Traffic: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [SOUNDTRACK]

Cliff Martinez, Traffic

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 9, 2001)
• Original Release Date: January 9, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Tvt
• ASIN: B000056JZH
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #118,168 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

This taut thriller bringing Michael Douglas and his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones, together in director Steven Soderbergh's look at the unwinnable war on drugs features a subliminal, seductively ambient soundtrack that pulses with a foreboding sense of doom. Composer Cliff Martinez, who worked for a spell with Captain Beefheart's Magic Band and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, enlists Chili Peppers bassist Flea and jazz keyboard legend Herbie Hancock for two tracks, then fills out the rest with lush symphonic scores courtesy of programmer Jeff Rona. Additionally, tracks from Fatboy Slim, Morcheeba, and ambient pioneer Brian Eno shake things up a bit. One song ("The Police Won't Find Your Car") has been omitted from the film, but is included here as a bonus. --Rob O'Connor

Product Description

Directed by Steven Soderbergh ('The Limey', 'Out Of Sight' and 'Sex, Lies and Videotape'), which is a good sign, he's a great director and the music for his films works on the same level. The score is by Cliff Martinez (ex- Red Hot Chili Peppers), Herbie Hancock and Flea as well as tracks by Fatboy Slim, Morcheeba & Rockers Hi Fi remixed by Kruder & Dorfmeister. 18 tracks. Standard jewel case. 2000 release.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reminds me of Robert Rich., August 20, 2001

By A Customer

I think the music by Cliff Martinez on the Traffic soundtrack is excellent. While watching the film, I was convinced I was listening to Robert Rich.

Robert Rich is one of the early pioneers of dark ambient music. If you enjoyed Martinez's score, check out Robert Rich's "Numena" and "Gaudi" (Matinez's "Helicopter" sounds very similar to Rich's "The other side of twilight"). Both of these recordings were made in the early '90s, but you would never guess this when listening to them.

Also, Rich teamed up with another dark ambient recording artist, Steve Roach, on "Soma" and "Strata". Both of these recordings are excellent. In addition, Steve Roach has released a number of excellent CDs, "Magnificent Void", "Artifacts", "Origins", etc. - I could go on forever.

In short, if you like the work of Martinez (i.e. Traffic), check out Robert Rich and Steve Roach. These two artists will open a world of music to you that most people don't even know exists.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent movie.. wonderful score..., January 15, 2001

By	Michael Olshansky (Marietta, Georgia USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Having seen the trailer for Traffic only once, I wasn't sure what to expect. Fans and critics all gave the film high marks and being a big Steven Soderbergh fan, my hopes were high. This sweeping epic of a film is truely wonderful, featuring an all-star cast, top-notch cinematography, and great performances.

Great films almost always have a memorable score.. and Traffic is no exception. The has several tense and emotional moments where nary a word is spoken. Instead, we're treated to wonderful ambient soundscapes courtesy of Cliff Martinez.

His music manages to stir emotion, yet remain unobtrusive throughout the film. Standouts include "Helicopter", "La Cagaste", and "I Can't Do This." This is great thinking music, and while most tracks are on the short side (2 to 3 minutes) I can listen to some on repeat for hours.. they're that good. Guests include Herbie Hancock, Flea, Fatboy Slim, Kruder & Dorfmester, and Brian Eno.

Whether or not you're a fan of electronic music, you'll most likely enjoy this one. One of 2000's best pictures also has, in my opinion, one of 2000's best scores. Highly recommended...

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful, March 31, 2001

By	Karam Khan "Voracious Bookworm" (Surrey, British Columbia (BC) Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Steven Soderbergh often collaborates with Cliff Martinez as composer on his films. Martinez had artistic ability but never stood out to me from great composers like Jerry Goldsmith,Ennio Morricone,James Horner et al, but this cd puts him up there with the very best. Taking a note from ambient musicians like Brian Eno and Steve Roach, Martinez has crafted such a wonderful score that it shimmers with brilliance. When I first saw this critically acclaimed film one thing that hit me was the score, it was a whole ambient orchasteration, so delicate with cues so subtle and enigmatic to certain scenes that it was very powerful.I was so happy that finally someone had enough artistic sense to use minimalist music like ambience to get the plot forward and smartly so.Kudos to Soderbergh

except for the tracks from Morcheeba ,Krudorf and Dorfmiester and Fatboy Slim this cd plays and classifes as an ambient cd. The tracks I mentioned seemed really odd on this compilation and ruin the atmosphere of the cd. Like some other reviewer pointed out, it's like putting a Roxy Music track on a Brian Eno cd.

If you want to get into ambient music, this cd is a great introduction. As a film composition it ranks vert highly up there for its use of subtleties and arrangements.

I would buy this CD for the last track alone. "Ascent(an ending)" by Brian Eno is also the last track in the film. It is so beautiful and moving in its simple brilliance that it would be a major sin for a music lover to pass this track by. There are no words for this music done by Brian Eno. The closest it comes to is like memories you have. it's a kiss, a speckled raindrop, a passing light, a baby's eyes.

its amazing.