You Only Love Once

Unmistakably French in feel, style, and sound, Jacques Loussier & His Orchestra's soundtrack to the movie You Only Love Once is a vibrant and eclectic slice of '60s pop-jazz. The theme tune "Generique" has a powerful big-band sound, with fluid drumming and organ solos, as Loussier's classical background is made obvious by the spiralling and at times grandiose string arrangement. Although he composed a number of works for cinema and television, (Snow Job, Monique, La Vie a l'Envers), Loussier gained international recognition by successfully combining his interest in jazz with his love of Johann Sebastian Bach. While the mood is melancholic in "Promenade au Luxembourg," with its subtle bossa nova shadings, the tempo soon intensifies in "Sortie Metro," a quirky number with Arabic music influences. "Ballade Dans Paris" would be the perfect theme to a cheesy French TV show, while "Clara's Jerk" sounds like Perrey & Kingsley sans moog. Also inspired by Lalo Schifrin and Francis Lai, this great soundtrack to an altogether forgotten movie invites you on a stylish aural trip of Paris and its many moods.