A real European classic from Ennio Morricone – one of his fantastic soundtracks for French director Henri Verneuil – who always seemed to manage to bring the best out in the maestro! As with some of Morricone's other music for Verneuil, there's an approach here that almost doesn't even seem to fit the images on the screen – moments of wonderful instrumental sensitivity, with those spare passages that Ennio does better than anyone else – mixed with groovier cuts that set the scene for some of the action in the story, but at a level that's almost anti-cinematic, given they way they can stand here on their own. The main "Il Serpente" theme is great – and other tracks include "Canzone Lontana", "Nadine", "Orazione", "Tema Per Una Donna Sola", and "Parata Militare". LP, Vinyl record album

Very obscure sounds from a very obscure Italian crime film of the 70s – issued here for the first time ever! The music has a great vibe – slinky, but also a bit offbeat – with some of those odd tunings of the piano that you might hear in an Ennio Morricone score when he was still keeping things groovy, but wanting to set a nice edge – spun out nicely here amidst some gentle strings and other unusual sounds! The whole thing's great – a real lost treasure that finally sees the light of day – with titles that include "Lo Spinello", "In Discoteca", "Overdose", "L'Inseguimento Finale", "Nel Vecchio Mulino", "Titoli Di Coda", "La Droga Uccide", and "L'Agguato Al Corriere". LP, Vinyl record album

A pretty great 70s set from the Italian scene – one that features contributions from avant composer Franco Battiato, but at a level that's very different than his own albums of the time! The songs are tuneful, and have lead vocals that are often compressed, with a bit of echo around the edges – which nudges them nicely down into the mix around the keyboards, for a cool spacey vibe that's almost like some of the more unusual Brazilian MPB of the time – catchy but offbeat at the same time! Titles include "Campane A Rotterdam", "A San Francisco", "La Mia Citta", "Piogia", "Biscotti E The", "Giorno D'Estate", and "Frontiere". LP, Vinyl record album

A lesser-known soundtrack from Ennio Morricone – but one of his grooviest moments of the late 60s! The score is a great blend of heavy and light – and blends together that wonderful floating Morricone style with some heavier, fuzzier tunes that show the late 60s period of the film – all making for a really fleshed-out sound, of the sort that you're usually likely to hear in some of Morricone's classics! The album includes one great number that's got an extended sitar solo, and a few more with hard-edged male vocals by Patrick Samson that almost feel like late 60s French pop! Titles include "Gloria", "Sytar", "Una Voce Allo Specchio", "Tell Me Tell Me", "Sospendi Il Tempo", "In Tre Quarti", "Laila Laila", and "Dinamica Per 5 + 1". LP, Vinyl record album

The genius second album from The Housemartins – still as tight, sharp, and political as the first! Titles include "The World's On Fire", "You Better Be Doubtful", "We're Not Going Back", "The People Who Grinned Themselves To Death", "Me & The Farmer", "Build", "Bow Down", and "Pirate Aggro". LP, Vinyl record album