Music From the Ipcress File by John Barry

CBS BGP 62530

  If cool, mid-60s, spy-jazz is your genre, you probably already know of this gem, but if it has managed to escape you all these years, stop sitting around and hunt down a copy!  John Barry (winner of four Grammys and five Oscars) may not be a household name, but just about everybody has heard his music before, namely in the form of the James Bond Theme.  This soundtrack surpasses the Michael Caine film that it was composed for, representing the genre at the top of it's game with enough loose, surefooted, swagger to keep a smirk on your face and one eyebrow raised for a whole week.  An original mono British copy of this album may be extremely hard to find but don't despair, the more common US Decca copy with the red cover (mono or stereo, each has their merits) still sounds great and shouldn't set you back much more than $10.  Here's to great music on affordable vinyl!

UPDATE!

  Music On Vinyl reissued a gatefold 180g edition of The Ipcress File on September 12th, 2011 with an approximation of the original UK cover art and a bonus 7" of dialogue.  Chances are it is stereo, unlike the original UK pressing, and digitally sourced but if any readers pick up a copy let us know what you think.