DSD is breathtaking indeed! Recent editions sound best for a reason and I really hope analog purists will start to treasure digital for its capabilities, qualities, conveniences, restoration abilities,...
Only two years have passed since this beautiful video on RU-vid, and everything has changed. Here we have enthusiasm and love for the hobby, and today, two years later, we mostly have interest and valuations. What a degradation of the hobby. We need more videos like this.👍
Beck / Sea Change dbl LP Bob Dylan / Blonde On Blonde 3x45 Box Bob Dylan / John Wesley Harding - mono 2x45 Dave Alvin / Blackjack David dbl LP Elvis Costello / Get Happy 2x45 Frank Sinatra / Sings For Only The Lonely - mono LP Los Lobos / Kiko LP Miles Davis / Filles de Kilimanjaro 2x45 Miles Davis / Miles Smiles 2x45 Rickie Lee Jones / Pirates LP REM / Murmur LP Bill Evans Trio / Sunday At The Village Vanguard One Step Bob Dylan / Blood On The Tracks One Step Charles Mingus / Mingus Ah Um One Step Thelonious Monk Quartet / Monks Dream One Step Some of the same titles - interesting video as always Michael
You need to check out the older mobile Fidelity’s version of Little Feat Waiting for Columbus! The older version of it is much better that the newer. Some of the best sound quality on a record and great, fun music!
always a pleasure to discover your recommendations, these two mingus are marvels. mingus mingus is my end of year purchase. I'm waiting for the rest ...
You're a great ambassador to the sport Michael. I was so lucky as my sister was a executive with Warehouse Records in the 80's & my uncle was Frank Zappa's manager my cup runneth over with nearly every Mofi as well white label promo's galore
The Dire Straits releases (these are INCREDIBLE, surprising not mentioned) Still Crazy After All These Years Eagles (self titled) Raising Hell The Spinners Fleetwood Mac (self titled)… These are all GREAT. I appreciate the video; I wish there were more more talked about the older releases from way back, ones from the ‘70s and ‘80s. But can only talk about the ones you own obviously.
Another great video-MoFi has been such a big part of my vinyl experience for so many years now. An audiophile buddy brought over his copy of Jeff Beck’s truth recently, it really knocked me out. MFSL releases from the old Stan Ricker JVC super vinyl era that I revisit often include the Beatles-Abbey Road, Gordon Lightfoot-Sundown, The Band-Music From Big Pink, Steely Dan-Aja, Fleetwood Mac-self titled, Resphigi Pines of Rome and Fountains of Rome/Lorin Maazel and the Cleveland Orchestra, Supertramp-Crime of the Century, Gino Vanelli-Powerful People and Al Stewart-Year of the Cat are all longtime favorites. In the current era, Frank Sinatra-Sinatra’s Swingin’ Session, Dean Martin-This Time I’m Swingin’, Supertramp-Breakfast in America, and Alan Parsons Project-I Robot are all in heavy rotation, as are the Elvis Costello reissues (I am especially fond of King of America, my favorite Elvis record).
Great video and some album I might check out. I m getting more and more in Mofi and bought a few lately on second market. My latest ones where Santana and Dire Straight first albums in 45rpm. They sound fantastic. Take care. Olivier
I agree with your comments on the Blood on the tracks one step! Superb. Glad to see you are a fan of Dead can dance too. I remember seeing them live in a very different configuration in the early eighties here in Melbourne. I have the MoFi pressing of Into the labyrinth which is fantastic too.
Hi, I recently found your channel and I have to say it makes me very happy. I really like your presentation, it is relaxing hearing you talk and even though I cannot afford to buy records I love music with a passion and somehow your enthusiasm and pleasure is enough for me. Keep sharing your passion for a long time to come and thank you!
Great video as always....Love the RUN DMC and the Allman Brothers...and the Highway 61...You talk about these records the way people talk about wine...its cool...What makes the mobile fidelity releases better than like an OG pressing of these records? Are there cases where the mobile fidelity was not that great for you?
Great selection. My 15: I love all the One Steps that I have, maybe my favorites are Mingus Ah Um (1), Monk’s Dream (2) and Blood on the Tracks (3). Other favorites: - all of the second great Miles quintet are spectacular, but I think my favorite is Nefertiti (4). - Probably my favorite Miles album is also In a Silent Way (5). The MoFi pressing is fantastic. - The Band - S / T (6). One of my favorite records of all time. It sounds very different from the first pressing mastered by Robert Ludwig, but both are great. Music from Big Pink is also another favorite (7) - Dylan's are amazing. Desire (8) is not my favorite album of his, but the MoFi sounds spectacular. - Tapestry does not bore me (9). It is one of my favorite albums and I am looking forward to One Step. - Surrealistic Pillow (10), another of my favorite albums. I listen to it almost every weekend - American Beauty (11). I love how acoustic guitars sound. - Sea Change (12). For everything you already commented. - Get Happy (13) and King of America (14) - Aretha’s Gold (15). Very punchy. There are so many more (Fragile One Step is another favorite)
If one likes Cash I can also recommend: ‚American IV: The man comes around‘ and ,American V:Hundred highways‘ …don’t know if available at MFSL …but anyway: great recordings shortly before J.Cash passed away …his voice already sounds broken…very intimate.
Excellent list! MFSL has such a wide range of releases that I think we all could come up with a list of 15 titles and they would be different. That’s the sign of a great product, I’d say. Always good to see Miles Davis and Bob Dylan, but I’m really psyched to see Elvis Costello made your list. I just got a copy of his “King of America” album last week and it hasn’t left my deck since.
I agree with many of the records, but I think you forgot Dire Straits and Tears For Fears. From the old MoFi's, I will highlight Beatles - Revolver and John Lennon - Imagine. At least at the time, when they came out, MoFi lifted these albums to a higher level and that is difficult to forget.
I agree with most of your selections of MFSL titles. I do have one of the older titles. My MFSL vinyl records and gold cds i will cheerish until i can't hear anymore.
It’s funny, I’ve got a number of these that your showcasing. And 3 years ago I could’ve bought these for 39.99 US and i debated the cost. Now they are all at least 100. Crazy.
My favourite Michael? Easy as I only have one! Hope to improve on that, particularly with Bob Dylan, a lifetime obsession. BTW, it’s the Jeff Beck album. Loved the video, thank you once again for taking the time to educate and entertain us.
There was the middle period of MoFi when vinyl died,but they kept producing before the MD takeover. This is the period most of mine are from. My favorites are ELP Trilogy and Pink Floyd Atom Heart Mother.
Tarkus is excellent also. I also have many of the anadisq 200's and the first generation of Mo-Fi's. Linda Rondstadt with Nelson Riddle from the first go round is amazing.
This is really good info. I just got my first mofi last week (eagles- desperado). Mesmerizing sound. There’s some albums on here that I want- sometimes we have to bite the bullet and spend some money. Thanks!
That Dead Can Dance is actually from the original master tapes. There’s a comment about it on the back cover. I’m not sure why they used the MFSL banner instead
My Mofi Highlights are: Steely Dan - Aja The Cars - same Foreigner - same Santana - Abraxas Supertramp - Crime of the Century Styx - The Grand Illusion Boston - Same (my favorite) Pink Floyd - Dark side of the moon Dire Straits - Same (45rpm) Dire Straits - Making Movies (45rpm) Steve Miller Band - Fly like an eagle Little Feat - Waiting for Columbus You see, a little more Rock oriented.
I enjoyed this video because it was apparent how much you were enjoying it. Decades of buying, selling and trading LPs and other media and I've never owned a MoFi - until now. My wife gift me 'Porgy and Bess' - Miles Davis for my birthday last month. Just took a pass on the MoFi 'Kind of Blue' as I don't trust the sellers grading - maybe I'll regret that by next weekend... Nilsson LPs on my horizon this holiday season I think.
I agree with many of your selections, and agree that MOFI's more recent editions are largely superior to the pre-Wunderlich era. I see that you do not include the Bill Evans One Steps, which I think are fantastic, but presumably you prefer the ERC versions, which I have not heard. From the current era, there are many, but I would probably include the Monk's Dream One-Step and Donald Fagan's The Nightfly One Step, and from the past, Alison Krauss and Union Station Live 3LP box (Britton and Ricker).
My favorite MoFi in my collection is an old second year Japan Super Vinyl of Steve Miller Band - Fly Like an Eagle it is truly holographic. I don't have the Beck but have heard it and it is truly amazing. I think you will like the Desperado One Step once yours arrive. PS: Your sound and lighting are tuned in nice now!
Great video Michael. Nice selection! I personally enjoy listening to classical music on vinyl and the older MOFI's (MFSL 1-5XX series) sound absolutely fantastic. Agreed with Electric Warrior, simply stunning. I've been trying to get a copy of spiritchaser for a while. I will get it, I'm on a mission :) Cheers
Yes, I also love some of these classical titles, as said above. For example, the "Rite of Spring" with Muti is absolute reference quality. And the UHQR of Respighi's Feste Romane is a killer record. Of course they mostly selected recordings that already sounded fantastic in the original pressings - British EMIs and Deccas. Another astonishing feat is that they often succeeded in achieving this amount of dynamics with very long record durations, for instance, the "Carmina Burana" is more than half an hour on one side! This makes the LPs sometimes very critical to reproduce. For example, if you succeed in playing the last minutes of the fourth movement of the Beethoven 9th on MFSL without any audible distortion in the inner grooves, you can be assured that your system is of high quality and perfectly aligned.
@@TheMrMoosy Do you mean between MFSL and Speakers Corner? They both did the Decca Maazel recording. Classic Records and Analogue Productions did the Living Stereo recording with Fritz Reiner. Which is absolutely fantastic, too. Or do you mean you want to compare the interpretations of Maazel and Reiner? This would also be highly interesting, of course.
Hi Michael, another great video. Looks like I missed out again on Charles Mingus! Do you know about the shipping rates and complicated setup at Discogs? I want to start selling some vinyl and completely stumped how to get into their hard to follow system. Any recommendations? Thank you.
Dang it Michael! Once again you talked me into spending more money. I just paused the video to order I Walk the Line. Lol. I can’t wait to listen to it. Great list. I own 6 you mentioned and I totally agree with you. Cheers!
@@Michael45RPM Exodus UK Island 1st Pressing (Sterling A-2 / B EG) sounds as good as the Mfsl (by the way a good remastering job, with some little "smiley" EQ). The orig UK sounds a little more natural, with the "magic" midrange. You can hear the difference when you play it LOUD, as it is intended to be played Best MFSL i have owned : Santana Abraxas 2x45 Rpm ONE STEP + Bill Evans Sunday at The Village Vanguard ONE STEP ! Both sold😀
Excellent video, Michael. My favorite band is The Pixies, and MoFi released all of their first 4 albums @ 33 rpm as Original Master Recordings. They’re not necessarily my favorite pressings, but as you mentioned, it’s just cool to have them! They also did an Original Master Recording on 2xLP @ 45 rpm of Natalie Merchant’s, “Tigerlily” in 2008. The album came out in like 1994 on CD and no LP until ‘08, even though it was recorded to tape. It’s one of the best sounding records in my collection. Thanks, Michael!
@@rhythmgtr5 Hi there 👋 The Pixies are one of those bands that I collected a ton of their vinyl discography. As far as the first 4 LP’s, because some of the originals are so difficult to track down in good condition, I’d personally recommend the 2004 reissues for Surfer Rosa, Doolittle, Bossanova, and Trompe Le Monde. Also, their first EP, Come on Pilgrim and their demos called “the purple tape” are essential, but only if you’re really getting into collecting them. The 2004 reissues sound just fine, but if you can track down an original in good condition, I’d go for that. Hope that was more helpful than confusing. lol. Have a good one 👍🔊🎶
@@rhythmgtr5 For whatever reason, this comment just popped up in my email, and I want to apologize that I failed to tell you the best sounding and preferred pressings, imo. For Surfer Rosa, I’d say the UK original is excellent. Doolittle, there’s a U.S. promo copy that last time I checked can be found somewhat easily. For Bossanova and Trompe Le Monde, the UK originals are excellent, and the US originals are great too. All the MoFi pressings sound fantastic, but the prices as of now have unfortunately gotten pretty ridiculous. 🔊🎶😊
Thanks Michael, since you rated Spiritchaser so highly I purchased a copy. Not a MFSL edition, but to me it still sounds great. I've bought a few records based on your reviews now :)
Hi. Congratulations on your channel, I always come here for your recommendations . I have one question : What brand of gatefold outer sleeves are you using? Can you get them in Europe? Thank you.
If it says Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab atop the cover it doesnt strictly mean it isnt from the original master tape it just means they couldnt be certain that they had the original master tape to hand but that it could be, usually because nothing would indicate it
I cannot really say what are my favourites from MFSL, but I have lots of their LPs from the first incarnation (pressed on the wonderful Japanese JVC vinyl), the second incarnation from the nineties (Anadisq) and the current series. Would have to think about it, but your video inspires me to relisten to some of them again, and this is certainly not a bad idea. 🙂
One thing I personally think is a pity is that they stopped releasing classical music titles altogether when they resumed LP production in the mid-nineties. But then again, we already had Classic Records, Analogue Productions, Speakers Corner etc. on the market in the meantime. By the way, I was rather shocked when I recently discovered what people are paying for Pink Floyd's Meddle and Atom Heart Mother on MFSL nowadays. I bought them new back then for the regular price.
Another fact most people do not know: Mobile Fidelity existed already in the sixties, in fact the oldest LP I have from them is from 1961. It is called "Steam Railroading under Thundering Skies". In these earlier days, the label concentrated on recordings of ambient sounds and mostly steam trains. I guess this is why they called themselves "Mobile Fidelity" in the first place, as the recordings were made "on the road" and not in a studio. And much later this evolved into Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab - MFSL. One of the first MFSL LPs was still in this vein - one side is recordings of different stream trains in motion and the other side is a recording of a thunderstorm. And for me, this LP - it is called "The Power and the Majesty" - remains one of the best sounding LPs of all time, on a good system it is just awe-inspiring with its dynamics, naturalness and transparency. And interestingly enough, it is not expensive at all even today.
I fully agree on Blood On the Tracks and In a Silent Way ! Other amazing ones are to me: LZ - LZII BS&T - BS&T Isaac Hayes - Hot Buttered Soul Miles Davis - Bitches Brew Parsons - I Robot B-52's - B-52's ABB - ABB ABB - At Fillmore East Dire Straits - Love Over Gold Ellington at Newport Love - Forever Changes
Great review of MFSL vinyl. I love the packaging and high quality of their mastering. My two favorite MFSL releases are Roy Orbison's, The All-Time Greatest Hits of, and Johnny Cash's, Walk the Line. The sound of these two MFSL releases is amazing in both sound balance and clarity. After watching the video, what outer sleeves were you using to cover the gatefold so you can open like a book? I have not seen those before and would like to pick some up!
I managed to get Paradise and lunch (Ry colder) pressing number 746 and Oh Mercy (Bob Dylan) the Dylan I had on pre order for over a year! compared it to my 1st US pressing which was already great! but Mobile Fidelity managed to squeeze a little more vibe out of those masters.
Love that Dead Can Dance album! Need to buy the vinyl! Any advice where I can buy that versions? Thank you for all these testimonies. Greetings from Portugal.
Fascinating and enjoyable (as usual) vid Michael....when I was 18 years old in 1969 there were two albums that were on high rotation on my plastic portable record player...TRUTH and LED ZEP 1....TRUTH came out first and I thought nothing could beat it...until,LED ZEP 1...the sonics of ZEP was SO much clearer and much more powerful than TRUTH....BECK-OLA the follow up album is sonically superior and much "heavier" than TRUTH...if it gets re-released on vinyl I can recommend it
Michael, thank you for your great videos. Can you please tell us where are the best places to buy Mobile fidelity, Analogue productions and other audiophile vinyl releases in EU?
Great choices! Though I don't have a ton of them, I really appreciate the overall quality. My highlights include Jeff Beck, Curtis Mayfield Superfly, Dylan's Times They Are A-changin' in mono, Grateful Dead-Mars Hotel, and Ry Cooder-Boomer's Story
Thanks for the explanation about the top banner. I'd also like to understand the Mofi website listings of "Sold Out" vs "Awaiting Repress" vs "Out of Stock". I know it's not your website, but can you help me with what those mean?
I'm actually looking forward to Carole King's Tapestry One Step as that is one of my favorite albums of all time. That being said, of the mofi albums I have, I think one of my favorites is the Elvis Costello/Burt Bacharach album.
"In a Silent Way" is also my favorite Miles Davis' album. Only thing about it which isn't great is not so silent hiss you can hear during quiet parts. Is it also a thing on audiophile vinyls?
I'm dying to get the MoFi release of Marc Cohn's first album. Because in its standard original format, it's a fantastic sounding record. So I would love to hear what MoFi did with it.
Michael, this has nothing to do with this vid but wanted to ask you if you have or have listened to “The lost recordings “ Art Blakey that is available for pre-order (2nd pressing) at Acoustic Sounds. How does it sound and quality if you know. Thx
Im lucky to own an extensive collection of MFSL records, never CD;s, , but only two out this list, clearly MFSL is the best quality sound records, it all depend on your taste of music, great video though.
@@Michael45RPM nice! That one is out of my price range unfortunately. I have my eye on the 33rpm version but will have to be a treat as not cheap on the grey market.
@@ffyddgobaithcariad9923 I have the 33rpm and the One Step. Both are killer sounding, you won't be disappointed if you manage to grab one. One step is better on sound, but the 33 is awesome and allows the music to flow better than the 45rpm imo. Are you in Wales - noting your name?
@@ianemptage2822 thanks Ian. Yes I’m in Wales. The 33rpm is preferred due to the flow just wondering how much of an upgrade it would compared to “standard” version (which is good for standard vinyl)
