BASIC INSTINCT

Label: Prometheus XPCD 154
Date: 1990
Tracks: 26
Time = 74:30

CD from Belgium

Original soundtrack from wildly successful Paul Verhoeven movie with Michael Douglas, Sharon Stone gets expanded treatment. Jerry Goldsmith sets erotic thriller in gear with amazingly simple device, brings new face to thriller scoring: upside-down arching motif weaves about in woodwinds, strings, harmonized in thirds. Phrases sometimes cadence in minor, sometimes in major. Goldsmith refuses to resolve things, keeps it all uncertain. Even his secondary theme, an arpeggiated motif underscoring motion offers implicit major/minor tonality. With economy of scoring, Goldsmith maintains a feel for gently-soothing-yet-frightening music with emphasis on harmony over melody. At any point, unsettling ideas can erupt with the flash of an ice pick. Full-blooded action rears, notably in "Roxy Loses", where arpeggiating devices actually move to forground, propel orchestra to a frenzy. Prometheus issues newly-remastered CD, includes plethora of new cues not available on earlier Varese Sarabande edition. New tracks mostly continue exploration of existing ideas but allow deeper look for fans. Jerry Goldsmith conducts National Philharmonic Orchestra.