Silva Screen Records release Hans Zimmer, Jacob Shea and Jasha Klebe's powerful soundtrack to Sir David Attenborough’s stunning new ultra-high definition sequel to BBC TV’s Planet Earth...

It would be pretty hard to drop the ball on this one. Firstly we have the beauty and mystery of our planet as backdrop and the great Hans Zimmer as co-composer for this incredible series.

The soundtrack for Planet Earth II is spread over 2 CDs (50 tracks - 2 hr, 15 min, 55 sec) and is split into segments that convey themes for islands; jungles; deserts, mountains, grasslands and cities.

When BBC's Planet Earth appeared on television screens worldwide a decade ago it transformed how viewers saw their planet. Capturing a global audience of over half a billion people it gave an unprecedented view of life on Planet Earth. 10 years on this fascinating subject has been revisited with the use of up-to-date technology allowing the viewer to watch the natural world from even more perspectives. As before, the series is narrated by Sir David Attenborough.

There are so many interesting themes here that it's almost impossible to know where to start singing its praises. In fact, I'd argue there's something for everyone here, from the epic opening 'Planet Earth II Suite' to the tongue-in-cheek 'Ice Skating Flamingos' everyone will find something to add to their favourites playlist.

Personally I enjoyed the album as a whole, but if I were forced to pick out tracks I'd have to give special mention to 'Planet Earth II Suite'; 'Albatross Dance'; 'The Ibex'; 'Tenacious Bobcat'; 'The Unnatural Habitat'; 'Toronto Raccoons'; 'We Are The Designers'; and 'Epilogue'. But to be perfectly honest every time I relisten to this album I find something else I totally fall in love with.

This was never really going to score anything other than full marks. This is one soundtrack that would have been practically impossible to mess up when you have such a huge and interesting canvas.

10

Darren Rea