CD REVIEW - SPACE: 1999: YEAR 2 + NEWS FROM COSTA COMMUNICATIONS


Space: 1999: Year 2
Music by Derek Wadsworth
Silva Screen Records SILCD1223 (UK)
21 Tracks 79:29 mins

Year 1 of Gerry Anderson's predominantly live-action sci-fi series Space: 1999 was a bit of a hotch-potch in terms of the underscore. Anderson regular Barry Gray of course provided much of the music, but other composers worked on the show and some music was used from other areas. This proved to be not only the last time Gray worked for Anderson, but also the last time he composed for film or TV; for a new American producer, brought in by the network, was charged with re-vamping the show, including adding an intriguing new alien character, Maya (played by Catherine Schell), to the cast, and Derek Wadsworth, largely known for his arranging and conducting work in the pop field, was brought on board to compose the music in a new, more contemporary style.
For its seventh Anderson release, Silva Screen has issued a CD of highlights from Year 2 of the show, which first aired in September 1976 and, whilst we wait, seemingly in vein, for Barry Gray's splendid music for Stingray, it is this that I turn my attention to.
If anything, Wadsworth's new main theme for the show is even more propulsive than Gray's original, really getting things off to a bang. And there's plenty of pacy action scoring throughout t subsequent tracks, with his mix of orchestra, synths and rhythm section. At other times, there are lighter moments, like the easy-going pop of "We're All Aliens," "Make Me a Pretty Noise," "Alpha Ahoy!" and "Sore Loser;" the loungy "The Exiles Emerge;" the ethereal "Garden of Vega;" plus a fair spattering of tension and suspense; and even some jazz, delivered smokily in "The Emporium," and at breakneck speed in "Seduction." Some of the tracks are suites from the various episodes, which of course makes for much variety within each offering.
An entertaining, if somewhat dated, listening experience then.
The accompanying booklet is of the usual high quality, with notes from the composer, who sadly died last year, making this something of a tribute to a man of few scores, this show being his legacy, as far as screen music followers are concerned.
Go to www.silvascreenmusic.com/ishop/299/Derek-Wadsworth/326384/Space1999---Year-Two.aspx for samples and to order your copy of the CD, or download tracks.


From Costa Communications:

Robert Anthony Navarro’s Original Music in Fast & Furious Fuels Audience Demand for Song Not Previously Available on Soundtrack

Now Available Exclusively on iTunes

Los Angeles, CA- Composer/songwriter Robert Anthony Navarro’s original song “Clown Posse” is featured in the 2009 action film Fast & Furious but was not on the spring 2009 soundtrack. His track has since garnered tens of thousands of YouTube hits and now, by popular demand is available exclusively on iTunes. The song is still not officially on the soundtrack but due to the advent of downloading, consumers can experience music heard in films. Robert Navarro explains “through social networking sites like Youtube, I have been able to reach an audience and interact with a new fan base outside of film, TV, or videogames; just a few years ago this wouldn’t have been possible”

This year, Navarro’s music is featured on a top selling video game, blockbuster movies, and the Super Bowl’s most popular commercial spot. He has written over 1500 tracks for projects and the APM Music library (subsidiary of EMI and UMG). As a songwriter, Robert Anthony Navarro has collaborated on pop songs with legendary Academy Award winning lyricist Hal David. He recently co-wrote music for the thriller “For Sale By Owner” starring Kris Kristopherson. Navarro also scored the documentary “The Recess Ends,” with Takeshi Furukawa. In addition to composing in all mediums, Navarro collaborates as a singer and voiceover talent on the popular Bioware videogame “Dragon Age: Origins.”

Navarro has reinvented the recording artist by circumventing the traditional record label. He celebrates alternative, punk and metal music for “Big Fish,” an audio loop project he produced with mixing engineer Jim T. Hill (Mad Men, The Sixth Sense) and Gary Ferguson (drummer for Stevie Nicks and Gary Moore). The audio clips are available to create unique loop compositions.

Robert Anthony Navarro was born in New York to a Latin entertainer and a Playboy Bunny, and he is the Godson of Latin music legend Tito Puente. Navarro studied both rock and classical guitar and later attended Cal State Northridge to study Music Theory. He eventually began singing on various CD projects, as well as producing, recording and composing CDs.