Search - Jan Hammer :: Snapshots 1.2

Snapshots 1.2 New and Improved

H. L. Nathan | Hartford | 01/23/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Snapshots 1.2 is a new/old album. It was originally released outside of North America in 1989. At the time I was living in London and purchased it on cassette and listened to it non-stop until the player in my Opel ate it. The album contains some very cool music. I think that Jan had just finished working on Miami Vice so four of the tracks are themes that he created for the show. "One Way Out," was from the episode Lombard, which starred Dennis Farina. The tune became an instrumental hit in Germany. The other three tracks from Miami Vice are "Marina," "Poem" and "Payback." The tune, "The Runner," was created during the recording of the album for a series of British TV adverts starring "Sir" Bob Geldof and was a charted single in the UK. The track "Eurocops," (which is different than the one on the original album) was the main title theme to a European TV show that aired all across the continent and UK. Parts of the album are dark and moody but it also contains some up-tempo rockers like "Skipchaser" and a mysterious Euro-Dance track called "Trance." Even though Jan plays all of the instruments on the album, the video to "Too Much To Lose," features a "backing band" that consists of Jeff Beck, David Gilmour of Pink Floyd and Ringo Starr.Snapshots 1.2 has two bonus tracks. My favorite is the theme to the 1997 film "A Modern Affair," starring Stanley Tucci. I saw the film and it was OK, but Jan's theme could easily have been used in a blockbuster romantic/drama/comedy.As I mentioned earlier, Jan plays all of the instruments. In this day and age of computers and sampling devices there is a new breed of studio alchemists; most of which are hacks. Jan stands far above them. He is the real deal! I guess what separates the boys from the men (and to be politically correct) and the girls from the women, are not the sounds that are available to them, but how they are used, compositionally, melodically and rhythmically. Jan remains the master just as he is the master of phrasing, whether it is to conjure the feeling of a guitar, flute or whatever else is needed.I would recommend this album to anyone who is a fan of Jan Hammer, Miami Vice, film music and sophisticated instrumental pop/rock."

Snapshots 1.2

yargnits | Bellingham, WA USA | 04/19/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jan Hammer recorded the original Snapshots in 1989 following his multi-platinum success with the Miami Vice albums and his solo album Escape From Television. The first full album recorded at his own Red Gate Studio, Snapshots showcased him at his very best, with every track composed, performed, and produced by the artist himself. Released worldwide, excluding North America, the album yielded three charted European singles: "The Runner," originally from a series of British television advertisements starring Bob Geldof; "Eurocops," the theme from the top-rated European television series of the same name; and "One Way Out" from Miami Vice.Retitled Snapshots 1.2 for its first release in North America, this album seems more a new release than a re-release. The newly repackaged disc has been totally remastered, several tracks have been remixed, and Snapshots 1.2 features the addition of two bonus tracks: the theme from the motion picture "A Modern Affair" and a new composition entitled "Nova." Snapshots 1.2 lives up to the stylish grace associated with the finest of Hammer's work for movies, television, and radio. He masterfully creates evocative moods and tone poems that conjure up visions of dramatic land and mindscapes. A musical delight, version 1.2 is well worth the upgrade."

You can do better

Andy Kredt | DEnver, CO USA | 09/17/2003

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I own every Jan Hammer cd and this is by far the weakest. The only decent tunes on this release are already available on the 'Complete Miami Vice' cd. Disappointingly lightweight fuzak, IMO."