In the Heat of the Night

They Call Me Mr Tibbs

Music by Quincy Jones

 

 

 

 

More than a classic police movie, In the Heat of the Night (1967) of Norman Jewison had a social meaning in its time, was precursor (or even propellant) of black power films of the 70.

Along with the follow up They Call Me Mr. Tibbs (1970), the films created the basic recipe for the nascent genre: black heroes, white opponents, an alternative vision of social positions and the fundamental social conflict. One of the most attractive points (at least for this site) is that the genre gave chance to great soundtracks creations. Following the constant conflict between the protagonists of the first film – the police officers played by Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger – the music of In the Heat of the Night explores jazz and country in a curious way. The immediate interst is of course the classic theme song, In the Heat of the Night sung by Ray Charles. Most of the soundtrack includes incidental moments in jazz language, among them the great Mama Caleba's Blues (Ray Charles on piano), a version of main theme lead to primordial blues harmonies. Curiously the “white” pop/rock/contry of 60s (Glen Campbell, Gil Bernal) are always associated with marginality.

Preceding the explosion of the black power of the early 70s the soundtrack of They Call Me Mister Tibbs uses ostensively and vibrantly the soul music reference. It is clear right in the excellent main theme, highlighting the incisive performances metals and virtuous bass lines. The theme is so present that stands out over the others. But the soundtrack is even more consistent than the previous one with good moments of fusion between jazz and pop/rock music.

Not so rural and southern than the previous movie, They Call Me Mister Tibbs has clearer urban orientation. Blues For Mister Tibbs sounds totally urban on electric piano. The rock stands on tracks like Fat Poppadaddy and Soul Flower.

In the same year of They Call Me Mister Tibbs composer Galt MacDermoth (from Hair) would make a very interesting soundtrack for Cotton Comes to Harlem full of soul music and following films as Across the 110th Street and especially Shaft standed for the new genre.