Windham Hill an audiophile label?


I've been revisiting all of the early Windham Hill Records releases as part of a project detailing the Windham Hill Discography (you can see the site at http://windhaming.wordpress.com )

In my project I reprint all of the original liner notes and credits, and I've recently interviewed Harn Soper and Russell Bond of The Music Annex in Menlo Park where many of the classic Windham Hill albums were recorded (George Winston's Autumn, to name one.)

A typical Windham Hill album from 1980 to 1986 was:
- recorded direct to two-track, with minimal or no reverb at 30 inches per second
- Mastered by Stan Ricker at Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs
- Matrixed and pressed at RTI - Record Technology in Camarillo, CA
- Pressed using Quiex vinyl.

What do you think? Are any Windham Hill albums an important part of your audiophile collection? What are your observations on the sound?

(As an aside, I've also heard that they released original reel-to-reel recordings recording in "real-time" directly of the masters, and were a leader in chromium cassettes. Interesting details.)
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The mention of Michel Hedges here has made me feel good today as i read through this thread. Thanks guys!! I must try and find that Red Rocks DVD as i have tried to find the "Artist Profile" that was available on VHS but never printed to DVD. That is such a shame. I spoke with Michael Manring (who was Hedge's bass player often and a great person) about this matter one on one and he told me it was down to one individual making all of these decisions and he kind of shook his head about it all but didn't go much further. So i am surprised to hear that there is a Red Rocks DVD out there of Michael Hedges. I will be trying to find that one now!
and Jaybo!! Nam Myoho Renge Kyo !! The devotion to - the universal law - of cause and effect- through sound! Right on!!
"Shadowfax" recorded on Windham Hill and "Shadowfax" made "Audiophile" music, unless I'm a junebug.
Hey Orpheus10,

Yes, Shadowfax sure counts in my book. I just posted the details for their first album - I've been replaying it and the detail and atmosphere on that recording is superb. Bassist Phil Maggini has been very active lately posting lots of links to music.