Sacd Dutton

Leonard Bernstein's Concert for Peace, a protest at the Vietnam War, took place in Washington Cathedral during January 1973 and featured a spellbinding performance of Joseph Haydn's Mass in Time of War. Here it's coupled with Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic's reading of Haydn's Symphony No. 96, "Miracle". Both were remastered from the original analogue tapes (stereo and quadraphonic).

Two slinky 70s classics from French maestro Paul Mauriat - still doing great at this point in his career. Emmanuelle is a record that has Mauriat taking on the lead theme of the 70s erotic film at the start - then moving into a whole host of 70s covers, too - all done with Mauriat's trademark sense of timing alongside swirling strings - a bit of bass at the bottom, some well-paced arrangements on the top - occasionally nodding to a bit of the disco of the generation, but never too much overall…

This is easy listening Henry Mancini, not jazzy “Peter Gunn” Henry Mancini, but darn good easy listening. As with the other Vocalion surround Mancini releases, what really makes this worth the listen is the nicely balanced surround mix. There are no gimmicks. Surround is used here to spread out the music and give it depth, which makes it perfect for easy listening (and perhaps, an accompanying martini at the end of a hectic day).

A populist programmer, avuncular podium presence, and constant visitor to small-town concert halls and living room televisions, Arthur Fiedler personified orchestral music in America. He was less glamorous, less intellectual, and in many ways less respected than Leonard Bernstein, but those deficiencies worked to Fiedler's advantage in the minds of ordinary Americans. He also enjoyed greater longevity on his home turf – nearly 50 years in the national limelight, as opposed to Bernstein's one decade of unmatched glory in New York before running off to Europe to become another gray eminence. Fiedler's success, though, was also the source of some frustration; he was forever pigeonholed as a pops conductor.

A pair of very unusual albums – back to back on a single SACD! "Stolen Goods" is a totally cool, totally groovy album from the 70s – one that features large orchestral arrangements of themes from the classics – but all augmented with plenty of wild contemporary touches. Next up is "Viva Vivaldi", served up by Italian conductor Ettore Stratta – who you'll know from both sound track and easy instrumental modes – getting a lot of hip help here from arranger Chico O'Farrill.

Two slinky 70s classics from French maestro Paul Mauriat - still doing great at this point in his career. Emmanuelle is a record that has Mauriat taking on the lead theme of the 70s erotic film at the start - then moving into a whole host of 70s covers, too - all done with Mauriat's trademark sense of timing alongside swirling strings - a bit of bass at the bottom, some well-paced arrangements on the top - occasionally nodding to a bit of the disco of the generation, but never too much overall…

Quiet Nights is a studio album by jazz musician Miles Davis, and his fourth album collaboration with Gil Evans, released in 1964 on Columbia Records. Recorded mostly at Columbia's 30th Street Studios in Manhattan, it is the final album by Davis and Evans.

Leonard Bernstein's Concert for Peace, a protest at the Vietnam War, took place in Washington Cathedral during January 1973 and featured a spellbinding performance of Joseph Haydn's Mass in Time of War. Here it's coupled with Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic's reading of Haydn's Symphony No. 96, "Miracle". Both were remastered from the original analogue tapes (stereo and quadraphonic).

Breakaway is the second solo studio album by Art Garfunkel. It was released in 1975 on Columbia Records. It was produced by Richard Perry who has produced albums for other artists such as Carly Simon. It includes three Top 40 singles: "I Only Have Eyes for You" (US #18, UK #1), "Break Away" (US #39) and the Simon And Garfunkel reunion duet, "My Little Town" which peaked at #9. "I Only Have Eyes For You" is noted also for being Garfunkel's first #1 single in the UK. Breakaway has proven to be Garfunkel's most successful solo album; although only peaking at number 9 in the United States, which was lower than his first album Angel Clare (US #5), it has been certified platinum by RIAA.