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An obscure and wonderful chapter in the career of Burt Bacharach – material penned for a 1967 TV musical starring Rick Nelson and Joanie Sommers – all of it perfect 60s Bacharach pop all the way through! The plot of the musical is a bit silly, but the performance isn't – tightly-crafted vocal numbers that often mix Burt's older Brill Building style with a bit more of a Sunshine Pop kind of approach. Although penned by Bacharach, the music is actually conducted by Peter Matz – who does a great job of retaining the maestro's sense of space and timing, but also unlocks some bolder flourishes in the tunes, and manages to get some really amazing vocal performances out of both Sommers and Nelson! There's a sophistication here that goes beyond the roots of both singers – and the record's filld with lesser-known tracks that still sparkle with plenty of Bacharach brilliance – including "It Doesn't Matter Anymore", "They're Gonna Love It", "Juanita's Place Montage", "Try To See It My Way", "They Don't Give Medals", "Fender Mender", and "Juanita's Place".

Not the usual jazz outing from trumpeter Pete Candoli, and more an album of pop instrumentals, designed to cash in on the success of the big hit single "Moscow Mule"! (Pete didn't do the original version of that, right?) Tunes are short, jaunty, and use the trumpet in the kind of 60s pop way that was working big with Al Hirt and Herb Alpert – not as cool as Pete's 50s jazz work, but groovy enough if you're not looking for that. Titles include "Wild Turkey", "Rum & Coca Cola", "Moscow Mule", "Tequila", "Cool Green Grasshopper", and "Scotch & Soda".

A pair of compelling British instrumental albums back to back – both of them with a really unique flavor! Russo In London is a rare British outing for Stan Kenton alumni Bill Russo – a date recorded at the legendary Lansdowne studios, and one that may well be one of Russo's greatest albums ever as a leader! The set's filled with material originally scored for the Kenton group – but served up here with really inventive arrangements from Russo – modern in tones, but soulful in colors – and filled with unusual changes that really keep things interesting, and a bit swinging too. Soloists include Johnny Scott on alto, Duncan Lamont on tenor, Keith Christie on trombone, and Leon Calvert on trumpet – and titles include "Frank Speaking", "Egdon Heath", "Portrait Of A Count", "Sweets", "Bill's Blues", and "Ennui". Blowing Up A Storm is a showcase for the trumpet talents of Kenny Baker – working here with his sprightly Baker's Dozen combo, on a date that was recorded by the legendary Joe Meek! Baker's horn isn't always out front, which makes for a nice focus on the overall sound of the ensemble – and titles include "Blowing Up A Storm", "Call Of The Flute", "Night Blooming Jazz Man", "Threesome", and "Sunrise Serenade".

Spy themes galore – a full CD of famous James Bond tunes, paired with a whole bonus CD of additional work from Brit maestro Roland Shaw! Back in the 60s, Shaw recorded a host of great spy-styled sets for Decca – two albums of work with Bond on the cover and in the title, and two more with additional spy and secret agent themes! The best of that work's packaged together here, in an ultra-cool 2CD set that features 37 tracks in all – a good number of which were penned by John Barry for original Bond films, then redone by Roland in ways that are swinging 60s, with lots of mod instrumental moments – including some great guitar amidst all the horns. Titles include "Twisting With James", "You Only Live Twice", "Chateau Fight", "Pussy Galore's Flying Circus", "Thunderball", "Dawn Raid On Fort Knox", "Dr No's Fantasy", "James Bond Theme", "Diamonds Are Forever", "Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang", "Bond Below Disco Volante", "The Saint", "I Spy", "The Avengers", "Theme From The Man From Uncle", "Casino Royale", and "Mission Impossible".