Those look like solid selections on each anthology.
A suggestion (that probably won't be to most tastes):
In the US (not sure about overseas) in the 60's-70's, a popular series of boxed sets was distributed by mail by Time-Life Books (a branch of the magazine company Time Inc.). Tailored to the casual but nostalgic listener, these collections emphasized middlebrow classical numbers and popular hits from the past (Glen Miller, Artie Shaw, etc.). There was nothing adventurous about their choices or their sonic quality. They can be found in thrift stores for a buck per disk, and imo that's overpriced.
But there's an exception. From 1969-1972, Time Life issued three series that consist not of repackaged original recordings, but RECREATIONS of those performances, arranged and conducted by Billy May (whom I consider one of the all-time top 3 arrangers of popular music): "The Swing Era," and two volumes of midcentury instrumentals (aka easy listening, aka lounge music) titled "As You Remember Them."
Most folks on Riff won't know these (what I consider to be) classics (though a few folks here like Terry Barr and Jessica Lee McMillan) will remember some of the artists, e.g. Herb Alpert), so to illustrate May's artistry, here's a contrast of a number that anyone knows (thanks to Tom Cruise), the Mission Impossible theme song.
First, Lalo Schifrin's original TV score:
And next, Billy May's "re-orchestration":
If you love nuance in music, you'll notice that while May's version is almost identical to the original, it's warmer and darker--like a James Bond soundtrack from an alternative universe. Schifrin's score is rhythmically much more dynamic / straightforward, but May's creates complex counter-rhythms and counterpoint (pay special attention to the percussion and bass guitar).
Which one you prefer is likely to be a matter of taste, but for me there's no question that Billy May has achieved a unique milestone: reproducing the originals faithfully while changing them both subtly and significantly.
