All you need to know is “Raquel!” stars Raquel Welch and was “filmed on location in London, Paris, Acapulco, Mexico City, Big Sur, Sun Valley, Yucatan, and Los Angeles!” She sings. She dances. And Bob Mackie designed the costumes. Prepare yourself to step into a time capsule that is so quintessentially 1970.

“Raquel!” starts off with Raquel singing “Games People Play” during the opening credits then dissolves into “California Dreamin’,” filmed with Raquel exploring the famous sites of Paris. As I noted, the costumes in “Raquel!” were created by the legendary designer Bob Mackie, who certainly had his work cut out for him in this made-for-TV musical extravaganza. For the Mamas and the Papas cover, Raquel is adorned in a low-key red cape with black trim. Though, halfway through the song, the tone and location change as she is transported to Mexico where she does some far-out space dancing to an instrumental drum soundtrack. Suited up in a silver bikini, Raquel is joined by a couple of gyrating astronauts. But, faster than you can say “bad acid,” we’re back in Paris where Raquel closes out “California Dreamin’.”

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Alan Hawkshaw has been known for composing music for many movies and television shows in the 1960s and '70s. Listening to an organ sometimes gives people the feeling they're in a funeral or church – not when you listen to Hawkshaw! Hawkshaw's Mo'Hawk album has the right grooves that offers a spectacular mix of organ, flute and brass instruments. Emotions emerge when you feel like hopping on a flight for a holiday, the next minute you feel like you're being chased through the city streets. My personal favorite is "Action Man." For a sample of Mo'Hawk, watch a video of "Girl in a Sportscar" and "Action Man" after the break. Do you have a personal favorite? Comment below!

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During the late 50's, a new jazz style and genre evolved from Brazil. Bossa Nova became a mixture of cool jazz and samba, which was particular to Brazilian culture, dance and music. Musical artists such as Antonio Carlo Jobim and Joan Gilberto were known for creating this new style. The 60's became a catapult for the new popular genre that we now recognize as a standard.

One particular compilation I found is from an Italian musician, Nicola Conte, who's style of music is influenced by none other, Bossa Nova. Conte's musical style is not usually recognized unless seen on TV commercials, like Jet Sounds, from his Bossa Per Due album. Conte compiled some of his most influential musicians into Nicola Conte Presents Viagem. This album has many unique artists that I've never heard of. It became a great addition to my collection.

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A somewhat kitschy promotion video from Pan American airways, made in the early 1970s that takes us around the world and back again in less than 25 minutes. The video was most likely produced to showcase how easy it was to travel around the world with Pan Am, take in the sights and then be back again in the afternoon to enjoy tea at the Ritz. If you recognize some of the music cues that are played in the background, they are sourced from several KPM records. The same kind of library music that can be found on many of my music compilations here. Footage provided by the lovely people at The Travel Film Archive.

Get Carter starring Sir Michael Caine was released in 1971 and is most likely the best and most well known British gangster movie ever made. Not only does it create an excellent gritty, eerie and gloomy 1970s gray industrial look – but also features a very tasty score by composer and jazz musician Roy Budd, a musical prodigy already having completed a vast musical repertoire at the young age of 8. The above videos document Mr. Budd playing the main theme for the movie accompanied with the opening scene and under it the original uncut trailer for the movie. If you are a fan of Get Carter you should definitely also look into The Long Good Friday starring Bob Hoskins.

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