This obscure 1970's Goldsmith score can be considered the older brother, the precursor, to Under Fire. Goldsmith employs his gift for gorgeous melody throughout, interspersing trademark brass ostinatos and gentle, almost wistful wind work. Tying it all together is a little Wind and the Lion, and guitar work that reminds us why Goldsmith is a master colorist, as well as a master composer.
High Velocity is seldom discussed and is a wonderful little score for lovers of Goldsmith Central Americana work.
Yes, it's great--Goldsmith did a number of "equatorial" scores--Papillon, Breakout, High Velocity, Cabo Blanco and Under Fire--that are among his best works.
The ear-catching exotic percussion of the "Jungle trek" scenes (a classic Goldsmith trait) and the piercingly downbeat climax are what make this score special to me. Goldsmith did a lot of forgotten, low-budget thrillers (with inexplicably good casts) in the 70s and early 80s, and I think this is his best work in that area.
Saw the film on a very old VHS a few years back. It is...not good.
I love the track “The Mafia Marines” It’s almost like one of his western scores. This is one of those CDs that I picked up from SAE early on in my Goldsmith discovery phase back in 2000-2001ish. Never saw the film.
I can listen to this one any day of the week. There’s also a brief piano statement of what would later become his Basic Instinct score.
