Like perhaps no other era, the Italian Soundtracks of the 1970s were something truly special. Although their sounds included different genres and were not a distinct genre per se, they represent something that has its own unique and highly recognizable atmosphere. If you are interested in digging into vintage movie soundtracks, 70s Italian Soundtracks might be the place that can offer the most.

One of the greatest examples is the Profondo Rosso (1975) soundtrack by Goblin and Giorgio Gaslini. A great horror soundtrack that has the typical elements to be found in this niche like dark synthesizers, baroque-style pianos and even progressive rock influences. Goblin in itself is a great band to check out, but this soundtrack showcases a unique side of them. Another great recommendation to make is the soundtrack to Milano Calibro 9 (1972) by Luis Bacalov and Osanna. This soundtrack expresses the vibe of crime, thriller, rawness and brutality in its vintage 1970s Italian style. And, of course, the legend of the genre to be honored is Ennio Morricone. Although there are countless amazing pieces, “The Bird with the Crystal Plumage” (1970) is a great choice that was both influential and exemplary of Morricone’s excellence.

Most of these soundtracks were not just made to accompany the films, often they were composed already before the films were even made. Film directors sometimes played these soundtracks on set to create the right vibe and influence the performance of the actors. This shows the artistry that these soundtracks have in themselves – a musical niche that is deeper and richer than one might think. The newsletter will showcase more of these, particularly the rarer, lesser known soundtracks that can be found in this Golden Age of Italian film.