Back catalogue: Modern Classical

Review: Disasterpeace, aka Rich Vreeland, stands out in the world of soundtrack composers. Neither strictly an electronic artist nor a conventional composer, he crafts soundscapes that transcend traditional genres. His compositions, rooted in a digital sound palette, feel warm and organic, often played live instead of digitally sequenced, giving his music a human touch rarely seen in electronic scores. Known for his haunting It Follows soundtrack and the iconic Fez score, Vreeland's music has a life far beyond the screens it accompanies. The Hyper Light Drifter soundtrack, reissued by iam8bit, exemplifies Disasterpeace's distinctive style. It's a journey through ambient, textured soundscapes filled with layered synthesisers and devoid of heavy percussion. Instead of driving beats, the focus rests on lush chord progressions and ambient tones, perfectly suited for moments of quiet reflection. Standout tracks like 'Panacea' feature a tape-worn piano, which pairs beautifully with the synths to create a melancholy and immersive atmosphere. This deluxe 4xLP set, with translucent vinyl and elegant packagingicomplete with magnetic wingflaps and a metallic foil layeripays homage to Vreeland's artistry and the soundtrack's legendary status.

Review: "What was amazing about Liska's music was that, unlike most other composers, he didn't attempt to go with the mood of the film and milk the emotions but listened to the rhythm of the movie itself. Especially in an animated film, this helped to greatly enhance the sense of the picture's pace and drama. He was able to discover rhythms in films that even their authors weren't aware of." Jan Svankmajer, whose 90th birthday coincides with the release of this compilation, clearly holds Zdenek Liska in high regard. Respectively, a director and his regular composer-collaborator, the Czech artists worked on ten short films together. The original recordings of music for three of those have survived on tape - Don Juan (Don sajn), Leonardo's Diary (Leonard?v denik) and Jabberwocky (evahlav aneb sati?ky Slam?neho Huberta). Now here they are in all their surreal, folk-ish, playful, comedic and, at times, library-style glory.

Review: The bounty hunter's journey continues, accompanied by a score that has left an indelible mark on cinematic history. This newly expanded edition showcases Ennio Morricone's remarkable work for Sergio Leone's 1965 classic, featuring the original eight-cue soundtrack program first issued by RCA Records, paired with the complete mono film score. The remastering, handled by Claudio Fuiano and Daniel Winkler, enhances every note of Morricone's haunting compositions. The packaging itself is a collector's dream, with front cover art by Renato Casaro and a portrait of Morricone by Fuiano. This vinyl release, presented on transparent white and orange wax, is housed in a gatefold sleeve. Added to this edition are two poster prints and a 24-page booklet written by Daniele de Gemini, adorned with Averardo Ciriello's artwork and a layout by de Gemini, offering deep insight into the music and its context. Morricone's score integrates pre-written themes, including a recurring melody tied to a musical pocket watch that becomes a pivotal element in the film. The music's enduring appeal is evident in covers by Hugo Montenegro and Billy Strange. Often overlooked, this film and its score deserve renewed attention through this meticulously crafted release.

Review: Recorded live in Switzerland on September 27-28, 2024, this special concert celebrates 20 years of the instantly recogniseable game, with the iconic music performed by a sweeping 190-piece ensemble. The concert features compositions from various expansions, with a standout performance by the 21st Century Orchestra and three choirs: Tale of Fantasy, Ardito and Madrijazz Gospel. The music, orchestrated by William Liston and Penka Kouneva and conducted by Derek Duke, brings the beloved scores to life in a grand, emotionally charged presentation. From the iconic 'World of Warcraft Suite' to 'Burning Crusade: Beyond the Dark Portal' and the stirring 'Wrath of the Lich King: Echoes of Northern'. this collection captures the epic journey through Azeroth. With mastering by James Plotkin and stunning graphic design by Janie Peacock and Nolan Fleming, this release is a nostalgic dive into the past and a new way to experience the game's rich musical legacy.

Review: Bethesda Game Studios and Laced Records team up to bring the music of Bethesda's latest video game release, Starfield, to a deluxe vinyl edition. The anticipated follow-up record to titans in the open world genre, such as Fallout and The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim - also developed by Bethesda - the 2023 game makes ample use of orchestral scoring and motifs, befitting of the interstellar sci-fi genre it operates in. Suitably, they chose composer and producer Inon Zur for composition duties; Zur's deft electronic palette weaves astrally through orchestral and classical traditions, bringing several centuries' worth of musical convention into a single OST, backed by the Budapest Film Orchestra.