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As film score fans hope that the year closes with a strong showing of archival soundtrack reissues, a trio of European titles, cannily taking advantage of European copyright laws, have rounded up a host of rare early material from legendary composer John Williams.

The U.K. label Jasmine has two CDs available to purchase featuring some of Williams’ least-known material: the compilation John Williams in Session 1956-1961, and a disc combining early albums Checkmate and Diamond Head. Meanwhile, French label  Frémeaux & Associés is prepping Intégrale John Williams: Jazz et musiques de films 1957-1962, a 3CD anthology offering eight albums’ worth of hard-to-find material – with a little overlap to Jasmine’s sets – plus a little bit of bonus content. All three of these titles take advantage of European sound copyright law interpretation, which stipulates that material enters the public domain 50 years after its initial release. (Of course, the majority of these titles are comprised of American repertoire, but it’s a consistent occurrence nonetheless.) As such, these collections are rarely mastered from original sources but are assembled with as much care as can be afforded. (The packaging indicates a mix of mono and stereo sources.)

John Williams in Session bypasses The Maestro’s film scoring years entirely, choosing instead to focus on studio work he did as a studio pianist, arranger and occasional conductor for pop artists. (He did so while working his way up in Hollywood, orchestrating and playing with Golden Age composers like his mentor Alfred Newman, Franz Waxman and Bernard Herrmann.) A few of the 27 selections on the disc appear on Williams’ earlier bandleader recordings, like the Kapp albums The John Towner Touch and a label compilation called Modern Jazz Gallery. But there’s a stunning amount of jazz and traditional pop here that the casual Star Wars or Jurassic Park fan might never have known he appeared on. From that familiar low piano riff on Henry Mancini’s theme to Peter Gunn to recordings by Harry Belafonte (“Man Smart, Woman Smarter”), Frank Sinatra (“Blues in the Night”), Marilyn Monroe (“I Wanna Be Loved by You”) and even Sheb Wooley (yes, that’s John on the chart-topping “Purple People Eater”), you’ll find plenty of surprises.

And Jasmine is also highlighting Williams’ early scoring work on a “two-fer plus” CD combining early soundtrack albums to Checkmate and Diamond Head – back when the jazz-affected composer was working as “Johnny Williams.” Checkmate, which ran for 70 episodes on CBS between 1960 and 1962, was a snappy procedural about a San Francisco detective agency of the same name, with Anthony George, Doug McClure and Sebastian Cabot in the lead roles. Williams wrote the show’s theme and penned scores to many episodes alongside collaborators like Marty Paich and Pete Rugolo, and this album, issued by Columbia Records in 1961, offers recordings of his cues with Williams himself conducting from the podium. (It was officially released on CD alongside the album Rhythm in Motion – more on that later – by Film Score Monthly back in 2006.)

Here, Checkmate is paired with Diamond Head, Williams’ soundtrack to a 1963 feature starring Charlton Heston. While not his first film score, Diamond Head is notable for being his first to get a vinyl release apart from the picture, owing in part to the popularity of the film, based on a novel about a white land baron on Hawaii who has to confront his own bigotry head-on twice over: when his sister announces her engagement to a native Hawaiian, and when another makes him a father. (The album, issued by Colpix Records, was never released on CD on its own, but also got a two-fer release in 2006 from Film Score Monthly, where it was paired with Lalo Schifrin’s score to the surf flick Gone with the Wave.) The Checkmate/Diamond Head disc closes with four bonus tracks from a 1957 album of film songbook standards, The Johnny Williams Orchestra Plays Sounds from Screen Spectaculars.

Frémeaux & Associés’ Intégrale John Williams is easily the most ambitious of the three. The triple album, in addition to including the previously discussed Checkmate and the full Plays Sounds from Screen Spectaculars (incorporating a number of vocal tracks), also offers a clutch of early Williams albums from the ’50s and ’60s. There’s The John Towner Touch, a 1957 disc (never officially on CD) that features Williams leading a quartet (himself on piano, Howard Roberts on guitar, Joe Mondragon on bass and Jack Sperling on drums) through a dozen cool jazz renditions of popular standards. You’ll also hear all four quartet selections from the Kapp compilation Modern Jazz Gallery, and two jazzy albums of standards that remain some of Williams’ earliest works as a conductor/bandleader: 1958’s World on a String (later issued on CD in Japan by its parent label Bethlehem Records) and Rhythm in Motion, a 1961 effort for Columbia. (There’s also two sides of a 1962 single for Columbia, including a take on Williams’ own theme to the Frank Tashlin comedy Bachelor Flat.) Intégrale closes out with a recording of the Gershwin opera Porgy and Bess, dating to 1957 and featuring a few notable names as vocalist for liner notes geeks. Bill Lee was a member of singing quartet The Mellomen – a fixture in-person and on attractions at Disneyland – and Marni Nixon (who co-leads on “Bess, You is My Woman Now”) was later well-known as a ghost-singer in films like West Side Story and My Fair Lady, as well as the mother of singer/songwriter Andrew Gold.

You’ll find track listings and order links for all three titles below.  (As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.)

John Williams in Session 1956-1961 (Jasmine JASMCD2875 (U.K.), 2026) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

1. Man Smart (Woman Smarter) – Harry Belafonte
2. Body and Soul – Russell Garcia
3. Diane – John Towner
4. Progress Report – Jerry Fielding
5. These Foolish Things – Marjorie Lee
6. My Blue Heaven – Yvonne De Carlo
7. Broken Hearted – Connie Haines
8. Anything Goes – John Towner Quartet
9. Purple People Eater – Sheb Wooley
10. The Night We Called It a Day – Carmen McRae
11. You’re Getting to Be a Habit with Me – Tony Travis
12. This Can’t Be Love – Johnny Desmond
13. Early Autumn – Anita O’Day
14. Blues in the Night – Frank Sinatra
15. Peter Gunn Theme – Henry Mancini
16. Hindara – Robert Drasnin
17. Been in the Pen So Long – The Fred Katz Orchestras
18. I Wanna Be Loved by You – Marilyn Monroe
19. Jungle Brava – Les Baxter and His Orchestra
20. Two Sleepy People – Lola Albright
21. American Patrol – Ray Anthony
22. Long Ago and Far Away – The Four Freshmen
23. Tippin’ In – Henry Mancini
24. Thank Heaven for Little Girls – George Roberts’ Sextet
25. Moonglow/Theme from Picnic – Pete Rugolo and His Orchestra
26. Honky Tonk Train – The Marty Paich Piano Quartet
27. It Feels Good – Dave Pell

Track 1 from Calypso – RCA Victor LPM-1248, 1956
Track 2 from The Johnny Evergreens – ABC-Paramount 147, 1956
Track 3 from The John Towner Touch – Kapp KL-1055, 1957
Track 4 from Fielding’s Formula – Decca DL 8450, 1957
Track 5 from Remembering – Beau Monde Record Corp. BR-100, 1957
Track 6 from Yvonne De Carlo Sings – Remington R-199-233, 1957
Track 7 from Connie Haines Sings a Tribute to Helen Morgan – Tops Records L1606, 1957
Track 8 from Modern Jazz Gallery – Kapp KXL-5001, 1957
Track 9 from MGM single K12651, 1958
Track 10 from Carmen for Cool Ones – Decca DL 8738, 1958
Track 11 from Come Swing with Me – Verve MG V-2100, 1958
Track 12 from Swings – Tops L1635, 1958
Track 13 from Anita O’Day Sings the Winners – Verve MG V-8283, 1958
Track 14 from Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely – Capitol SW-1053, 1958
Track 15 from The Music of Peter Gunn – RCA Victor LSP-1956, 1959
Track 16 from Percussion Exotique – Tops Mayfair 9694S, 1959
Track 17 from Folk Songs for Far Out Folk – Warner Bros. WS 1277, 1959
Track 18 from United Artists single UA 161, 1959
Track 19 from Jungle Jazz – Capitol ST-1184, 1959
Track 20 from Dreamsville – Columbia CL 1327/CS 8133, 1959
Track 21 from Sound Spectacular – Capitol ST-1200, 1959
Track 22 from First Affair – Capitol ST-1378, 1960
Track 23 from The Blues and the Beat – RCA Victor LSP-2147, 1960
Track 24 from Bottoms Up – Columbia CL 1520/CS 8320, 1960
Track 25 from Ten Trombones Like Two Pianos – Mercury PPS 2001, 1961
Track 26 from Lush, Latin & Cool – RCA Victor LPM/LSP-2259, 1961
Track 27 from I Remember John Kirby – Capitol ST-1687, 1962

Checkmate/Diamond Head (Jasmine JASMCD2886 (U.K.), 2026) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

1. Theme from Checkmate
2. The Isolated Pawn
3. Cyanide Touch
4. Far Out Place
5. Hassle in the Castle
6. En Passant
7. The Black Knight
8. Fireside Eyes
9. The Bishop’s Retreat
10. Queen’s Sacrifice
11. Shy Youth
12. The King Swings
13. Diamond Head (vocal by James Darren)
14. Main Title
15. Luau Dance
16. Sloan Strolls
17. Honolulu Drive
18. Catamaran
19. Diamond Head Theme
20. Hawaiian Welcome
21. Sloan’s Dream
22. Mei Chen
23. Manoalani
24. End Title
25. Theme from Picnic
26. Dearly Beloved
27. I’m Old Fashioned
28. The Anniversary Song

Tracks 1-12 released as Checkmate – Columbia CS 8391, 1961
Tracks 13-24 released as Diamond Head (Music from the Motion Picture) – Colpix SCP 440, 1963
Tracks 25-28 from The Johnny Williams Orchestra Plays Sounds from Screen Spectaculars – Craftsmen C-8043, 1957

Intégrale John Williams: Jazz et musiques de films 1957-1962 (Frémeaux & Associés FA5940 (FR), 2026) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Disc 1

1. While We’re Young – John Towner
2. Zigeuner – John Towner
3. Wait Till You See Her – John Towner
4. Bess, Oh Where’s My Bess – John Towner
5. One Love – John Towner
6. The Most Beautiful Girl in the World – John Towner
7. Diane – John Towner
8. I’ll Take Romance – John Towner
9. Dear to My Heart – John Towner
10. Hello – John Towner
11. Tenderly – John Towner
12. In a Little Spanish Town – John Towner
13. Caribe – John Towner Quartet
14. Spring is Here – John Towner Quartet
15. Anything Goes – John Towner Quartet
16. Aunt Orsavella – John Towner Quartet
17. Let’s Fall in Love – John Towner Williams
18. Over the Rainbow – John Towner Williams
19. My Shining Hour – John Towner Williams
20. Here’s What I’m Here For – John Towner Williams
21. Come Rain or Come Shine – John Towner Williams
22. That Old Black Magic – John Towner Williams
23. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea – John Towner Williams
24. Hit the Road to Dreamland – John Towner Williams
25. Stormy Weather – John Towner Williams
26. I’ve Got the World on a String – John Towner Williams
27. Sleepin’ Bee – John Towner Williams

Disc 2

1. Get Happy – John Towner Williams
2. Theme from Checkmate – Johnny Williams
3. The Isolated Pawn – Johnny Williams
4. Cyanide Touch – Johnny Williams
5. Far Out Place – Johnny Williams
6. Hassle in the Castle – Johnny Williams
7. En Passant – Johnny Williams
8. The Black Knight – Johnny Williams
9. Fireside Eyes – Johnny Williams
10. The Bishop’s Retreat – Johnny Williams
11. Queen’s Sacrifice – Johnny Williams
12. Shy Youth – Johnny Williams
13. The King Swings – Johnny Williams
14. Fascinatin’ Rhythm – Johnny Williams
15. The Varsity Drag – Johnny Williams
16. The Surrey with the Fringe on Top – Johnny Williams
17. Let’s Do It – Johnny Williams
18. Put on a Happy Face – Johnny Williams
19. Whatever Lola Wants (Lola Gets) – Johnny Williams
20. Johnny One Note – Johnny Williams
21. An Occasional Man – Johnny Williams
22. My Heart Belongs to Daddy – Johnny Williams
23. Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries – Johnny Williams
24. Sunny Disposish – Johnny Williams
25. Buckle Down Winsocki – Johnny Williams
26. Tuesday’s Theme – Johnny Williams and His Orchestra
27. ddddd – Johnny Williams and His Orchestra

Disc 3

1. Dearly Beloved – The Johnny Williams Orchestra
2. Pennies from Heaven – The Johnny Williams Orchestra feat. Doris Drew
3. Theme from Picnic – The Johnny Williams Orchestra
4. Exactly Like You – The Johnny Williams Orchestra feat. Bob Grabeau
5. Brazil – The Johnny Williams Orchestra
6. Long Ago (and Far Away) – The Johnny Williams Orchestra
7. On the Sunny Side of the Street – The Johnny Williams Orchestra
8. The Anniversary Song – The Johnny Williams Orchestra
9. Put the Blame on Mame – The Johnny Williams Orchestra feat. Doris Drew
10. I’m Old Fashioned – The Johnny Williams Orchestra
11. Overture – The Hollywood Grand Studio Orchestra
12. Oh Bess, Oh Where’s My Bess – The Hollywood Grand Studio Orchestra feat. Bill Reeve
13. A Woman is a Sometime Thing – The Hollywood Grand Studio Orchestra feat. Bill Reeve
14. Summertime – The Hollywood Grand Studio Orchestra feat. Norma Zimmer
15. I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin’ – The Hollywood Grand Studio Orchestra feat. Bill Lee
16. Bess, You is My Woman – The Hollywood Grand Studio Orchestra feat. Earl Wilkie & Marni Nixon
17. It Ain’t Necessarily So – The Hollywood Grand Studio Orchestra feat. Bill Reeve
18. My Man’s Gone Now – The Hollywood Grand Studio Orchestra feat. Norma Zimmer
19. There’s a Boat Dat’s Leavin’ Soon for New York – The Hollywood Grand Studio Orchestra feat. Bill Reeve

Disc 1, Tracks 1-12 released as The John Towner Touch – Kapp KL-1055, 1957
Disc 1, Tracks 13-16 released on Modern Jazz Gallery – Kapp KXL-5001, 1957
Disc 1, Tracks 17-27 and Disc 2, Track 1 released as World on a String – Bethlehem BCP-6025, 1958
Disc 2, Tracks 2-13 released as Checkmate – Columbia CS 8391, 1961
Disc 2, Tracks 14-25 released as Rhythm in Motion – Columbia CL 1667/CS 8467, 1961
Disc 2, Tracks 26-27 released as Columbia single 4-42516, 1962
Disc 3, Tracks 1-10 released as The Johnny Williams Orchestra Plays Sounds from Screen Spectaculars – Craftsmen C-8043, 1957
Disc 3, Tracks 11-19 released as Porgy and Bess – Mayfair/Golden Tone 9641S, 1957