As already stated, there are good and not so good instrumentals, particularly with regard to the ones more famed for their vocal counterparts, however there are in my humble opinion exceptions to the rule, take Bari Track and Milton wright for examples, compared to some of the Motown "backing tracks", (and whilst I'm certainly not anti Motown and am appreciative of the Funk brothers etc.) sometimes I cringe when hearing some of them, particularly when played at a venue. Having said that I've heard one or two instrumentals that sound better than the vocal itself
There are one or two instrumentals I'd be interested to know whether vocals actually existed of them, the likes of the superb Theo Coff explosion on Dearborn, and Earl Wright -Thumb a ride, or earlier tracks like Bok to Bach. Incidentally has there been a thread relating to vocals/instrumentals, in the past?