The Cotton Club

The Cotton Club soundtrack is a perfect accompaniment to the movie and features 13 of jazzman Bob Wilber's stunning recreations of jazz classics of the era and two examples of John Barry's evocative and deeply romantic score.

The CD seems to be a straight lift from the vinyl released at the time of movie and therefore reflects the limitations of an LP in terms of time. Consequently, many fine performances get lost - notwithstanding John Barry's score other casualties include Larry Marshall's none too convincing version of Cab Calloway's Jitterbug and The Lady With The Fan, Sydney Goldsmith's bawdy rendition of Lucille Brogan's Barebecue Bess, Diane Lane and Richard Gere's charming Am I Blue? and Gregory and Maurice Hines supercharged performance of Crazy Rhythm - there's lots more missing. I suppose it's because the movie tanked at the box office so no-one at Geffen Records is going to bother to expand the score which is a shame.

Moans aside, what you do get is great. Bob Wilber should be applauded for his attention to detail in creating the spirit and feel of the great dance music of the 30's without the pops and crackles.