It is hard to believe that until now, Hollywood had yet to produce a major film dealing with AIDS and the discrimination that accompanies the disease. The toll of this deadly epidemic are astounding, both globally and locally.

"Philadelphia" attempts to deal with several AIDS issues. I have not seen it but I have heard the soundtrack. Quite honestly, the soundtrack is not a lackluster piece, but it does not set any world records, either. However, there is a bit of recording novelty. Are we sounding ambivalent? Fickle maybe?

Both Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young have, for the first time in their careers, written and recorded a song specifically for a movie. Springsteen's "Streets of Philadelphia" is getting the majority of the airplay from this albumÕs compilation of artists. It is a good song, especially withmthe introduction's attention-grabbing drum beat, but there is nothing new from Bruce here.

"Philadelphia" will not uncrown Neil Young as the "King of Grunge," but it is a more melancholic piano bit with a high-pitched vocal output. The groove of Peter Gabriel is evident in "Lovetown," a previously unreleased original. The Spin Doctors provide a less-than-poppy recording that actually adds some spontaneity to the release. The Docs cover Creedance Clearwater Revival's classic "Have You Ever Seen The Rain?" in what is one of the most enjoyable cuts on the disc. It sounds like a one-take recording. Paulette Washington performs "It's In Your Eyes" that is reminiscent of theose James Bond movie songs.

Other covers include the Indigo Girls doing Crazy Horse's "I Don't Wanna Talk About It" and Sade singing a Percy Mayfield R&B masterpiece "Please Send Me Someone to Love." The popular Haitian group RAM adds an international flavor with "Ibo Lele (Dreams Come True)" and an aria from the opera "Andrea Chenier" is included. Another "Philadelphia" soundtrack release is scheduled for January 25 that will feature Howard Shore's orchestral score ("Philadelphia" includes his "Precedent") and three opera performances by Maria Callas and Lucia Popp.

Altogether, there are some interesting combinations on the soundtrack as well as a diversity in styles, genres, and nationalities (and probably sexual preferences, too). There is a little something for everyone. The question is, would you buy a compact disc for one or two songs? Sure you would. We do it all the time.

Reviewer:  Bonn Garrett, courtesy of Flash Magazine.