Search - Maurice Jarre :: The Professionals

Exciting, Rhythmic And Also Melodic Score From Maurice Jarre

jartwo | Chattanooga, TN | 07/10/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"From the very first Latin - yes, Latin - rhythms, you instantly know you're in for something that defines the word excitement. As the credits continue to roll, the tempo shifts toward (the only-slightly-more relaxed) train rhythm Jarre creates for the melodic main theme that perfectly suites the contained enthusiasm and confident self-assurance of the four main characters in director Richard Brooks' romantic-but-clear-eyed, optimistic-yet-lamentive take on the 'passing of an era' and its code of commitment. The train theme weaves its way through the score mostly as an action cue, but, also as a triumphant 'mission accomplished'. There more tense cues, of course, and some merriment as well. I regard this as quite a good score from a great composer, but, I don't think of it as necessarily the definitive release even though it's billed the original soundtrack. In fact, this CD, I believe, is an early-on rerecording by Jarre, probably for the initial soundtrack LP release in conjuction with the first run of the film. The openning percussion on the first track (while still very compelling to listen to, indeed) is not as sonically impressive, and, is slightly different from, the soundtrack on the DVD of the movie. Also, this release has apparently been ported over to CD from an LP source - although, one in very good condition, and, sound-quality/wise, it's not, in and of itself, an issue. I for one welcome this CD, but, I wonder if, in a studio vault somewhere, there languishes the original master tapes of the first sessions, but, if even if that's so (here's hoping...), in the mean time, this is a very good edition of a very good score that I can easily recommend to Jarre fans - enjoy."