I am embarrassed to say that I had never initially heard of Ennio Morricone, at least by name. Ennio is perhaps one of the most famous film score composers to date and is responsible for the famous sound of the spaghetti western. He has racked up over four hundred scores to date on films ranging from The Untouchables to Bulworth. His vision has been described as ahead of its time and Morricone is the defining sound in countless genres of movies. A Roman native that refuses to speak English (among other things) has lent his music to Compost Records and there family of remixers to turn out one of the most intriguing albums I have heard in quite a while. His tracks are loaned to the likes of Tom Middleton, Chicken Lips, 2Raumwohnung, and a slew of other producers from all over the world. The result is an album that impacts the listener in a whole new way. These tracks have, for the most part, been turned into downtempo house songs that retain the elegance of Ennio’s work.
The German duo 2Raumwohnug turns in the first mix from the movie “My Name Is Nobody.” Their mix of “Mucchio Selvaggio” has the feel of the old west with a minimalist techno sound to it.
Bandini steps up next with a mix of “L’Estasi Dell’Oro” from another classic movie, “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.” This song retains its fundamental roots that make it instantaneously recognizable. Also from “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” is its most famous song and title track “Il Buono, Il Brutto, Il Cattivo.” Now if you didn’t already feel like you were in the only wild, wild west dance club you do now. Taking care of the remixing duties on this one is Hird from Sweden. The sound of the cosmos works its way onto the first disc as well. UK DJ and producer Tom Middleton has been at the forefront of innovative house music for over a decade now and its no surprise that he was offered some knob-twisting duties on “Come Maddalena.” Tom keeps the percussion elements intact and adds his own subtle blend of effects and synth sounds. Another track from “My Name Is Nobody” remixed by Daniel Klein AKA Gucciman is “Il Mio Nome E Nessuno.” On this Wilde Horden Duell Mix it has a soulful house sound with flowing loops and smooth guitar riffs. The first disc also includes tracks by Swell Session, Markus Enochson, Mopse, Deetron/Procreation, Crazy Baldheads, and Dan Curatin.
The second disc starts off with an electro flavored remix of “Un Uomo Nello Spazio.” This track has some dirty basslines and a psychedelic feel. The Chicken Lips come through with their “Dub Mix’ of “Teorema.” The looped bass line and the electric guitar passes are infused with some latin percussion. It retains only hints of its previous form. Once again the song “Come Maddalena” appears on this compilation. This time Aarkvark takes a crack at the remix. He brings a drum & bass track and is the sole entry of DnB on this compilation. Gerd steps up with a housed remix of “Le Fotografie.” The ride cymbals loops and synth sounds bring this track together. One of the best tracks on the CD, for sure. Also found on this disc are tracks from Nick Holder and Kaje, Moonstarr, and Yen Sung. This being the second volume of the remix series, it holds true to the form of the first. If you have ever been into the spaghetti western, then this will be an interesting treat for you.
