Simon Haseley / Peter Reno 'Great Day'

Originally released in 1972 on UK library imprint Music De Wolfe, Great Day stands as one of Simon Haseley aka Simon Park and Peter Reno's most coveted statements. Long a grail among breakbeat obsessives and sampled by figures from Madlib to LTJ Bukem, its reputation rests on immaculate orchestral funk precision. 'Little Big John' opens in breezy piano-led optimism before 'Hammerhead' detonates into hulking, wah-scorched funk, drums cracking beneath brass stabs. 'Crimson' retreats into oboe-laced introspection, while the title track strides forward on bold horns and insistent rhythm. On the flip, 'Hold Back' broods in shadowed orchestration and 'Convoy' surges with organ-fuelled urgency. Library music, perhaps, but rendered with cinematic bravura and break-heavy authority.