Sideways
Music composed and produced by Rolfe Kent
Orchestrated by Tony Blondal
Conducted by Stephen Coleman
Running Time: 37:24
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Here’s a nice cheerful trad-jazz based swing-along score- the sort of music that graced so many Italian comedies of the 1950s and ‘60s and American films of the 1970s. Indeed the composer, Rolfe Kent, has admitted so in the CD’s booklet notes. He uses a specially ensembled Sideways Jazz Orchestra that comprises:
Ron Feuer – Piano; Roger Burn – Vibes; Dan Higgins – Saxes; Dan Savant – Trumpet; Pedro Eustache – Flutes; Will Kennedy – Drums; Paul Morin – Bass; Alex Acuna – Percussion; Ricardo “Tiki” Pasillas - Percussion
The mood is predominantly upbeat, witty and sunny. Thsere are a few exceptions like ‘Lonely Day’ but here the sky is hardly leaden – although ‘Abandoning the wedding’ is suitably glum. ‘Miles’ Theme is nicely ‘smoochy’ the sort of music we enjoyed for close dancing in the 1960s. In fact all the musical styles and jazz fingerprints are familiar, and cherished by that generation. There are some novel instrumental touches here and there as in the more introspective and warmly romantic ‘Los Olivos’. The performers integrate splendidly and they are tremendously enthusiastic. There is little more needs said except –
A pleasant and cheerful jazz-based score to chase the winter blues away.
Ian Lace
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