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Review: It's hard not to fall for the version of 'Stayin' Alive' featured on the Dominic Lewis-scored and curated soundtrack to Bullet Train - the 2022 David Leitch movie that unfolds on one of Japan's world-famous, super speedy, and appropriately nicknamed 'bullet trains'. The composer made some smart decisions pulling the choices together, opting to focus largely on East Asian pop and rock, with some bold inclusions. One of which is the aforementioned opener. In so far as overuse goes, The Bee Gees' seminal disco anthem is up there with the greatest, and that makes it difficult to find something new to enjoy in it. Drafting Avu-chan, of Japanese 'fashion punks' Queen Bee achieved the unthinkable, then, and sets the tone for a number of excellent covers by Japanese artists (Bonnie Tyler's 'Holding Out For A Hero' by Miki Asakura, 'Kill Me Pretty' by Tamio Okuda of Unicorn), alongside an impressive set of originals from Ryuichi Sakamoto, Carmen Maki, and more.

Review: .Hollywood heavyweight James Newton Howard has turned his hand to a wide variety of movie soundtrack styles in his tenure as one of the go-to names for Hollywood scores. Allow us a moment to reel off the names, or a few of them at least: Pretty Woman, The Fugitive, Space Jam, The Sixth Sense - a list that could go on, and on, but you get the point. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes sits at the more pomp and ceremony-filled end of things, epic classical overtures that invoke a sense of adventure, overcoming adversity, mild peril and inner strength. Even when heard without the visual accompaniment of the film itself you can't get away from those feelings, making for a rousing and compelling listening experience.

Review: Within a few moments of a famous film score - or at least one that made an impact on you - scenes and even lines not heard in years come flooding back. And the recollections of the atmosphere in the cinema as the opening credits began. When James Cameron's blockbuster Titanic first hit big screens it was a very different time for movies, and theatres, one that seems remarkably simple compared with today's multi-platform, pre-release buy-in chaos. Simply put, the flick was seen by pretty much everyone, which is rarely the case now, and as such the typically emotive soundtrack, particularly the orchestral sections, will have made an impact on everyone of and over a certain age. First returning us to the glamour and wonder of that ill-fated ship, then the drama and desperation that defined its demise, and the death of an all-too-short love, listening now makes it clear how crucial the tunes and songs were. From the unbridled joy of 'An Irish Party in Third Class', to the somber reflection of 'Nearer My God To Thee', it's the stuff of epics.

Review: Having played guitar alongside Bob Dylan in the mid-late 1960s and early-1970s, then going on to be songwriter and six string man for the Band, it's no surprise that when Robbie Robertson turned his attention to soundtracks they came with assured rock 'n' roll authenticity. A Hall of Fame-r in both his native Canada and the US, his work for screen includes a slew of top notch Martin Scorsese movies, such as The Last Waltz, The King of Comedy, Casino, and The Irishman. Director also enlisted artist for Killers of the Flower Moon, the 2023 epic Western crime drama starring Leonardo Di Caprio, Robert De Niro, Lily Gladstone, and Brendan Fraser. This would prove to be Robertson's last score before he died in August that year, and it's a stunning swan song. From meditative psychedelia, to reflective journeyman acoustic, and strange, mysterious, woodwind-led pieces, it's evocative to say the least.

Review: When it comes to classical and orchestral worlds things often look painfully whitewashed and very male dominated, at least in so far as conduction goes. Talk about understatements. Enter Jongnic Bontemps, one name on a growing list of incredible talent changing that stereotype up for the better. Schooled in church and jam music, formally educated in classical, to date he has been responsible for no less than 50 significant projects spanning video games, cinema, TV series, shorts and documentary films. His contribution to Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is emblematic of his dexterity, a collection that shifts between bombastic and high tech, machines supporting brass and string crescendos, then quiet, patient, and at times tense work, marking him out as a true musical storyteller extraordinaire.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


Venice: Infinitely Avant-Garde is a documentary which celebrates the unique history, culture and qualities of one of the most iconic cities in the world. To match the high art which spills out of the subject matter, the film's producers turned to Polish pianist, composer and singer Hania Rani. Her playing style is minimal and delicate, and she drew upon extended visits and explorations of Venice and its museums to create a fitting accompaniment to the film. Whether you have seen the film or not, this is a compelling collection of piano pieces with subtle modern touches which speak to Rani's accomplished career to date.

Review: When Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon came out at the box office, it went some way to confirming we'd entered a new millennium, and a fresh era in cinema. Visually spectacular, despite being made on a small budget for epics even back then ($17million), the stunning tale of warring Chinese dynasties, told through battle scenes disguised as beautiful, entrancingly choreographed performance art, was an aesthetic landmark, and a more thoughtful take on the wuxia martial arts action canon. Picking up Golden Globes and Academy Awards, Tan Dun's soundtrack certainly contributes a lot to just how amazing the overall experience of watching CTHD is. Although losing out on its own nomination to the equally powerful Gladiator score - what a year it was for historic fanfares - the combination of Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Shanghai National Orchestra, and Shanghai Percussion Ensemble makes for a classical masterpiece, from the drummiest war marches to the most serene, cherry blossom-hued harmonies.