This release marks Vocalion’s third compilation of music taken from the archives of KPM, the world’s leading library music company. As with the previous titles in this series, the focus is on the funky ’70s, and this release opens with arranger-composer David Gold’s superb ‘Big City Suite’, originally recorded in 1977 and issued in KPM’s legendary 1000 Series. Blending funk and jazz with exquisite orchestral writing, it is a superb evocation of city life in all its aspects, and was recorded in Dublin using some of Ireland’s finest jazz and session musicians. The remainder of the disc comprises some of the best tracks from the KPM 1000 Series, recorded between 1972 and 1978, by the cream of the company’s composers. Among the many delights are Steve Gray’s Theme for A Hunter (1975), Nick Ingman’s Open Roads (1978), John Cameron’s Four O’Clock Earthquake and Smokey Joe’s Dilemma (1972), Alan Hawkshaw & Brian Bennett’s Dossier (1976) and Alto Glide (1974), Keith Mansfield’s The Fix and Snake Hips (1976), and much more besides. The accompanying booklet contains tributes to the late Robin Phillips (1939-2006) – head of KPM during the 1960s and ’70s – written by Keith Mansfield, Alan Hawkshaw, James Clarke, David Gold and Peter Cox, KPM’s Creative Director. Not only do their tributes offer a fascinating insight into Robin’s life and career, but also to KPM itself in the 1970s. The booklet features several photographs of various KPM composers, taken during the 1960s and ’70s. All the music here is on CD for the first time, and has been remastered from the original analogue stereo tapes.

Big City Suite (David Gold)
FROM 'BIG CITY SUITE/JINGLE JANGLE JINGLES' KPM 1194 (1977)

Big City – Opening (i) Aggressive, sophisticated theme to tail
Big City – Opening (ii) Build-up to broad metropolitan theme
Big City – Closing - Aggressive, sophisticated theme to climax
Rugged City - Powerful, determined dramatic theme
City Police - Tense scenesetter to medium pace building movement at 0:42
City Centre - Smooth metropolitan activity to tail
Impressions of a City - Impressive montage
City Airscape - Imposing airscape
Pulse of a City - Underlying feeling of power and energy to tail
City at Leisure - Lush – sophisticated

Testing Time (David Lindup) ‘The Rhythm of Modern Life/Vaudeville’ KPM 1112 (1972)
Four O’Clock Earthquake (John Cameron) ‘Jazzrock’ KPM 1097 (1972)
Smokey Joe’s Dilemma (John Cameron) ‘Jazzrock’ KPM 1097 (1972)
Alto Glide (Brian Bennett; Alan Hawkshaw) ‘Synthesis’ KPM 1132 (1974)
Jay Walking (John Cameron) ‘The Trendsetters’ KPM 1131 (1973)
Trial of Strength (Keith Mansfield) ‘Industrial Panorama’ KPM 1136 (1974)
Go Getter (John Cameron) ‘The Trendsetters’ KPM 1131 (1973)
Watchful Eye (James Clarke) ‘Suspended Woodwind’ KPM 1143 (1974)
Sunshine Special (Alan Hawkshaw) ‘Sounds of the Times’ KPM 1170 (1975)
Brass Bullet (Dave Richmond) ‘Sounds of the Times’ KPM 1170 (1975)
Good Vibrations (Keith Mansfield) ‘Contempo’ KPM 1188 (1976)
Unknowing Surveillance (Brian Bennett) ‘Drama’ KPM 1168 (1975)
Theme for a Hunter (Steve Gray) ‘The Hunter (Drama Suite)/Adventure Story’ KPM 1157 (1975)
Lap of Honour (Clive Hicks) ‘Solid Gold’ KPM 1173 (1976)
The Fix (Keith Mansfield) ‘Contempo’ KPM 1188 (1976)
Dossier (Brian Bennett; Alan Hawkshaw) ‘Hot Wax’ KPM 1177 (1976)
Snake Hips (Keith Mansfield) ‘Contempo’ KPM 1188 (1976)
Get Ready, Get Set – Fly (Alan Hawkshaw) ‘The Road Forward’ KPM 1192 (1977)
Rock Breaker (John Scott) ‘Flamboyant Themes Vol.5’ KPM 1158 (1975)
Open Roads (Nick Ingman) ‘Industry & Awards’ KPM 1225 (1978)

CDSML 8449

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