DJANGO UNCHAINED - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2012)

Besides the blood splatters and the gleefully violent scenes, another highlight of cult director Quentin Tarantino’s films is its music soundtrack. The Oscar winning filmmaker’s latest work is an American western film a slave who travels with a bounty hunter on a mission to rescue his wife. And with Tarantino serving as the soundtrack album’s executive producer, you will not be left disappointed.

The 54 minute album uses a variety of music genres to tell the story of vengeance, and as one would expect, there is a heavy reliance on the spaghetti western genre.

The cues are easy on the ears, with haughty tunes like “Django” performed by Rocky Roberts and Luis Bacalov, and old school scores like “The Braying Mule” from renowned composer Ennio Morricone. “Nicaragua” composed by Jerry Goldsmith featuring Pat Metheny is a lovely rendition of the western genre, something we rarely hear these days.

Tracks composed for the film include Rick Ross’ “100 Black Coffins”, a viciously energetic tune which infuses traditional western music and contemporary rap, and “Ancora Qui”, a spirited composition featuring music by Morricone and Elisa’s vivacious vocals. Anthony Hamilton and Elayna Boynton come together to perform another original track “Freedom”, a radio friendly tune which is easily the most commercial song on the album. John Legend’s “Who Did That To You” is signature Tarantino, and one can imagine the bold visuals that are presented on screen when this song plays.

There are also seven dialogue tracks which allow fans to relive the movie. Listen to Academy Award Best Supporting Actor Christoph Waltz discuss stuff with Jamie Foxx in “In That Case Django, After You…”, Samuel L. Jackson and Leonardo DiCaprio talk nasty “Hildi’s Hot Box”, before the album ends on a tame note with “Trinity (Titoli)”. You’d know by then this soundtrack album is a keeper. 

 ALBUM RATING:

Recommended Track: (12) 100 Black Coffins

Review by John Li