The second volume of the soundtrack to the film Dead Presidents. Like the first volume, this is a whopping batch of classic 70s soul tracks – including "Right On For The Darkness" and "We The People Who Are Darker Than Blue (Live)" by Curtis Mayfield, "I Got The Feelin" and "Ain't That A Groove" by James Brown, "Smiling Faces Sometimes" by The Undisputed Truth, "Cowboys To Girls" by The Intruders, "Keep On Pushing" and "(Man Oh Man) I Want To Go Back" by The Impressions, "I Was Made To Love Her" by Stevie Wonder, "When Something Is Wrong With My Baby" by Sam & Dave, "Never Gonna Give You Up" by Jerry Butler and "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)" by The Temptations. (Soul, Soundtracks) CD

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A killer French soundtrack from the start of the 70s – four very groovy cuts that were used in the film Jeu De Dames, a movie that also circulated under the more titillating title of Sex Revolution! The music is full of freak and fuzz – Hammond organ, great guitar lines, and plenty of romping mod rhythms that feel more like late 60s French grooves than work from 1973 – all given the sorts of very cool production touches that you'd expect from bigger giants of the field, like Michel Colombier and Alan Goraguer! Titles include "Les Velos", "Le Viol", "Drole De Jeu De Dames", and "La Recherche". (Funky 45's, Soundtracks) 7-inch, Vinyl record

A lost treasure from the legendary John Coltrane Quartet – material recorded as the soundtrack for the Canadian film Le Chat Danse Le Sac – which features new recordings of material that Coltrane had done in previous years, but really updated by the fresh version of this group! Although the music was used in the film, which was an art house hit at best, it's never been issued on record before – and in fact, its existence was something of a mystery until not that long ago – quite a surprise, given that the sessions were done at Rudy Van Gelder's studio, and have a quality level that really matches the Impulse Records best by these musicians! The tunes are almost like this amazing bridge between the mid 60s Impulse years and the Coltrane sound at the start of the decade on Atlantic – as the grooves are modal, and most music is more inside than the group was hitting by 1965 – yet still burning with that searching spirit that made them so great. The lineup, of course, features John Coltrane on tenor, McCoy Tyner on piano, Jimmy Garrison on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums – and the whole thing is an instant key addition to the catalog of this tremendous quartet. Titles include two takes on "Naima", three takes on "Village Blues", and the tracks "Like Sonny", "Traneing In", and "Blue World". (Jazz, Soundtracks) LP, Vinyl record album

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A trio of talents make this Samurai Champloo soundtrack so great – Japanese producer Nujabes, hip hop duo Force Of Nature, and American hip hopper Fat Jon The Ample Soul Physician! The sound here is often a bit more dense and intense than on some of the other Champloo soundtracks, but it depends on the cut – as others have that open, melodic quality that makes the series so great – even on the Fat Jon tracks, which are instrumental. Titles include "Just Forget", "Nightshift", "Set It Off", "Death Wish", and "The Stroll" by Force Of Nature; "Bracelet", "In Position", "Night Out", "Not Quite Selah", and "Here & There" by Fat Jon; and "Dead Season", "Sanctuary Ship", "Tsurugi No Mai", and "Decade" by Nujabes. Also features "Who's Theme" by Minmi. (Hip Hop, Soundtracks) LP, Vinyl record album

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A beautiful soundtrack to the dark British comedy of the same name – starring a young Michael Caine! You might expect it to be a bit schmaltzy, but it's pure jazz all the way through, and features strong inside playing by Rollins over lively orchestrations by Oliver Nelson – filled with moody colors, great changes, and a vibrant sense of energy that's far deeper than the actual film! The group includes Phil Woods, Kenny Burrell, and J.J. Johnson, and they swing hard on all tracks. Titles include the 10 minute workout of "Alfie's Theme", plus a shorter "Differently" version" – plus "On Impulse", "Transition Theme", and "He's Younger Than You". Nice stuff throughout, and much more of a jazz album than a soundtrack! (Jazz, Soundtracks) LP, Vinyl record album