The last few months were positively packed with soundtrack reissues - not one, but two Black Friday-sized batches from La-La Land, and a generous array of in-demand titles from Intrada, as well. Well, if you can believe it, those roll-outs could have been even bigger - and La-La Land and Intrada are proving it with their first releases of 2025 (for LLL, all titles that were meant to release last year). There's something for everyone: music from a Jim Henson cult classic, an action-packed sequel scored by a legendary pop producer, a 21st century John Williams score not for a Spielberg or Star Wars film...and yes, another mission for James Bond!

La-La Land's first release of 2025 is an expansion of Trevor Jones' score to The Dark Crystal, the cult classic fantasy conceived by Jim Henson, and directed by Henson and Frank Oz. Henson, of course, was well-known as the creator of The Muppets, whose wacky antics featured on the educational series Sesame Street and the long-running syndicated program The Muppet Show, for which Oz was one of the best-known performers. But The Dark Crystal couldn't have been more different than Kermit The Frog or Miss Piggy: the puppet and animatronic creatures of the film (conceived by fantasy illustrator Brian Stroud) featured more unusual, darker designs, and children of a certain generation certainly never forget their first time seeing the peaceful Gelflings and the cunning Skeksis in the mystical land of Thra. (Oz, receiving his first directorial credit that would kickstart a second phase of his career, later pegged The Dark Crystal as Henson's take on the original Grimm's Fairy Tales, long before they were heavily brightened and sanitized for contemporary audiences.) The success of The Dark Crystal inspired Henson to pursue other non-Muppet projects like 1986's Labyrinth (combining his effects with a human cast including David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly), and long after his passing, Henson's company returned to the world of Thra in the 2019 prequel series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, which aired on Netflix.

Jones, who gained attention for his composition work on Excalibur a year before, crafted a unique soundtrack for a unique film, blending the London Symphony Orchestra with synthesizers and unusual woodwinds and reeds. This 3CD set marks the first time the score is released in proper film order as intended for a longer, unissued cut of the film, with the composer co-producing and supervising every aspect of this release. (The set also includes the original soundtrack LP presentation; all the music is sourced from copies of the original master recordings, archived along with Jones' entire body of work at the University of Leeds and mastered at Abbey Road Studios by Andrew Walter. Co-producer Tim Grieving contributes new liner notes in the 32-page booklet designed by Dan Goldwasser, which features rare art from the Jim Henson archive and new recollections from both Jones and Oz. This magic set is limited to 5000 copies.

After five expanded scores to James Bond films in the last 18 months, La-La Land's aim is steady as ever with a sixth: Michael Kamen's score to 1989's Licence to Kill, the second and final film featuring Timothy Dalton as Ian Fleming's legendary literary spy. Dalton's aim was to portray Bond more like the original books, with less of the fantastical gadgets and occasionally campy humor of previous installments. And Licence to Kill remains one of the series' grittiest entries, finding 007 resigning from MI6 and enacting a personal mission of revenge after a drug lord maims his longtime CIA friend and associate Felix Leiter. (The character, who suffered a similar fate in Fleming's Live and Let Die novel, appeared in several of the films and played by different actors; this film marked the first time one of those actors reprised the role, when David Hedison, who'd appeared in the Live and Let Die film, returned.) The first Bond film not to be shot at all in the United Kingdom, Licence to Kill is a fan favorite, not least because it represents the end of several eras for the series. Director John Glen turned in his fifth and final film in the series; original producer Albert R. Broccoli, co-writer and longtime Bond scribe Richard Maibaum, and designer Maurice Binder (who created most of the films' stylized title sequences) all died before the next Bond film would be released in 1995; and by that point, the Soviet Union had also collapsed, radically altering the geopolitical stage upon which the series would build.

Licence to Kill marks the only Bond film scored by Michael Kamen, stepping in for longtime series composer John Barry. Already well-known for action scores like the BBC series Edge of Darkness and the blockbusters Lethal Weapon and Die Hard - not to mention string arrangements for rock acts from Pink Floyd to Eurythmics - Kamen's style meshed well with the assignment. The composer had planned to use a new instrumental based on Monty Norman's bond theme for the film's title sequence, with the theme's original guitarist Vic Flick trading licks and solos with Kamen's Edge of Darkness collaborator Eric Clapton. Ultimately, a more traditional approach occurred: Gladys Knight's bold title theme, co-written and assembled by Narada Michael Walden and Walter Afanasieff, fused their sleek synth-soul to Kamen's bold, brassy orchestrations, riffing on the hook to Shirley Bassey's "Goldfinger." The track became a Top 10 hit in England, and the film ended with another notable pop tune in Patti LaBelle's "If You Asked Me To," a minor U.S. pop hit that soared even higher when Celine Dion took her version to No. 4 in 1992. This 2CD expansion features all the score and the remastered original soundtrack, offering between them the single and long album versions of "Licence to Kill." It's assembled by LLL's Bond dream team: Neil S. Bulk produces, Doug Schwartz serves as mastering engineer (the music was sourced from a mix of 1/4" stereo tapes and three-track mag from MGM's archive), and Bond music expert Jon Burlingame pens liner notes in a package designed by Goldwasser. This set is also limited to 5000 copies, and like previous Bond expansions will be exclusive to LLL's storefront and 007store.com for its first 90 days.

Finally, LLL brings home a belated anniversary that closes their work on another hit action series, with the score to 1994's Beverly Hills Cop. The John Landis-directed third appearance of Eddie Murphy as displaced Detroit cop Axel Foley is inarguably the weakest in the series: neither John Ashton nor Ronny Cox returned as Beverly Hills detective Taggart and cheif Bogomil, respectively, and Foley's investigation into the death of his long-suffering superior Inspector Todd (Gil Hill) brings him back to the West Coast alongside Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) to investigate an amusement park. Indeed, perhaps the picture's saving grace is the music: CHIC co-founder and legendary pop/rock/R&B producer Nile Rodgers scored the film, utilizing and updating Harold Faltermeyer's iconic theme "Axel F." This debut release of the score, limited to only 1500 units, features the film's abbreviated but compelling score alongside a host of bonus material including demos, alternate cues and a host of material written for the fictional theme park WonderWorld, whose catchy theme was written by a pair who knew their way around attractions: longtime Disney collaborators the Sherman Brothers! Dan Goldwasser produces the set and designs its artwork, which features liner notes by Jeff Bond, including new quotes from Landis and Rodgers.

And Intrada's year kicks off with another expanded score from legendary composer John Williams - one of his more overlooked latter-day works. The Maestro was, by the turn of the millennium, mostly locked into a pattern of scoring works for longtime friend and collaborator Steven Spielberg (13 in this century from A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) to The Fabelmans (2022)) or installments in the Star Wars, Indiana Jones or Harry Potter franchises. His work on 2000's The Patriot is only one of three exceptions to this rule in the last quarter-century - but the action-packed drama, starring Mel Gibson as a reluctant hero during America's war for independence from Great Britain, was hardly uncharted territory for him; Williams has scored films that take place during nearly all the country's major conflicts, including the Civil War and both World Wars. Selected to compose a score after director Roland Emmerich (of Independence Day fame) disagreed with longtime composer David Arnold's musical direction, Williams had a leisurely two months to write his richly thematic work that builds upon his Americana modes first explored in The Reivers (1969) and The Cowboys (1970).

The expanded 3CD presentation offers a generous presentation of music heard in the film, including 11 alternate takes and nine source cues. All have been produced for release by Williams' archivist Mike Matessino, mixed for stereo from engineer Shawn Murphy's original Sony Dynamic Digital Sound (SDDS) film mixes. The set's third disc offers a new remastered edition of the original soundtrack release. John Takis contributes liner notes, while Stéphane Coëdel designs a new cover and package fit for the film's 25th anniversary this year.

All four releases can be ordered at the respective links below, and are due to start shipping this week.

Trevor Jones, The Dark Crystal (Expanded Motion Picture Soundtrack) (La-La Land Records LLLCD 1646, 2025 - original film released 1982)

Disc 1: Score presentation

1. Power Ceremony and Main Title
2. Jen Plays Pipes and Mystic Master Dies
3. Skeksis Funeral Ceremony
4. Mystics Funeral Ceremony
5. Jen's Journey and Council Chamber
6. Skeksis Fight Duel
7. Chamberlain Is Disrobed and Garthim Pursues Jen
8. Jen Encounters Aughra
9. Mystics 9-Tone Chant and The Observatory At Night
10. Garthim Attack Observatory and Mystics Leave Valley
11. Jen and Kira in Forest
12. Mindspeech, Nebrie and Mystics Journey
13. Skeksis Celebratory Banquet
14. Jen & Kira Duet
15. Introduction and Pod Dance

Disc 2: Score presentation continued

1. Kira Brings Down the Bat-Bird and Garthim Attack Pod Village
2. Jen & Kira Love Theme
3. In the Ruins of the Gelfling Village
4. Landstriders Introduction and Journey
5. Chamber of Life
6. Landstriders Battle with Garthim and The Second Mystics Journey
7. In the Sewer of the Castle
8. Kira Removed to the Council Chamber
9. Kira in the Chamber of Life
10. Kira is Freed and Jen in the Garthim Lair
11. Jen and Aughra in the Chamber of Life
12. Skeksis Panicked by Gelfling and Jen in the Crystal Chamber
13. The Great Conjunction and The Arrival of the Mystics
14. The Mystics and Skeksis Fuse to Become The UrSkeks
15. Pod Dance (Reprise) and Finale

Portions previously released as Numenorean Music NMCD 003, 2003

Disc 3: Original soundtrack album (released as Warner Bros. 23749, 1982 and La-La Land Records LLLCD 1059, 2007)

1. Overture
2. The Power Ceremony
3. The Storm
4. The Mystic Master Dies
5. The Funerals; Jen's Journey
6. The Skeksis' Duel
7. The Pod Dance
8. Love Theme
9. Gelfling Song
10. The Gelfling Ruins
11. The Landstrider Journey
12. The Great Conjunction
13. Finale

Michael Kamen, Licence to Kill (Music from the Motion Picture - 35th Anniversary Expanded Edition) (La-La Land Records LLLCD 1657, 2025 - original film released 1989)

* contains "James Bond Theme" written by Monty Norman

Disc 1: Score presentation

1. Gun Barrel/Cray Cay Landing *
2. His Funny Valentine (Film Version)
3. Sanchez is in The Bahamas/Shark Fishing (Extended Version) *
4. Bond Hooks Sanchez *
5. James & Felix on Their Way to Church (Film Version) *
6. Licence to Kill - Gladys Knight
7. Sanchez Escapes
8. Della's Goodbye
9. Torturing Felix
10. He Disagreed with Something That Ate Him
11. Let's Go Shark Hunting
12. Ocean Exotica Break-In *
13. You Earned It
14. Hemingway House
15. Licence Revoked (Film Version)
16. Bond Aboard */Sharkey Dead
17. Seaplane Escape *
18. Pam (Film Version) *
19. Enter Ms. Kennedy/Enter Lupe/Sanchez's Office
20. Uncle Q/Let's Get Some Rest *
21. Planting the Explosives *
22. Kwang */Assassination Attempt
23. Ninja (Film Version)
24. Sanchez's Home
25. Bond Sneaks Out *
26. Bond Confronts Pam
27. Framing Krest *
28. Leaving Harbour
29. Bond and Lupe
30. Q in Disguise

Disc 2: Score presentation continued (1-8), additional music (9-16) and original soundtrack album (17-26, released as MCA Records 256 436-1 (U.K.)/6307 (U.S.), 1989)

1. The Lab */The Process *
2. The Conveyor Belt
3. Dario Sees Pam/Chewed Up
4. Escape from the Compound
5. Tanker Downhill *
6. Truck Chase *
7. Problem Eliminated/Get In
8. Pam and Bond
9. Bridal Chorus
10. Für Elise
11. Olimpatec Meditation Institute
12. Casino Source I
13. Casino Source II
14. Party Version I
15. Party Piano
16. Pam (Wild Guitar Excerpt)
17. Licence to Kill (Extended Version) - Gladys Knight
18. Wedding Party - Ivory
19. Dirty Love - Tim Feehan
20. Pam *
21. If You Asked Me To - Patti LaBelle
22. James & Felix on Their Way to Church *
23. His Funny Valentine
24. Sanchez is in The Bahamas/Shark Fishing *
25. Ninja
26. Licence Revoked *

Nile Rodgers, Beverly Hills Cop III (Music from the Motion Picture - 30th Anniversary Edition) (La-La Land Records LLLCD 1661, 2025 - original film released 1994)

† Contains "Axel F" composed by Harold Faltermeyer
§ Contains "Wonderful WonderWorld" composed by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman
* not used in film
** contains material not used in film

Score presentation

1. Axel F (Version 1) †
2. Chop Shop Raid
3. Your Cooperation */Back to Beverly Hills †
4. Welcome to WonderWorld §
5. Axel Saves the Kids (Version 3)
6. Annihilator 2000
7. Raid on Truck
8. Axel Okey Dokey
9. Janice Falls in Love
10. Secret Room/Axel in Mirror †
11. Chase Through Park **
12. Axel & Dave †/Axel, Ellis & Dave †
13. Not the First Time/Bright Light †/Axel Out of Bullets †
14. Axel Changes Matrix/Fool Named Axel/Sanderson Dies
15. Axel Fox §†

Additional score

16. Chop Shop Raid (Alternate Opening) *
17. Axel Saves the Kids (Orchestral Version 1A) *
18. Axel Saves the Kids (Orchestral Version 1B) *
19. Axel Saves the Kids (Orchestral Version 1C) *
20. Axel Saves the Kids (Orchestral Version 1DE) *
21. Axel Saves the Kids (Version 2) **

WonderWorld Theme Park music

22. Wonderful WonderWorld (Instrumental) §
23. American Patrol Carousel
24. Happy Train (Instrumental)
25. WonderWorld Marching Band
26. Wonderful WonderWorld #1 (Orchestral Version) §
27. Prehistoric Ride #1
28. Over the Waves Carousel
29. WonderWorld Calliope
30. The Thunderer Carousel
31. Washington Post March Carousel
32. WonderWorld Calliope (Waltz Version)
33. Prehistoric Ride #3 *

Unused cue demos and bonus track

34. DDOJSIOC (Demo Version 1) *
35. DDOJSIOC (Demo Version 2) *
36. Just This (Demo) *
37. Need a Weapon (Demo) *
38. Axel F (Version 3 with Horns) †

John Williams, The Patriot (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - Limited Edition) (Intrada ISC 504, 2025 - original film released 2000)

Disc 1: Film score presentation

1. The Family Farm (The Patriot Main Title)
2. The North Star
3. To Charleston
4. Addressing the Assembly
5. The Defeat At Charleston
6. Walking Among the Fallen
7. Redcoats in the Cornfield
8. The Death of Thomas
9. The First Ambush
10. Martin Leaves the Family
11. Reading the War Map
12. Colonel and Corporal
13. Ann Recruits the Parishioners
14. Rough Fighter Recruited
15. Villeneuve's Training
16. Ann and Gabriel (Extended Version)
17. Tavington's Ambush and Remembering the Wilderness
18. Martin to the Stockade
19. Tavington Vs. Martin
20. The Burning of the Plantation (Film Version)
21. To Gullah Maroon
22. Burnt-Out House/Susan and Father
23. The Wedding
24. Susan Speaks
25. The Parisians Return
26. The Parish Church Aflame (Film Version)
27. The Burnt-Out Church
28. Gabriel's Last Fight
29. Mortally Wounded

Disc 2: Film score presentation continued (1-9), extras (10-20) and source music (21-29)

1. Death of Gabriel
2. Martin Rejoins the Troops
3. Preparing for Battle (Film Version)
4. Tavington's Premature Charge
5. Martin Sets the Trap
6. The British Counter-Attack
7. Martin Vs. Tavington (Film Version)
8. Yorktown and The Return Home (Film Version)
9. The Patriot (End Titles)
10. The Family Farm (Alternate)
11. Redcoats in the Cornfield (Alternate)
12. The Death of Thomas (Alternate)
13. Rough Fighter Recruited (Alternate)
14. To Gullah Maroon (Alternate)
15. The Wedding (Alternate)
16. The Patriot Returns
17. Martin Sets the Trap (Alternate)
18. Martin Vs. Tavington (Alternate Segment)
19. Yorktown and The Return Home (Alternate Segment)
20. The Patriot (Alternate)
21. The British Grenadiers
22. Prince Eugene's March
23. Yankee Doodle
24. Tavern Tune No. 1
25. Tavern Tune No. 2
26. Colonial Camp Tune
27. Violin Concerto in E Major (Allegro Assai) (J.S. Bach)
28. Ann's Wedding Celebration
29. The British Grenadiers and Battlefield Drums

Disc 3: Original soundtrack album (released as Hollywood HR-62258-2, 2000)

1. The Patriot
2. The Family Farm
3. To Charleston
4. The Colonial Cause
5. Redcoats At the Farm and The Death of Thomas
6. Ann Recruits the Parishioners
7. Preparing for Battle
8. Ann and Gabriel
9. The First Ambush and Remembering the Wilderness
10. Tavington's Trap
11. The Burning of the Plantation
12. Facing the British Lines
13. The Parish Church Aflame
14. Susan Speaks
15. Martin Vs. Tavington
16. Yorktown and The Return Home
17. The Patriot Reprise