DARK OF THE SUN

Label: FSMCD Vol.10 No.18
Date: 1968
Tracks: 27
Time = 67:03

World premier of nearly-complete score to violent Jack Cardiff mercenary film with Rod Taylor, Jim Brown, Yvette Mimieux. Jacques Loussier approaches action with unique jazz-tinged material for full orchestra. Two alternating minor chords become primary harmonic device throughout. Cool idea! Chopping melodic ideas are interestingly drawn with emphasis on jagged shape, brief duration. Few ideas stay long before moving onto others, yet strident harmonic progressions provide continuity throughout. Further structure comes with propulsive rhythms, often in keyboard, low strings that drive much of score. Even slower sequences have degree of rhythm! Organ, harpsichord, voices add more layers of unique color. Fresh, dynamic music actually reminds listeners of later Morricone scores for gangster genre! FSM CD offers all tracks from original MGM stereo LP, subsequent Chapter III mono CD, adds treasure-trove of new material - all in stereo! Colorful booklet includes terrific notes about movie, scoring, individual track details plus reproduction of incredible original MGM LP cover inside. Jacques Loussier conducts.

1. 1M1 (Main Theme From Dark of the Sun) (3:10) 2. 1M2 (Drive to Ubi) (3:39) 3. 2M1/2M2 (Dr. Wreid) (1:01) 4. 2M3 (The Mercenaries) (2:36) 5. 4M1 (Claire's First Appearance) (3:44) 6. 5M1 Pt. 2 (Friendly Natives Having Fun Pt. 2) (2:19) 7. 6M1/6M1A (The Fight / Port Reprieve) (3:39) 8. 6M2/7M1 (Curry and the Diamonds Pt. 1) (2:38) 9. 7M2 (Claire and Curry) (3:46) 10. 7M2 Wild (The Mission) (1:37) 11. 8M1/8M2 (The Simbas Attack / The Coach Rolls Back) (4:51) 12. 8M2 Wild/8M3/9M1 (Tracks Blown / Stakeout / Diamond) (1:13) 13. 9M2 (Infiltration) (1:22) 14. 9M3 (Curry and the Diamonds Pt. 2) (0:44) 15. 10M1 (The Doctor Is Found) (3:45) 16. 10M2/11M1 (Curry's Plan / Ruffo's Death) (2:38) 17. 11M2 (Curry's Drive With Claire) (1:57) 18. 11M3B (The Chase) (1:17) 19. 12M1A/12M1B (Revenge) (3:30) 20. 12M1C (Curry Kills Henlein) (2:10) 21. 12M2/12M3 Remake (Curry's Decision / End Title) (3:23) BONUS TRACKS 22. 7M2 Remake (Clare and Curry Alternate) (3:50) 23. Main Theme From Dark of the Sun (album edit) (1:20) 24. 12M3 Original Version (End Title Alternate) (0:42) 25. 3M2 (Natives Source) (1:02) 26. 5M1 Pt. 1 (Friendly Natives Having Fun Pt. 1) (2:13) 27. 3M1 (Natives Source) (1:50)