Lakeshore Records release If Beale Street Could Talk original motion picture soundtrack composed by Nicholas Britell (Moonlight; Battle of the Sexes, Free State of Jones). Set in early-1970s Harlem, the movie is a timeless and moving love story of both a couple’s unbreakable bond and the African-American family’s empowering embrace, as told through the eyes of 19-year-old Tish Rivers. A daughter and wife-to-be, Tish vividly recalls the passion, respect and trust that have connected she and her artist fiancé Alonzo Hunt, who goes by the nickname Fonny. Friends since childhood, the devoted couple dream of a future together but their plans are derailed when Fonny is arrested for a crime he did not commit...

Nicholas Britell tackles themes of love and injustice anchoring the film and creates a score sublimely straddling the worlds of classical and jazz. The sound ranges from lush to uncompromisingly experimental thoroughly inhabiting the film to striking and unforgettable effect.

The score opens with arguably the movie's most prominent theme and while not overbearing, nor over used, I was surprised to see a handful of tracks, where this theme was centre stage, being grouped together. This had the undesired effect of making it appear like this one theme dominated the score.

There are, in truth, several themes that standout through this album - all of which are beautifully melancholic and engaging in their own distinct way. In addition there's a noir jazz feel at the heart of tracks like 'Keepers of the Keys and Seals', 'Ye Who Enter Here' and 'Philia'.

Of this score's 23 tracks (53 min, 21 sec) favourites include the heartbreakingly beautiful 'Eden (Harlem)', 'Encomium' and 'Requiem'. Britell doesn't disappoint on this album, which works just as well as a standalone album outside of the movie.

9

Darren Rea