The great English symphonist's complete cycle of works can be found on the Hyperion label. A good starting point is his massive 55-minute symphony no. 10, written in 1988, and dedicated to Dr Vernon Handley, the conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra on this 1991 recording. A true Brucknerian, Simpson's Tenth features the traditional four movements, and colossal orchestral forces. However, much like Schmidt's symphony no. 4, with repeated listenings it soon becomes clear that the four separate movements are actually based around the same thematic material. The tenth, like most of Simpson's work is a monumentally powerful work featuring massive Brucknerian brass chorales, incredible dissonances, and periods of extraordinary tension. However, frequent calmer interludes provide much needed variety (and breathing space). Throughout all of his symphonies Robert Simpson takes the listener on a spellbinding musical journey, be sure to book your ticket.......

Dean Martin - "The Very Best Of....... Vol.1 and 2"

Deano remains one of the popular and best-loved crooners of the past fifty years......this superb compilation of his Capitol and Reprise hits demonstrates why. A kind of cross between Bing Crosby and Elvis Presley, Martin was equally adept at singing mellow soulful ballads as he was swingin' standards......never losing that casual, easy-going and ingratiating charm. Every previous compilation CD of Dean Martin's 'best' work had been incomplete for one reason or another. This set, however, showcases all of his signature hits, from the intoxicating rhythms of 'Sway', to the gentle balladry of 'Kiss'. Every home should have one......this Dean Martin compilation, that is.

The Curtom Story - Curtis Mayfield's School of 20th Century Soul

A lugubrious album title maybe, the music is anything but. This 150-minute 2-CD set contains a stunning overview of shimmeringly slick soul, funk, northern and crossover from the Curtom label and its affiliates. Many of Mayfield's own hot-funk classics such as 'Pusherman' and 'Superfl'y are beautifully complimented by a whole range of soul and funk stars, including Linda Clifford, Mavis Staples and Leroy Hutson. The range of music here is enormous, but there is not one track out of place. The mellow orchestral funk of Mayfield's 'Tripping Out' works brilliantly alongside Fred Wesley's funktastic 'House Party'. This is a truly wonderful collection of difficult-to-find funk and soul classics from the '60s, '70s and '80s, many of which were previously unavailable on CD.

Lounge De Luxe

While nothing comes close to EMI/Capitol's 'Ultra Lounge' for the ultimate in cool, crazy and sophisticated lounge jazz, this 3-CD set from Castle Pulse is an attractive counterpart. Concentrating more on late-'60s and '70s jazz/orchestral easy-listening classics, these 3 CDs contain a wealth of music previously unavailable on CD. There are 60 tracks in all, and almost all of them are eye-openingly cheese-tastic delights. Tony Hatch, the Jerry Ross Symposium, Cyril Stapleton and His Orchestra, Laurie Johnson, The John Schroeder Orchestra, The Harry Roche Constellation and the Alan Tew Orchestra were all big names in smooth lounge jazz/orchestral easy-listening 30 years ago, and each is represented here on at least several occasions performing classics such as 'Music to Watch Girls Go By' and 'Up, Up and Away'. Roy Budd also features with a wonderful performance of 'So Nice' for tinkling piano, slick percussion, vibes and the sauciest flute you'll ever likely here. But that's just one of the gems this collection has to offer.

Essential Military Bands

This wonderful 3-CD set from Disky provides a superb overview of classic military band performances. Each disk represents the RAF, Marines, and the army respectively and a range of the best bands perform everything from 'Life on the Ocean Wave' to 'The Ride of the Valkyries'. A large number of stirring war movie themes are also represented, each given a special poignancy due to the fact they are being performed by the very heroes depicted in such movies. There is a sprinkling of pipes and drums, but for a full overview of bagpipe music refer to my next recommendation.

The Sound of the Bagpipes

60 minutes of stirring military pipes and drums compiled by the E2 label. This is the best representation of bagpipes music I've come across.......the all-important sound quality is superb, and the playing is marvellous, as one would expect from The Royal Tank Regiment Band, The Irish Guards, The Queen's Own Highlanders and The Royal Hong Kong Police Band. As well as lengthy renditions of Scotland the Brave, Mull of Kintyre and Amazing Grace, the album is packed full of splendid medleys.

Drum and Fife Through History

Continuing the military theme for a moment, here's an unusual and excellent collection of traditional drum and fife marches which accompanied the British Army's global exploits from the 17th century until the 20th century. That classic sound of flutes and drums (like you hear in those old Hollywood movies (like Northwest Passage) where the British Army are fighting the French and their Indian allies in pre-USA North America) is never more affecting when they get on to The British Grenadiers, perhaps the most familiar marching tune associated with the British Army.......John Williams utilised it in 'Empire of the Sun'. However, there's much more besides on this very atmospheric 66-minute album, including a rousing 12-minute finale medley featuring over 250 drums and flutes.

From the Archives - Test Card Music

Before the advent of daytime television here in the UK, if you turned on your TV set on weekday mornings you'd almost certainly come across the sight of a multi-coloured 'test card' swallowing up your screen. However, the BBC and ITV would compliment the static screen by treating the viewer to the 'neutral' sounds of Frank Valdor and His Orchestra, Lem Arcon and His Orchestra, Joze Privsek and his Big Band and John Fox and His Orchestra. Now the modern listener can rediscover those delights of yesteryear (which are evoked during Boards Of Canada's ambient masterwork 'Music has a right to children') through this 6-CD series from Apollo Sound. The likes of 'Kentucky Trail', 'Grandfather's Clock' and 'Crocadile Hop' have never been performed with such remarkable cheesiness.

Des O'Connor - "Tribute to the Crooners"

Ever since 'that' appearance on The Morcambe and Wise Show in the '70's, Des has sadly been lumbered with a poor singing reputation. However, unlike Max Bygraves (who makes up for a definite lack of singing ability with his natural affability), Des actually has a pretty good voice......not in the Matt Monro/Tony Bennett league, mind you, but pleasant enough. This recent album is an absolute treat and should do much to restore Des's battered reputation as a crooner. As one would expect, here Des sings a variety of well-known standards, such as 'Begin the Beguine' and 'Mona Lisa' as a 'tribute' to Frank, Nat, Bing and all of the other greats who popularized these songs. What really distinguishes this album however, apart from Des's proficient singing and fine sound quality, is the arrangements. Full orchestra, though never overwhelming, cushions Des's assured crooning with rich strings and brass, and well-placed jazz soloists.

Malcolm Arnold - "The Complete Symphonies"

This fabulous 64-minute CD from Teldec provides the perfect introduction to the distinctive soundworld of Gyorgy Liegti. The album contains some of his finest work from both early and late in his career, such as Melodien (1971), the Chamber Concerto (1970), the Piano Concerto (1985) and Mysteries of the Macabre (1977). Furthermore, the interpretation and playing on this album ensures that the innate beauty of Ligeti's extraordinarily outlandish soundworld is never overwhelmed by grotesquery. The Chamber Concerto provides a typical idea of what Ligeti's music is all about......a small ensemble of virtuoso performers, featuring woodwinds, strings, Hammond organ and keyboards create the most outlandish sonorities imaginable.....the music is positively spooky at times, but is frequently balanced by touches of great beauty. Ligeti has a fondness for contrasting long periods of dreamlike 'ambience' with incredibly frenetic helter-skelter instrumental crossfire. An very challenging listening experience, but persistence is rewarded with an appreciation of some great music, and you'll have some fun along the way.

Tony Mottolo - "Heart and Soul Guitar"

This collection of classic mellow Mottolo tracks (compiled by Varese) is a sublime treasure now we have entered the digital age and most people's vinyl collections begin to gather dust. Mottolo was of course most closely associated with Enoch Light's easy-listening orchestra from the '50s through to the '80s, contributing to over 200 albums - but he also backed the likes of Frank Sinatra and Perry Como throughout a long and distinguished career. This album includes many of Tony's best-loved Romantic standards from 1967 to 1983, such as 'Bewitched', 'Fly me to the Moon' and 'Love is here to stay' - and what a lovely job he makes of them. Warm, sensual chords from Mottolo's guitar merge with delightfully subtle jazz/orchestral backings. This is really 'nice' music performed by a really nice guy.

Penguin Cafe Orchestra - "Preludes, Airs and Yodels"

The Penguin Cafe Orchestra has been creating a fascinating array of unique compositions for 25 years now and this compilation features many of the best. 'Music For A Found Harmonium', 'Perpetuum Mobile' and 'Telephone and Rubber Band' have become 'household' themes thanks to their use in countless adverts and tv programmes here in the UK. The PCO succeed by inventing the most remarkably catchy tunes imaginable and fleshing them out with the widest range of eccentric instrumentation. Many tracks feature a 'chamber orchestra' comprising of violins, violas and cellos augmented by double bass, guitars, banjo, piano, accordion....you name it. But it is far from being just a ragtag collection of gimmicky soundbites......the Penguin Cafe Orchestra comprise a remarkable group of musicians with a gift for writing and performing memorably uplifting music that cannot be pigeonholed. This compilation will no doubt inspire the first-time listener to explore other PCO albums.

The Crusaders - "The Best of......"

I know, another compilation.....but the sad fact is that many of the tracks on this superb overview of the jazz crossover giants' career don't appear anywhere else on CD at the moment. And anyway, it's always great (and convenient) to have the cream of the crop all on one disk. The Crusaders remain one of the most important outfits in all music for a variety of reasons. They've been around, in one form or another, for 40 years......they've adapted to changing times and fashions with remarkable skill (in the process helping to invent jazz-funk), and in latter years have collaborated with an extraordinary array of popular performers, as demonstrated in this collection, from the glowing jazz/orchestral rock brilliance of Street Life (featuring Randy Crawford) to the soulful jazz of 'Inherit the Wind' (featuring Bobby Womack).

Groove Armada - "Northern Star"

With the phenomenal (and justified) success of Groove Armada's 'Vertigo', it is easy to overlook the duo's beautiful debut album. As their name would imply, this album is full of the best in smooth grooves, and includes a wide-ranging source of inspiration, from Latin rhythms to swing and from disco to funk. 'Northern Star' makes wonderful background music at quiet gatherings and intimate dinner parties, but it can also be thoroughly enjoyed as an intensive listening experience. Chill-out yes, but so much more besides, this is music that is mesmerising, diverse and incredibly slick.......and whatever track you're listening to, it'll make you feel good.

Tchaikovsky - "Eugene Onegin"

Tchaikovsky's finest opera is indeed one of the finest of all operas. Composed at a very difficult period in the composer's life (when wasn't he troubled?), the opera is a triumph of pure, gorgeously orchestrated melody. From the very first seconds of the opera the listener is treated to two hours of unremitting melody.....there is no spoken dialogue, and despite numerous arias and duets, the orchestra dominates throughout. The story involves Tatyana's declaration of love for the callous rake Onegin, only for him to respond by flirting with her sister, Olga. Lensky, Olga's fiancé, challenges Onegin to a duel which results in the former's death. Years later Onegin realises his true love for Tatyana, but on returning from abroad finds she is married and is himself rejected. Lensky's great aria, and the 20-minute 'Letter Scene' represent two of opera's finest moments, and the rest of Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin is similarly wonderful too. James Levine conducting the Staatskapelle Dresden on DG provides a thrilling account of this operatic masterpiece in sumptuous sound. Sir Thomas Allen and Mirella Freni are simply fantastic in the leading roles, and are well supported by many other well-known names from the world of opera. For anyone seeking to discover what the genre is all about, this recording makes for a perfect introduction to the sublime beauty of the opera world.

Miaskovsky - "Symphony no. 5"

Nikolai Misakovsky (1881-1950) is probably best known outside of his native Russia simply for the fact he composed no less than 27 symphonies rather than for any single piece of music. However, with the listening public now clammering for new Romantic works, Miaskovsky is emerging from the shadows and finally being recognised for the supremely gifted symphonist he is. I focus on his fifth symphony here as I believe it to be the most approachable, accessible and immediately striking of all his works. The haunting beauty of the first movement with sonorous brass, gorgeous strings and smooth woodwinds immediately grabs the listener by the throat. Thedreamy melancholic beauty of the second movement Lento is equally overpowering in its emotional intensity. The final two movements of the symphony are roistering and bustling allegros full of bubbling woodwinds, chuntering strings and impressive brass chorales. Anyone with a love of richly Romantic music will enjoy this symphony and be inspired to investigate all of the composer's work - some of which is wildly tempestuous. And you'll have a lot of fun in the process. You can't go wrong with Sir Edward Downe's conducting the BBC Philharmonic on Marco Polo. The sound is a little boxy, but that's easily compensated for by playing with your knobs. This CD also includes the equally Romantic 9th symphony, though somewhat less immediately accessible than the 5th, repeated listening reveals the work's true quality.

Stan Getz - "Plays Bacharach and David"

One of the greatest late-Romantic compositions in any form (though still largely unknown and unappreciated), the British composer's first symphony, completed in 1927 appears in the Guinness Book of Records for being the 'largest symphony' ever written. Brian, in a composing career of 80 years (itself a record) wrote 32 symphonies in all (right up to his death at the age of 96 in 1972). However, the 'Gothic Symphony' is by far the biggest and most striking. Written in six movements spanning nearly two hours, the orchestration is phenomenal, dwarfing even Berlioz's 'Grand Mass', Schoenberg's Gurrelieder and Mahler's eighth symphony. In addition to 32 woodwinds, 24 brass, 17 percussionists, a quadruple sized string orchestra and numerous soloists performing harps, celeste, organ and so on, the score requires additional brass bands, two enlarged double choruses and four solo singers. Indeed, the only recording of this work (Marco Polo 8223280281) made in 1989 (in excellent sound), required three conductors working simultaneously. But beyond the novelty factor, the music itself is an absolutely aweinspiring kaleidoscope of uplifting ethereal passages and magnificent orchestral showcases. The music is instantly accessible (and as wideranging in style and scope as Mahler and Strauss) and yet each repeated listening uncovers new delights for the listener. I've heard it about twenty times so far and I'm still discovering new facets of orchestration and thematic development - this is definitely a symphony that grows and develops in one's own mind over the course of a long period in the same way as Bruckner and Mahler's 9th symphonies seem to evolve with each listening. And for those who might be put off by the thought of choirs and operatic singing, don't be. The bulk of the symphony is purely orchestral, making the appearance of the voices all the more dramatic and uplifting - as with Beethoven's 9th and Mahler's 2nd. Snap this recording up while you can.

Astrud Gilberto and Stanley Turrentine - "Gilberto with Turrentine"

In 1971 Creed Taylor gathered together one of the greatest collections of musicians ever assembled for this jazz/classical/rock fusion. The beautiful innocent-voiced Gilberto duets with ace saxophonist Turrentine and are backed by jazz greats such as Ron Carter, Hubert Laws and Toots Thielemans. To make this a truly monumental meeting of musical talent, Eumir Deodato supplies the sublime string and wind arrangements (as well as performing electric piano). 10 dreamily Romantic tracks, two of which are penned by Bacharach/David, cements the universal appeal of this most gorgeous of musical treats.

Pergolesi - "Stabat Mater"