These are some that I consider reference quality. I'm sure others will have their own selections to suggest.

Jacintha Here's to Ben
This was recorded live to 2 tracks. No studio overdubbing and sweetening was done.

Holly Cole Shade
All her recordings are top notch with terrific sound.

Donald Fagen The Nightfly
One of the best recorded pop albums ever.

Bela Fleck and The Flecktones Flight Of The Cosmic Hippo
Super sound with some really low bass.

Tim Weisberg Undercover
Others may not agree but the version of Summertime on this disk is right down my alley.

I use a variety of recordings as reference. What someone considers reference recordings is a relatively personal choice. For the most part, any recording that exhibits important characteristics of sound reproduction is a legitimate reference.

If someone has a particular like for a certain song, disc or style of music, that can easily translate into a reference recording.

As a general rule of thumb, I think it's important to have several styles of music as reference material. Compilation discs like "Chesky's Ultimate Demo Disc" or JA's own compilation and test discs, offer a good mix of reproduction aspects and can be useful once you become very familiar with the tunes. However, there is absolutely no substitute for being intimately familiar with whatever music you choose to use as a reference. My entire recording library has become reference material...for better or worse.

I agree with you. I just picked a few that are standouts in my collection.

I read where somebody (Brian Damkroger I think, the mag's upstairs) used the maracas on Dead Can Dance's "The Labyrinth". Still a good one.