I have yet to hear a recording of sonic excellence. Nothihg (and no one) so far can capture sounds realistically. I will name artists whom I like most: Miles Davis (from 1969 to 1975), John McLaughlin (his original two Mahavishnu Orchestras, his Indian period, his extraodinary trio with Paco de Lucia and Al Di Meola, "Que Allegria" album), Paco de Lucia (his "Siroco" is, I think, the best flamenco ever composed and played), Al Di Meola ("Ciello a Terra" and "Heart of the Immigrants"), Dead Can Dance (everything but their first album). No other names of such a caliber on the horizon. Compared to them the rest sounds helpless and hopeless.