Harlem Nights

Quartet Records and Paramount Pictures present the world premiere release of the long-awaited original score by famous composer, musician, producer and jazz-giant Herbie Hancock (Blow Up, Action Jackson, Death Wish, Oscar winner for Best Original Score for Round Midnight) for Eddie Murphy’s ambitious Harlem Nights (1989)

Quartet Records and Paramount Pictures present the world premiere release of the long-awaited original score by famous composer, musician, producer and jazz-giant Herbie Hancock (Blow Up, Action Jackson, Death Wish, Oscar winner for Best Original Score for Round Midnight) for Eddie Murphy’s ambitious Harlem Nights (1989). Set in New York during Prohibition, the story concerns the owner of an illegal gambling house who must deal with strong competition, gangsters and corrupt cops in order to stay in business. It starred Murphy, Richard Pryor, Danny Aiello, Michael Lerner, Belinda Tolbert and Jasmine Guy.

Herbie Hancock, naturally, provides a jazz-influenced score, with an infectious main theme and great pieces for big band. Hancock also contributed a darker mix of electronics and orchestra as underscore. A series of jazz standards by Duke Ellington were recorded specially for the film, with orchestra conducted by Garnett Brown, arranged and produced by Hancock with his well-known good taste. All these adaptations are included in the album as bonus tracks.

This CD has been beautifully edited and mastered by Doug Schwartz, and the package includes a 16-page full-color booklet with liner notes by Daniel Schweiger.