What readily available LP's should I consider


After many years of chasing "perfect" digital playback, I’ve ordered a new vinyl playback rig, and am dusting off my old vinyl, and am so to speak, going back to the future.

While I've found many posts, web sites etc., with vintage vinyl recommendations, finding a list of well-recorded, excellent-sounding new, or READILY available pressings, has not been so easy.

What highly prized, must have LP's, should I be looking for? As most of us, my musical tastes are quite varied, and with the exception of rap, hip-hop, and opera (quite a combination huh?), I'm open to your list of EASILY procurable, LP's to die for.
128x128mrmb
I think the latest 180g virgin 30th anniversary Pink Floyd "Dark Side of the Moon" pressing sounds great, if that's your thing. I also have an 70's era "plain jane" pressing that collects dust now. Someone mentioned the 4 LP Echoes set. I borrowed this set from a friend and thought the quality of the vinyl was fine, but I refused to buy it when I found that the version of "Echoes" was abridged--just shameful, shame shame!

I also enjoy the Classic Records 200g "Kind of Blue". Very nice quality vinyl.

Both are cliche "everyone's got em" albums, I must apologize, but I've found these to be very good quality pressings of popular choices and both are readily available as new.

If you're into Radiohead, the 10" Kid A pressing sounds wonderful...the Smash OK computer and the Bends are also very nice vinyls.

If you dig Portisehead, the Go virgins sound lovely.

All available brand spankin' new, though I did find that as the Smash Radioheads are imported to the US (not sure where you are), you need to stick with a place that deals in imports. I live a block away from an import shop so I don't know where online to get them, but they're out there, sealed, waitin' for ya.

$.02, cash tendered ;)
Rushton's choices are superb. If I might just add one more in his folk category (along with the incredible Doc Watson LPs) I would include Eva Cassidy "Songbird" 180g issue on S&P Records (S&P-501).
In the jazz category, Classic Records 180g reissue of Coleman Hawkins "Night Hawk" originally Prestige Swingville 2016
Dirtyragamuffin: I was wondering about the 30th anniversary Pink Floyd "Dark Side of the Moon". I too have an early 1970's pressing. When I purchased my first "real" system -- JVC Integrated, Dual Table, ESS Heil AMT 3 Speakers -- I recall phoning the audio shop asking the name of the lp that I had just heard -- yep, it was "Dark Side of the Moon".
Rushton: I will let ya know my purchases and thoughts. While I'm excited in procuring new lp's to add to my -- archived from my youth -- collection, I'm even more excited waiting to receive, and set-up a recently ordered Galibier Quattro Table, with Tri-Planar Tonearm. With a hunks of cash attached to each foot, it’s safe to say that I'm jumping back into vinyl with both feet.
Nostalgia has set in! Man, am I looking forward to playing some of my vinyl that hasn't seen the light of day for over 2-decades -- it's 'bout time isn't it?
Mrmb, if you've never cleaned your LPs, do yourself a big favor and clean them with either the Disc Doctor (my preference) or Record Research cleaning fluids. Do the same with all the new vinyl you buy BEFORE playing for the first time. With the investment you're making in your TT setup, you'll find this cleaning step very rewarding both in how it keeps your records from developing pops, tick and crackles, and how much better it will make them sound.

Good luck!