Lakeshore Records release Stephen Rennick's score for Viva. The film tells the story of Jesus; a young man who does make up for a troupe of drag performers in Havana, but dreams of being a performer. When he finally gets his chance to be on stage, a stranger emerges from the crowd and punches him in the face. The stranger is his father Angel, a former boxer, who has been absent from his life for 15 years. As father and son clash over their opposing expectations of each other, Viva becomes a love story as the men struggle to understand one another and become a family again...

I couldn't help but be reminded of the Penguin Café Orchestra when listening to Stephen Rennicks's score for Viva. It's a subtle, interesting soundtrack that is perfect for putting on in the background while you read or relax.

The LP contains 20 tracks (18 min, 52 sec) and while most would normally complain that this makes it more an EP than an album in its own right, I think its brevity is its charm. It's all much of a muchness and I think any longer and the charm would be broken and the listener would quickly realise there are very few themes here, just variations on a theme.

If you're a fan of the movie you'll probably enjoy this immensely. Everyone else should seek out samples before they buy.

7

Darren Rea