May 1, 2010

GROOVE WEEK: LALO SCHIFRIN

GROOVE WEEK: LALO SCHIFRIN
When it comes to jazzy grooves for spies, it's hard to top the soundtrack music Lalo Schifrin wrote for Mission Impossible. I'm sure I'm not the only one who finds himself humming the theme song when embarking on some new challenge or errand. Years ago I picked up the Mission Impossible Anthology (One Way Records/1994). Schifrin's cues are amazing and immediately evoke memories of various characters and moments from the show. There is something akin to illustration in this music, for it seems to tell a large part of the story aurally. But the track that sticks with me as most groovy is Mission Blues. I don't see it listed on the Best Of CD that is currently available, so I suggest Spy Vibers track down the CD or Vinyl release of the Anthology or the original 1969 More Mission Impossible record to get the full-range experience of the tune. The interplay between the bass and brass is funky and Spy Vibe cool!