Sony Classical release John Powell's score for Blue Sky Studios latest animated movie, Rio 2.

The album contains 19 tracks (56 min) and Powell throws everything into the mix. The score opens with an interesting samba version of the famous 20th Century Fox fanfare. This is the sort of score I love reviewing as it's rich with beautiful, emotional themes.

I enjoyed Powell's earlier scores for Hancock and Jumper, but his work here on Rio 2 illustrates another side to his writing. There are tracks here that reminded me of other composers work. Most notably James Horner ('Breakfast in Rio' and 'Escorted to the Clan'); Alan Silvestri ('Battle for the Heart of the Forest'); and Danny Elfman ('Stalking the Ferry').

This is an album that I've been listening to almost constantly for over a week and still manage to find something new to enjoy on each listen. This is a score that you'll get a kick out of now, yet still dig out for years to come.

9

Darren Rea