A review by JAMES SOUTHALL

Directed by Taylor Hackford, Blood In, Blood Out was a surprisingly well-reviewed 1993 film which actually changed its name to Bound by Honour literally just before it was released; it's about three brothers and is set in and around gangland life in Los Angeles for Mexican immigrants, including (of course) prison.  The change of name led to an extremely unusual situation: the score album, featuring Bill Conti's music, had already been produced under the original title of the film, and it was too late to change it.  Bizarrely, all the copies of it still sit in a warehouse somewhere - they never went on sale.  As such, it is almost certainly the rarest soundtrack album of all time, and has fetched some ridiculous prices at Ebay as a result.

Most extremely rare soundtracks which fetch crazy prices aren't actually very good.  Blood In, Blood Out is an exception.  Conti's music is driving, memorable and really rather good.  The opening cue (which is actually the end credits) is a propulsive piece, presenting the main theme, heavily influenced by Mexican stylings; it's wonderful stuff.  "Prison" continues the theme, though it's rather darker; some of the trumpet solos actually sound like they might come from a Morricone spaghetti western!  "Goodbye Al" is an almost hysterically hypnotic piece, with percussion and guitars coming together in truly frenzied, manic fashion for another terrific piece.  Then there's "Miklo Goes Home", featuring a lilting, gorgeous guitar solo.  And all this in only the first four tracks!  There's plenty more to come, too: "Hilltop Shootout" is another terrific action track; "Cruz's Reunion" brings in more of the gentler guitar writing; "The Church" is a flavoursome, evocative piece again favouring guitar and percussion; "Montana and Wallace" is a mournful string lament, really rather beautiful, which climaxes with an extraordinary trumpet solo; and finally, "Resolutions" brings a rather warm conclusion to the album.

Blood In, Blood Out is really vivid, colourful music by an underrated composer.  OK, so its Mexican sounds are probably to authentic Mexican music what Taco Bell is to authentic Mexican food, but it's still highly enjoyable.  Finding a copy is next-to-impossible, but you never know - and if you're lucky enough to get an opportunity to get the score, don't turn it down - it really is a treat.  Conti is a very capable composer, and scores like this one simply deserve to be heard.

Tracks

1. Blood In, Blood Out (5:20)
2. Prison (5:48)
3. Goodbye Al (3:37)
4. Miklo Goes Home (1:39)
5. Hilltop Shootout (3:05)
6. Cruz's Reunion (1:56)
7. The Church (1:44)
8. Montana and Wallace (3:39)
9. Resolutions (3:25)