I am so in my element with this score. Starting from being a huge [and loyal] fan of the tv series and to prove it I had the name Illia Kuryakin scrawled all over my school satchel! Directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer surely this has been a long overdue revisit?
The score is by English composer Daniel Pemberton. A multi-BAFTA winner who has composed for film, tv and video games. Last year he wrote one of the most evocative tv scores for the series seen on UK TV this year called The Game.
This score hit the spot and them some. It’s very cool in a David Holmes style and has he done his research! It features instruments from the 60’s which do not often feature in current scores – flute, bongo drums, rhythm stick, clicking fingers and a cimbalom.
It’s a heady mix of jazz, smooth action and delicious intrique. From the opening Out Of The Garage with it’s breezy flute to the uber cool His Name Is Napolean Solo [a tv theme if ever there was one] this score does not falter.
Escape From East Berlin and The Drums of War have exciting drum solos and again the luscious The Unfinished Kiss is not just a cue, it’s another strong theme. I think it’s fair to say that some Morricone influence took hold in the cue The Red Mist but it’s fun. There is always an expectation that music from a re-visited tv series or theme will echo the original but here there is no Jerry Goldsmith nod but Pemberton has captured the feel of the series which sometimes is harder that trying to shadow a theme tune. Interesting to see that during the shows run [1965 to 1968] Lalo Schifrin, Robert Drasnin and Nelson Riddle also wrote music for the series.
I love this soundtrack and it’s done it’s job because I now want to see the movie. Well done Mr Pemberton, one of my favourite score of the year so far.
Daniel Pemberton
TRACKS
1. Compared To What – Roberta Flack
2. Out Of The Garage
3. His Name Is Napoleon Solo
4. Escape From East Berlin
5. Jimmy, Renda se – Tom Zé and Valdez
6. Mission: Rome
7. The Vinciguerra Affair
8. Bugs, Beats and Bowties
9. Cry To Me – Solomon Burke
10. Five Months, Two Weeks, Two Days – Louis Prima
11. Signori Toileto Italiano
12. Breaking In (Searching The Factory)
13. Breaking Out (The Cowboy Escapes)
14. Che Vuole Questa Musica Stasera – Peppino Gagliardi
15. Into The Lair (Betrayal Part I)
16. Laced Drinks (Betrayal Part II)
17. Il Mio Regno – Luigi Tenco
18. Circular Story
19. The Drums Of War
20. Take You Down
21. We Have Location
22. A Last Drink
23. Take Care Of Business – Nina Simone
24. The Unfinished Kiss
Water Tower Music Label
Filmic Tracks 