Chariots Of Fire (Remastered) (25th Anniversary Edition)

Vangelis' electronic score for a film set in 1930s Britain seemed an odd match at first, but the title theme, with its echoing, manipulated rhythm box and melodic hook, became one of the most popular theme songs of the early '80s. Just hearing the opening 30 seconds conjures up -- for those who have seen the film -- shots of men running on the beach in slow motion, and has been borrowed, adapted, and ripped-off ever since. Suffice it to say that the other six tracks here can't quite match the punch (if that's the word for something so fey) of the title theme. Much of the rest is very sappy, if often melodic, proto-smooth jazz with a burnish of electronic screeches, washes, and fuzzy fake strings. If it works for the insular "Five Circles," it doesn't for "100 Metres," which so desperately wants to be Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance" but can't quite get there with its watery synths -- suddenly you realize what a full orchestral arrangement could have added. Side two is a side-long "suite" of the themes on side one, created, one feels, to fill up space. Vangelis went on to snag more soundtrack work, notably Blade Runner.

Vangelis' electronic score for a film set in 1930s Britain seemed an odd match at first, but the title theme, with its echoing, manipulated rhythm box and melodic hook, became one of the most popular theme songs of the early '80s. Just hearing the opening 30 seconds conjures up -- for those who have seen the film -- shots of men running on the beach in slow motion, and has been borrowed, adapted, and ripped-off ever since. Suffice it to say that the other six tracks here can't quite match the punch (if that's the word for something so fey) of the title theme. Much of the rest is very sappy, if often melodic, proto-smooth jazz with a burnish of electronic screeches, washes, and fuzzy fake strings. If it works for the insular "Five Circles," it doesn't for "100 Metres," which so desperately wants to be Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance" but can't quite get there with its watery synths -- suddenly you realize what a full orchestral arrangement could have added. Side two is a side-long "suite" of the themes on side one, created, one feels, to fill up space. Vangelis went on to snag more soundtrack work, notably Blade Runner. ~ Ted Mills

「炎のランナー」（１９８１） 音楽　ヴァンゲリス クルマのＣＭ（日産シーマのＣＭ。ＣＭで使用されているのは、 ＣＭ用にオリジナルでアレンジされたバージョンで、同バージョン はＣＤ化されていません）で流れて最近も有名な、 美しいシンセサイザー音楽のサントラの名盤。 リリース当時は、インストゥルメンタル（歌は入らない楽曲）もので チャートインするという珍しいシングル・ヒットともなりました。 誰もが一度は聴いたことのある美しくキャッチーなテーマ、 別メロディの美しく静かに安らげるナンバーも入ってます。 心やすらぐサントラを聴きたいという方の入門編としても おすすめしたい、ヒーリング系サントラの名盤中の名盤！！ アカデミー賞スコア音楽賞受賞作。 (C)馬場敏裕