I think it starts with Midnight Express (1978) right? Is there one that comes before that?
I think it kind of started with Tangerine Dream's SORCERER in 1977. Possibly some John Carpenter before that too.
Oh I was thinking Moroder but yeah, TD and JC were pioneers. There's a bunch of analog synth from the early 70s I probably don't even know about. Elements of Electronic Music go back to Forbidden Planet and Ray Scott's stuff and in the 70s show up everywhere, TV included.
Midnight Express to me is where it starts being taken seriously - Oscars and all. Next up after ME would be Wendy Carlos and The Shining I think.
Carpenter's Escape From New York. Doesn't get much better than that I think.
One of his best, indeed.
Different but nice: Big Trouble in Little China.
It was even better than I thought when I could listen to the complete score on La-La Land.
It lacks Asian colour, of course its still JC's quality synth-wash, I find China alittle haunting but more upbeat & the rock & rock element delivers another flesh, I think The Fog is Carpenter's best with its narky synth moods booming church organ atmospheres & those warming piano pieces.
Can never forget Mark Isham's The Hitcher that stays pretty atmospheric when it does seem to mellow-out its still pretty-icy it is a rewarding listen, Scanners ditto this is one of my best synth scores. Ken Freeman's Tripods was also pretty-unique his multiplex patterns were very cool for a tv series. & Firefox had part orchestra but mainly Jarre's classic synth colours for Eastwood's roguish more slick character + communist narrative that needs releasing labels.
