CINECOCKTAIL COMPILATIONS ON BEAT RECORDS.

This has got to be one of the better compilations of Italian film music that has been issued in recent years. It’s a bright bouncy and rhythm filled collection of themes and outstanding tracks from Italian movies of the 1960 thru to the 1980,s. Written and performed by many of the Italian film music industries top composers and musicians. In many ways similar to the I SOGNI DELLA MUSICA series(WHICH SHOULD BE RE-ISSUED) that was also produced by BEAT. CINECOCKTAIL is sumptuously packaged with so many interesting notes by the likes of Franco De Gemini, Francesco De Masi, Enzo G Castellari and Daniele De Gemini and eye arresting art work, this will be a popular collection amongst long term devotees of Italian movie music and a great introduction to any collector that per chance might be oblivious to the great music that has been written to the many productions that hail from Cinecitta. Disc one contains 20 tracks which are the work of composers such as DE MASI, DE ANGELIS, PREGADIO, PLENZIO, ORTOLANI, CIPRIANI,UMILIANI, MORRICONE, PIOVANI, ALESSANDRONI and FRANCO DE GEMINI. If you are a novice in collecting Italian movie music then I suggest that you rush out straight away and purchase this collection, its easy listening, lounge type tracks are certainly infectious ad uplifting, in fact it’s a compact disc that one could put on repeat and just listen to all day.

It showcases also the unique and distinct sound of IL CANTORI MODERNI. The collection also features some unreleased tracks, for example YOU CAN DO A LOT WITH SEVEN WOMEN, the full version is included here, because when the original LP was issued there was not sufficient room to this. The tracks are taken from movies such as LA GATTA IN CALORE, PAPAYA ISLAND, IL MEDICO LA STUDENTESSA, UNA SULU ALTRA, MARCIA TRIONFALE, LA POLIZIA INCRIMINA LA LEGGE ASSOLVE and IL MOSTRO to name a handful.   This collection just manages to capture and convey to the listener the original and inimitable sound that is Italian film music, fresh, vibrant and above all original. The second disc is equally as entertaining, but more up-tempo, as far as I can make out it is a remix CD, the themes of Pregadio, being reworked and re-mixed by Daniele De Gemini, Paolo Scotti etc, this is an entertaining listen, produced well and a great companion disc to CD number one, my preference out of the three tracks on disc two was track number three entitled FUNKY CHOPPER it reminded me a little of the style of Robbie Rivera slightly funky house, one to put on and do some fancy foot work to, (on your own of course).  I cannot recommend this collection enough, watch out for Volume 2.

Following hot on the heels of CINECOCKTAIL, BEAT records have issued another compilation which is after the same style as the aforementioned release. CINECOCKTAIL – the second chance, is however in my opinion a better and more varied collection of themes and cues. Described as a jazzy and funky listening experience it is a fulfilling and highly enjoyable anthology of the wonderful music from Italian cinema that adorned the movies that were released during the 1960,s and 1970,s. This collection is most certainly more of a jazz orientated compilation than its predecessor, it possesses a sound that is easy going yet interesting, with cues included by composers such as Roberto Pregadio, Romano Mussolini, Francesco de Masi, Armando Trovaioli, Berto Pisano, S.M. Romitelli and G. & M. De Angelis, this can only be a collection that every self respecting Italian film music fan will just have to own. Many of the tracks are taken from film scores that will probably already be familiar to listeners, for example the playful cheeky and slightly risqué theme from SESSO MATTO, the groovy sound of FUNKY DISCO SOUL from YETI-GIGANTE DEL 20 SECOLO and the excellent ROMA VIOLENTA. But then we are treated to a number of tracks that have not been released until now, for example TIC NERVOSO both instrumental and vocal versions from DOVE VAI SE IL VIZIETTO NON CE L’HAI by Berto Pisano, which I personally think captures the entire mood of this wonderful compilation, its jazzy, funky and upbeat, a foot tapping, hip shaking, ass shaking cue that just don’t let up, makes one want to get out the white suit, teardrop collar shirt and medallion and strut your stuff around the room,(if of course I had any of those).

It’s a slice of retro that is still trendy. So overall a fantastic collection of cues, which will be played again and again. Disc two is a collection of jazzy re-mixes courtesy of Francesco Santucci, which are executed well and come across brilliantly. One knows that they are re-mixes of original tracks with a little bit of a funky kick, but they still retain the sound and flavour that can only be from the 60,s and 70,s. This is a must have compact disc, as always art work is striking and also the booklet contains informative notes.