Various Artists : Blade II OST

Pairing superstar artists from two ostensibly different genres in order to
create thrilling musical hybrids for the soundtracks of sexy sci-fi
blockbusters is a naff concept dreamt up by coke-crazed US record execs who
consider The Crystal Method's oeuvre the pinnacle of Western cultural
production. The films are without exception incomprehensible macho cobblers
('Spawn', 'Judgement Night', the accompanying tracks examples of
lazy corporate compromise.


Still, if the sequel to stunning techno-vampire romp 'Blade' is only
half as good as the original, it should be easy to ignore the vapid
dance-meets-hip-hop posturing which masquerades as its soundtrack. Only
Massive Attack and Mos Def emerge with credibility intact;
their sober collaboration, 'I Against I', is a dark electro purr that bodes well for
the Bristolians' fourth album. Elsewhere, in a bid to produce the worst
record of their careers, such heavyweights as Fatboy, Oakey, Moby and
Gorillaz team up with hip-hop luminaries like Mystikal, Eve, Redman
and Ice Cube. They all win.


Piers Martin