The British Library

There's something profoundly satisfying when middle aged musicians produce a song or a musical composition that goes off in a totally different and entertaining trajectory in comparison to their much younger and more hip peers. In the case of television and film composers, you can't get any more magnolia than the library music makers from yesteryear. However, amongst all that elevator muzak, there are some remarkably dope cuts to be found. Here are three such tracks, by a bunch of British gents which I regard as personal highlights:

 

Syd Dale - The Hell Raisers

The Sounds of Syd Dale (1966)

 

Question: What does the former Who Want to Be a Millionaire, cutlery throwing, TV presenter Chris Tarrant have in common with legendary Compton gangsta rapper, Eazy-E? The answer is they have both used Syd Dale's stock music. Man Friday was the theme used for Chris Tarrant's television show Tarrant on TV, while Walk and Talk was sampled on Eazy-E's thoroughly sleazy Gimme That Nutt. Our Syd had a few other incidental muzak bangers; a personal favourite being the rowdy anthem, The Hell Raisers. It was featured in seasons two and three of ABC's classic animated show Spider-Man (1967-1970) along with a grip of other tracks by him. In more recent times, anyone familiar with the legendary film distribution label, Something Weird Video, will instantly recognise it as the theme from their promo trailer. SMV's trailer holds a special place in many a psychotronik fanatic's heart, as it was their first portal to the wild side of exploitation cinema and Syd Dale's The Hell Raisers became associated with it.

Derek Scott - Fugarock

Sounds Unusual (1975)

 

When you think of the sounds of George A. Romero's classic zombie film, Dawn of the Dead, you would be right to recollect Italian prog-rockers Goblin's awesome soundtrack. However, Romero went to town with licensing some of De Wolfe Music's stock material like Jack Trombey's Mask of Death and the hilariously upbeat and ringtone of choice for many a gorehound, The Gonk by English composer Herbert Chappell. Derek Scott, another English man, also had some of his incidental music featured in the film too; one particular gem is the insanely regal sounding slice of early electronica known as Fugarock. Dada Debaser has instant flashbacks of zombie bitten Roger melancholically eating pickled kumquats when bumpin' this oddball delight. It's one of those gems that doesn't get any love whenever Dawn of the Dead's soundtrack is discussed and this blog is here to change that.

Neil Richardson - Approaching Menace

KPM 1000 Series: Dramatic Background (1970)

Hard to believe that the wholly inept slasher meets conspiracy thriller Delirium (1979), a film inadvertedly rescued from limbo thanks to its inclusion in the Department of Public Prosecution's infamous "video nasties" list, shares its music with the theme to the BBC's prestigious quiz show Mastermind (1972 -2022). Thanks to that programme, Neil Richardson's Approaching Menace is so ingrained in the British public's subconsicous, that it's instantly associated with any subject matter that is remotely described as "brainy". However, when you hear it for the unpteenth time in Peter Maris' terribley farcical film you can't help but laugh out loud at its hilarious inclusion. 

If only customer services had these incidental tracks playing instead of Coldplay, or whatever other dreck whenever I'm placed in a queue or put on hold. Would have lessened the hassle of having to call them, to be honest.