VINYL: Bloodsport Original Motion Picture Soundtrack –

Was there anything more delightful growing up than flipping through VHS tapes at the local video store? Shelves full of oddities, an orgy of absurdity and covers that enchanted your mind. In many ways, it was an experience akin to walking blindfolded through a minefield – something that would either end in disaster or pure wonder.

Because sometimes it happened, and if you were lucky enough to experience Bloodsport during your youth, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Tough guys beating the living daylights out of each other, with a first-rate, well-oiled Jean-Claude Van Damme on top form. In short, it’s a film that evokes nostalgia like no other, and the visceral scenes have come to define an entire genre.

But it’s not just the brutality and intense fights that made Bloodsport so unforgettable. No, here the soundtrack played just as big a role, a memorable fan-favorite steeped in synth-wave and composed by Paul Hertzog. A time capsule of the highest order that Waxwork Records immortalized on vinyl, decorated in shades of blood red and black.

The fact that both the pressing and the cover are masterful hardly needs mentioning, but the real magic happens when the needle hits the record and the first notes pour out of the speakers. In that moment, it’s like being thrown back into a DeLorean, back to the glory days of the ’80s, right in the middle of the dusty, sweaty arena. Right between JCVD and Bolo Yeung.

In short, Waxwork Records, as they have done many times before, has done a masterful job of reviving the music. It’s a rock-solid remaster with a razor-sharp sound – crisp and clear, with wonderfully deep bass that conveys a sense of weight and allows Hertzog’s compositions to really shine and demonstrate their brute force.

It’s a cacophony of adrenaline and sweat served up, and talking about the Bloodsport soundtrack is of course impossible without mentioning the album’s two most famous tracks. I am, of course, talking about Fight to Survive and Kumite. Pulsating action beats and vibrant synthesizers that perfectly capture the essence of the film – the fight, the power and the will to survive.

“Fight to Survive,” with its powerful synths and energetic beats, is an anthem for perseverance. It gets the blood pumping and is reminiscent of Van Damme’s character, Frank Dux, fighting his way through the relentless Kumite tournament. A track that feels extra dynamic and rich on vinyl, with a wonderful attention to detail and nuance.

By contrast, and somewhat surprisingly, “Kumite” is a bit more subdued. That said, this iconic piece is as captivating as ever, forming an impenetrable soundscape that enchants and hypnotizes, leaving you dreaming of the glory days. Thanks to the vinyl edition, it is now crystal clear, with a much deeper bass than before.

Another highlight worth mentioning is the more relaxed track “The Tree and the Sword,” which offers a break from the more energetic compositions. Here we get a chance to reflect and breathe, soaking up the atmosphere and remembering the smaller, more intimate moments from Bloodsport – nostalgia and feeling.

Is Bloodsport a soundtrack for the masses? No, absolutely not, and if you’re not yet a fan of ’80s music or synthwave, this might be a tough pill to swallow. But for those of us who grew up with the film, the experience is extraordinary. For a brief moment, it’s like being eight years old again, sitting a foot in front of the TV and watching JCVD whip his opponents.

The Bloodsport soundtrack on vinyl from Waxwork Records is a pure triumph, both musically and visually. A must-have for collectors and a perfect addition to any record collection that appreciates 80s action films and their iconic soundscapes. So if you’re one of those whose heart beats a little faster every time you hear Van Damme’s name dropped, or if you just love classic synthwave and action music, this album is definitely something you should have in your collection.

The record:
Bloodsport Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Equipment:
Ortofon Concorde Music Bronze
Technics SL-1210MK7
Jenving Supra Phono 2RCA-SC
Ortofon DS-3