Mastersound gold compact discs

 This week we're moving away from photography and more towards music

These mastersound gold cd's came out during the mid 1990's and I bought several of them as they purported to from the original mastertapes and were a bit cheaper than those issued by so-called 'audiophile' labels such as MFSL and DCC.

They were a mixed bag - I couldn't get on with the issue of Boston S/T being screechy replacing that by a regular US version - and failed to see the sense and trying to make a audiophile issue of Bat Out of Hell, an album that has lots of mixing issues whatever you might think of it musically.

Miles Davis's Kind Of Blue benefited from a new stereo mixdown with the tapes run at the correct speed and a more richer sound than the 1986 Jazz Classics cd issue.

For me the 52nd Street and Infinity albums remain the preferred digital versions despite newer remasters emerging.

People still argue about Reo Speedwagon's Hi Infidelity album on cd and for me nothing beats a good original lp version.

The original Japan for Europe Issue I bought back in 1987 has it's strong points such as the smooth mid range but the lowest notes are reduced and the hi hats on Keep On Loving You are over emphasized.

The Mastersounds has a few drop outs on what was side one and may sound  bit more processed but to me sounds more balenced overall.

Audiophiles also argue about Tapestry, the classic 1971 Carol King album but for me it's all about the mids and this mastering focuses on her voice.

One that's beyond argument is this, the forth Toto album with it's massive hits, Rosanna, Africa and I Won't Hold You Back which was exceptionally well recorded and I still feel holds a sublime mix of songwriting, arranging and performance.

The rear design of whole series is very much like this with the heavy duty textured slip cover and gold embossed text which is just beautiful.