Mister Mazzy, God bless, keep well.... wishing a lot more vintage vinyl for 2021 and of course health to enjoy those. Tino

[@rocky-o]

gorgeous way to end a crappy year....that chet baker album is exceptional...his version of 'my funny valentine' is my favorite recording of all time....and then there's nina dimone...and those dylan albums look great. as well....the one i hope to get is the recent blue note reissue of cassandra wilson's 'glamoured' album....i can only imagine how brilliant that must be.....enjoy your new year's eve, and here's looking at a better new year ahead...peace...rocky

[@WordsRuinMusic]

Lots of people make fun of Dire Straits, but that first record is simply amazing. It's a 10 all the way through. Have not picked up the mobile. I wish it was 33rpm. Have a Happy New Year Mazzy. Charles

[@colinhathaway9493]

Dire Straits are an amazing band. Just bought love over gold on mobile fidelity. Sounds really good on my system. Gonna get the rest of em over the next month or two

[@stefanhansen5882]

That is a stunning collection! Just out of curiosity, how many albums (vinyl and CDs) do you buy in a year? I had a lot of CDs, but nothing compared to you.

[@johnhpalmer6098]

Totally agree on Getz/Gilberto, I have a 60's mono pressing in good, but not absolutely stellar shape and have had it for years, it's been cared for, but well loved/played. I even have Getz/Byrd Jazz Samba (the first one from 1962) that's also in similar shape, and mono and have also had for many moons, love both of them. Now to find the Vol. 3 that came out in the mid 60's, those are hard to find locally anyway. as it was right at the time of the samba fad ending from 1964-65 or so.

[@cheapcheerfulrecordcollect8071]

Fantastic stuff ! Happy New Years from New England !

[@mazzysmusic]

Thank you jonathan. Hope you are feeling better 🌟

[@cheapcheerfulrecordcollect8071]

@@mazzysmusic - Feeling much better. A minor setback. Thanks for asking

[@cheapcheerfulrecordcollect8071]

@@mazzysmusic - Feeling much better. A minor setback is all.

[@miguelcontreras3953]

Nice selection, agree with you on the Chet Baker record. I happen to own the Pacific Jazz CD set issued by Mosaic a few years back and is wonderful. Is that part of the same set? the pictures in jacket looks the same as on the Mosaic set booklet. Anyway thanks for sharing.

[@DavidCorway]

Spoiling us with all the creasebreaks Mazzy. Real meta audiophile stuff!

[@mazzysmusic]

😘🤓

[@teckertime]

That Lee Morgan The Sidewinder record, I think you have shown about 3 or 4 times in the last month. You dig it.

[@poetryonplastic]

That Vanilla Fudge packs a punch, I have never heard that album sound so good. One record that MoFi put out this year that I was really impressed by was Elvis Costello/Burt Bacharach "Painted From Memory". The best sounding record I've heard released this year if you don't count the One Step/UHQR stuff.

[@mazzysmusic]

I have had that Costello Bacharach CD since it came out. Liked it but never loved it but I may have to revisit it.

[@jamesd6851]

That is my favorite album of all time, but it DID take its time revealing itself. It may come off as "corny" initially, but spin it 6 or 7 times, and it hooks into you as a heartbreakingly sad pop masterpiece. Revisit by all means!

[@theflipside-vinylcommunity]

Great video

[@alankirkby465]

First saw Lee Morgan, play Free Trade Hall, Manchester,U.K. 1961 with Art Blakey Jazz Messengers, with Bobby Timmons. Thelonious Monk, was other half of this concert. Concert like this somehow remains for ever in my mind. Sorry for being boringly nostalgic. Peace to all.

[@heribertovalentin1563]

Great video....well I was late in the came for the Blue Note SRX...but I do have a few regular 33 and this year bought some 45 rpm ones...all beautiful sound and some 80s series and the new classic one by McCoy Tyner....the real McCoy.....I had saved all last year to buy this year.....Im a working musician and it's not easy and this year I lost a lot of work and money....so I hope for a better New Year to buy some great music....I did buy the two UM John Coltrane which are unbelievable sound....Im not a Rock person....mainly Jazz,vocals and Latin music which I collected back in the mid 80s to 90s as same as the Jazz ....I have many OJCs which I purchase back in the late 80s at great analog sound....Happy New Year 2021 and great listening......Ed in New York.....😎

[@mazzysmusic]

I have a handful of friends who are musicians and even more who work on clubs bars restaurants. A terrible year fir them and so many others. We can all keep enjoying the music and supporting you all anyway we can. Thanks for your comments and hoping the new year brings relief 🌟

[@JimMorrisonslizard]

I’m gobsmacked that you left off Wildflowers. Despite what a certain German says, the sound is sublime.

[@mazzysmusic]

I live Wildflowers. Yes it sound fabulous but I already included it in my reissue archival best of video linked here. . I could of included it in both but I already had so many albums here. ✌🏻

[@thevinyltruffle]

I ordered a lot of audiophile Jazz lately. Bags and Trane by SRG. All analog. Coltrane My Favorite Things SRG All analog. The Sidewinder Classic series. Money Jungle Tone Poet. The Cannonball Adderley that’s coming up on Classic Series. The Awakening on Black Jazz.

[@rodrigollanes7619]

Great Mazzy. My two favorite audiophile releases of the year are: - Berliner Philharmoniker - Bruckner 7th Symphony - Bamberger Symphoniker - Smetana Má Vlast Some records that I consider to be audiophile and I haven't seen as much on the year end lists: - Bill Frisell - Valentine (Blue Note) - Gary Bartz & Marsha - Night Dreamer - John Mayer - Continuum (Vinyl Me, Please. Not a great fan of his music, but I liked this album and it sounds amazing. Demo quality) - Wilco - Summerteeth (Rhino reissue). Great music and a great sounding record. Gorgeous, highly recommended.

[@mazzysmusic]

Good list. I almost included the Bill Frisell but I already included it on by best of new records of 2020 linked here.

[@rodrigollanes7619]

@@mazzysmusic that it's true. I saw the other two lists (new and reissues -both great), but forgot the Frisell. Happy new year!

[@twofromthetrunk9932]

You just gotta love it.

[@nickreszetar3835]

Do you have links to these anywhere? Thank you!

[@thevinyltruffle]

Laura Jane Grace recorded an album this year. It’s singer/songwriter, acoustic punk. Just her and her guitar. Recorded all analog on a 4 or 2 track I believe.

[@Markymarkvinylnut]

Dire Straits....another dent in my credit card! Urghh!! Thanks Mazzi...(i agree with Palo Alto, its amazing...another similar fabulous record that is definitely NOT audiophile quality was Bill Evans Live at Ronnie Scotts. I'd love to know what you thought of it

[@sclogse1]

Tom Wait's Small Change was straight to 2 track. For me, that makes it, besides being an extraordinary, unique recording, a game changer in my life, audiophile.

[@papilots1]

Oh Mercy seems to be sold out everywhere, but I managed to find it on Target's site for preorder. Just got a shipping notification so go get it there while you can!

[@mazzysmusic]

Lucky you found it. I think it’s a good one

[@omie1]

Thank for the info on the Tone Poets not being out of print. I wanted to get Herbie Hancock's "My point of view" from Blue Note but they are out of stock. I was gonna buy one for double the price but I think I'll wait a bit longer.

[@mazzysmusic]

Yes they should all be in print for a while. But pressing plants are backed up. Paying a bit more to get it now is fine but don’t pay a crazy price over $35

[@chuckheinze7]

Got it!

[@sclogse1]

Donald Bailey was showing up at a club around 2t and Mission in the 80's. There was a Japanese Import double album of his with him on...... harmonica! that I would at Tower Records but couldn't drop the 20 plus bucks for it. He was a very snappy, almost steampunk dresser.

[@Localbandography]

Like I just told Joe, Lee wrote The Sidewinder during the recording session while on the toilet at Englewood Cliffs. I’ll never forget Bob Cranshaw telling that story lol.

[@1Verwoert]

Mazzy all the best for 2021 !

[@mazzysmusic]

Same to you. Thank you for watching ✌🏽

[@1Verwoert]

@@mazzysmusic thank you for inspiring me to get more good music in ! My wishlist is growing rapidly since buying my rega 2 couple of months ago.

[@thomasedward2231]

The Costello Burt super vinyl was my fav of 2020

[@sclogse1]

I probably saw the same Hutcherson Keystone shows you did. Somewhere downtown he played a gig at a swank upstairs restaurant, with white curtains on the walls. I went alone. Damn people had no clue who was playing while they ate. I let him know.

[@livingcoramdeo]

I tried ordering The Sidewinder twice. Both had ticks and pops on the first track. The rest was very good.

[@Oakenshield69]

HNY Mazzy!

[@OMW66]

Hi again Mazzy! Did you get those records FREE!!

[@mazzysmusic]

No I did nor

[@bobbybrooks4826]

DUDE,, maybe you did it before , but I think it's incumbent on you to do a show that states or proves why vinyl is BETTER or different or to be desired more than digital

[@josemorenorahn]

Zappa releases this and every year are top 3 audiophile records in my opinion. I'm missing three Dylan Mofi titles, they all sounds incredible.

[@vinylrulesok8470]

Whilst I appreciate the quality of Music Matters’ output it is irritating how quickly these new reissues sell out. Thank god Blue Note issued their classic series. Frankly one shouldn’t have to pay $60 for a good copy of The Sidewinder or Coltrane’s Blue Train. These are albums which should be available to all and good quality pressings should be in print

[@leoarreaza9131]

I completely agree with you! Truly enjoy the pristine quality of sound of the Blue Note Classic Series! Waiting for Wayne Shorter “Speak no evil” in January!

[@obastan]

Gene Ammons most underrated tenor in Jazz. Must have some of his older 1956 recordings lying around, I can't find them . Prestige or Bluenote

[@jamesboyce4000]

The Getz/Gilberto album is fantastic. I bought it for a friend's birthday in April and he loves it. Dylan is my Billy Joel Mazzy, I've tried but I just can't get into Dylan at all, it's a cliche but the voice just grates like fingers on a blackboard.

[@davidbryanbartlett4071]

Madsy hope you have Canadian pressing they are much much better than US-I used to be a Collector

[@peterrech2307]

2020 has been a terrible year, covid lockdowns, bushfires and floods here in Australia, can only get better. Have a happy 2021

[@mazzysmusic]

Yeah. These videos have kept me grounded. Cheers back at you 🌟

[@peterrech2307]

@@mazzysmusic Watching the videos that i sub to has done same for me, i actually look forward to logging in and seeing who has poseted something i can watch.....enjoy music

[@michaelmarshall4779]

Cool list! Not to sound like a snob but Gilberto from Getz/Gilberto is pronounced “Jill-Ber-To”

[@ronaldschuurman3967]

Ah Bob Dylan - Desire, such a great album. Do you have Nina Simone: The Colpix Singles (Mono) Vinyl LP in your collection? That is really worth the listening.

[@mazzysmusic]

Yeah I have the Coolpix LP. An entirely different sound. Rockin poppin soulful.

[@happyhippythevinylguy]

Fuck it you talked me into ordering that sidewinder album I was on the fence about it I most ordered it a day and I put it off.

[@colinhathaway9493]

Bought it myself cos of watching Michael at 45rpm. It’s a great album

[@michelraffin7006]

Do you still listen,to cd (what a collection on the shelves behind you!!!)as you show only vinyl?and if so what is you cd driver ? Thanks for your videos

[@mazzysmusic]

Yes CDs mostly down here in my office but upstairs too. My main system included an Oppo 205 and downstairs a Rotel.

[@michelraffin7006]

@@mazzysmusic thanks for your answer… in fact actually i only listen vinyls but like you,i have a lot ,a lot of cd and some sacd …i have a kenwood driver i bought in 1988 , and i just wondering if it was actually a good idea to buy a better cd player from now (i look for the yamaha cd2100) and if it will help;listen to my cd collection…what d’ you think?

[@mazzysmusic]

@@michelraffin7006 it’s all about the music. Don’t know a lot about specific gear but Yamaha is good stuff. I used to have a Yamaha amp.

[@michelraffin7006]

@@mazzysmusic but in fact what i,wantedvto know it s if with your very good cd player, you still have pleasure to listen to cd and you,do;listennto them as i think,you,prefer listening to your vinyl collection …i just wonder if it s worth buying a very good cd player ,or to,keep my, not so good old one, as i listen a lot of vinyl too

[@mazzysmusic]

@@michelraffin7006 well if CDs are your main collection then get the best Ive you can. And used CDs are very cheap now. I listen to CDs a lot when I’m working or doing things. Vinyl when I’m paying more attention

[@snakebite69]

For David.

[@theheepster]

Finally, someone who tells the truth about the completely exaggerated UHQR boxes. In the US, they cost $125, which is almost cheap. Here in Germany, they cost 199 euros, which is 230 dollars. That is turbo capitalism. MFSL 45 rpm releases cost 91 dollars in Germany. I boycott these labels and only buy audiophile releases from the Blue Note Classic series and Speakers Corner. Here you get excellent sounding vinyl for 27 dollars. Hey Mazzy greetings from Germany.

[@beatleman4paul288]

Did you ever hear of dol label or wax time label are they any good records

[@mazzysmusic]

No. They are basically vinyl pressed from CD rips. Euro Grey market with no royalties to the artist estates.

[@ignatiusjackson235]

LEE MORGAN!!! ❤

[@dippin1523]

Music Matters are the best analog records ever produced by anyone.

[@audiophilesallowed6479]

Too much info on Getz, Mazzy. 🤣

[@mazzysmusic]

Gotta shake things up a bit 😎😘

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

Give me 33rpm any day, the difference in sound quality doesn't make up for the flipping and the ruin of the flow of an album

[@MarcusBeard]

It depends. In general I wouldn't bother, but some 45s are astonishing and better on a revealing system.

[@zacksjazz9172]

How can you spend $50+ on a audiophile record and not love the music? Doesn't make any sense to me. If any one buys this way I would love to hear your reasoning.

[@mazzysmusic]

I love the music on these records. I’d always check out the music first before dropping $50 or more on a title.

[@zacksjazz9172]

@@mazzysmusic Not referring to you sorry i meant in general not you, but maybe if other people do this. Idk just seems crazy to me if there are people out there that buy music only for the sound quality.

[@jackfalco5351]

just got my first Tone Poet lp. sound like total shit. guess the tapes are too far gone. buy the cds. at least they sound like Blue Notes. guess somebody never heard an original Blue Note?

[@qwer8907]

is this a advetisement its boring

[@NiklasMalmqvist]

14 minutes in and its all jazz jazz jazz.....I HATE jazz! Why do people like it so much? I have tried over and over again to listen to it, but the sound of saxophone and trumpets are torture to my ears! Also these stupid brushes they use on their drum sets sounds awful as well.

[@wk4max263]

You know what they say...opinions are like assholes..everybody has one!