Dark, gloomy, and haunting,
Marc Streitenfeld's score for
Ridley Scott's American Gangster is ideal for the film it accompanies, readily evoking the sinister film's ethos even without the aid of stars Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe.
Streitenfeld doesn't quote from the popular music of 1970s Harlem, but through biting themes, insidious harmonies, and bass-driven rhythms he succeeds in evoking its atmosphere. Augmented here with three bonus tracks of more overtly '70s-influenced pieces by Hank Shockless and
Harry Garfield -- check out the wah-wah guitar in Hallway -- this disc will be a must for fans of the 2007 crime epic -- and for folks who want to have a '70s party and need some music to extend the vibe of Superfly. Varese Sarabande's sound is close, tight, and very effective.