In his years with Verve, Jimmy Smith and his jaunty jazz organ made four appearances on Billboard's hit-singles charts with his recordings of contemporary movie themes. This album, arranged by Lalo Schifrin, features selections from two film scores (including "The Cat", for which composer Schifrin won a Grammy), some big-band style orchestrations, and plenty of blues. In 1964 this release defied the boundaries of idiom, appealing to a huge audience of jazz, r&b, and pop fans. Screaming film noir horns frame Smith's jaw-dropping organ runs that practically sweat emotion.

Luiz Bonfá was known as one of the major contributors to the bossa nova musical style alongside João Gilberto and Antonio Carlos Jobim. "Composer Of Black Orpheus Plays And Sings Bossa Nova" originally released in 1963 on Verve Records, illustrates Bonfá's proficient guitar skills and vocals together adding to the elegant splendor of the album.

"Black Widow" is an album by Argentine composer, pianist and conductor Lalo Schifrin recorded in 1976 and released on the CTI label. The Allmusic review called it "one of the peak albums in Lalo Schifrin's lengthy catalogue and a necessity for anyone interested in his jazz work".

"Towering Toccata" is an album by Argentine composer, pianist and conductor Lalo Schifrin recorded in 1976 and released on the CTI label. The Allmusic review states "it isn't the ideal follow-up to Black Widow that Schifrin fans might have hoped for. That said, the album has enough strong tunes and enough of a consistent sound to please hardcore Lalo Schifrin fans and anyone who loved Black Widow". The song "Roller Coaster" would be re-recorded and released on Schifrin's soundtrack to the 1977 film "Rollercoaster".