In H. Scott Salinas & Reza Safinias’ new album “Birth of the Dragon – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack”, two truly talented composers have created a fantastic new look at this legendary Bruce Lee story through their unique sound. They make masterful use of a blending of traditional Chinese instrumentation and sound from the East with newer electronica music reminiscent of modern Western pop and electronica to illustrate the dichotomy between the Eastern and Western philosophies at war in the film. By using these dueling styles the composers have painted an auditory pallet illustrating the struggles Bruce Lee endures in the film (and in life) when he challenges Kung Fu master Wong Jack Man with his philosophy centered around opening Kung Fu to the West. In this album the blending of styles works beautifully at inhabiting the world of the film in such a way that the flow from one song to the next feels much like the flow of a battle. Fast rises and pounding clashes of drums and electronic beats lead to soft hums and moments of reprieve and uncertainty.
Salinas and Safinia prove they are experienced story tellers through sound in this album. I particularly enjoyed track number 7, “Kong Fu Comes from Within”. This track boasted a lightness to it that hung in the air, painting a peaceful picture of both of these men at battle. At this moment we could hear the composers’ style truly merge into one creating a unique quality of a sort of ominous peacefulness. One that, of course, can’t last. This track is followed by “China Flashback” which makes great use of traditional Chinese instruments to throw us into a moment of relative simpleness and peace only to have a brooding hum inhabit the air to warn that all cannot remain the same forever.
At times energetic, racing, and pounding and at times soft, melodic and reminiscent, this album makes use of the full range of instrumentation at the composers’ disposal. From soft traditional drums to quivering violins, to fast, pulsing electronic beats. All of these tools and more were used to create a unique, auditory journey to follow that of the film. With the incorporation of traditional Chinese instruments they also remain faithful to the spirit of Bruce’s old films that it draws inspiration from.
The use of this veritable soundscape keeps the album dynamic and ever changing. It is really great to see the sound shift from almost entirely traditional Eastern sound to full on Western Electronica music while still bouncing back and forth to either side. Haunting piano lines, flying strings, pumping beats, all of these intertwine into one unique listening experience that does great justice to this classic showdown and to Bruce’s filmography and philosophy.
Andrew O’Brien
