My fondness for the released-everywhere-except-the-state-of-Connecticut film Black Dynamite isn't new.
I've already written about Buckshot and Sean Price's "The Feeling" which samples the original score. The downside of that is that it's not part of the soundtrack or the score.
The Black Dynamite soundtrack is cool...but it's composed of library music. Nothing original. To quote John Slade about theme music from I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, "Every hero has got to have some."
And if the blueprint of blaxpoitation classics like Super Fly and Shaft is going to be followed, Black Dynamite is going to need some killer theme music. I mean even Jack Spade had Boogie Down Productions provide his anthem.
Well to erase any doubts of the strength of Black Dynamite's music, Adrian Younge has put together an amazing original score. A multi-instrumentalist, Younge plays all the instruments on the score, including guitar, bass, electric piano, organ, saxophone and more. Using vintage equipment and the 70s recording techniques, Younge's homage stands up there with Curtis Mayfield and Isaac Hayes' sonically lush backdrops. It makes one think that technology and all its benefits have muted some of the soul in soul music.
Lyrically. the words in these songs merely serve as a Greek chorus. The titles of the songs describe the scenes. (I'm only imagining this because again it's not playing in Connecticut.) They're simplistic, yet tongue-in-cheek at the same time. With lyrics like "Use kung-fu when he wants to/Has sex when he please" from "Black Dynamite Theme," you can't take them too seriously and have to admire the humor. " "Shot Me In The Heart" has several beautiful layers. Starting off with a sustained organ note before sliding to a layered melange of sound with backup singers, tremolo guitar, funky drum breaks, wah guitar. While this sounds like a everything-but-kitchen-sink of sounds but it's not. The layering is so perfect. It makes you wonder why pop music songs aren't this layered. I guess because it's not dumbed down enough? "Chicago Wind" has a spectacular break in it with harpsichord, funky bassline that some hip-hop producer is going to jump all over like Roman Polanski at a junior high pool party.
The neo-vintage (is that even a word?) sounds are reminiscent of the Daptone catalog or a Quentin Tarantino soundtrack. The fact that Younge created this entire album on his own is a testament to the one-producer album. I think if more artists were in tune with the craft may be the state of pop music wouldn't be what it is.
My advice for you: Go buy the album. Go see the movie...even if you take a train...to New York City...like me.
Bonus:
2 comments:
Damn man, you should have let me know when you were in town to see it! We could have had a meeting of the minds - this movie was fabulous!
Haven't made the trip yet. I may try to see it Saturday or Sunday at some theater near Times Square if I can fit in between sneaker shopping and a Halloween party in Forest Hills.
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