Music from the Movies
by Andrew Keech

This promotional CD has been produced by the composer, Alan Williams, from his score for the Imax film Island Of The Sharks and is certainly an exciting and dramatic release. The composer has used many and varied styles to capture the beauty and the menace of the marine live featured in the film, along with ethnic music to represent the Cocos Island, Costa Rica where the film is set. The result is a highly enjoyable action score with many quite reflective passages. A big score for a big screen!

The opening 'Main Title' is extremely Barryesque, full of horns and kettledrums, accompanying majestically flowing strings, a wonderful opening cue that sets a power and purpose that is carried through much of the score. The second track, 'Underwater Currents' is a warm friendly theme that ebbs and flows with the currents it portrays. The action cues such as 'The White Tips' and 'Marlin Attack' are full of tension and menace without reverting to cliché musical tricks. The tracks that are reflections of the island setting demonstrate more than a passing resemblance to Jerry Goldsmith's Medicine Man with an inspired combination of flute and orchestra alternatingly used to generate a happy, busy Caribbean atmosphere. Tracks like 'Rain and Rebirth' and 'Creole Fish' return to a sweeping romantic texture that would not have been out of place in Out Of Africa. This is a stunning score that has become more enjoyable with every listening and is enhanced considerably by the distinct variations in musical style. Alan Williams has produced a beautiful, larger than life score for Island Of The Sharks, which is enthralling and captivating. The score is a broad, sweeping and orchestral, best heard at high volume! So far the only score available from Alan Williams as a full commercial release is the Oscar nominated Amazon, although some of his others scores are currently available as promos. This is definitely a must for anyone who enjoys an interesting and varied orchestral score.