Studio Ghibli Japan Vinyl & CDs

Review: It is at this point a given that every Joe Hisiashi / Studio Ghibli soundtrack should land on our doorsteps. Hayao Miyazaki's latest film, The Boy And The Heron, is the very latest anime fantasy film to be released through the esteemed film franchise; described as a 'big, fantastical film', it follows a boy named Mahito Maki who moves to the countryside after his mother's death, discovers an abandoned tower near his new home, and enters a fantastical world with a talking grey heron. Whereas many of Hisiashi's other soundtracks deal in wide variegations of whimsy and heart-warmth, The Boy And The Heron skews purely to the latter, working in the bare but endlessly affecting mode of solo piano, and evoking the lonely but ultimately revelatory internal process that occurs during grief. Befitting of Miyazaki's controversial decision for the film not to pander to audiences or spell out meanings, so too does Hisiashi's contribution find reams of expression in a spare, single instrument.

Review: Joe Hisaishi is one of the most successful composers in the history of Japanese film and television, best known for providing soundtracks to a string of much-loved anime movies, as well as tie-in "image albums" - musical scores inspired by a particular anime character, and designed to give an impression of their personality. Ponyo on the Cliff By The Sea is one such endeavour: a cheery, playful celebration of the lead character from 2008 flick Ponyo. Across the "image album", you'll find plenty of jaunty songs sung by both adults and children, sweeping orchestral pieces in the usual film score style, and jaunty pieces that draw a surprising amount of influence from non-Japanese popular music styles

Review: Guy Ritchie's multi-award winning 2015 movie The Man From U.N.C.L.E. was a new take on the hit 1960s television series of the same name. The music is part of what makes it great and it comes from Ivor Novello-winning and multi-BAFTA nominated composer Daniel Pemberton. His music mixes super relaxing lounge instrumentals taking in element sou jazz and swing with some stone cold classics like Roberta Flack's 'Compared To What' and Nina Simone gem 'Take Care Of Business.' This double vinyl package contains a four page booklet and is limited to 1000 copies.

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.

Review: Grave Of The Fireflies is arguably the saddest of all the films in the peerless Studio Ghibli canon - a pinnacle of emotional impact in the world of Japanese anime. The soundtrack is of course a major part of that, and so we come to the latest edition in the beautifully presented Image Album Collection series, which goes in deep on the soundtrack to a Ghibli classic. The music itself was composed by Michio Mamiya, and their work is interspersed with dialogue from the film. Alongside the music itself is an extensive set of liner notes which feature round-table discussions between the film's director Isao Takahata and the composers involved in the soundtrack.