The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

Daniel Pemberton

 
" The Man from C.O.O.L.N.E.S.S. "

Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release

Guy Ritchie is one of the coolest directors, so his style deserves a cool score. And it so happens that one of the upcoming young composers Daniel Pemberton was able to provide that. The Man from U.N.C.L.E. eventually turns out to be one of the coolest listens of the summer. Because I can't emphasize enough how catchy it all sounds. It all transports you back to the era once The Man from U.N.C.L.E. was first created, and Pemberton happily provides a sound of that era. Instruments going berserk and bouncing cool rhythms provide a score that is destined to rock your listen.

It almost opens in Pink Panther style, but "Out of the Garage" surely continues with a bouncy main theme, one that will get more variations and versions throughout the score. Everything is a little bit based on the tune and the instruments that bring it to life. Whether ethnic instruments and even finger snapping deliver the typical cool spy flair in "Escape from East Berlin" or "Circular Story" continues with a most enticing pace, it's the rhythm and style that makes the score what it is. It's like Pemberton begins with an idea, and he let's this idea grow gently but powerfully to a satisfying conclusion. In a way it listens more as a concert piece and not a film score. The vocals in "Take you Down", the suspense in "Laced Drinks" or the Spanish flair in "Breaking In", everything oozes flair, whether it comes from the bass, the percussion or the guitars.

It's not the best score of the year, but listening experiences don't get a lot cooler than this. The Man from U.N.C.L.E. is a score with an attitude and it's one of the surprises of the year.

Track Listing

1. Compared to What: Roberta Flack (5.16)
2. Out of the Garage (3.47)
3. His Name is Napoleon Solo (2.38) Excellent track
4. Escape From East Berlin (4.25)
5. Jimmy, Renda se: Tom Zé and Valdez (3.39)
6. Mission: Rome (2.40)
7. The Vinciguerra Affair (3.22)
8. Bugs, Beats and Bowties (1.52)
9. Cry to Me: Solomon Burke (2.36)
10. Five Months, Two Weeks, Two Days: Louis Prima (2.09)
11. Signori Toileto Italiano (2.37)
12. Breaking In (Searching the Factory) (3.04)
13. Breaking Out (The Cowboy Escapes) (2.04)
14. Che Vuole Questa Musica Stasera: Peppino Gagliardi (3.36)
15. Into the Lair (Betrayal Part I) (1.47)
16. Laced Drinks (Betrayal Part II) (3.40)
17. Il Mio Regno: Luigi Tenco (2.23)
18. Circular Story (4.03) Excellent track
19. The Drums of War (5.11)
20. Take You Down (3.26) Excellent track
21. We Have Location (2.22)
22. A Last Drink (1.48)
23. Take Care of Business: Nina Simone (2.04)
24. The Unfinished Kiss (2.53)

Bonus Tracks (digital only)
25. The Red Mist (2.10)
26. The Switch (0.58)
27. Warhead (2.18)
28. Fists (1.49)

Total Length: 80.37
(click to rate this score)  
 
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(total of 13 votes - average 4.73/5)

Released by

WaterTower WTM39694 (regular release 2015)

Conducted & Orchestrated by

Andrew Skeet