Crime & Suspense
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From gum shoes to fedoras, the crime dramas of film noir and television are riddled with clichés (like that one). In the obligatory nightclub scene, Johnny Stacatto sits in with the band in which Jack Costanzo is already bongo-ing up a frenzy; a "lovely tomato" breathes wisps of torch smoke into the microphone; sweat rises on brows, and the din rises just enough to muffle the single shot hitting its target in a back room. The brassy themes, calculated to excite, become numbing through repetition. But weary as the generic, down-on-his-luck dick may be, at least he is not as tired as James Bond. "Crime jazz" sometimes means Hollywood jazz but more often arranged pop, even if scored and played to emulate jazz. Key elements are tension-building suspense (percussion and horn bursts) and the downtempo, wistful romance of the lonely private eye of fiction (horn solos). "Richard Diamond" and "Harlem Nocturne" are respective examples. Some themes, such as "The Pink Panther," convey the stealth of a private eye or cat burglar. The "suspense" extension of the idiom includes psychological thrillers, lurid urban/domestic yarns, and would-be crime tales. Alfred Hitchcock and Kenyon Hopkins are examples. Obvious sources are movies scored by Henry Mancini, such as "Touch of Evil." But the suspense impulse runs from mod 1960s brass, such as Al Caiola and the Power of Brass' cover of "The Odd Couple" theme, to the "exotica noir" of Les Baxter's Jungle Jazz. The greatest yet least likely suspense tune may be "Waikiki at Midnight," a heavy, hippie, hilarious narrative from Jack de Mello's very strange, boxed-set tribute to Kui Lee. Crime is where you find it, and suspense is in the hunt. Buying: The classics have been covered so often, it is easy to find favorite versions, both pop and jazz, even on budget labels. Avoid either of Mundell Lowe's gratuitous TV Action Jazz LPs. Covet the Det Moor LP. |
Crime & Suspense LPs
| Rating | |
| 6 | Peter Appleyard: Percussive Jazz; Audio Fidelity DFM-3002; 1960 ("Doctored for Super-Sound" series; w/Johnny Rae, Sam Most..) |
| 6 | Warren Barker: 77 Sunset Strip; Warner Bros. WS-1289; 1959 |
| 5 | Aaron Bell Orchestra: Music from Peter Gunn; Lion L-70112 |
| 5 | Aaron Bell Orchestra: Music from 77 Sunset Strip; Lion L-70116 |
| 3 | Elmer Bernstein: The Man with the Golden Arm; Decca DL-8257 |
| 8 | Elmer Bernstein: Staccato; Capitol ST-1287; 1959 |
| 8 | Buddy Bregman & his Orchestra: Swinging Kicks; Verve MGV-2042 (based on "The Wild Party") |
| 8 | Tony Crombie: Man from Interpol--Soundtrak from the NBC-TV Series; Top Rank RM-327 (crime, Latin jazz, bongo bop, exotica, Hawaiian) |
| 8 | Syd Dale: The Sounds of Syd Dale; KPM 1002; 1966 (production; crime/bongo bop/mod/biker) |
| 6 | Duke Ellington: Anatomy of a Murder ST; Columbia CS-8166 |
| 7 | Dean Elliott: College Confidential ST; Chancellor CHLS-5016 |
| 7 | The Bob Friedman Orchestra: Anatomy of a Murder; Premier/Coronet CXS-99 (music from the Duke Ellington Score) |
| 7 | [John Gregory as] Chaquito: TV Thrillers; Philips 6308-087; 1972 |
| [John Gregory as] Chaquito Big Band: Spies & Dolls; Philips 6308-111 | |
| 7 | John Gregory & his Orchestra: Channel Thrill!--The TV Thriller Themes; Philips/Fontana STFL-585/TFL-5170; 1961 (UK) |
| 8 | John Gregory Orchestra: TV's Greatest Detective Hits; Philips/Mercury SRM-1-1089; 1976 |
| 6 | John Gregory Orchestra: John Gregory Conducts; Philips 6499-308 (compilation of Gregory/Chaquito) |
| 7 | The Chico Hamilton Quintet [Plays Jazz Themes for the Sound Track of...] Sweet Smell of Success; Decca DL-8614; 1957 |
| 7 | Joe Harnell & his Orchestra: The Sound of the Asphalt Jungle; Kapp Medallion MS-7518; 1961 |
| 6 | Neal Hefti, his Orchestra & Chorus: Hefti in Gotham City; RCA Victor LSP-3621; 1966 |
| 6 | Alfred Hitchcock Presents Music to Be Murdered By; Imperial 9052 (partly spoken; music arr. & cond. Jeff Alexander; in UK as DRG SL-5183; 1980) |
| 6 | Kenyon Hopkins: The Fugitive Kind ST; United Artists UAS-5065/UAL-4065; 1960 (suspense/twist) |
| 6 | Kenyon Hopkins: The Hustler ST; Kapp KS-3264 (crime/suspense/bongo bop) |
| 7 | Kenyon Hopkins: Nightmare!!; MGM SE-4104 (crime/suspense/horror/effects/Mid-East/whistling; partly on Metro 520) |
| 5 | Laurie Johnson Orchestra: The Avengers; Hanna-Barbera HST-9506; 1966 (crime or spy) |
| 8 | Irving Joseph: Murder, Inc.; Time S-2002; 1960 |
| 7 | Enoch Light & his Orchestra: The Private Life of a Private Eye; Command RS-805-SD; 1959 (Paperback Ballet; Command RS-33-805; 1963, 1972) |
| 8 | Ralph Marterie & his Marlboro Men: Music for a Private Eye; Mercury SR-60109 (Pete Rugolo & Skip Martin arranged) |
| 8 | Henry Mancini: Touch of Evil ST; Varese Sarabande/Citadel CT-7016; 1980/1958 (definitive/complete 18-cut version, replacing: (1) Touch of Evil/The Night Visitor; Citadel CT-6015, 1977; (2) The Wild Side of Henry Mancini; Challenge CHL-615, 1960; & (3) the 13-cut Touch of Evil ST; Challenge CHL-602; 1959) |
| 7 | Henry Mancini: The Music from Peter Gunn; RCA Victor LSP-1956; 1958 |
| 7 | Henry Mancini: More Music from Peter Gunn; RCA Victor LSP-2040; 1959 |
| 5 | Henry Mancini: Gunn ST; RCA Victor LSP-3840; 1967 |
| 7 | Henry Mancini: The Cop Show Themes; RCA Victor APL1-1896; 1976 |
| 5 | Henry Mancini: Collection; RCA Special Products/Pair PDL2-1092; 1984 (2-LP, "Touch of Evil" stereo remake) |
| 7 | Johnny Mandel: Harper ST; Mainstream S-6078 (crime/mod soul) |
| 5 | Skip Martin: The Music from Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer; RCA Victor LSP-2140; 1959 |
| 7 | Billy May w/Sammy Davis Jr.: Johnny Cool ST; United Artists UAS-4111; 1963 |
| 8 | Det Moor (comp./arr. Bob Mersey): Great Jazz from Great TV; Gallant GT-4001 |
| 7 | Phil Moore: New York Sweet; Philips P-48-110-L; 1964 (spoken w/music; bongos; Germany) |
| 7 | Tony Mottola w/Ray Charles Singers: Original Music from "Danger" 10"; MGM E-111 |
| 6 | The Frankie Ortega Trio: 77 Sunset Strip; Jubilee 1106 |
| 6 | Norrie Paramor: Law Beat; Contour 2870-369; 1974 (UK) |
| 6 | Paul Phillips & his Band/Joe Harnell: The Sound of Midnight--Naked City; Kapp Medallion MS-7517 |
| 7 | Piero Piccioni: The Tenth Victim ST; Mainstream S-6072; 1965/1964 (crime/sci-fi suspense/wordless chorus/mod jazz) |
| 6 | Stan Purdy: Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer Story; V (Fifth Corp.); (c)1954 (EP sets V-2501 & -2) |
| 8 | Sid Ramin: Stiletto ST; Columbia OS-3360; 1968 |
| 6 | Nelson Riddle: The Untouchables (Original Music from the TV Show); Capitol ST-1430 |
| 6 | George Romanis/Al Caiola: 8 on the Lam ST; MCA 25096; 1967 |
| 3 | Pete Rugolo & Jimmy McHugh: Jack the Ripper ST; RCA Victor LSP-2199; 1960 |
| 5 | Pete Rugolo & his Orchestra: The Original Music of Thriller; Time 52034 |
| 7 | Pete Rugolo & his Orchestra: The Music from Richard Diamond; Mercury SR-80045 |
| 7 | William Sanford: Pretty Boy Floyd; Audio Fidelity AFLP-1936; 1960 |
| 6 | Leith Stevens: Jazz Themes for Cops & Robbers; Coral CRL-757283 (all stars Herb Geller, Shorty Rogers, Pete Candoli, Shelley Manne..; effectively the "Private Hell 66" ST plus 4 main themes) |
| 8 | Mort Stevens: Hawaii Five-O--Original CBS Television Sound Track; Capitol ST-410 (reissue SM-410 also stereo) |
| 5 | Morris Stoloff/George Duning/Ned Washington: The Naked City; Columbia CP-505 |
| 8 | The Creed Taylor Orchestra/Kenyon Hopkins: Lonelyville "The Nervous Beat"; ABC-Paramount ABCS-308 |
| 7 | Armando Trovajoli: Seven Golden Men ST; United Artists UAL-?/UAS-5193 (mono-only recording; crime/spy/wordless chorus/mod/whistling/drums) |
| 5 | The Video All-Stars/Skip Martin: TV Jazz Themes; Somerset SF-8800; 1960 |
| 7 | The Wedges: "Hang Ten"--for Surfers Only; Time 52090 (jacket: "Hang Ten"--Surfin' with the Wedges"; original crime music misleadingly packaged as surf) |
| 7 | Stanley Wilson: The Music from M Squad; RCA Victor LSP-2062; 1959 |
| 6 | Si Zentner & his Orchestra: The Swingin' Eye; Liberty LST-7166 |
| 7 | Si Zentner & his Orchestra: Warning Shot [ST & other themes by Jerry Goldsmith]; Liberty LST-7498; 1966 |
Partly Crime & Suspense LPs
| Rating | |
| The Agents: Themes for Secret Agents; Liberty/Sunset SUS-5184 | |
| 7 | Paulo Alencar: The Great Hits of Brazil; Kapp KS-3280; 1962 ("Ninguem e de Ninguem/No One") |
| 7 | Ray Anthony: Like Wild!; Capitol ST-1304 |
| 7 | Warren Barker & Frank Comstock: TV Guide Top Television Themes; Warner Bros. WS-1290 |
| 7 | Warren Barker/Poncie Ponce/Connie Stevens/Robert Conrad: Hawaiian Eye ST; Warner Bros. WS-1355; 1960 |
| 7 | The John Barry Seven & Orchestra: Best of; EMI; 1979 (Hit & Miss; Charly CM-110; 1982) |
| 7 | Vincent Bell: The Best of; Musicor MS-3192 ("Baker St. Mystery") |
| 5 | Willie Bobo: Bobo's Beat; Roulette Birdland SR-52097 ("Naked City") |
| 7 | Billy Brooks: Windows of the Mind; BBW-903 (mod funk; "The Speech Maker") |
| 6 | Sam Butera & the Witnesses Play Music from The Rat Race; Dot DLP-25306 (title theme) |
| 6 | John Cacavas & his Orchestra: Music for Drama (Orchestral); Chappell International CAL-4014; 1974 (spy/crime/suspense) |
| 6 | Al Caiola: The Best of; United Artists UAS-6310; 1963 ("Experiment in Terror") |
| 8 | Al Caiola: Sounds for Spies & Private Eyes; United Artists UAS-6435 |
| 7 | Al Caiola: Blockbuster Movie/TV Themes; United Artists/Two Worlds TW-9102 (Theme from the "Magnificent 7 Ride" '73; United Artists/Avalanche AV-LA058-F; 1973) |
| 4 | Dick Cathcart: Pete Kelly's Blues; Warner Bros. WS-1303 |
| 5 | Cy Coleman/China Lee/Dick Hazard/Elmer Bernstein: The Troublemaker ST; Ava AS-49-ST; 1964 |
| 5 | Jack Costanzo: Mr. Bongo Has Brass; Zephyr ZP-12003G ("Man with the Golden Arm"; also a compact 33 promo) |
| 6 | Jack Costanzo: Naked City & Other Themes; Liberty LST-7195 |
| 7 | Troy Donahue/Connie Stevens/Ty Hardin/Stefanie Powers/Robert Conrad: Palm Springs Weekend ST; Warner Bros. WS-1519 |
| 3 | Lew Douglas: Themes from...; Carlton 126 ("The Untouchables") |
| 7 | The Bernard Ebbinghouse Orchestra: The Big Band Sound/Orchestral Sounds/Rhythmic Moods/In a Quiet Mood; Bosworth Backgrounds BLP-147; 1976 ("A Night in Harlem"; production/mod) |
| 7 | Esquivel: More of Other Sounds Other Worlds ("Street Scene"); Reprise R9-6046; 1961 |
| 6 | The Richard Gleason Orchestra: TV Themes; Tops L-1661 |
| 9 | Johnny Gunn w/Don Ralke: Introspection IV; Warner Bros. WS-1372; 1960 (spoken w/music; WILD poetic narrations "flip-end vignettes") |
| 4 | Earle Hagen: The New Interns ST; Colpix SCP-473; 1964 |
| 4 | Jimmie Haskell: "From Russia With Love" Theme; Capitol ST-2075 |
| 7 | Nurit Hirsh: The Cop ST; Phonodor 13006 (Israel) |
| 7 | Ole Jensen & his Music; Chappell LPC-1034; 1970 ("Chorale in Rhythm"; production/space-electronic) |
| 7 | Spike Jones & the Band that Plays for Fun: Omnibust; Liberty LST-7140 ("Ah-1, Ah-2, Ah-Sunset Strip") |
| 6 | Mickey Katz: Katz Pajamas; Capitol W-1257 ("Little Red Rosenberg") |
| 6 | Roland Kirk: Now Please Don't You Cry, Beautiful Edith; Verve V6-8709 ("Fallout") |
| 5 | Living Brass (Ray Martin) Play Moods of Mancini; RCA Camden CAS-2162; 1967 |
| 6 | The Malcolm Lockyer Orchestra: Top TV Themes; Contour 2870-439; 1975 (UK) |
| 6 | Bill Loose: Cherry, Harry, & Raquel ST; Beverly Hills BHS-23 ("Franklin's Theme") |
| 6 | Manny Lopez: Just for You; Indigo IND-LP-502 ("Hawaiian Eye") |
| 7 | Henry Mancini: Combo!; RCA Victor LSP-2258; 1961 |
| 7 | Henry Mancini: Breakfast at Tiffany's ST; RCA Victor LSP-2362; 1961 ("The Big Heist") |
| 7 | Henry Mancini: Experiment in Terror ST; RCA Victor LSP-2442; 1962 |
| 6 | Henry Mancini: Charade ST; RCA Victor LSP-2755; 1963 |
| 7 | Henry Mancini: The Pink Panther ST; RCA Victor LSP-2795; 1963 |
| 8 | Jack Marshall: Tuff Jack; Capitol ST-1727 ("Peter Gunn") |
| 5 | Ralph Marterie & his Marlboro Men: Dance Party; Mercury MG-20395 ("Compulsion"; Wing SRW-16259) |
| 3 | Ray Martin: The Sound of Sight; London Phase 4 SP-44040 |
| 7 | Ray Martin: Comic Strip Favorites; RCA Camden CAS-2102; 1966 (mod/Batman/crime/exotic rock; w/Dick Hyman) |
| 9 | Jack de Mello, his Orchestra & Singers: The World of Kui Lee; Music of Polynesia MOP-12000 ("Waikiki at Midnight") |
| 5 | Buddy Morrow: Night Train Goes to Hollywood; Mercury SR-60702 |
| 6 | Buddy Morrow: Impact; RCA Victor LSP-2042; 1959 |
| 6 | Buddy Morrow: Double Impact; RCA Victor LSP-2180; 1960 |
| 7 | Buddy Morrow & his Orchestra: Poe for Moderns; RCA Victor LSP-2208; 1960 |
| 6 | Roger King Mozian: Spectacular Percussion; MGM SE-3845 ("Repercussion") |
| 5 | Jerry Murad's Harmonicats: Great Themes from TV & Motion Pictures; Columbia/Harmony HS-11223 |
| 3 | The NORAD Band Presents Mountain of Music; NCM-68-6 ("The Beatnik") |
| 5 | Fausto Papetti: I Remember...; Audio Fidelity AFSD-6189; 1968 ("Saturday Night Philosopher") |
| 7 | Malcolm Peters/Ron Goodwin: Imagination; Time 70007 |
| 5 | The Pop Singers & Orchestra: Themes from Hit TV Shows; Peter Pan 8185 |
| 8 | Don Ralke: The Savage & Sensuous: Bongos; Warner Bros. WS-1398; 1960 ("The Mystery of Yambuya") |
| 7 | The Revengers: Batman & Other Super Men; MGM/Metro MS-565 (guitar instrumentals, mainly spy themes) |
| 5 | Nelson Riddle: Route 66 Theme; Capitol ST-1771 |
| 5 | Nelson Riddle: More Hit TV Themes; Capitol ST-1869 |
| 7 | Nelson Riddle/Various: Batman--Exclusive Original Television Soundtrack Album; 20th Century-Fox TFS-4180; 1966 |
| 8 | Roger Roger/Nino Nardini: Jazz Dramatic/Jazz; Southern MQ/LP-32 (production; crime, flute, exotica--"Mango Girl") |
| 6 | Pete Rugolo: TV's Top Themes; Mercury SR-60706 |
| 8 | Lalo Schifrin: Once a Thief & Other Themes; Verve V6-8624; 1965 |
| 8 | Lalo Schifrin: Bullitt; Warner Bros. 1777; 1968 |
| 8 | Lalo Schifrin: Mannix; Paramount PAS-5004 |
| 3 | Dick Schory: The Happy Hits; RCA Victor LSP-2926; 1964 ("The Pink Panther Theme") |
| 5 | The Secret Agents: Mission Impossible & Other Action Themes; Pickwick/Design DLP-287 (spy/crime/organ) |
| 7 | Leith Stevens & Stu Phillips: The Interns ST; Colpix SCP-427; 1962 ("Toss Me a Scalpel") |
| 5 | Billy Strange/Neil Norman: Secret Agent File; GNP Crescendo GNPS-2166; 1984 (compilation; "The Rockford Files") |
| 8 | Al Tijuana & his Jewish Brass; Capitol ST-2596; 1966 ("Peter Gunn") |
| 7 | Reg Tilsley/Tilsley Orchestral No. 8: Theme and Variation; De Wolfe DWLP-3174; 1970 (production/crime/spy; short cues) |
| 7 | Jack Trombey & the International Studio Group: Living Power 10"; De Wolfe DWLP-2970; 1966 (spy/crime) |
| Jack Trombey & John Reids: Eye for an Eye 10"; De Wolfe DWLP-2969; 1966 (presumably spy/crime) | |
| 8 | The Ventures [Batman Theme]; Liberty/Dolton BST-8042 |
| 5 | Kai Winding: Suspense Themes in Jazz; Verve V6-8493; 1963 |
| 6 | Si Zentner: Warning Shot [ST & other themes]; Liberty LST-7498 |
| 5 | Si Zentner: "From Russia with Love" Theme; Liberty LST-7353 |
| 9 | Uncredited: [Background Music] 10"; Audio BMP-134; 1968 (production) |
| 8 | Uncredited; Robert Hall RH-104/105 (production; mod jazz/crime jazz) |
| 8 | Uncredited: Synchro Fox Golden Group; Sam Fox SF-2002 (crime/rock) |
| 7 | Various: Modern Rhythm 10"; Bosworth BLP-109; 1969 (production) |
| 4 | Various: The Detectives and Agents & Great Suspense Motion Picture Themes; Mainstream S-6079 |
| 6 | Various: Palm Springs Weekend ST; Warner Bros. WS-1519 ("Palm Springs Scramble") |
| 4 | Various: Swing for a Crime; Jazzbo CR-SFC |
| 4 | Various: Television's Greatest Hits; TeeVee Toons TVT-1100; 1985 |
| 4 | Various/Uncredited: T.V. '67--Dragnet--I Spy--T.H.E. Cat; Cameo/Wyncote SW-9184 ("Dragnet Theme") |
| 9 | Trunk Presents the Super Sounds of Bosworth; Trunk Barked 1; 1996 (production; reissue-compilation) |
| 8 | Various: Trunk Presents the Super Sounds of Bosworth Vol. 2; Trunk Barked 2; 1996 (production; reissue-compilation) |
[Partly] Crime & Suspense 45s
| Rating | |
| 6 | Sam Butera & the Witnesses: Theme from The Rat Race Parts 1 & 2; Dot 16080 |
| 7 | The Embers: Peter Gunn Cha Cha/Chiny-Chin Chin Cha Cha (sic); Wynne 101 (crime/Latin rock; w/Candido!) |
| 8 | Stan Freberg w/Daws Butler: Christmas Dragnet Parts 1 & 2; Capitol F-2671 (spoken w/theme intro; Christmas crime spoof) |
| 7 | Jet Harris: Main Title Theme (from The Man with the Golden Arm)/Some People; Decca 11488 (ex-Shadows; guitar) |
| 8 | Laurie Johnson: The Professionals/The New Avengers; Unicorn-Kanchana CI5; 1980 (3-cut EP w/picture sleeve; crime or spy) |
| 8 | The Steve Karman Big Band [featuring Jimmy Radcliffe]: Breakaway! Parts 1 & 2; United Artists UA-50451 (crime/funky sitar) |
| 7 | Malcolm Lockyer: The Drummond Theme/Gambit (theme); Decca (mod/crime; rec. UK; A-side from "Deadlier than the Male"; B-side from "Gambit") |
| 7 | Billy May: The Man with the Golden Gun (main title)/Our Melody (the Phonograph Song); Capitol F-3372 |
Hyp Records is a 3-part guide:
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