ENNIO MORRICONE – RICORDARE: THE SONGS OF ENNIO MORRICONE
A fantastic collection of songs originally penned by soundtrack
genius Ennio Morricone – served up here in a host of vocal versions that really
show how many different artists and styles he influenced over the years! Some
of the cuts here are expected Italian pop singles – vocal variations of
Morricone themes in Italian – but as the set moves on, there's a really groovy
range of different sounds from all over the world – some with a relation to the
soundtrack/sound library scene, but lots more by a variety of artists inspired
by the genius of the maestro. As with other sets like this on Ace Records, the
package features detailed notes – helping put all the music in context – and
the 21 track set list is full of surprises, mostly with songs from the golden
late 60s/early 70s era, mixed with some stunning gems from later years. Titles
include "Questi Vent'Anni Miei" by Catherine Spaak, "Una Stanza
Vuota" by Lisa Gastoni, "Hurry To Me" by Amii Stewart, "La
Ballata Di Hank McCain" by Jackie Lynton, "Ballad Of Sacco &
Vanzetti" by Scott Walker, "Ricordare" by Gerard Depardieu,
"It Couldn't Happen Here" by Pet Shop Boys, "Il Tempo Sa"
by Romina Arena, "Amalia Por Amor" by Hayley Westenra, "A Brisa
Do Coracao" by Dulces POntes, and "Canzione Basilica" by Fausto
Cigliano. ~ Dusty Groove
CALIBRO 35 – CLBR35 LIVE FROM SPACE
Calibro 35 have always had a soundtrack style to their music
– but here, they seem to hit an even trippier, spacier version of the mode –
playing an all-live, all-instrumental set that's bubbling over with loads of
wonderful elements! Some tracks are still as funky as before, but others really
show the group finding their own sort of bigger picture sound – writing and
playing with complexity that allows for some nicely dark corners, while still
keeping the overall sound nice and lively! The music's not in that retro-horror
mode that some groups are using these days – and instead is more funk at the
core, but with lots of cool electric inflections from keyboards that include an
Eko Tiger, clavinet, and Korg microsynth – alongside more familiar guitar, sax,
flute, trumpet, and trombone. Titles include "Across The 111th Sun",
"Ungwana Bay Launch Complex", "An Asteroid Called Death",
"Serenade For A Satellite", "A Fistful Of Lead",
"Notte In Bovisa", "La Mala Ordina", and "Eurocrime".
~ Dusty Groove
SMOOVE & TURRELL – CROWN POSADA
Smoove & Turrell might have kind of a hokey look on the
cover, but they get right down to business on this funky little record –
hitting a tight groove that's heavy on influence from both soul and AOR styles
from the 70s and early 80s! The music's mostly upbeat and filled with riffing
guitar lines and percussion bits – produced with a tightness to match the
groove, but a sound that's never too overdone, either – and with plenty of
individual elements that show that these guys aren't just slavishly copying
their influences, but instead building something great and new of their own.
Titles include "50 Days Of Winter", "Crown Posada",
"Glass", "Slave To The Blues", "New Jerusalem",
"Fight On", "Glue Bag Flags", "No Point In Trying",
and "You Could Have Been A Lady". ~ Dusty Groove
