Back catalogue: Classical

Review: First released in digital and CD formats via Sacred Rhythm, 'Progessive Roots Evolution: A Song For Healing' hears Joaqin 'Joe' Claussell's indelible style of long-form spiritual house music re-flaunted to especial somatic ends. Intentionally crafted as a piece that bridges the needs of both the music and dance communities to whom Claussell is mutually close, this is a suite divided into multiple sections that feed on one another; they appose elements of samba, jazz and house, with ambient interstices and even ruminative piano meltdowns ('Healer', 'Heloise'). This ultra limited yellow LP edition is the audiophile's preference, its dynamism best flaunted on the floaty but driving 'Cosmic Arts' mix.

Review: From the moment you hit play on 'A New Threat Is Born', the first few minutes on this soundtrack to the acclaimed video game, Resident Evil 3, you could easily close your eyes and feel like you're back sat in front of a TV playing the story through. If you're unfamiliar with the franchise, let's just say it (re)wrote the book on survival horror, and a big part of this was in the scores used to accompany the on-screen tension. Less focused on specific theme tunes and tracks, over time the emphasis has increasingly fallen on building atmosphere and setting up jump scares for unassuming players. On a record, that sounds like a combination of fast moving and quickly developing instrumental movements and intimidating sound effects. Perhaps not the dinner party soundtrack you were looking for, nevertheless it makes a big impact.

Review: To celebrate 20 years of this cult series, Capcom and Laced Records have joined up to present the Monster Hunter: World soundtrack on vinyl. This double album includes 20 essential tracks pressed on mustard and blue solid-coloured vinyl and featuring artwork by the Monster Hunter team. The soundtrack was crafted by series veterans Tadayoshi Makino, Akihiko Narita, Yuko Komiyama, and Masato Kouda, along with Zhenlan Kang (best known for his work on Resident Evil). From the Ancient Forest to Elder's Recess, the music's dynamic percussion, bold brass, and sweeping strings perfectly capture the excitement and intensity of the hunt.

Review: This is a delightful celebration of classic cartoon scores that arrives for a special Black Friday 2024 release. The collection showcases the genius of composers like Carl Stalling and Milt Franklyn, whose music defined the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies era. Orchestral brilliance and playful synchronisation bring timeless characters like Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck to life. With all new remastered tracks, the album highlights intricate arrangements and whimsical motifs that revolutionised animation scoring. Perfect for collectors and nostalgia enthusiasts alike, this one honours the artistry behind some of the most iconic and enduring cartoon soundtracks in entertainment history.

Review: The music from Apocalypse Now is a compelling piece of the film's unique atmosphere, composed by Carmine Coppola and his son, Francis Ford Coppola. This remastered gatefold 2xLP presents a score that is anything but conventional. Featuring bold electronic experimentation, the music complements the film's depiction of chaos and inner turmoil. Tracks like 'The Delta' and 'The Dossier' create a meditative, eerie backdrop, while 'Orange Light' and 'Voyage' highlight the hallucinatory journey of its protagonist, with the latter infusing a touch of psychedelic guitar. While it's not a traditional, action-driven score, the pulsating synths of 'Nung River' and dissonance of 'Chef's Head' bring tension to the forefront. Its final moments with 'Finale' bring reflection to a movie that explores the boundaries of duty and sanity. Although challenging at times, the music's blend of synthetic and natural elements provides a fascinating listen, especially for those open to a bold 1970s electronic sound.

Review: What better way to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Coraline by reissuing its stunning soundtrack on vinyl? Composed by Bruno Coulais, the score captures the eerie yet playful spirit of the film with remarkable depth. Coulais, supported by the Budapest Orchestra and Choir, masterfully evokes the dark whimsy of Coraline's world, blending a sense of wonder with underlying tension. Not to be overlooked, the 'Other Father Song' by They Might Be Giants also makes a memorable appearance on the album. This 2xLP set comes in a lavish, limited-edition package, featuring a pop-up gatefold that vividly brings the Pink Palace to life in 3D. A long-sought-after release in Mondo's catalogue, this reissue marks a perfect tribute to Laika's 2009 stop-motion classic. Based on Neil Gaiman's novel, Coraline tells the tale of a young girl adjusting to life in the mysterious Pink Palace Apartments. When she stumbles upon a portal to another dimension, the alternate reality offers her everything she desires i at a terrifying cost. Coulais' haunting melodies guide listeners through this fantastical journey, blending childlike curiosity with a creeping sense of danger, making this soundtrack a true auditory experience.

Review: Laced Records and Halo Studios partner up to bring the epic soundtracks of the original Halo trilogy to vinyl for the first time, remastering and revamping 83 original scores from Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, and Halo 3. the music that defined a franchise is thus ethered in perpetuity. Weaving orchestral elements, prog rock, drum corps marches, and heavy metal, Halo presents a perfect bottling of angst and militancy; owing to its popularity with a certain teen gamer cohort, Halo 2's score especially made history as the first video game OST to chart on the Billboard 200. Now, each soundtrack is presented in its own sleeve with custom artwork, and comes in a collector's box adorned with a debossed Halo logo and silver laminate finish.

Review: Fans of this album originally from 1960 need this new reissue in their lives: it is part of the RCA Living Stereo classical LP series which those in the know recognise as the best in the game when it comes to top-quality orchestral performance and sound. It has been remastered from original master tapes and comes on hefty 200g vinyl for the ultimate listening experience. It finds Respighi, the Chicago Symphony and Fritz Reiner really setting a standard for classical music with thundering bass drum, crashing cymbals and gongs next to bellowing brass all jumping right out of the speakers.