SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 37 Min.
Released by MCA Records in 1985, this eleven-track album has the following songs
- The Original Miami Vice Theme Jan Hammer (1:00)
2. Smuggler’s Blues Glenn Frey (3:48)
3. Own The Night Chaka Khan (4:49)
4. You Belong to the City Glenn Frey (5:49)
5. In the Air Tonight Phil Collins (5:27)
6. Miami Vice (Extended Theme) Jan Hammer (2:26)
7. Vice Grandmaster Melle Mel (4:59)
8. Better Be Good to Me Tina Turner (5:08)
9. Flashback (Instrumental) Jan Hammer (3:20)
10. Chase (Instrumental) Jan Hammer (2:38)
11. Evan (Instrumental) Jan Hammer (3:06)
Note: MCA Records released Miami Vice II (a sequel soundtrack) in 1987.
REVIEW:
Considering nearly half the album is Jan Hammer’s synthesizer magic, this first season soundtrack is terrific. Hammer’s last three tracks were often recycled during the series; of them, the haunting Evan still retains its dramatic punch. Five of the remaining six tunes serve as an early Miami Vice highlight reel, as Glenn Fry’s two songs and Phil Collins’ In the Air Tonight are virtually synonymous with the series. Solo tracks from Tina Turner and Chaka Khan also made well-known appearances in the first season.
Only one track doesn’t age well: Track 7’s Vice rap song, which rapidly overstays its welcome. Even so, this somewhat abbreviated album is an energetic time machine for nostalgic fans of the 1984-89 NBC TV series. The one downside is that some extra songs would have been appreciated.
PACKAGING:
The tracks, artists, and running times are included on the disc. The packaging, otherwise, is standard-issue for the era.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars
