Back catalogue: Soundtracks

Review: The most famous whistler in cinema (so arguably the most famous whistler in the world), Alessandro Alessandroni has contributed to cinema, TV and music with as much influence as his old friend and collaborator Ennio Morricone. He was also making some incredibly innovative electronic compositions on the side, it would seem... These four variations were found in an old archive in his African home and have never, before now, been heard before. From the densely-layered spaghetti-flavoured "Afro Voodoo" to the soft sultry swoons of "Afro Sentiment" by way of the sheer dancefloor pump of "Afro Discoteca", this is a truly remarkable find for Four Flies. Made all the more poignant due to his recent passing, too. You know what to do.

Review: Alessandro Alessandroni is a vital figure in the world of Italian soundtrack music, having worked with Ennio Morricone on some of the most iconic Spaghetti Western films to hail from the 60s and 70s. Continually supporting the smaller-budget independent cinema scene, Alessandroni committed his considerable gifts to countless films. Many of his most famous soundtracks have been reissued since the wider world woke up to his vast legacy, but to date no one has properly dug into his work for Italian erotic films. This expertly presented, five-disc 7" box set puts paid to that with 14 exquisite, idiosyncratic productions which show how much Alessandroni was able to achieve with a minimal financial input.

Review: Sonor Music here present the complete and previously unreleased soundtrack of 1976's Italian erotic comedy cult La Professoressa Di Scienze Naturali, which was directed by Michele Massimo Tarantini. With Italian sexy symbol Lilli Carati and filming done in the beautiful Ischia island, it's an incredible film with a score to match. Filled with cinematic sounds, library music and flirtations with funk, jazz and soul, it's in part funky, occasionally break-y, and always hugely erotic. This majestic downtempo soundtrack will bring spice to any listing session and features artwork designed by John Henriksson.

Review: The Devil's Nightmare was an Italian-Belgian production from 1971 directed by Patrice Romme, that starred Jean Servais alongside a sensual Erika Blanc, also the disturbing presence of the Daniel Emilfork in the role of Satan. The film's components are typical of the Euro horror genre of the time: a Gothic castle, eroticism, and bloody murders - all in a spectral and dense photograph. It is the music of Maestro Alessandro Alessandroni, who needs no introduction, who indelibly marks the listener, starting with the hypnotic, psychedelic opening theme to which the harpsichord and his faithful Fender Stratocaster add the acid and fuzz, overlapping the silly wordless vocals of his companion Giulia De Mutiis. Dave Zagorski filmed a remake in 2012 under the Mad Z Productions banner (the US remake of the film).

Review: Much like the rest of the labels who have re-released Alessandro Alessandroni's material over the last three or four years, Four Flies Records have understood what this Italian maestro represented to the wider electronic movement. Sadly, the man passed away almost one year ago, but he has left a dynasty for years to come, and this is made all the more true given that this latest release, Lost & Found, has never even seen the light of day, until now. Branded as a soundtrack, this is a perfect representation of what the man did, and that was to produce music with a vision and a theme in mind, regardless of whether it truly existed or not. In fact, these gorgeous slices of exotica would certainly make for a delightful OST, with everything from ambient to disco, jazz and funk featuring across its 17 masterful tracks. This is inimitable gear - and warmly recommended.

Review: For the first time, the soundtrack to Giuliano Carnimeo's 1974 erotic comedy film, La Signora Gioca Bene a Scopa? (released under the international title Poker In Bed), gets a vinyl release through BTF Italiy. Set in Parma, Italy, the film follows Michele, a penniless poker player, whose rock-bottom recourse, born of gambling debts, is to become a prostitute. Scored by Italian erotic film greats Gianfranco Plenizio and Alessandro Alessandroni - two virtuosi of great late 60s and early 70s eminence - we hear a teasing, undying vibe of irreverence here, with tempt-estuous vocals and pizzicato string tickles making light of the lurid relational meeting of minds and bodies that drives the film's action.

Review: Much of Alessandro Alessandroni's material is just being rediscovered now, thanks to all these reissues out of the Spettro New label. It's a deserved act, because the Italian multi-instrumentalist is a true pioneer of experimental music who, for one reason or another, never really permeated into the minds of leftfield enthusiasts in the same way as other like-minded musicians of the time. Il Tempo Dello Spirito is from 1971 and, alongside the plethora of his other albums, is a marvel; the album is a spiritual journey from start to end, and one that is capable of causing a tear to shed from the eyes of even the most string-hearted. Made up of apocrypha hymns, it is themes stirring, open-minded interpretation of church music that we've ever heard. A truly fascinating experience.

Review: After the success of the first Alessandroni Proibito box set, which sold out in pre-sale before it even hit the stores, Four Flies is proudly back with Volume 2 of the compilation. This new release too features five exclusive 7" singles, housing a total of ten seriously rare tunes. All previously unreleased in physical format, the tracks have been carefully selected from the soundtracks of five obscure Italian films from the late 70s - sexy flicks that flirted with the line between erotic and explicit, and which are now largely forgotten, having been out of circulation for decades. As was the case with the previous volume of the compilation, Alessandroni's music rises above the films' flimsy plots, improvised actors, and amateurish production, exuding his distinctive touch thanks to the (typically Italian) artisanal approach he took to his musical craft. The composer let his creativity run free, playing with his instruments at home as if he were in his own little amusement park; trying to have fun and produce something entertaining and captivating with just the few means at his disposal.

Review: A release that honours the centenary of Alessandro Alessandroni's birth with a collection of previously unreleased tracks from the iconic composer and multi-instrumentalist. This album uncovers a hidden chapter of Italian film scores and library music, featuring Alessandroni's lesser-known work between 1969 and 1978 for war documentaries and films. Paesaggio Bellico isn't just a military march through battlefields but a deeply nuanced exploration of war's human and existential facets. Alessandroni expertly balances sweeping, cinematic themes with moments of tension and unease. His compositions juxtapose stark, unsettling imagery with softer, more hopeful tones that has a poignant counterbalance to the brutality of conflict. The maestro's signature whistle floats over gentle 12-string guitar melodies, while his fuzz-laden Fender Stratocaster electrifies more intense passages. The Cantori Moderni, Alessandroni's trusted vocal ensemble, contribute haunting vocals that delve into the psychology of warfare. An elegant string section adds layers of drama and sentiment, enhancing the album's orchestral weight. With 18 tracks in total, the release is visually enriched by Eric Adrien Lee's cover art, which reimagines the bold design of 1970s Italian war-themed records. With a tip-on hard cover and a unique inner sleeve, the vinyl is a fitting tribute to Alessandroni's enduring legacy, blending sonic and visual storytelling into a truly special release.