Cinema Retro music editor Darren Allison takes a look at four interesting Italian movie soundtracks.
Fin de Siecle Media of Sweden are proving to be one great
label and consistently releasing a wealth of superb cult movie scores. Little
known Italian composer Luciano Michelini’s excellent action-orientated score
for the low budget film L’Isola Deglil Uomini Pesce (FDS22) was directed
by Sergio Martino in 1979. While Michelini’s name may not be instantly
recognizable, his music certainly deserves to be up there alongside the top
flight of Italian film composers. Making full use of his orchestra, Michelini
successfully balances a fine blend of classic orchestration with modern
elements such as synthesizer and guitar, resulting in a fusion of varying
styles. The score is laced throughout with wonderful use of strings and some
rich symphonic passages. Romantic themes such as ‘Cosa Resta Dell'Amore’
and action orientated tracks like ‘Fuga tra gli Alberi’ are both lush
and thrilling in their delivery. While remaining typically Italian to the ear, Michelini
works through the entire spectrum of moods including solemn tribal drums and
haunting percussion as examples of the scores purest minimal form. Previously
released on vinyl by the renowned label Comenta, the score has been beautifully
restored and presented for its debut on CD including original artwork, stills
and notes by John Mansell.