Soundtrack Apocalisse

This is a great collection of cues and library tracks from De Wolfe music in the U.K. These cues are just some of the music that De Wolfe licensed to the Shaw Brothers for use in their over the top and exciting Martial arts movies. The collection boasts 43 tracks, some being literally 5 second stabs and others being full blown compositions that are developed fully and run for up to 5 minutes. I think the attraction of this compact disc is that it is so diverse and varied, well with music included here from composers such as Paul Ferris, Reg Tilsley, Jack Trombey, Ivor Slaney, Peter Knight, Paul Lewis, Peter Francklyn, Derek Scott and others how could it be anything else but varied and interesting.

As we all know De Wolfe have one of the biggest if not the largest collection of library music in the world and have always been a respected name within the music business. I suppose it is the score for WITCHFINDER GENERAL that we normally associate with the music publishers from London, and its funny that a short 7 second stab from Paul Ferris,s score turns up here on this collection in the form of track number 6 Drama sting no 1 which was used in the movie SHAOLIN MANTIS in 1978. There is also another cue from WITCHFINDER included this time a little longer running for 1 minute 47 seconds, track 35 IN THE SHADOWS is a dark and ominous sounding cue which was utilised by the Brothers Shaw for their 1981 production HOUSE OF TRAPS.

This collection will not fail to appeal to everyone, as there is literally something for all tastes here, atmospheric cues, fast paced almost pop sounding tracks in the style of Laurie Johnson etc, and also quieter interludes that are pleasing and haunting. I as a soundtrack collector welcome this release, as I often wondered when sitting watching the latest martial arts movie in the cinemas of the 1970,s and 1980,s what the music was that was being played on the soundtrack. The CD is packaged very well and is full to overflowing with information on the music and also the history of how Shaw Brothers and De Wolfe began to work together. An interesting collection and one that I recommend to all.