Various Artists - Close to You: Songs of Burt Bacharach / Various - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Beautiful and relaxing, orchestral interpretations of the best loved songs of Burt Bacharach. The ideal background for that peaceful time of day.

If you were a 70s baby growing up in the 80s, the only thing that ran you back in the house was the streetlights coming on and the Saturday afternoon drive-in movie. No matter what you were doing, everything stopped by 3 00 p.m. And as you waited for the kung fu flick to begin, you prayed that it would be the one with the Shaolin monks or dudes rocking long hair. The hero gets beaten... training with bamboo and buckets of water... pupil masters the skill and defeats the evil clansmen. And when it was all over, you swore you could do everything you saw. Furniture and younger siblings paid at the hands of your newly found golden arms. From the tv to your eyes and then your soul, this was an experience. Saturday Afternoon Kung Fu Theater is a call back to when albums were thematically crafted like a good book and sequencing meant something. It is intentional from start to finish. As much as Scratch has rekindled the feeling, Rza's lyricism is that of a marksman. He displays depth in his wordplay and showcases the evolution of his alter ego Bobby Digital on the title track and Never Love Again. Rza's delivery is in the pocket, and his content is poignant and purposeful. On Fisherman, Pugilism, and Fate of The World, it's clear that Rza is making the statement that the Zig-Zag-Zig, Allah, has neither lost a step nor his way. There is much to unpack, and in each line, you get a glimpse of his life which unveils another layer in the legend of the abbot. In this offering, you get inspiration, wisdom, fun, and data over something that is sonically beautiful and satisfying. Much like what DJ Scratch and RZA sought out to do in their respective careers, the fans are receiving a project done simply out of the love of hip hop. Not for a check, the charts, or any accolades. This is emceeing over heavy basslines and drums that will make your soul shift. After your first listen, you

Celebrate some of the greatest vocal performances ever recorded from legendary artists with this brand-new 3CD compilation. Spanning a huge 7 decades and a huge variety of genres, all united by... extraordinary singing and unforgettable songs. Kicking off with one of the most famous love songs of all time, 'I Will Always Love You' from Whitney Houston, CD1 sets a striking tone for the collection. Iconic pop moments from Robbie Williams and Natalie Imbruglia follow, alongside familiar favourites from Will Young, Lewis Capaldi and Amy Winehouse with 'Rehab'. The disc also features era-defining classics including 'Son Of A Preacher Man' from Dusty Springfield and 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' from Diana Ross, before closing with a trio of timeless soul and jazz masterpieces from Stevie Wonder, Nat King Cole and Louis Armstrong with 'What A Wonderful World'. CD2 opens with the empowering anthem 'Respect' from Aretha Franklin and the irresistible groove of 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine' from Marvin Gaye. More timeless classics follow with hits from Jimmy Ruffin, Sandie Shaw, Bryan Ferry, and Kim Carnes, before a dramatic rock duo of Meat Loaf's 'Bat Out of Hell' and Bonnie Tyler's 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' take centre stage. The disc continues with a mix of soulful and emotive performances including from Chris Rea, Joan Armatrading, and Elkie Brooks, before culminating in the heartfelt modern ballad 'Because of You' from Kelly Clarkson. CD3 begins with disco and dancefloor anthems, from Gloria Gaynor's 'I Will Survive', Donna Summer's 'MacArthur Park' and Candi Staton's 'Young Hearts Run Free'. The energy continues with powerhouse vocals from Chaka Khan and Thelma Houston, alongside pop smashes from Laura Branigan, Cher, and Kylie Minogue with 'Can't Get You out of My Head'. Contemporary classics from George Ezra, Leona Lewis and Christina Aguilera lead into a stu