Back catalogue: Leftfield

Review: RECOMMENDED
It has been just over 12 months since Ennio Morricone passed away, aged 91, and if it were up to use there would have been a non-stop stream of reissues from the Italian maestro's back catalogue to help people either remember or discover what made his work so important. It's hard to comprehend, but during his career he wrote more than 400 scores for TV and cinema, alongside around 100 classical works. That's some contribution.

Giu' La Testa is one of many he worked on to accompany a Sergio Leone Spaghetti Western - with the pair collaborating on all but the latter's directorial debut. From whichever angle you're listening, this is the epitome of that relationship, with tracks veering from deeply atmospheric to playful, Romantic and wistful to cautiously adventurous. Exceptional stuff from a genuinely irreplaceable practitioner.

Review: Ennio Morricone's score for Il Gatto is a standout in his work for Italian Giallo films. Though the story got mixed reviews, Argento's direction and Morricone's music elevate the film with its tension-building, subconscious fear-stoking and gorgeous cinematography. The score is marked by a jazz-influenced bass guitar and a five-note motif, expanded upon with diverse instruments like strings, high-pitched organs, eerie woodwinds and ghostly voices. While repetitive textural ideas form the score's heartbeat, subtle musical accents keep it intriguing. This score masterfully enhances the film's nightmarish atmosphere. The track 'Mariangela E La Seduzione)' offers a rare semi-sweet melody, while the track 'Quartetto Tiberini' adds depth to the overall experience. Morricone's terrifying, hallucinatory score for Il Gatto is among his finest work.

Review: Ennio Morricone's La Cosa Buffa is a brilliant 1972 soundtrack that beautifully captures the emotional breadth of Aldo Lado's sentimental drama. The score, celebrated for its lush orchestration and hypnotic themes, features an array of string and harpsichord variations, with Edda Dell'Orso's haunting, wordless vocals enhancing the romantic atmosphere. The album, reissued on vibrant yellow vinyl to mark its 50th anniversary, showcs Morricone's exceptional ability to blend dreamy and groovy elements, making it accessible yet deeply evocative. Remastered by Claudio Fuiano, this edition includes a faithful reproduction of the original film poster, adding to its collectible appeal. Notably, the score diverges from Morricone's more intense giallo work, presenting a more melodious and dramatic soundscape. The catchy 'Ballabile N.1' and 'N.2' tracks offer a playful nod to 60s beat music, further enriching the album's varied texture. La Cosa Buffa is a signature example to Morricone's movie magic helping him remain as influential and beloved as ever.

Review: Ennio Morricone's soundtrack for La Donna Della Domenica is yet another masterful display of the great composer's musical prowess. Released in 1975, this score seamlessly blends elements of jazz, funk, and classical music, reflecting the film's noir atmosphere. Morricone's compositions evoke a sense of mystery and suspense, enhancing the on-screen drama, and that is true again here. Tracks like 'La Donna Della Domenica' and 'La Lucertola' showcase his ability to create haunting melodies and intricate arrangements. With its diverse instrumentation and emotive themes, Morricone's score for La Donna Della Domenica remains a captivating listen, underscoring his status as one of cinema's greatest composers.