In so many instances, a half-decent theme tune to a movie or TV series can prove to be infinitely more memorable to that of the on screen action – take Shaft and Superfly or Dragnet and Starsky & Hutch as being prime examples. As the 1950s stumbled into the 60s, TV Private Eyes and hardboiled city cops quickly became the new genre of choice – smart suited, quick witted, blessed with an abundance of the smarts and square jaws. These weekly 30-minute strips both launched or either ramped up the careers of Lee Marvin (Lt. Frank Ballinger), John Cassavetes (Johnny Staccato), Craig Stevens (Peter Gunn). David Janssen (Richard Diamond), Robert Stack (Eliot Ness), Darren McGavin (Mike Hammer) plus novices Christopher Walken, Robert Duval, Peter Fonda, Robert Culp and Martin Sheen all pocketed a cheque for guest shots. An added bonus was the quality of their musical soundtracks crafted for the occasion by the likes of Pete Rugolo, Elmer Bernstein, Nelson Riddle and Henry Mancini, while Count Basie was responsible for coming up with the memorable theme that prefaced M Squad. It has been suggested that soundtracks don't often have the substance to stand alone without the benefit of the visuals. In some instances that may well be true. In contrast, much of The Crime Jazz! collection disproves that theory, for many of these particular soundtracks outlasted the vehicles which they originally served. Remember all of these soundtracks were recorded in Hollywood, where the sound of shiny fullblown brass sections, yearning saxophones and often frantic rhythm teams were performed by a highly dependable pool of regulars who, having frequently worked together, built up an affinity which had a positive impact on the end result. This creative workforce often included Conte and Pete Candoli, Conrad Gozzo, Frank Rosolino, Milt Bernhart, Bud Shank, Bob Cooper, Ted Nash, Benny Carter, Larry Bunker and the ubiquitous Shelly Manne. The result? Vast acres of top drawer, modern jazz was performed with great zeal (Elmer Bernstein's Staccato score) Oh yes, there's also plenty of hip-shaking cha cha's. And if it didn't quite kick off this whole phenomenon, Henry Mancini's music to Peter Gunn proved by far the most successful spawning numerous best-selling related albums and a No.1 pop hit for Duane Eddy. But then that's another box set!