Review: Various Artists, Morricone RMX

Some of downbeat’s elite are on board for the compilation, including Terranova, Thievery Corporation, and Sofa Surfers.

Various Artists, Morricone RMXAfter years of uncertainty concerning the effect electronica might have on his music, Italian film composer Ennio Morricone finally put his stamp of approval on a remix tribute album. The result, Morricone RMX, features reinterpretations of 12 classic tunes from the five-time Academy Award-nominated composer best known for his contributions to the spaghetti westerns of the late ’60s and early ’70s. Some of downbeat’s elite are on board for the compilation, including Terranova, Thievery Corporation, and Sofa Surfers. Apollo 440’s dub remix of “The Man with the Harmonica” from Sergio Leone’s Once Upon a Time in the West is at once menacing and beautiful, while Japanese retro-loungecore act Fantastic Plastic Machine offer a housey, euphoric rendition of “Belinda May.” Elsewhere, Rockers HiFi contribute two renditions of “Clan of the Sicilians,” one gritty and unpolished and the other, much like the entire project, injected with a smooth groove.

Score: 
 Label: Reprise  Release Date: May 22, 2001  Buy: Amazon

Sal Cinquemani

Sal Cinquemani is the co-founder and co-editor of Slant Magazine. His writing has appeared in Rolling Stone, Billboard, The Village Voice, and others. He is also an award-winning screenwriter/director and festival programmer.

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