Silva Screen Records digitally release The Chelsea Detective, Ian Arber’s electro-acoustic soundtrack to Acorn TV's original drama. The show takes viewers on a journey through a diverse cross-section of Chelsea, London life, spanning the mansions of the super-rich to the council flats of the World’s End Estate, and the rarefied corridors of a prestigious international school to the leafy melancholy of Brompton Cemetery and the bustle of the King’s Road...

Ian Arber weaves a lot of intricate and memorable themes across this 26 track (1 hr, 15 min, 33 sec) score. While the main theme crops up repeatedly, it never feels intrusive nor repetitive thanks to the fact it's approached differently each time.

There's suspense, melancholic reflective pieces, action, adventure... in fact just about every conceivable eventuality is covered. The end result is a rich tapestry of sound that ensures that everyone will find something to get behind.

Soundtrack collectors who have seen the show will be eager to add this to their collection, but I'd argue that even if you have only a passing familiarity with the series this still makes for an interesting listening experience.

8

Darren Rea