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David Arnold
Casino Royale Sony BMG ***

Arnold's fourth James Bond score in almost a decade eschews the cool style of his earlier work (Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough and Die Another Day) in favour of large doses of action and heart. From the adrenalin-charged opening African Rundown and the 12-minute churning cacophony of Miami International to the pounding tension of The Switch, Arnold showcases some of his best-ever Bond action cues, effortlessly merging staccato strings and bursts of brass with driving polyrhythms (a deft mixture of found and electronic percussion). Elsewhere, such tracks as Nothing Sinister, Solange and City of Lovers offer a strong dramatic contrast with tender piano, melancholy strings and delicate flute. Togther they infuse Casino Royale with an unusual emotional urgency and force. www.sonybmgmasterworks.com   Jocelyn Clarke