Hello all, I am looking for opinons on the best sounding EWF. I am a fan of warm, analogue sound that blossoms when I turn it up. I do not like compressed, digital, bright sound. Can be cd or sacd, but it should be the following albums: 1. Open Our Eyes 2. That's the Way of the World 3. Spirit 4. All 'N' All I am very curious to know if the mastering on the 32DPs of #2 and #4 is the same as their other non-remastered counterparts? Thanks for your thoughts.... Scott
other than vinyl, the MFSL 'That's The Way Of The World' SACD is ok, nothing real special imo. The real winner is the Sony Mastersound gold disc for All "N' All (haven't heard the Japanese sacd).
I Would recommend the -99 (?) remastered versions of 3 & 4, with bonus tracks. They sound great! (Personally I find the All n All Mastersound totally lifeless & dead).
The real winner is the Sony Mastersound gold disc for All "N' All (haven't heard the Japanese sacd). Personally I find the All n All Mastersound totally lifeless & dead). Wow, talk about 180 degrees difference! What the funk's a guy gonna do?!
I personally believe that no compression whatsoever was added to the Mastersound. In many cases this can be a very good thing. Since this is a "funk" album, i dont think it manages without a little oomph. The remasterings are very tastefully Done. Also, many "rare" cds are usually overrated imo.
All 'N' All Mastersound is a very dynamic cd, you just turn up your volume knob to play it in all its glory. It's still clear as a bell.
scocs, if you want warm then try to find Gratitude (CK 33694). Alive In '75 sacd is also a good one. Note - the mastersound I suggested earlier may be a touch to bright for you in regards to the first song. If so turn up the bass.
Thanks for the input. I am still trying to determine if the 32DPs of TRWOTW and ANA (first Japan pressings) utilize the same mastering as the standard US releases. It's funny how much info is on the forum regarding "classic rock" but not that much on the Funk when it comes to older releases....
No question that the Japanese SACD of "All-N-All" is a truly great sounding disc, one of my favorite SACD's, but long out of print and going for crazy $$$'s. I have to agree with member "Say", who said that the MFSL SACD of "That's The Way..." was o.k., but not essential, in fact it was quite a disappointment, to be honest!
it may have touched a few audiophile buttons in regards to clarity but the mid-range is too overwhelming (grating), and is compressed to boot. It just isn't all that pleasant of a long term listen. However, ymmv.
now that hot buttered soul is a good one. What a nice album and production. Can You Dig It (Ultimate Hits) is also a nice one as is Black Moses being a remaster.
Not a big Earth, Wind and Fire fan, but I must agree that the Sony Mastersound of "All 'N' All" is a real knockout in terms of sound quality. I have the first edition that came in that special longbox that opens up (I don't know if the mastering changed after they went to a more regular package).
Same as mine, sounds good to me. Even the crappiest versions of this one should never be described as dull and lifeless. The pinnacle of their career!
The current CD remasters out there will fit the bill. I recently A/B'd a bunch of EWF CD remasters with their original vinyl counterparts, and they pretty much matched, with the CDs sounding a tad clearer. This is when I confirmed that MFSL boosted the highs on their CD or "That's The Way Of The World". Obviously, my standard are the original vinyl albums. Mark Wilder got it right. Everyone else, like MFSL and the Japanese are just dicking around with the sound. Also, the Columbia remaster of "I Am" has the full length version of the song "You And I".
Oh, & don't forget my favourite track! "Diana"! The horn arr. on that track is one of the best EWF ever! I will never understand how that track didn't end up on the album. They should've scrapped "Boogie Wonderland". That track is so misplaced on "I Am" it isn't even funny. IMO the worst EWF track ever. Well, I guess it made them millions $$$ though...
and the Japanese are just dicking around with the sound. You mean nowadays with things mini-lp cds or do you mean like blu-ray cds?
For me, The Columbia Masters box set sounds fantastic and its one stop shopping. Win Win for me. Regards, Steve