Van der Valk

[Bruton Music]

I'm currently watching the third season of this classic cop show. It was produced by Thames Television's Euston Films, so it's Sweeneyesque, despite the Dutch setting. It's great fun, too, spotting all the library cues - in fact, it's one of the only places that I've heard Keith Mansfield's 'Before Summer Ends' (from his New Dimension LP on Conroy).

I was also reminded of the rather lovely (though unsuitably jolly) theme tune, 'Eye Level'. Listened to it loads when I was young, on the Jack Parnell Top TV Themes LP. My question is this: can anyone tell me which de Wolfe LP contains the original orchestral recording, as heard in the series? Or was it never issued on LP? I suppose it must have been. I've got the Jack Trombey Orchestral No. 1 LP (1973), which contains the synthesiser version, but it's the original recording that I'd really like to own.

Thanks.

[stackjackson]

This is a question for Lord Thames

[nidostar]

As I recall the track Eye Level written by Jack Trombey was released as a single on EMI's Columbia label with Distant Hills, the theme to ITV's lunchtime drama Crown Court, on the B side. Eye Level reached number 1 in the charts at the time with Simon Park performing it on Top Of The Pops. Columbia also released the album Eye Level again by the Simon Park Orchestra in their Studio 2 Stereo series featuring both of those tracks and 10 others from the De Wolfe stable. It's here: https://www.discogs.com/release/742018-The-Simon-Park-Orchestra-Eye-Level. I bought the album at the time and still have it, my mother had the single. It has always been on of my favourite instrumental albums.

De Wolfe released Eye Level on DWLP 3209 Double Or Quits credited to The International Studio Orchestra. Unfortunately I only have a lossy version of that album.

[Retronic]

Yes, first on Double or Quits.

[Bruton Music]

Thanks, guys - I appreciate it. Pleased to say that I've now sourced a copy of the LP.