BACHARACH / HAL DAVID, BURT

For its dexterity and skill in whittling the vast catalog of Burt Bacharach and Hal David-penned pop recordings into one manageable, comprehensive package, Rhino's three-disc The Look of Love remains the authoritative collection -- the lion's share of its 75 songs appear in their definitive versions, and it's not only a must-have, but it's probably the only Bacharach/David set the average pop aficionado will ever need. But for true acolytes, the joy lies in discovering new and different adaptations of the songwriting duo's biggest pop hits, which makes compilations like EMI's The Burt Bacharach and Hal David Songbook Collection such a treat -- few of its 20 tracks (including Bobbie Gentry's sultry "I'll Never Fall in Love Again," Irma Thomas' "Long After Tonight Is Over" and Bobby Vee's "That's the Way I'll Come to You") overlap with The Look of Love, but even though these aren't the "hit" versions per se, they're all underscored by the lush sophistication that remains the hallmark of a Bacharach/David composition regardless of its interpreter. The unrivaled highlight is Cilla Black's "Alfie" -- though certainly the most widely available recording included here, it's the definitive rendition of the song Bacharach often called his own favorite, and it never, ever seems to grow old. ~ Jason Ankeny, AMG

Estimated despatch 5-10 days after ordering.