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A haunting score from Jerry Goldsmith – filled with dark and turgid orchestrations, set as the rich backdrop for this 1969 film based on the Ray Bradbury story of the same name! The scoring is often atonal, with lots of off-kilter string passage that have an eerie sound that reminds us of Morricone's more avant-styled work. The CD features 17 tracks from the film, plus notes on the music, and some great images – with titles that include "The Rain", "The Sun Dance", "The House", "The Illustrations", and "Angry Child". CD

Two very playful soundtracks – both composed by Lallo Gori, who we mostly know for more serious action work! Scusi Ma Le Paga Le Tasse is from the start of the 70s, and begins with a vocal number from Franco Fanchi, but soon moves into much groovier territory with a blend of funky jazz and dreamier moments of the sort that you might be likely to hear from some of the bigger Italian composers of the period. There's occasional light piano, ala Stelvio Cipriani – and even an appearance from the Nora Orlandi singers over the course of the 17 tracks from the film. Come Rubammo La Bomba Atomica is from 1967, and the music has some slight currents of spy spoof scores of the period – that nice comedic/dramatic mix of jazz and dynamic pacing, blended with a few exotic elements too. The set features two vocal numbers sung by Elsa, and the rest of the 12 tracks from the film are instrumental. CD

One of our favorite soundtracks ever – a jazzy swinging ode to love found and love lost – all penned by the legendary Michel Legrand! The work was composed in collaboration with director Jacques Demy for his 1966 film of the same name – and, like the previous Demy/Legrand collaboration, Umbrellas Of Cherbourg, the movie's a story in song – one that has much of the dialogue presented as sung lyrics to the tunes. The mode takes off from a Hollywood musical style, and pushes the genre into territory that's much hipper, very French, and with a soaring approach that's filled with plenty of mod 60s jazz grooves. Legrand's genius has never sparkled so brightly – and his ability to interweave different themes, stories, and grooves is simply amazing! Titles include "Chanson Des Jumelles", "Chanson De Delphine", "Nous Voyageons De Ville En Ville", "Chanson D'Andy", "La Femme Coupee En Morceaux", and "Marins Amis Amants Ou Maris". CD

A surprisingly nice score for this Italian sex comedy from the start of the 80s – one that reverses the roles a bit from earlier modes in terms of the story, and which gets a mix of groovy and sweet soundtrack handling from Detto Mariano! The group Clown turn in a few vocal performances – of the cuts "Step On Dynamite" and "La Pigiatura" – but the wealth of work here is instrumental, often based around a simple, playful theme – which Mariano can use with a sensual touch at one minute, or a sentimental one the next. The CD features a whopping 39 tracks in all – including a number of alternates of "Step On Dynamite" – with some cuts that are previously unreleased. CD