Cliff Martinez, Solaris [OST] (2002)
I was already a Cliff Martinez fan, I found out about him through bargain-bin CD shopping; I’d pick up $1 albums to try things out (the Spotify of its day/time, the YouTube of back-then). And so I found out at Martinez, he’d scored a couple of films I liked and then I spotted his name in the credits – and could tell it was his music even before that – when watching Traffic. Loved that film, and particularly his score. Many years on I was visiting a friend, a massive Martinez fan, and he told me about the soundtrack to the remake of Solaris. He told me it was perfect music. I didn’t quite believe him – well that’s not quite true, my issue had always been that I needed to see the film to feel like I understood the score. Makes sense right? Well, I took his word for it that this was music that existed in its own space. So I broke my own rule, I in fact coined The Solaris Rule, and decided I no longer had to see movies, I could just like the score, particularly if a trusted composer. I guess one day I’ll see the remake of Solaris; I have nothing against seeing it particularly. I just haven’t ever watched it. But I love this score. It is deep and beautiful music. It is one of the very best records I’ve ever, ever heard. I’ve finally caught up with the vinyl re-issuing of the album. Can’t wait!

Sample Track: First Sleep

The Vinyl Countdown is a document of every LP I listen to, brand new discoveries and old-old favourites; extremely pre-loved, previously abandoned or with the shrink-wrap having just been removed it’s all here at The Vinyl Countdown