Adam Clayton & Larry Mullen – Theme From Mission: Impossible

This CD has a digipack sleeve with an special design for Canal+ that was also used as the "ticket/invitation" for the premiere of "Mission: Impossible" in Madrid with Tom Cruise attending. Photo add.

Very scarce pressing (I guess the equivalent to the same number of seats in the theater).

Inspired by the works of Brian Eno as well as the electronic music around at the time, U2's Adam Clayton & Larry Mullen Jr. were given the chance to record their own version of the famous 'Mission Impossible' theme tune for the 1996 movie of the same name. Both decided to create two different versions and let the producers pick a favourite, but as both were liked they were included on the soundtrack as well as on this release. Also featured on this set are remixes of the two renditions, beefing up the single to six tracks and by doing so creating an interesting collection of mid 90's dance music.
The first track is a swaggering noir piece that plays slower than it's 60's counterpart, making good use of the electronic sub-genre to bring what was once an orchestra heavy tune into the 21st century and although a little cheesy in retrospect it still carries that classic spy-hard vibe. Also included are two mixes by American House act Junior Vasquez, both carrying similar styles; one hard and one dub. The former builds up to the high octane beat by making superb use of the original song's string section and the latter seems to keep much of the same sound, all be it with a shorter runtime.
Next up is a bass-filled electro fest by Dave Clarke, relying mostly on the theme to carry the percussive elements all while a piano & fat fuzzed bassline works as the focal point. Instead of relying on the techno sound he is most known for, Clarke instead strips back the sound to create a sneaky piece that has stalking potential, making the "Mission Accomplished" version his own.
The second side offers up the original "Mission Accomplished" version - a less electro heavy version to the one used as the main single this track takes the main hook and puts it through a moog state. Faster than the single version but harking back more to the 60's TV theme this tune won't be to everyone's taste but is far less ostentatious than it's A-Side rendition. Keeping with the same track next is the "Cut The Red Not The Blue" mix by Jungle artists Goldie & Rob Playford who take the tune and manage to maintain the same tone of "Mission Accomplished" all while adding their twisted blend of fast paced drum loops. Although not as long as expected this song still manages to not outstay it's welcome, leaving more time for the second Junior Vasquez remix as a closer.
Although all of these songs could also be found on the CD single format the Hard mix by Junior Vasquez is edited down, whereas here it's shown in it's full length so feel free to hunt this piece of movie & U2 history down if you are curious enough.

Track 2 is forgettable.
Goldie's remix, track 4, is very funny, instead.