After doing a bodacious job with its predecessor, Waxwork Records will debut John Du Prez's butt-kicking score to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze.
Released in 1991, a year after the first film became a surprise blockbuster, Turtles II featured the comic book superheroes learning more about the mutagen that resulted in their creation...and have to contend with their old foe Shredder, who obtains some of the ooze to create a pair of fearsome henchmen. While Turtlemania was arguably starting to subside by the time the film was released - and tonally, Turtles II matched the Saturday morning cartoon more than the original comic and first film - the picture was another financial success, featuring more great practical effects from Jim Henson's Creature Shop. (The film was dedicated to the Muppet legend, who passed away months after the first film's release.)
Du Prez, who'd scored films like Monty Python's The Meaning of Life and A Fish Called Wanda, again imbued the Turtles series with an appealing mix of electronics and orchestral cues, including the return of the catchy main theme from the first movie. Again, a hip-hop infused soundtrack album was released, with one track, Vanilla Ice's "Ninja Rap," ultimately figuring into a key scene near the film's climax. The fan favorite track will be included alongside the full score, remastered from the original tapes.
As with the release of the first film's score, Turtles co-creator Kevin Eastman has contributed new artwork for the package. A vinyl edition has sold out, but the CD is expected to start shipping in March, three decades to the month after the film's original release. Order links and a full track list are below.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Nickelodeon/Waxwork, 2021)
- NY Pizza
- Main Titles
- Pile of Criminals
- Shredder Lives
- Mutant Dandelions
- Grave Danger
- TGRI Fight
- Home Sweet Home
- Tokka & Rahzar
- Scrapyard Scrap
- What Troubles You
- Master Say Have Fun
- Let the Games Begin
- Super Shredder
- Cowabunga Says It All
- Dark Monsters
- Ninja Rap - Vanilla Ice
Portions previously released on SBK Records CDP 96204, 1991
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