Snatch - Original Film Sountrack

Let’s face it: With rare exception, soundtracks are just a promotional tool these days. Still, when someone bothers to put some thought into it, a soundtrack can play like a great mix tape. Such is the case with the soundtrack to the upcoming Guy Ritchie film, Snatch. Besides the unnecessary dialogue clips and a few bits of original score, there’s not much here you couldn’t find elsewhere assuming you had good taste, a bottomless wallet, and the patience of a saint. But Ritchie, who compiled the album himself, has a solid vision for this thing, serving up a U.K.-centric mix that includes dance-floor rumblers (Overseer), seductive trip-hop (The Herbaliser, Massive Attack), pop-styled ska (10cc, the Specials), Brit-pop (the Stranglers, Oasis) and even some classic American funk (Maceo Parker, Bobby Byrd). Only Madonna’s early ’80s hit, “Lucky Star,” feels out of place, and we’re pretty sure its inclusion is the result of some under-the-table (or under-the-sheets) dealing between the Material Girl and Ritchie, her new hubby.