... CD

(Rock, Soundtracks) CD

A 70s racing soundtrack from Stelvio Cipriani – but one that's served up in a much wider mix of modes than the usual Formula 1 or stock car movie! Some numbers feature Cipriani's trademark use of keyboards – in groovy ways that drift over breezy rhythms with a very groovy vibe – even some bossa currents that are a real surprise! A few other tracks have a guitar strutting along in a playful melody – and a few others slow the pace, but still keep things kind of comedic, but with loping energy that you wouldn't expect from the fast-moving world of the racetrack. As you might guess, the bossa-styled tunes are our favorites here – and the CD features 16 tracks in all. CD

British soundtrack great Ron Grainer makes a great American appearance here – turning in music for the early 70s film The Omega Man – the first film version of I Am Legend! The styles here are much more fitting for the time of the movie's release than the world of America in the future – as there are plenty of great blacksploitation and cop/crime elements that really fit the 70s urban setting of the story – really great elements that make the whole thing very different than the usual horror soundtrack of the period, and which also widen the palette of Grainer's style too! There's also a few familiar themes that are used almost tongue in cheek – instrumental hits that offset the darker mood of the action – and together, the blend of sounds is wonderful – presented here in an overstuffed collection that's well worth the 2.0 billing in the title. Given that the original score never showed up on record in the 70s, this release is long overdue – with titles that include "The Omega Man/Where Have All The People Gone", "Surprise Party/After The Ball", "Zachary Makes His Move", "Richie On The Roof", "The Trap/Nemesis For Neville/Matthias The Victor", "Dutch Takes Over", "Swinging At Nevilles", "Jumped By The Family/The Trial", and "Dutch Takes Over". CD