Back catalogue: Classical

Review: Released to acclaim in 1985, The Falcon and the Snowman recounts the extraordinary true story of Christopher Boyce (Timothy Hutton) and Andrew Daulton Lee (Sean Penn), childhood friends who betrayed their country by selling U.S. satellite secrets to the Soviets in the 70s. The film's score, crafted by jazz virtuoso Pat Metheny alongside pianist Lyle Mays, is a masterful blend of tension and melancholy, enriched by orchestral arrangements from the National Philharmonic Orchestra. The standout track, 'This Is Not America,' features lyrics by David Bowie and became one of his notable hits of the decade, reaching No. 14 in the UK. All in all, an exclusive collector's box set.

Review: There really is no stopping Ramon Djawadi. The German films score composer, conductor and producer has given us a number of very high profile soundtracks since he first began working professionally in the late-1990s, with the past decade seeing him rise to real prominence. Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, Clash of the Titans, Pacific Rim, Iron Man, Prison Break, Jack Ryan, and a number of video games (Medal of Honor, Gears of War 4 and 5) all feature his name in their credits. Here we are with Westworld Season 3, then, another huge addition to his oeuvre, both in terms of the status of the TV show and the tracks on the record itself. From woozy string overtures we can only imagine complemented death or redemption scenes, to rough and ready metal and hard rock ('Moto'), huge percussive cinematic climaxes ('Start A Revolution') and lush ambient ('Caleb'). Simply put, this is epic sounding stuff.

Review: Star Trek has been on a tumultuous ride over the years. To paraphrase Wayne Campbell, of Wayne's World fame, in many ways The Next Generation was superior to the original series, but will always struggle to match the recognition of its source material. More recent shows in the franchise looked to expand the viewer base, following in the wake of the saga's modern films, but in doing so kind of lost the friendly, campish mild peril we love this universe for. Star Trek: Into Darkness was a case in point - it's not fun, it's not light, it's not particularly thoughtful. As a movie, it lives up to the promise of darkness. In terms of how this translates onto the score, expect seriously moody and atmospheric big screen compositions, rather than the jaunty soundtracks that once defined this institution.

Review: "What was amazing about Liska's music was that, unlike most other composers, he didn't attempt to go with the mood of the film and milk the emotions but listened to the rhythm of the movie itself. Especially in an animated film, this helped to greatly enhance the sense of the picture's pace and drama. He was able to discover rhythms in films that even their authors weren't aware of." Jan Svankmajer, whose 90th birthday coincides with the release of this compilation, clearly holds Zdenek Liska in high regard. Respectively, a director and his regular composer-collaborator, the Czech artists worked on ten short films together. The original recordings of music for three of those have survived on tape - Don Juan (Don sajn), Leonardo's Diary (Leonard?v denik) and Jabberwocky (evahlav aneb sati?ky Slam?neho Huberta). Now here they are in all their surreal, folk-ish, playful, comedic and, at times, library-style glory.

Review: The bounty hunter's journey continues, accompanied by a score that has left an indelible mark on cinematic history. This newly expanded edition showcases Ennio Morricone's remarkable work for Sergio Leone's 1965 classic, featuring the original eight-cue soundtrack program first issued by RCA Records, paired with the complete mono film score. The remastering, handled by Claudio Fuiano and Daniel Winkler, enhances every note of Morricone's haunting compositions. The packaging itself is a collector's dream, with front cover art by Renato Casaro and a portrait of Morricone by Fuiano. This vinyl release, presented on transparent white and orange wax, is housed in a gatefold sleeve. Added to this edition are two poster prints and a 24-page booklet written by Daniele de Gemini, adorned with Averardo Ciriello's artwork and a layout by de Gemini, offering deep insight into the music and its context. Morricone's score integrates pre-written themes, including a recurring melody tied to a musical pocket watch that becomes a pivotal element in the film. The music's enduring appeal is evident in covers by Hugo Montenegro and Billy Strange. Often overlooked, this film and its score deserve renewed attention through this meticulously crafted release.

Review: The original soundtrack for Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM is now available on this superb vinyl edition. It of course accompanies the feature film adaptation of the renowned Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Series. Building upon the success of that TV anime which aired from October 2002, the film delves deeper into the Cosmic Era, offering a fresh narrative set in C.E. 75. With contributions from the original TV anime team and music composed by Toshihiko Sahashi, fans enjoyed the seamless transition from the small screen to the big screen. The analogue version of the soundtrack, presented on a stunning three-disc set of coloured vinyl, adds a touch of luxury to this cinematic experience.

Review: The long-awaited CD release of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom OST for Nintendo Switch is a monumental event for fans worldwide. With a staggering 344 tracks spread over nine CDs, this soundtrack dwarfs even its predecessor, Breath of the Wild, offering a comprehensive journey through Hyrule's musical landscape. Composed by Manaka Kataoka, Maasa Miyoshi, Masato Ohashi, and Tsukasa Usui, the soundtrack beautifully captures the essence of the game, blending orchestral, electronic and traditional instruments to create a rich cornucopia of melodies. From intense battle themes to serene exploration tunes, each track evokes the spirit of adventure that defines the beloved Zelda series. The limited edition box set is a true treasure for collectors, featuring a special box and a tall-sized digipack housing the CDs. However, the real highlight is the Master Sword-shaped USB player, offering high-resolution and 5.1 channel sound sources for an immersive audio experience. With 15 tracks included on the USB, players can dive even deeper into the game's vast and majestic world. Overall, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom soundtrack is Zelda fans dream, delivering hours of enchanting music that perfectly complements the game's epic adventure.

Review: Recorded live in Switzerland on September 27-28, 2024, this special concert celebrates 20 years of the instantly recogniseable game, with the iconic music performed by a sweeping 190-piece ensemble. The concert features compositions from various expansions, with a standout performance by the 21st Century Orchestra and three choirs: Tale of Fantasy, Ardito and Madrijazz Gospel. The music, orchestrated by William Liston and Penka Kouneva and conducted by Derek Duke, brings the beloved scores to life in a grand, emotionally charged presentation. From the iconic 'World of Warcraft Suite' to 'Burning Crusade: Beyond the Dark Portal' and the stirring 'Wrath of the Lich King: Echoes of Northern'. this collection captures the epic journey through Azeroth. With mastering by James Plotkin and stunning graphic design by Janie Peacock and Nolan Fleming, this release is a nostalgic dive into the past and a new way to experience the game's rich musical legacy.

Review: Bethesda Game Studios and Laced Records team up to bring the music of Bethesda's latest video game release, Starfield, to a deluxe vinyl edition. The anticipated follow-up record to titans in the open world genre, such as Fallout and The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim - also developed by Bethesda - the 2023 game makes ample use of orchestral scoring and motifs, befitting of the interstellar sci-fi genre it operates in. Suitably, they chose composer and producer Inon Zur for composition duties; Zur's deft electronic palette weaves astrally through orchestral and classical traditions, bringing several centuries' worth of musical convention into a single OST, backed by the Budapest Film Orchestra.