The New York Ripper [VINYL]

I'm a collector of soundtracks and have many soundtracks from films I've never seen and don't particularly want to see. This soundtrack falls into the latter category.Francesco De Masi wrote many great soundtracks and this is one of this best. As stated I've not seen the film so can't comment on the atmosphere it helps create but as a standalone piece it seems remarkable that this is from an Italian slasher movie, it just sounds too funky and mellow. The main melody is gorgeous and reoccurs regularly throughout the album. The main theme reminds me - as someone else pointed out - a 70s cop show or even a children's show from that time. Mainly though for me it could easily have been lifted directly from a KPM album by Keith Mansfield or another one of those greats. Great trumpet, bass and guitar - a real "feel good" theme, which is why I find it hard to believe it's from an apparently dark movie.There are some really lovely slow pieces with treated flute which this time remind me of pieces by Edwin Astley on Randall and Hopkirk - you know those scenes at "night" also you know it's noon on a sunny day with a filter on the camera!Death Waltz release some tremendous soundtracks and they take as much care with the packaging as they do with the music. It's a really nice item which sounds and looks terrific. It's not my favourite sleeve by any means, but as I'm not a New York Ripper fan then that doesn't bother me too much.If you like funky Italian soundtracks then this will be a great addition to your collection and at such a good price too.

Lucio Fulci's New York Ripper has always been a somewhat controversial movie. The soundtrack was by a veteran of Italian soundtracks, mainly westerns, and it's funky theme and mellow, chilled out passages do not hint at the nastiness in the movie. The opening track (New York One More Day) introduces us to the main theme, and this is repeated in the other tracks. The slower passages are quite gorgeous, mellow jazz with atmospheric flutes and saxes, whilst the main theme would be at home on a US cop show from the seventies. It has that sort of vibe to it. If you like Italian soundtracks, then this is very good indeed, and musically, easily stands alone without the film.The release doesn't re-use any of the poster art for the movie - instead artist Nick Percival has created a piece of artwork heavily inspired by the type of imagery used in old horror comics such as EC. There's a small booklet inside the album explaining this. Personally, I find the artwork doesn't really fit in with the film - it's an Italian exploitation movie, and it seems odd to have artwork based on 1950s US comics. Having said that, it's a good piece of work in its own right, and sleazy enough to capture the essence of the film. Stephen Thrower, who wrote an excellent book about Fulci's movies, contributes a brief study of the film and there's also a poster of the artwork. It all comes inside a thick, sturdy case with an amusing comment down the side - which will be understood by anyone who has seen the film.An impressive package, overall, that sounds glorious (On its green vinyl). Highly recommended for Fulci fans and collectors of Italian soundtracks.

I have quite a few soundtracks now, however I have to say this has the best slow jams on it than others I own. I just love that saxophone. It's a funky ost, soulful and nothing like the movie ha ha ha

First of all i d like to make clear that i m writing about the latest re-release of "New York Ripper" on Death Waltz. Well the LP is a beauty, (although, i m not a fan of colored vinyl, this dark yellow/green color is really great) It sounds awesome , it looks fantastic. Comes in that great thick sleeve (non gatefold). with a cover art poster and info sheet. Not a fan of this new artwork but it's ok.

one of my favourite from death waltz.....beautiful and funky.