For the first time ever, Record Kicks is pleased to announce the release of the long lost soundtrack by Whatitdo Archive Group: the Italian Cinematic Masterpiece “The Black Stone Affair”. The Soundtrack will be released on April 9th on Gatefold LP, CD and Digital Download. “La Pietra”, which will be first released on a 45 vinyl together with “The Return Of Beaumont Jenkins” on March 5th, is a non-album bonus track and it will be available on all digital platforms on March 19.
Long thought to be lost alongside the movie itself by the production studio, the soundtrack’s master reels were recently recovered and its audio meticulously restored and remastered by J.J. Golden in Ventura, CA. The movie itself was understood to be unusual for its time: a globetrotting adventure/western-noir written and directed by aspiring visionary, Stefano Paradisi. Unfortunately for Paradisi, the tragic loss of his masterpiece also meant the end of his short lived career in movies. People who worked on the film have been cited as saying this film was going to be a turning point in Italian cinema and henceforth put Paradisi on the map alongside the likes of Fellini and Antonioni.
Although “La Pietra” was ultimately left on the cutting room floor when Whatitdo Archive Group was assembling the soundtrack order, the “black stone” or “pietra” will always be the star of the film, and this bonus track encapsulates everything the stone represents in pure sonic form. Even if this track boasts a strong rhythm section featuring bass, drums and baritone guitar, its composition is ultimately orchestral. Tubular bells, timpani and violins swirl across the sonic spectrum and dance over one of the heaviest drum breaks from this time period. Despite these symphonic instruments, this 45-exclusive easily serves itself as a must-have in any modern DJ’s wallet of 45’s housing their secret sonic killers ripe for their audience to covertly Shazam.
While the movie never saw the light of day, the soundtrack by obscure band Whatitdo Archive Group was thankfully recovered. The music itself is staggering to hear and these first tracks are just a little appetizer of what you’ll be hearing on the LP.
Today Glide is excited to premiere that long lost track “La Pietra,” a song that perfectly captures the underrated magic of this little known group. From the opening notes, you are hit with the kind of sinister twang and piano that feels like a cross between an Ennio Morricone score and a horror film. Where the track differs from the Spaghetti Western aesthetic is in the way the group incorporates a cool soulfulness into the track that is the kind of retro soul and hip-hop beat fusion we have heard from groups like the Menahan Street Band and El Michels Affair.
The group describes the inspiration and process behind this track:
“Although this track boasts a strong rhythm section featuring bass, drums and baritone guitar, this composition is ultimately orchestral. Tubular bells, timpani and violins swirl across the sonic spectrum and dance over one of the heaviest drums breaks from this time period. Despite these symphonic instruments, this bonus track easily serves itself as a must-have in any modern DJ’s wallet of 45’s housing their secret sonic killers ripe for their audience to covertly Shazam. Although La Pietra was ultimately left on the cutting room floor when Whatitdo Archive Group was assembling the soundtrack order, the “Black Stone” or “Pietra” will always be the star of the film, and this bonus track encapsulates everything the stone represents in pure sonic form.”.
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