British Beatbox Artist Shlomo Writing New Score for Hitchcock’s 'Downhill'

LONDON – British beatbox artist Shlomo is writing a new score to be performed by five voices as an accompaniment to Alfred Hitchcock’s Downhill (1927) when it unspools in September.

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The fully-restored version of one of Hitchcock's earliest films is part of the British Film Institute's Genius of Hitchcock project that is running June through October 2012.

Downhill stars matinee idol Ivor Novello in a fascinating story of honor, sex and betrayal which begins in a boarding school, and features many of Hitchcock’s trademark obsessions.

Shlomo said: "I'm really excited to be working on the music for this Hitchcock restoration. I hope my music will help to bring Downhill alive for a new contemporary audience. Hitchcock's powerful visuals demand a strong musical accompaniment and I am hugely enjoying the challenge of creating a rich and dynamic sound using nothing but five singers and beatboxers."

The beatboxer has worked with Bjork, Damon Albarn, Jarvis Cocker, Martha Wainwright, Imogen Heap The Specials and DJ Yoda among others.

Another star of the contemporary music scene, Mira Calix, will present her new live score for Hitchcock’s Champagne (1928), also screening as a world premiere of the new BFI National Archive restoration in September.