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Composed, Conducted, and Produced by:
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Lalo Schifrin
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Release Date:
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October 26th, 1999
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Audio Clips:
1. Mannix (short version) (0:31), 154K mannix1.ra
6. Warning: Live Blueberries (0:30), 150K mannix6.ra
8. The Girl Who Came in With the Tide (0:30), 150K mannix8.ra
13. End Game (0:30), 150K mannix13.ra
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Availability:
Regular U.S. release.
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Original Review, by Peter Holm
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Mannix: (Lalo Schifrin) Aleph Records, Lalo Schifrin's own label, has
blown the dust off the composer's work for the American television series
Mannix, which was shown between 1967-70. The CD contains the music that
previously was released on an LP in 1969, but it has been re-recorded and in some
cases even updated. Along with these 'original' cues Schifrin has composed
another four new ones based upon the musical concept for the series. The style
is big band jazz, but that alone isn't enough for making Mannix
so special as it is. There are several elements that together form it. One of
them is definitely the way Schifrin approaches the instrumentation. Each cue has
it's own uniqueness and where a certain instrument or instruments represent the
vital voice. Sometimes it's the reeds, harpsichord, Hammond organ, acoustic or
electric guitars, saxophone or percussion, to name a few. Schifrin's vocabulary
appears to be boundless in this aspect.
Schifrin also provides the music with a strong melodic sense, which can be
identified in all the cues. And this isn't something that just counts for
Mannix, but which is essential in the composer's works. Just take a look
at Bullitt, Dirty Harry, Enter the Dragon and Mission:
Impossible. Legendary melodies as well as themes! The music is highly
rhythmic with a large and colourful palette without any visible frame attached
to it. It spans from fast and energetic rhythms to a few integrated peaceful and
tender moments, but also exploring some exotic Latin rhythms. The Mannix
theme itself is very light-hearted and likeable, but I must
say that I rather fancy the longer and much more extensive version of it, with
nice piano riffs of the main waltz motif, instead of the short 90 seconds
television version. However I must say that the bonus track, which is a '90s mix
of the theme, is rather tiresome with its rap/techno style. One of the
highlights on the album is undoubtedly "Warning, Live Blueberries". Later when I
read Jon Burlingam's liner notes he calls it 'one of the composer's most
haunting melodies'. It certainly is with is melancholy opening that swells into
a strong and majestic piece. It's a pure pleasure to hear it!
Another favourite is "End Game" that I would have, if I didn't know it was
Schifrin, thought it was one of John Barry's '60s cues because of it's wonderful
and rhythmic solo timpani passages and the opening rock/jazz fusion style. It
simply makes me scream of delight! "The End of the Rainbow" feels almost like an
homage to the late Henry Mancini and his gracious style from The Pink Panther,
with it's slow tempo and tender style featuring colourful woodwinds, muted
trumpet and warm piano, even though it was one of the 'original' cues. The
Mannix music is one of those albums that simply makes you happy as you
listen to it and the music has absolutely no problem standing on it's own
without the images. And in addition to how, unfortunately, little jazz is used
in contemporary film music Lalo Schifrin's memorable music to an era, 30 years
ago, this release at least makes up for a bit of that huge gap. ****
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Viewer Ratings and Comments:
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• 1. Mannix (title track, short version) (1:31)
• 2. Hunt Down (3:28)
• 3. The Shadow (3:43)
• 4. Sao Paolo After Dark (3:53)
• 5. Turn Every Stone (3:46)
• 6. Warning: Live Blueberries (4:11)
• 7. Beyond the Shadow of Today (2:34)
• 8. The Girl Who Came in With the Tide (3:09)
• 9. The Edge of Night (2:58)
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• 10. Curtains for a Murder (3:46)
• 11. The End of the Rainbow (2:35)
• 12. You Should Have Known (3:26)
• 13. End Game (2:25)
• 14. The Vienna Incident (3:35)
• 15. Fear (2:50)
• 16. Mannix (long version) (4:17)
• 17. Bonus Track: Mannix Mixdown (4:17)
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Insert includes no extra information about the score or film.
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