Back catalogue: All genres

Review: For many people of a certain generation. Shawshank Redemption was the first grown-up film they ever saw which is why it is atop so many best-ever lists. No matter when you see it though, it remains a classic with an engaging story, great characters and an immersive soundtrack. To mark the 30th anniversary of the great movie, that soundtrack has now been pressed up on limited, numbered 180-gram audiophile black & white marbled vinyl with an insert. Plenty of the film's musical motifs and most memorable scenes feature and make for a great stand-alone listen.

Review: Dutch keyboard player Fred van Zegveld's 1969 release is a high-voltage display of Hammond organ wizardry, stretching across jazz, soul and r&b with unshakable confidence. His originals, like 'Family Blues' and 'Blue Organ,' are thick with groove, their choppy rhythms and swelling chords bouncing off Ruud Jacobs' steady basslines and Louis de Bey's crisp, unfussy drumming. The title track channels that same energy into a slow-burning, percussive churn, each phrase pulling tighter before van Zegveld lets loose with another spiralling run. His approach to covers is just as striking. 'Misty' drifts into smoky, late-night territory, drenched in shimmering vibrato, while 'I Wanna Be Your Man' ditches the Beatles' pop polish for something grittier, the organ growling over a rolling rhythm section. There's a looseness to the playing, a sense that the band is locked in but always on the edge of cutting loose. The whole record moves with a natural, in-the-room warmthivan Zegveld doesn't just play the Hammond, he makes it breathe, pulling back for hushed, introspective moments before launching into ecstatic swells.

Review: Vangelis best-of compilations have been a fixture of the popular music landscape since at least the late 80s, owing to the fact that this sagaciously bearded bard fulfils something of the visual archetype of the multi-talented film compositional genius. But you'll likely find that most of them exist on cassette, and'll be languishing sadly in bargain bins, given decades of wear. That all changes with Music On Vinyl's new reissue of the first ever vinyl comp to essentialise Vangelis' skyscraping career, 1993's Best Of: which reaches the highest firmament point of the late composer's repertoire. From compositional climaxes like 'Alpha' and 'To The Unknown Man' to prog-adjacent collabs such as 'Long Ago, So Clear' (featuring Jon Anderson from the band Yes), the album impresses all the best themes and motifs in the annals of latter-20th Century directorial greatness, including Blade Runner, Alexander, Chariots Of Fire, Antarctica, and The Bounty.

Review: By 1996 Greek synth composer extraordinaire Vangelis - real name Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou - had become such an icon of electronic music not one but two retrospective anthologies arrived around the same time. Not bad considering this was only around halfway through his recording career, and in many ways his work was still in an evolutionary process. Gift was one of those compilations, and focuses attention on the first four records made by this Hellenic legend. Starting out with work from 1975's Heaven & Hell, from which an excerpt of the original (rather longwinded) 'Heaven & Hell Part II' has been lifted, we also get 'So Long Ago, So Clear', the artist's first collaboration with Jon Anderson (the musician-singer-songwriter whose name is credited on several other tracks here), and outstanding outings such as 'Pulstar' and 'Alpha'. A joy from start to finish.

Review: It's surprisingly not that common for a director to pick music for their movie. There are accomplished experts at scouring and sourcing the most powerful and moving tunes for cinema, and, of course, composers who have established themselves as maestros of silver screen scores. Luca Guadagnino is an exception to the rule, then, with his coming-of-age drama, Call Me By Your Name, soundtracked via his choices. And what choices they are. The film itself is beautiful and incredibly moving, adjectives which also apply to the accompanying sounds. From the theatrical pop of Loredana Berte, to the staggering instrumentation of Ryuichi Sakamoto and heartfelt cries of Sufjan Stevens, this collection of tones is as varied as it is captivating from beginning to end, and - whether you've seen the flick or not - deserves a place on everyone's shelf.

Review: Motown might well be up there as one of the greatest labels of all time - although maybe Blue Note would have something to say about that - and so a collection of its most classic cuts is always going to be worth hearing. The famous and original music factory was a real production line in the 60s, turning out hit after hit that reigned soul and pop for a new generation. All the most iconic gems are here by the lies of Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson & The Miracle, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas and Billy Preston & Syreeta amongst many more.

Review: It is that time of year when the same very limited selection of Xmas songs get piped through every PA in the land. But you can now improve your Christmas soundtrack by at least some percent with this heavyweight double album on translucent magenta and clear vinyl featuring a weird and wonderful array of festive-themed rock, soul and pop songs. Chances are many of these will be new to you - but there are some real gems here, such as the gentle tiny of sleigh bells on Marvin Gaye's 'Purple Snowflakes,' Booker T & The MG's funky 'Jingle Bells' and The Kinks rock licked 'Father Christmas.'

Review: Americana, also known as American roots music, is a mixture of genres that blend together into a distinctive roots-oriented sound, culminating in what might also be understood as 'all the microgenres that went into the melting-pot that was the USA before it had established any semblance of a national musical identity'. This compilation for MOV collects all of the musical ingredients that went into this melting pot: a foot of newt from John Mellencamp, an eye of bat from Towned Van Zandt, a tongue of dog from Gene Clark, and a final sprinkling of contemporary national identity from Band Of Horses. A nostalgic experience, full of reverence for days past (and present).

Review: For most Star Wars fans, the spin-off series' and standalone films have been some of the best additions to the franchise. Now you can savour some of the excellent soundtrack work from those additions to the canon on one classily presented compilation. There are pieces from The Madalorian, Rogue One and Solo which will plunge you back into the expanded Star Wars universe, whether that's the good times with Grogu or tense missions with Jyn Erso you're reminded of. Presented in a gatefold sleeve and pressed onto 180 gram vinyl, this is a collectors' edition, no doubt about it.

Review: Depending on your age you might well consider the 90s to be the best ever era for movies. You'd have a fair shout too, and now the Music On Vinyl label gives you a chance to revisit some of them through the power of their standout tunes .This collection has pop, soul, rock, disco and plenty more from giants of the time like Jamiroquai, Whitney Houston, Lenny Kravitz, Warren G and Alive Cooper. It all comes across four sides of vinyl and is a great trip down memory lane.

Review: There are many facets to Lee 'Scratch' Perry's indelible mark on music, but his work as The Upsetter is perhaps the truest expression of his affinity for reggae. Of course that's still reggae filtered through one of the most unique minds to change the course of music, but a compilation like Battle Axe serves as the perfect summation of his distinctive touch crafting lilting riddims from the Black Ark. Trojan originally released Battle Axe outside of Jamaica in 1972, gathering together some particular highlights from those heady early years, but 50 years on compilations like these stand more like vital albums in their own right - unique documents of very specific times in artistic development. It's a welcome treat to see it repressed, brilliant cover art intact.

Review: The 1970s was a golden age for popular music meeting with the ever-booming movie industry, and there was an abundance of original themes to major features which were incredible songs in their own right. Now Music On Vinyl has gathered together some of the greatest on a double pack compilation featuring fantastic artwork and an insert loaded with photos and credits. The list is heavyweight, taking in Giorgio Moroder's theme from Midnight Express, Mike Oldfield's 'Tubular Bells', Isaac Hayes' 'Shaft' and the Diana Ross version of Billie Holiday's 'Strange Fruit', as featured in the film 'Lady Sings The Blues' (in which Ross plays Holiday).

Review: Spinnin' Records celebrates 25 years of shaping the global electronic music scene with the second chapter of its anniversary series. This double vinyl album offers up enduring dance and trance bangers such as 'Lay Low' by Tiesto, 'Turn Up The Speakers' by Afrojack & Martin Garrix, 'Satisfaction' by David Guetta & Benni Benassi and many more. Founded in 1999, Us imprint Spinnin' has defined EDM over recent years while spanning house, future bass, big room and deep house. Limited to 1,000 copies, the Crystal Clear vinyl features 30 tracks and comes in a gatefold sleeve with the iconic Spinnin' logo in UV spot varnish. A lovely piece indeed.

Review: This compilation delivers an exceptional selection of dance hits from the late 70s and 80s, offering an un-mixed, DJ-friendly compilation. Curated by Music On Vinyl in collaboration with Warner Music Benelux, this collection features newly remastered tracks, ensuring both familiar favorites and hidden gems sound fresh and dynamic. Highlights include The Trammps' electrifying 'Disco Inferno (Tom Moulton mix)', Chic's iconic 'Good Times (12" version)', and the irresistible 'Ain't Nobody' by Rufus & Chaka Khan. The collection also digs deeper with extended mixes like Hot Chocolate's 'Every 1's A Winner (Ben Liebrand extended Groove mix)' and Womack & Womack's soulful 'Love Wars (extended vocal)'. The album offers a perfect balance between upbeat disco anthems and smooth, groovy classics, with tracks like Michael McDonald's 'I Keep Forgettin (Every Time You're Near)' and Sheila E's 'The Glamorous Life (12" club edit)'. With 15 tracks in total, Dance Classics Vol. 2 delivers a seamless listening experience that captures dance floor energy while celebrating a rich era of musical diversity.

Review: Music On Vinyl, in partnership with Warner Music Benelux, revives the iconic Dance Classics series with a fresh take on classic disco, funk, and soul hits. This limited edition compilation, pressed on striking gold-colored 180-gram vinyl, brings together an impressive lineup of tracks that defined dance floors in the early 80s. Dance Classics Vol. 1 features full-length, DJ-friendly versions of beloved songs, including Chaka Khan's infectious 'I Feel For You', Change's smooth 'The Glow Of Love' and a previously unreleased Tom Moulton mix of 'Spacer' by Sheila & B. Devotion. Other standout tracks include Sister Sledge's energetic 'Lost In Music' and Zapp's funky 'More Bounce To The Ounce'. Each song has been carefully remastered, ensuring that the vibrant sound captures the essence of the era while also uncovering hidden gems. A celebration of the joyous spirit of dance music with a selection that balances well-known classics with lesser-known treasures.

Review: Martin Scorsese's Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues series may not be the Academy Award-winning director's most famous contribution to popular culture, but the PBS documentary film saga, in which the legendary director takes us on a journey through the development of a sound he holds dear to his heart, is well worth looking for. Featuring luminaries such as John Lee Hooker, Lightnin' Hopkins, Muddy Waters, and more, each episode welcomes a different filmmaker, allowing them to refocus on artists they love. For this album spin-off, we centre attention on the mighty Stevie Ray Vaughan, one of the most influential of all blues musicians who tragically died at the age of 35 in a helicopter crash. Although far younger than many of the greats he's often listed alongside, his exceptional abilities on the guitar, and often unique sonics, set him apart from almost anyone else, alive or dead. Listen to what we mean here.

Review: Originally released in 1978 on the heels of their '77 debut Pure Mania, the sophomore follow-up from homegrown punk legends The Vibrators continued their eschewing of the fuzzy mayhem many of their peers saw as the sonic way forward. Furthering their embrace of pop-centric composition delivered in more angular fashion, V2 would ultimately serve as the band's highest charting project with lead single 'Automatic Lover' even landing at number 33 on the UK Top 40, as well as earning them a slot on Top Of The Pops. Equally praised and maligned for its almost new wave proclivities, this lush reissue comes courtesy of the beautiful folks over at Music On Vinyl and lands on red wax in a limited numbered sleeve. OG Punk Trivia: Just as the track 'Stiff Little Fingers' from their debut inspired the Belfast band of the same name, V2's album closer 'Troops of Tomorrow' would become the title of The Exploited's second full-length.

Review: This album was recorded in 1979 at Sound Ideas Studio in New York City with some heavyweights of the time all involved. Cedar Walton was on piano, Curtis Fuller on trombone, Bob Berg on tenor saxophone, Sam Jones on bass and Billy Higgins on drums and between them they had a finely tuned jazz sound that brought to life six strong tracks, all composed by Cedar Walton bar their jazz interpretation of the classic standard 'Never Never Land.' The dynamic interplay between the musicians makes this a tight, impactful collection.