Casiddie Williams

La-La Land Records, WEA and Warner Bros. proudly present the remastered and expanded, limited edition 2-CD set of John Williams’ Academy Award Nominated original score to the 1987 feature film EMPIRE OF THE SUN, directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Christian Bale, John Malkovich and Miranda Richardson. Heralded as one of the acclaimed composer’s finest works, Mr. Williams’ masterful orchestral score seeks no less than the openness of the human heart, mind and soul – the perfect compliment to this powerful and indelible film about a young English boy’s emotional and physical struggle to survive the Japanese occupation of China during WWII. This deluxe re-issue was produced, assembled and mastered by Mike Matessino in cooperation with John Williams, Steven Spielberg and the film’s co-producers Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall.

SoulMusic Records is very proud to present a deluxe box set of the 11 Columbia and ARC albums by award-winning icon Deniece Williams released between 1976-1988. A constant presence on the contemporary music scene as a soul, pop and gospel best-selling artist and distinguished songwriter, ‘Niecy’ (as she’s been known since her early ‘70s tenure with Stevie Wonder’s female background vocalists Wonderlove) has racked up over 25 charted hits, all of which can be found on the eight discs that comprise this first-of-its-kind full showcase of Deniece’s distinctive and influential music.

The Tony Williams Quintet recorded four studio albums between 1986 and '91: Civilization, Angel Street, Native Heart and The Story Of Neptune. Each album was distinguished by Tony's distinctive, melodic compositions, unique arranging and extraordinary drumming. Roney, Pierce and Miller, all outstanding and concise soloists, quickly developed an empathy that grew with each album. This was a band that made Tony immensely happy. He enjoyed the company of his sidemen and loved the way they interpreted his music. And from 1986 to '94, he had a consistent musical outlet for his music. Throughout a career filled with achievement and innovation, this body of work remains among his most satisfying music.

The most acclaimed and enduring film music in Hollywood history, the original soundtracks of Star Wars Episodes I VI, are now issued by Sony Classical in a new box set, Star Wars: The Ultimate Soundtrack Collection that includes 10 CDs plus a DVD. All composed by John Williams, the legendary five-time Oscar®-winning composer, this unique collector set is being released just as the latest chapter in the saga, Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens in theaters. Star Wars: The Ultimate Soundtrack Collection includes the original six soundtracks in mini album jackets on 9 CDs, plus a bonus CD featuring a new audio interview with Harrison Ford (Han Solo) alongside an interview with John Williams. Also included is the DVD Star Wars: A Musical Journey, a one hour special hosted by actor Ian McDiarmid (Chancellor Palpatine) highlighting select musical themes alongside key sequences from the films. Rounding out the set are a fold-out poster and three collectable stickers.

Featuring 16 #1 Country hits and thirty-five Top 10 hits from the "Gentle Giant" of Country. Tracks include "You're My Best Friend," "Love Me Over Again," "Good Ole Boys Like Me," "Heartbeat in the Darkness," "Lord, I Hope This Is a Good Day" and many more. In his heyday, fans went to Don Williams concerts like they went to church–quietly, reverently. They might approach this set, with its 16 No. 1 hits, with similar devotion. The skeletal, small-band country-folk sound frames his guileless baritone so delicately that one could make a case for Williams as one of the fathers of New Age music. But these singles, no matter how soft and simple, refuse to recede into the background. That's partly because of the sing-along melodies, but mostly because he conveys these lyrics–which could be artsy ("Good Ole Boys Like Me") or brazenly direct even by Nashville standards ("You're My Best Friend")–with irresistible warmth, intimacy, and empathy. Forty songs may add up to more time than you care to spend in church in one sitting, but if you have this, you'll never need another Williams CD. –John Morthland

Tony Williams's pioneering electric trio Lifetime made two stunning, yet imperfect records in the early 1970s in Emergency! and Turn It Over. A reflection of the turbulence of its times and the new attitudes that were being shaped, Lifetime began life as one of jazz's first all-star power trios: the brilliant Larry Young on organ, the multitalented John McLaughlin on guitar and Williams, a complete arsenal of one on drums. Some of the music this group made was powerful and breathtaking. Some of it was downright pretentious and amateurish (especially whenever someone started singing). But even so, jazz audiences hated the group; it was rock listeners who were intuitive enough to pick up on this trio's amazing musical integrity.

La-La Land Records, Sony Pictures, Amblin Entertainment and Sony Music present HOOK – THE ULTIMATE EDITION, a remastered and expanded 3-CD soundtrack presentation of legendary composer John Williams’ (STAR WARS, E.T., HARRY POTTER) original motion picture score to the 1991 adventure-fantasy HOOK, directed by Steven Spielberg. An undisputed masterwork within the treasured John Williams and Steven Spielberg collaboration that has spanned five glorious decades, HOOK is an astounding orchestral odyssey that exemplifies the Maestro’s musical genius—a sonic epic that soars with imaginative joy, wonder and adventure!

Presenting the Complete Philips Recordings of John Williams on 21 CDs, with the original jackets, celebrating the maestro's 90th birthday on February 8. This box set includes the original artwork and spined wallets, a 32-page booklet with new liner notes by Dr. Emilio Audissino (author of The Film Music Of John Williams and Film Music In Concert: The Pioneering Role Of The Boston Pops Orchestra). All packaged in a 2-piece lift-off lid box with V-shaped thumb-cuts on either side of the lid.