Though already in business in 1961 with his own record label, Frank Sinatra was contractually obliged to give Capitol one more record before moving on to Reprise. Sinatra gave them the ironically titled Point of No Return, which is hardly the deal-fulfilling throwaway one might expect. Expertly arranged and conducted by long-time Sinatra ally Alex Stordahl, it's an elegant collection of farewell songs (including "I'll See You Again", "As Time Goes By", "There Will Never Be Another You" and "It's a Blue World"), delivered by Sinatra with a profound sense of sadness and loss. Fans of such downbeat Sinatra concept albums as In the Wee Small Hours and Sings for Only the Lonely would do well to pick up on this oft-overlooked gem. --Dan Epstein