JAWS (1975) - 2025 Album Recording Rebuild and Film Recording Remaster by Mike Matessino - Intrada, Mondo, Geffen, Backlot

[QuartalHarmony 996]

Is this the ideal point for me to astound and appal the readership by saying that I’ve never bought any version of Jaws?

 

But now that it’s got to the stage of being a 3CD set of JW’s first really big score (to say nothing of being his first composer Oscar score), I think I might bring myself to, erm, single-dip on this one.

 

Mark

[Jay 45,889]

These sets are made just as much for people discovering these scores for the first time as those that know them like the back of their hands. At least, know the material that's been made available...

[Mr. Hooper 8,701]

My niece wants to see Jaws, so I'm bringing her to an IMAX showing. And if interest in the music follows, I'll just offer the OST, which is a great introduction and the most palatable—especially for young taste buds. I think John would agree.

[Jurassic Shark 16,376]

...and of she likes that you will give her the Decca release...

[Mr. Hooper 8,701]

2 minutes ago, Jurassic Shark said:

...and of she likes that you will give her the Decca release...

...then Intrada #1.

 

But I'll will her Intrada #2. 

[Marian Schedenig 11,617]

10 hours ago, filmmusic said:

What you avoid in custom charges ordering from USA, you pay it in a higher price from MBR.

 

You don't avoid any customs charges. The customs fees are paid by MBR and naturally included in the price you pay when you order there. What you save on is the hassle, and possibly a bit of customs handling fees.

[BB-8 6,130]

14 hours ago, Mr. Hooper said:

My niece wants to see Jaws, so I'm bringing her to an IMAX showing. And if interest in the music follows, I'll just offer the OST, which is a great introduction and the most palatable—especially for young taste buds. I think John would agree.

...not the niece who prevented you from attending the piano concerto in Tanglewood!? Hope she takes the bait this time. ;-)

[Mr. Hooper 8,701]

4 hours ago, BB-8 said:

...not the niece who prevented you from attending the piano concerto in Tanglewood!? Hope she takes the bait this time. ;-)

There was no chance of interesting an 8 year old in a thorny piano concerto, but the theme which led into the Baby Shark Dance has great odds!

 

 

[Luke Skywalker 2,365]

Is there a posibility of a Jaws 2 re-release?

 

this jaws release seems great but i have both 1 & 2 from the previous version and i like how the coverart is the same design…. 
 

or… does this new jaws release spine cover desing match the previous releases (that would be great…)

[danbeck 142]

18 minutes ago, Luke Skywalker said:

Is there a posibility of a Jaws 2 re-release?

 

this jaws release seems great but i have both 1 & 2 from the previous version and i like how the coverart is the same design…. 
 

or… does this new jaws release spine cover desing match the previous releases (that would be great…)

I second your wish for a Jaws 2 new release in the future. 

 

I think the sound of the previous release has some hiss and probably it could be improved - also remember some comments about an audio issue on the Jaws 2 End Titles (?) [I never noticed and have not tried to confirm it, as once you hear these things you can not "unhear" it]

It also would be great if they could add the source music that Williams vetoed on the previous release.

 

In fact I'd also love new releases of 3 and 4 (3 has audible tape damage that I think could be repaired by MM and the previous program had some crossfades, 4 is a bit hissy - I think since the original mix - as even in the movie you can hear hiss apearing in the audio just as some music starts playing).

 

But now Its time to celebrate this release! It seems the definitive release of the soundtrack for my favorite movie. I can not wait to hear the remastered album recording (and the extra tracks that were found on the album recordings).

 

[blondheim 1,416]

I also would love a Jaws 2 re-release. It’s impossible to find the 2015 version for anything less than $120 US.

 

That being said, I can’t wait for the track list for this to be released. Not that I won’t buy it Day 1 no matter what. You had me at unreleased John Williams music.

[Jill Sandwich 11,064]

He doesn't even care for movie music. Might as well stop buying it at all now.

[bruce marshall 1,969]

Someone needs to change this to " BUY IT AGAIN ( and again. And again...)

 

[Mr. Hooper 8,701]

So, when's this gonna pop up on Intrada's site? And do we know how many it's going to be limited to?

[Trope 1,432]

Based off the latest JW Guardian article, Williams has rendered this release irrelevant. I might listen to an 8-minute stretch from the OST, and then put some Beethoven or Bach on instead.

[Jurassic Shark 16,376]

8 hours ago, blondheim said:

I also would love a Jaws 2 re-release. It’s impossible to find the 2015 version for anything less than $120 US.

 

I'm open for a trade.

 

 

[Amer 2,722]

On 23/08/2025 at 5:11 PM, Jay said:

The original album couldn't be rebuilt ten years ago because the original album recording masters couldn't be found. There was a genuine concern that they could have burned up in the Universal fire!

 

They were finally found now, as Mike already shared.

 

 

So no, the new album recording bonus tracks couldn't have been released 10 years ago because nobody knew that they existed! There ended up being many surprises on the first generation master - the music in the trailer is just one of them!

 

Mike Matessino discusses this in this new Podcast..

 

Adams Corner

 

link through facebook:

 

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1MJGbz2Y5Q/

 

[Tallguy 7,291]

1 hour ago, Amer said:

 

Mike Matessino discusses this in this new Podcast..

 

Adams Corner

 

link through facebook:

 

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1MJGbz2Y5Q/

 

 

 

[Rachael Foley 10,042]

5 hours ago, Mr. Hooper said:

So, when's this gonna pop up on Intrada's site? And do we know how many it's going to be limited to?

Later tonight most likely

[Jay 45,889]

New Intrada titles always begin shipping on Tuesdays, so they always put them up for sale after the end of the Monday business day. The order page usually goes live sometime between 4pm-6pm PST, so simultaneously we get the tracklist and press release, get to hear samples, and can order it.

[Jay 45,889]

Some comments from Mike from the FSM thread:

 

 

 

 

I need more info on the marching band tracks

why were they on the 2015 album if not used for the movie - were they recorded for the movie?

NEED? There was an initial assembly with all the source music on it, whether used or not, and Williams wanted all of it cut. There was some conversation that resulted in a list of tracks that were acceptable and we just went with it. (No one at the studio questioned it or looked up the publishing.) The Jaws 2 source music was nixed at the same time, but all of that was of the funky '70s variety. Those projects were more rushed and compromised than anyone realizes and were done in the same time frame as the Back to the Future trilogy, Home Alone and Braveheart releases.

 

 

 

 

Sometime before the Intrada 2015 release, they said the tape didn't unfold well and it was one of the reasons the Decca release sounded like it did.

For this release, the original multi-track recording or a closer copy from the original was used?

By the way, in how many tracks it was originally recorded?

Never heard that; I'd be interested in finding what was stated and when.

Evidence suggests the film score was recorded at Fox in multi-track, then mixed down to 3-track at Universal, after which the multi-track was discarded. (It's an insane idea to us now, but very common at Universal.) The mixdown was done in a way that was adequate for making the mono mix of the film. After successful previews it was decided to do a new recording for album, rather than using the film tracks. The same had been done for Earthquake. That second recording was done to 16-track at Warner Bros. There was no sign of its existence in 2015 (or ANY analog element, just the 1992 CD master), but after we discovered 16-track on Earthquake and The Eiger Sanction for those projects, I asked UME to look again, and there was the 16-track of the album recording, now newly barcoded and inventoried.

Back to the film score recording, the same exact 3-track element was used in 2000, 2015 & 2025. (That includes mixing the film into stereo in 2000.) It just needed more attention and experimentation time as well the advancement of technology to deal with the inherent issues.

 

 

 

 

Mike, despite how much I love what you've done with the film score (I really never thought it would sound this good) it does still retain a certain quality of "thinness" to my ears. Do you think this is the result of the 3-track mixdown? If the multi-track had survived and you could do a new mix, do you think it would have a more robust sound? Being multi-track, recorded at Fox etc?    

I would attribute any shortcomings 50% to the limitations of the mix-down and 50% to the condition of the elements. They hadn't budged in 25 years and they are unbelievably hissy and full of crackles. They were only pulled to mix the movie into stereo and the CD release was a by-product of that. Edits and crossfades were largely dictated by attempts to conceal the problems.

 

As I've said many times, technology as well as my own skill level advanced in parallel over the years that followed, but there was no way around the fact that the material needed time and a microscopic approach beyond what is normally allocated, in order to get it at all close to what we wanted it to be. I was able to bring that to it (and I had to do it all over again this year). More importantly, in my personal view, was that while the tech was important, I put emotional response first. I know what I felt seeing the movie in cinemas, what everyone felt, and I wanted to feel the same thing. I can listen to it now and lose myself in it, as if I hadn't worked on it, so that's about as wicked a measuring stick as I could apply.

 

And yes, of course we can't give this kind of attention to every project, but this is one of the greatest achievements in film scoring of all time, and it deserves everything that can be brought to it, especially since for something that prominent and successful it was actually not treated very well over the years.

 

Yes, if the multi-tracks ever turned up, it would be better. But we've looked and looked, including thoroughly at Fox in 2019. We are also just assuming that it existed in the first place, because there is no other reason we would have 3-track mix-down rolls done at Universal with separate dates from the recordings. That was clearly all they needed to complete the movie and that's all they felt they needed to keep. 

[Tallguy 7,291]

5 minutes ago, Jay said:

but this is one of the greatest achievements in film scoring of all time, and it deserves everything that can be brought to it

 

There is another...

[Jay 45,889]

I listened to Mike's appearance on the Adam's Corner podcast this morning.

https://adams-corner.captivate.fm/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jaws-at-50-with-the-films-soundtrack-producer/id1731738065?i=1000723271745
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0dBub9EI10vXsSJdkUo3Xh?si=ibse42lzTD6Ag2Ltq4pE1Q

 

The first half or so is about Jaws before talking about other Universal projects for the second half.  In the first half he does describe how and when the album recording masters were found and what it like to hear music unheard for 50 years for the first time when he got the data.  It's a nice listen!

[Mr. Hooper 8,701]

48 minutes ago, Tallguy said:

 

There is another...

 

Get your Qenobi out of our Kuint, this is a 'Jaws' thread! 

[Holko 12,023]

15 minutes ago, Jay said:

I listened to Mike's appearance on the Adam's Corner podcast this morning.

https://adams-corner.captivate.fm/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jaws-at-50-with-the-films-soundtrack-producer/id1731738065?i=1000723271745
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0dBub9EI10vXsSJdkUo3Xh?si=ibse42lzTD6Ag2Ltq4pE1Q

 

The first half or so is about Jaws before talking about other Universal projects for the second half.  In the first half he does describe how and when the album recording masters were found and what it like to hear music unheard for 50 years for the first time when he got the data.  It's a nice listen!

It's a bit redundant for us who've been listening to him talk about these for years and even Jaws to roughly this extent recently, but probably a nice introduction reach-out for many others!

[Jurassic Shark 16,376]

1 hour ago, Jay said:

They hadn't budged in 25 years

 

What does he mean with budge here?

[Jay 45,889]

He means that the 3-track element sat in a vault from 1975 -> 2000, and in those 25 years was never inspected for any signs of degradation, so by the time it was finally transferred to digital for the first time in 2000, irreparable damage had been done to it.

[JohnnyD 1,826]

2 hours ago, Jay said:

Some comments from Mike from the FSM thread:

 

 

 

 

I need more info on the marching band tracks

why were they on the 2015 album if not used for the movie - were they recorded for the movie?

NEED? There was an initial assembly with all the source music on it, whether used or not, and Williams wanted all of it cut. There was some conversation that resulted in a list of tracks that were acceptable and we just went with it. (No one at the studio questioned it or looked up the publishing.) The Jaws 2 source music was nixed at the same time, but all of that was of the funky '70s variety. Those projects were more rushed and compromised than anyone realizes and were done in the same time frame as the Back to the Future trilogy, Home Alone and Braveheart releases.

 

 

 

 

Sometime before the Intrada 2015 release, they said the tape didn't unfold well and it was one of the reasons the Decca release sounded like it did.

For this release, the original multi-track recording or a closer copy from the original was used?

By the way, in how many tracks it was originally recorded?

Never heard that; I'd be interested in finding what was stated and when.

Evidence suggests the film score was recorded at Fox in multi-track, then mixed down to 3-track at Universal, after which the multi-track was discarded. (It's an insane idea to us now, but very common at Universal.) The mixdown was done in a way that was adequate for making the mono mix of the film. After successful previews it was decided to do a new recording for album, rather than using the film tracks. The same had been done for Earthquake. That second recording was done to 16-track at Warner Bros. There was no sign of its existence in 2015 (or ANY analog element, just the 1992 CD master), but after we discovered 16-track on Earthquake and The Eiger Sanction for those projects, I asked UME to look again, and there was the 16-track of the album recording, now newly barcoded and inventoried.

Back to the film score recording, the same exact 3-track element was used in 2000, 2015 & 2025. (That includes mixing the film into stereo in 2000.) It just needed more attention and experimentation time as well the advancement of technology to deal with the inherent issues.

 

 

 

 

Mike, despite how much I love what you've done with the film score (I really never thought it would sound this good) it does still retain a certain quality of "thinness" to my ears. Do you think this is the result of the 3-track mixdown? If the multi-track had survived and you could do a new mix, do you think it would have a more robust sound? Being multi-track, recorded at Fox etc?    

I would attribute any shortcomings 50% to the limitations of the mix-down and 50% to the condition of the elements. They hadn't budged in 25 years and they are unbelievably hissy and full of crackles. They were only pulled to mix the movie into stereo and the CD release was a by-product of that. Edits and crossfades were largely dictated by attempts to conceal the problems.

 

As I've said many times, technology as well as my own skill level advanced in parallel over the years that followed, but there was no way around the fact that the material needed time and a microscopic approach beyond what is normally allocated, in order to get it at all close to what we wanted it to be. I was able to bring that to it (and I had to do it all over again this year). More importantly, in my personal view, was that while the tech was important, I put emotional response first. I know what I felt seeing the movie in cinemas, what everyone felt, and I wanted to feel the same thing. I can listen to it now and lose myself in it, as if I hadn't worked on it, so that's about as wicked a measuring stick as I could apply.

 

And yes, of course we can't give this kind of attention to every project, but this is one of the greatest achievements in film scoring of all time, and it deserves everything that can be brought to it, especially since for something that prominent and successful it was actually not treated very well over the years.

 

Yes, if the multi-tracks ever turned up, it would be better. But we've looked and looked, including thoroughly at Fox in 2019. We are also just assuming that it existed in the first place, because there is no other reason we would have 3-track mix-down rolls done at Universal with separate dates from the recordings. That was clearly all they needed to complete the movie and that's all they felt they needed to keep. 

 

Quite fascinating.

 

1 hour ago, Jay said:

I listened to Mike's appearance on the Adam's Corner podcast this morning.

https://adams-corner.captivate.fm/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jaws-at-50-with-the-films-soundtrack-producer/id1731738065?i=1000723271745
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0dBub9EI10vXsSJdkUo3Xh?si=ibse42lzTD6Ag2Ltq4pE1Q

 

That was a great interview. I absolutely loved what Mike said near the end about the impact of music.

[1977 2,106]

On 23/08/2025 at 10:35 PM, Jay said:

These sets are made just as much for people discovering these scores for the first time as those that know them like the back of their hands. 

 

They're also great for people like myself that have all the prior versions but could never get into this score (apart from the BPO concert arrangements).

 

I'm more of a Jaws 2 and Jaws 3-D fan, but will happily experience this with fresh ears and with added bonuses.

[Brando 2,771]

20 hours ago, danbeck said:

I think the sound of the previous release has some hiss and probably it could be improved - also remember some comments about an audio issue on the Jaws 2 End Titles (?) [I never noticed and have not tried to confirm it, as once you hear these things you can not "unhear" it]

It also would be great if they could add the source music that Williams vetoed on the previous release.

I don’t want to completely derail this thread (again), but here it is at 0:39. I heard it once and I can never unhear it: 

I don’t think you can hear it in the film either.

 

I would love for Jaws 3/4 to be updated upon if possible, for all the reasons you mentioned, also, has anyone else heard audience noises in the “Hawaiian Drums” source cue? I’ve always wondered why that is.

[Rachael Foley 10,042]

29 minutes ago, Brando said:

has anyone else heard audience noises in the “Hawaiian Drums” source cue? I’ve always wondered why that is.

Perhaps they were recorded open-air? Some of the source cues from Ben-Hur etc. were recorded on set/outside

[Jay 45,889]

3 hours ago, JohnnyD said:

I absolutely loved what Mike said near the end about the impact of music.

 

Yes!  Wondrefully stated.

[blondheim 1,416]

The track list should be up within the next few hours or so?

[Jay 45,889]

8 hours ago, Jay said:

The order page usually goes live sometime between 4pm-6pm PST, so simultaneously we get the tracklist and press release, get to hear samples, and can order it.

 

[Brando 2,771]

1 hour ago, Little Ghost said:

Perhaps they were recorded open-air? Some of the source cues from Ben-Hur etc. were recorded on set/outside

I suppose that’s possible, I didn’t know they did that. 

[Andy 7,570]

Ordered!

Order Page and Tracklist

 

 

CD 3 50th Anniversary Extras
ALBUM AND FILM SCORE RECORDING
Additional Cues and Source
01. Main Title And The Beach Attacks (2:49)
02. Theme From Jaws (Variation) (2:29)
03. Chrissie’s Death (Alternate) (1:43)
04. The Underwater Siege (Extended Version) (2:50)
05. Hand To Hand Combat (Extended Version) (3:02)
      Total Time: 12:56

MUSIC FROM AMITY TOWN BEACH
06. Original Rag (2:05)
07. Winter Stories Waltz (1:44)
08. Thousand And One Nights Waltz (1:48)
09. In The Good Old Summer Time (1:28)
      Total Time: 7:06

FILM SCORE RECORDING
10. Jaws – Main Title (Alternate) (1:03)
11. The Typewriter (0:20)
12. The Pier Incident (Alternate) (2:25)
13. Father And Son (Alternate) (1:59)
14. Into The Estuary (Alternate) (2:51)
15. Man Against Beast (Alternate) (5:36)
16. Brody Panics (Alternate) (1:16)
17. Barrel Off Starboard (Alternate) (1:26)
18. Great Chase (Alternate) (3:01)
19. Shark Tows Orca (Alternate) (0:40)
20. Three Barrels Under (Alternate) (2:15)
21. The Shark Approaches (Alternate) (0:56)
22. The Shark Hits The Cage (Alternate) (2:04)
23. Quint Meets His End (Alternate) (1:33)
24. Wild Shark Theme (1:10)
      Total Time: 28:35
      CD 3 Total Time: 48:40
      3–CD Total Time: 138:54

[filmmusic 3,222]

It's here!!!

https://store.intrada.com/s.nl/it.A/id.13220/.f?sc=13&category=-113

 

edit: So, which are the totally previously unreleased tracks?

I'm bored to compare the editions.. 

[Ollie 1,375]

Ordered. 

[Brando 2,771]

And a booklet by Mike, thats really exciting.

 

Ordered this and Peter Pan

[Dr. Rick 1,376]

Ordered!

[Jfallon 151]

Guessing Main Title and Beach Attacks was meant to be an album cue originally? Including excerpts of the various beach attack scenes? And look at all those alternates!

[lairdo 942]

I've ordered too. And I agree, the booklet by Mike (which might be an edit of the previous one) is always welcome. I like both his and Jon Burlingame's writings. 

[Andy 7,570]

“Main Title and Beach Attacks” would love to prove to me that the OST recording has some good shark motifs, get its name in the National Geographic. 

Also very excited to hear the extended versions of Underwater Siege and especially Hand to Hand Combat, hoping the latter restores the section of the Orca theme that plays while Chiefy is climbing the mast with his rifle. 

 

[Mr. Hooper 8,701]

Ordered that SOB!

 

 

But 23 USD for shipping? That's 32 plastic Canadian dollars! 😭

 

 

[lairdo 942]

This might have been reported elsewhere, but I am guessing the 3CDs is because the 2nd CD - the OST - needs to be separate due to licensing. The total amount of music would fit on 2CDs. Don't get me wrong - I like the layout - score / OST / extras. Just noting an immediate observation. 

 

It's great to be getting the alternates and source music. 

[phbart 707]

CD3

15. Man Against Beast (Alternate) (5:36)

 

Can I wish this is the entire take 6 of that track, as used on the 2000 Decca release? 🙏

[Brando 2,771]

22 minutes ago, phbart said:

CD3

15. Man Against Beast (Alternate) (5:36)

 

Can I wish this is the entire take 6 of that track, as used on the 2000 Decca release? 🙏

Judging by Mike's response here, I don't think John Williams will ever allow that take to be released, I would love if it was, only because its been used on every home release of the film, but I wish more Mike got Amblin/Universal to switch to the correct take for the atmos mix. Maybe for the 100th anniversary they will

[filmmusic 3,222]

1 minute ago, Brando said:

Judging by Mike's response here, I don't think John Williams will ever allow that take to be released, I would love if it was, only because its been used on every home release of the film, but I wish more Mike got Amblin/Universal to switch to the correct take for the atmos mix. Maybe for the 100th anniversary they will

Excuse me. what is the difference between the 2 takes?

[Brando 2,771]

1 minute ago, filmmusic said:

Excuse me. what is the difference between the 2 takes?

I did my best to explain the differences here

[filmmusic 3,222]

3 minutes ago, Brando said:

I did my best to explain the differences here

Thanks. I wonder why @phbart would want an incorrect take that has errors in the performance, to be included.