Plaza Mayor release Nascuy Linares's score for Embrace of the Serpent (L’Etreinte du Serpent). The movie follows the story of the relationship between Karamakate, an Amazonian shaman and last survivor of his people, and two scientists who work together over the course of 40 years to search the Amazon for a sacred healing plant...

Nascuy Linares's score for Embrace of the Serpent is a little different, but ultimately very rewarding. The soundtrack contains 9 tracks (17 min, 45 sec), making it more an EP than an album. But what it lacks in quantity, it more than makes up for in quality.

The score opens with what appears to be African shaman ritual effects, which are interesting layered over the music. This is followed by the eerie 'Trance (Trance Aereo)' which has an electronic background with more vocal shaman sounds. The opening of 'Trance (Trance Aereo)' reminded me of the theme to the '90s TV miniseries Ultraviolet.

There are five tracks that come under the 'Dudamel: Let the Children Play' umbrella, starting with 'End', which is an interesting piano piece. 'Sarabande' incorporates a familiar theme by Handel, but Linares makes it his own.

This is an intricate, yet minimalist score that really sticks with you.

8

Darren Rea