Comprising soaring big beat ballads, the occasional guitar-driven nugget and other feminine pop gems of the stylish Italian variety, this much-anticipated follow-up to “Ciao Bella!” (one of Ace Records’ best sellers of 2015) offers further proof that there is musical life beyond the shores of English-speaking countries.

Bellissima! More 1960s She-Pop From Italy” comprises an equal mix of superstars and obscure artists, performing songs of both Italian and overseas origin. Living legend Mina sings ‘Cartoline’, one of several numbers custom-composed by maestro Bruno Canfora to show off her fantastic vocal technique, and her arch rival Milva delivers the stomping ‘Tamburino, Ciao…’, another top-tier Italian original, while highlights of the selections by lesser-known vocalists include ‘È Proprio Inutile’ by Meri Marabini and ‘Il Beat... Cos’è?’ by La Ragazza 77, groovy covers of the Hollies’ ‘You Know He Did’ and Sonny & Cher’s ‘The Beat Goes On’ respectively.

The CD version comes with a picture-packed 24-page booklet, featuring a detailed track commentary by compiler Mick Patrick.

1. Le Ragazze Semplici - Orietta Berti
2. Cartoline - Mina
3. Il Volto Della Vita - Caterina Caselli
4. Il Paradiso - Patty Pravo
5. Zero In Amore - Gigliola Cinquetti
6. Una Stanza Vuota - Lisa Gastoni
7. Tamburino, Ciao... - Milva
8. H Proprio Inutile - Meri Marabini
9. Il Beat... Cos'h - La Ragazza 77
10. Coccodrillo - Ornella Vanoni
11. Se Mi Vuoi, Mi Vuoi - Catherine Spaak
12. Incubo N.4 - Caterina Caselli
13. Il Treno - Rita Pavone
14. Il Secondo Giorno - Brunetta
15. A Me Piace Lui - Vibeke
16. Uno Come Noi - Milva
17. Per Un Amore - Vibeke
18. La Bambola - Patty Pravo
19. Non H Questo L'addio - Marisa Sannia
20. Non Piangerr - Mina
21. Gocce Di Mare, Gocce Di Sole - Rita Monico
22. Mi Manchi - Meri Marabini
23. Va... Tu Sei Libero - Isabella Iannetti
24. Come Ti Vorrei - Iva Zanicchi