AA.VV.
Beretta 70: Roaring Themes From Thrilling Italian Policefilms 1971-1980

The genre cinema of the '70s, long dismissed by critics from all corners of the globe, seems to be experiencing a second youth today. It is possible that this revival is due to the work of brilliant filmmakers such as Quentin Tarantino, and it appears that more and more adherents and fanatics of the so-called "Trash" are cropping up. This cultural wave is made up of low-budget crime films, fantastic films purely emulating American style, gialli, thrillers, and so on, often accompanied by respectable artist soundtracks. It is precisely the "musical" aspect of the phenomenon that attracts fans, enthusiasts, DJs, and producers in search of new inspirations.

The compilation "Beretta 70: Roaring Themes From Thrilling Italian Policefilms 1971-1980" aims from the title itself to delve into the diverse world of the Italian poliziottesco, that extraordinary genre which, in about ten years, passed down mythical characters and high-level actors like Maurizio Merli, Tomas Milian, Luc Merenda, and many more. And it was indeed the soundtracks that made the films in question interesting, carefully crafted and evocative musical scores steeped in Funk and majestic orchestrations, often irresistible.

Within the fourteen tracks of the album, there are themes and songs from perhaps the most beautiful soundtracks, starting with the opening "La Via Della Droga," by Giorgio Gaslini and his Goblins, the usual Jazz-Rock funk full of Moog and hyper-distorted electric guitars that will compel repeated listens. It continues with the atmospheres balancing between epic solemnity and Hard-Rock of "Goodbye My Friend" by Guido & Maurizio De Angelis, from the OST of "Il Cittadino Si Ribella," and "Blazing Magnum (Una Magnum Special Per Tony Salta)" by the brilliant Armando Trovajoli, who for the occasion transforms into Italy’s Isaac Hayes, with captivating horns and wawa guitars reminiscent of "Shaft." Magnificent. Guido & Maurizio De Angelis return with the theme for "Il Cittadino Si Ribella," full of spoken words and sustained rhythms, while with the initial harpsichords of the legendary "La Polizia Ha Le Mani Legate" by Stelvio Cipriani and the percussive "Summertime Killer (Ricatto Alla Mafia)" by Louis Bacalov (also included in the Kill Bill soundtrack), two of the highest peaks of the entire selection are reached. Following are two gems by Franco Micalizzi, from the cult movie "Napoli Violenta": the moving "Man Before Your Time" and "Folk & Violence," a superb blend of Funk, tarantella and Neapolitan folklore. Chilling. Guido & Maurizio De Angelis again enchant with the disorienting "Life Of A Policeman (La Polizia Incrimina, La Legge Assolve)" and the fantastic Police-Funk of "New Special Squad (Roma Violenta)." It all closes with the danceable "Italia A Mano Armata" by Micalizzi, the suspended and hypnotic "Escape (Il Giorno Del Cobra)" by Paolo Valle, and the final jewel "Nucleo Antirapina (Operazione K - Sparate A Vista)," composed by the trio Bixio-Frizzi-Vince Tempera.

The original packaging and detailed, meticulous artwork complete a remarkable operation, highly recommended to genre enthusiasts but also to the merely curious, desiring an hour or a little over of great and thrilling music. Enjoy!