The sound of sophistication filled the hallowed halls of Abbey Road Studios as the scores for the new James Bond video game, '007 First Light', came alive. Composers Alexis Smith and Joe Henson, aka The Flight, marshalled their creative forces to craft 32 minutes of pulse-pounding original music with the Chamber Orchestra of London. It was a daunting task, requiring 24 musicians in perfect harmony for an intense half-day session that left no room for error.
Smith revealed how software orchestral instruments had played a vital role in their initial creative process, allowing them to mock up compositions and get a feel for the overall sound they were aiming for. But it was the live performances that truly brought the music to life – and he wasn't alone in thinking so. Bringing in "the best brass players in the world" was an experience he described as "mind-blowing", while Henson beamed with quiet satisfaction after those early run-throughs.
'007 First Light' takes a bold new approach, delving into James Bond's early days as a Navy aircrewman before he acquired his licence to kill. This fresh perspective gave The Flight the freedom to deviate from established Bond musical tropes and forge their own path – a thrilling challenge that was also nerve-wracking, given the immense legacy of Bond music.
As the game unfolds and Bond is recruited by MI6, familiar musical elements begin to emerge. And what's more, The Flight were granted permission to integrate some classic movie motifs – none more iconic than John Barry's theme from 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service'. Henson expressed his gratitude for this nod to tradition, explaining that attempting to create an entirely new theme or pastiche would never achieve the same impact as using a universally recognised original.
The project marked a significant milestone in the franchise's history – it was one of the last to be supervised by Bond masters Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson before creative control shifted to Amazon MGM Studios. A mid-production change that brought with it a brief period of uncertainty for The Flight, who acknowledged the unique pressure associated with contributing to the Bond universe.