I think this is the first Goldsmith that can be bought without having to mortgage your house in order to afford it. The only others that I am aware of are the SFPM Tribute CD and some Japanese collection that is hard to find. Anyway, the first foray into mainstream compilations has come off very well indeed. The decision to use the Royal Scottish National Orchestra was a good one as all their efforts are excellent in every respect. The CD kicks off with possibly the boldest and most full bodied rendition of the Star Trek: First Contact theme there is. Although slowing the tempo of the main Star Trek theme a little, it is nowhere near as bad as the other very laboured performances I have heard (especially one done by a certain J Williams). Other Trek selections are well chosen, The Enterprise from Star Trek: The Motion Picture being a highlight (as it was on the original score). The richness of the recording and the RSNO's playing certainly add a lot to the music. I found the original Star Trek score to be somewhat cold sounding at times and this track needs to more sympathetic recording afforded here. The main theme from Voyager is a little slow I thought and on balance I prefer the original version. The theme from Capricorn One is performed with gusto and is suitably rousing, although I think the performance on Silva's Space and Beyond compilation is equally as good. Some of the quieter moments are delivered in Logan's Run, a film I have never heard of and know nothing about, however, the music is top notch (as would be expected!) moving from subtle and peaceful to more playful as the first track, The Monument goes on. The Illustrated Man has a beautiful solo soprano part, of which I find Goldenthal's Alien 3 reminiscent. Goldsmith's much heralded score for Alien is represented by the wonderful end titles which combine the coldness of space with the occasional, almost Gershwin-esque jazz figures. Total Recall doesn't work all that well without the synth backing and just makes it sound like Conan the Barbarian (on which the main theme is heavily based). I didn't care for the original synth effects I have to admit, but there certainly sounds like there is something missing here. Damnation Alley alternates between a rising fanfare and much more subdued music for its opening, but the end title is much more lyrical indeed. Twilight Zone: The Movie, is a well arranged selection of different sections of the score starting with an almost chamber style piece (after the opening fanfare). It then moves onto a more lyrical section for oboe and high strings, the final section is quite Elfmanesque, Beetlejuice perhaps. The overall quirkiness that Elfman would have brought to the music, great fun. This is one for Goldsmith fans and new fans alike as I believe some of the tracks have not been released on CD. For the things you already have, the performances make it worth getting as they are all excellent.
Rating ~ 
Total Time ~ 47:38
* Soprano Solo by Claire Rutter