Back catalogue: Soundtracks

Review: Blake Neely's Masters of the Air is a stellar war score, much like his work for The Pacific and Greyhound. It achieves a near-perfect balance of bold heroism and quiet solemnity, bound together with a memorable main theme in 'Soar'. Neely, who previously worked on The Pacific alongside Hans Zimmer and Geoff Zanelli, has once again captured the raw heroism and terrible horror of WWII. The main theme, introduced in 'Soar (Main Title)', is elegant and evokes flying, though it may take a few listens to fully catch. Highlights include the tense 'Around The Clock', the sorrowful 'Every Second Is A Little Death', and the thunderous 'The Bloody Hundredth'. The score's mix of grand and rousing tracks with quieter, solemn moments, like 'Going Home', makes it a solidly entertaining listen. Fans of Neely's previous work, will find much to appreciate in this well-crafted soundtrack.

Review: While the world instantly remembers Ennio Morricone's heroic contribution to the world of movie scores at the height of the Spaghetti Western trend - Italian produced cowboy flicks set on the frontier of an early United States - less people will jump to the name Bruno Nicolai. And yet, here we are, faced with one of the greatest soundtracks ever written for any film in the canon. Archetypal of the genre, Nicolai conducted many of his close friend Morricone's scores, and this betrays what to expect from this masterpiece. The soundscapes are grand and pompous, open and mysterious, edgy and tense. Varied, but always the aural equivalent of panning across almost-unchartered plains and seeing a solitary rider appear on the horizon. If that sounds remotely entertaining, this is an essential.

Review: Yuji Nomi's Whisper of the Heart: Image Album brings the magic of Studio Ghibli's beloved film to vinyl for the first time. Inspired by Hayao Miyazaki's storyboards and sketches, this whimsical collection of orchestral music was masterfully composed by Nomi, perfectly capturing the film's emotional depth. The album includes four vocal tracks, with the iconic 'Country Road' leading the way. Directed by Yoshifumi Kondo and released in 1995, holds a special place in Studio Ghibli's legacy as the first feature not directed by Miyazaki or Takahata. Kondo's vision, supported by a screenplay by Miyazaki, shines through the film, blending heartfelt storytelling with stunning animation. The film introduced surrealist painter Naohisa Inoue to Ghibli's artistic roster, further enriching its visual style. Nomi's score is a whimsical, delightful experience, with each track meticulously tailored to match the film's scenes. Unlike other Ghibli soundtracks, this one doesn't rely on recurring themes, offering instead a fresh surprise at every turn. Now available on limited edition black vinyl.