DARK KINGDOM: THE DRAGON KING - Score by Ilan Eshkeri

Capitalizing on the immense popularity of Peter Jackson's revival of THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy, comes producer Volker Engel's DARK KINGDOM: THE DRAGON KING. Originally released in Germany as RING OF THE NIBELUNGS, the English version was finally broadcast on the Sci-Fi channel. The film finds a quick release to DVD as does the official soundtrack in March 2005.

While this tale may have influenced Mr. Tolkien and eventually the three Peter Jackson films, ably scored by Howard Shore, this soundtrack release of DARK KINGDOM, unfortunately, has nary a hint of the power and majesty of Shore's music. For those of us not given to traditional European pieces or Euro-pop either for that matter, much of this soundtrack will be a painful listen. The two bright spots; however, are the two tracks (14, 16) which feature actual score from the film.

Composer Ilan Eshkeri may not be a household name (even in film music fans' houses) yet, but has been involved with films such as: LAYER CAKE, and BLACK HAWK DOWN. As Eshkeri pens the score for Dark Kingdom, it is produced by growing-household-name, Klaus Badelt and Christopher Brooks. Listening to the meager score sampling, The London Metropolitan Orchestra does an adequate job, but the recording of the two score tracks is noticeably lower in volume and not nearly as crisp as the tracks that surround them.

According to the LMO's official website, the LMO was conducted by Andrew Brown and scoring took place over two days, with 4 sessions of 24 strings, an oboe overdub and a seperate session for 8 brass - 1 trumpet, 3 horns, 3 trombones and tuba.

This release from Dancing Ferret Records features music from both the English and German versions of the film. To the dismay of some film music fans, this release simply does not feature enough of Eshkeri's atmospheric score. So, for now, why don't cha be raisin' yer fav'rite mug-o-ale and say wit me, "Here's to Ilan Eshkeri...may his music know the bounty of a proper release."

Tracksounds Rating: 2/10

Purchase DARK KINGDOM here:

SHADOWS IN THE SUN by Mark Thomas

Movie Score Media makes its second soundtrack release for the film, SHADOWS IN THE SUN. This feature film was recently picked up and aired on the ABC Family channel and was received warmly by the public as "the other side of Under the Tuscan Sun."

Veteran film composer MARK THOMAS provides a suruprisingly broad score. The music ranges from the contemporary to traditional, Italian compositions. And in between there are solid, dramatic cues.

The soundtrack, somewhat misleadingly, begins with "Opening Titles," which is a contemporary piece with a chill-out flare, reminiscent of some of Mychal Danna's efforts. I say misleadingly because this flavor doesn't represent the majority of this release and this theme is only reprised once in track 10, "Riding Free."

It isn't long before the film and score alike take flight to Italy. Track 2 launches us into the light-hearted, romantic feel that most of this score features. Mandolins accompanied by a strong string section make for feel-good romp. The feeling flows seemlessly through tracks such as Hunting for Weldon, Shadows Beguines, Weldon Drives and Santa Lucia.

In between these two very different styles of music are a number of solid, dramatic pieces of underscore. With the occasional nod to some of James Horner's most popular scores (Legends of the Fall and Titanic) two of SHADOWS IN THE SUN's most engaging tracks are Weldon's Office and The Writer Awakes.

A surprisingly diverse soundtrack for a suprisingly enjoyable film (but then again, how can one NOT enjoy Claire Forlani?), this music package is a quaint, little gem of a score.

Tracksounds Rating: 7/10

Available at iTunes:

UNKNOWN SOLDIER by Peter Calandra

Those with any familiarity with the online film music community have most likely heard the name of Mikael Carlsson, webmaster of one of the internet's best film music websites, musicfromthemovies.com. Carlsson and his new label, Movie Score Media, recently its debut soundtrack release for the 2004 indie film, UNKNOWN SOLDIER.

While composer Peter Calandra's jazz-centric score may not be what the typical score fan might be looking for, UNKNOWN SOLDIER certainly has appeal for that "otherside" of some of our musical palettes. Calandra has spent much of his career in the realm of broadway musicals including involvement with projects such as Miss Saigon (piano), Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera and Little Shop of Horrors (piano, conductor, musical director). His film scores also include JELLYSMOKE and 13th CHILD: THE LEGEND OF THE JERSEY DEVIL.

The music for UNKNOWN SOLDIER is performed by a small jazz band predominantly featuring bass, drums, occasional synth and string accompaniment, but truly finds its voice in the piano and saxophone leads. The intimate nature of this film, set in Harlem, is matched well by Calandra's warm and introspective tone. A nice departure from the abrasive hip-hop tracks that, many times, accompany stories set in such places.

The release of UNKNOWN SOLDIER is a welcome one. Thanks to those committed to film music like Mikael Carlsson and technological innovations like iTunes, fans of the genre are sure to get legal access to the music they most appreciate.

Tracksounds Rating: 6/10

Avaiable at iTunes

BLACK (The Game) by Chris Tilton

One of early 2006's most intriguing efforts comes via the ever-growing genre of video game soundtracks. BLACK released for Xbox and PS2 (sadly not for Xbox 360), features the captivating music of composer Chris Tilton.

Tilton, a long-time collaborator with Michael Giacchino, has been a part of recognizable projects such as: THE INCREDIBLES, ALIAS, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE III, THE FAMILY STONE, and CALL OF DUTY. In fact, the two collaborated on the main theme for this new FPS (first person shooter).

As action-packed as BLACK is, there's more than just track after track of ear-pounding, heart-thumping, bombast. In fact, there is very little of such music represented on the soundtrack release. In much the way the original CALL OF DUTY did with its reserved score, to my surprise, BLACK features a pensive main theme and brooding, thoughtful pieces more than mindless action-music. The music remains forceful without being in-your-face...or rather THROUGH-your-face.

Perusing through track after track, I can't help but some heavy influence from some of Hollywood's most successful composers: John Williams (but of course). Jerry Goldsmith (Yes...we all miss him.) and even a bit of Don Davis (of Matrix fame). If one is going to be "influenced," this is not too shabby of a lot. Despite such reminders, Tilton, along with the skillful Hollywood Studio Orchestra, give BLACK its own distinct personality.

Of the soundtracks I have been released in early 2006, BLACK is the most well-rounded and flat out entertaining. BLACK is simply what I listen to soundtracks for: memorable themes and music that is a story unto itself.

Tracksounds Rating: 8/10

Available at iTunes!