BRAVE10 Special Soundtrack CD Brave Strike!

Enclosed in BRAVE10 Vol.5 DVD/Enclosed in BRAVE10 Vol.5 DVD/BD (ZMBZ-7745/ZMXZ-7735) 

Wow, what a cover!  Not that the cover makes a soundtrack.  As stated above this CD is packaged with the fifth DVD volume of the Brave10 series.  I was not too impressed by the teaser trailer when it first came out a year or so ago.  The music didn't fit the time setting, however, it works with the fast paced action.  Yet here I am, reviewing the music, despite how uninspiring it was in the demo.  To be honest, I don't physically own this.  I haven't even bothered to obtain it.  Fortunately, someone uploaded it on youtube, thanks to user Zax Kuroyami. 

 

 

01	メインテーマ	1:46
02	艶男。-adeosu-（INST） -animation Ver.-	1:55
03	英姿颯爽（エイシサッソウ）	1:53
04	天衣無縫（テンイムホウ）	2:00
05	気炎万丈（キエンバンジョウ）	1:52
06	暗雲低迷（アンウンテイメイ）	2:44
07	明鏡止水（メイキョウシスイ）	1:56
08	泰然自若（タイゼンジジャク）	2:41
09	不撓不屈（フトウフクツ）	2:20
10	平穏無事（ヘイオンブジ）	2:45
11	光彩陸離（コウサイリクリ）	2:33
12	精霊飛来（INST） -animation Ver.-	1:44

Disc length 26:09

Main theme is a rocking opener with a nice melodic ballad.  He does go over the top though, in the later half's acoustic melody.  The percussion could use a little boost so that it can be heard, as they are well performed.

Fukusuke wrote track 2, while track 12 is composed by three fellows known as gennbu, koujin, and sayroo.  Never heard of them, but OK, no need to bother and research them.  They are instrumentals, probably meaning they were songs?  Anyway, Nagaoka treats the composition with ethnic Asian strings, and a hip beat.  The final track gives a funky guitar solo opener, followed by a bass, leaving off with a satisfying finish. 

My first run through the music provided, didn't leave much of a mark in my few brain cells.  However, now that I'm thoroughly listening to it, the quality is much higher in some of these pieces.  Mostly in the slow, melancholic ones though.  For instance, in tracks 4, 6, 8, 10, and 11, all have movie quality music in them.  Emotional, moving, riveting, and powerful as well.  This whole soundtrack is one of Nagaoka's most generic, yet a few listens can really make anyone understand any of his works. 

I especially like the touching theme for Heion Buji, track 10.  A harp paired with violins and oboe that is dying to bring tears to whomever listens to it.  The following track is more suddle in approach, but manages to get sweeter in the middle of things, before it soars with its melody.  Track 8, Taizen Jijaku, and 7 as well, is worth listening to, as I find it hard to explain just how it can change a mindset.  Track 4 is rather the most generic of them all here, but in its own right, an excellent slice of life theme.

Third track rocks its own ballad, like in the main theme, only being more original.  Nothing spectacular there, in fact, its just passable at least.  Kienbanjou, track 5, is a little more on the upside of the continued rock influence.  Seikou does get serious for this track, but the jingles do throw it off bit.  In track 6, a change of tone with the anxious violins, stalking piano keys, and mysterious cello leading the other strings. 

The highlight of the soundtrack is track 9, which is a more elaborate and paced version of the main theme.  However, I still don't like the acoustic wind work, though the touch of flamenco is new.  Now, I am out of tracks to cover, as I was imagining I haven't started. 

Being a special release, I'd say this is a fair and deserving grade.  As I stated before, for one of Nagaoka's most bland and low key efforts, it has many glimmers.  He's used some styles here that were very new and fresh.  Only a few pieces are able to sink into right away, but that is what makes this musician unique.  I have to listen to each composition a few times just to understand the style. 
Album:B+
There is no grade for package, as I do not own it.  Someone who's already collecting the series, is going to be happy to have this very small sample of the series music.  However, for us who just want the music would have to spend nearly $100 to own it.  At least, its not only for the music, I'm sure the other content can be consumed.  Had it been a full soundtrack, giving up a Benjamin wouldn't feel bad. 
 

暗黒神伝承 武神:劇中音楽集 Takegami OST

Ah, finally!!  I've been wondering if this soundtrack exists.  I'm glad I found it.  Not rare or expensive.  In fact, I think this CD is highly overlooked.  It exists, and this is my attempt and spreading the knowledge. 

22 tracks?  It should be expected  not to expect everything.  Our composer is the sound producer here, unlike in Kabuto.  So here we go. 

Opening track has Terumi giving her prayer to the Eight-Headed Dragon.  It was not given in the anime.  Nice flute music in the background, then rolls the eerie intro music.  Not a good start, they should have had that separated.  At least offer the BGM in a separate piece.  It was some good wind work.  Other than that, this is the best start.  Fortunately, it only happens for this instance.

1. 開かれし伝説の扉
2. 淡き想いに…
3. 闇からの胎動
4. 武速文献
5. 翡翠輝く時
6. 朱砂の王と地の龍と…
7. 五坊陣
8. 古しえの記憶
9. 悲しみを抱き止めて…
10. 逃亡
11. 龍目紋の龍
12. あつい想い
13. 天空の巨人
14. 去り行く女性の温もりは…
15. 八百比丘尼
16. 婚姻説話
17. 水蛯子
18. もう一人の巨人
19. 神々の戦い
20. 武神
21. エピローグ
22. 天翔 

I'm going to go even further with the opening sequence track.  Ethnically rich in Asian themes.  I wish the breaking sound in the film was included from the film.  After the tense intro music, a melancholic piece follows.  The piano sounds dated, or out of tune, but is probably was done purposefully.  An oboe accompanies the piano, adding more sadness.  Dark bass chords are struck at the  begining.  Then get darker nearing the end.  I remember feeling the pulse of the bass in the show.  Here it seems like just a sound.  The next two pieces are just as eerie and dark as the first.  Track 3 has evil night jingle.  Superb sound effects that gives you the chills.  Track 4 starts with woodworks and broken keys.  Electric guitar and windworking carry you through this isolated piece.  

The above can be quite disturbing.  Track four can be most irritating, but thats for normal minds.  Their dark and brood themes can be haunting.  Best to be enjoyed when alone.  I'm really happy with the inclusion of track 5.  A rock arrangement, infused with the gothic themed show.  Again, I was not feeling the percussion on this piece.  

Track 6 is the main fight theme.  Starting Koichi's realization, some acoustic flutes, then the percussion hits.  Though it was much more effective on screen.  Woodworking signifies the emergence of the monsters.  Quite a long piece, but needs to be louder.  

I'm guessing the tracks are in order of appearance.  That ends the first episodes tracks, and they've missed many unfortunately.  Second episode opener is here.  I missed it in the show, or I thought it was just sound effects.  Glad to have it.  Heavy drums and odd sounds give new flavor to the show.  Track 8 excellently spinkles with piano keys.  A great arrangement of the keys, that soon follows with a vocal.  Nothing different from the anime, but sounds even better here.  An uplifting yet emotionally low track follows it.  Track 10 is Koichi's escape.  Very enticing.  Its short, but the bass and acoustic guitar and flute changes the tone of the CD.

The first action piece of the second OAV.  Even more ethnic music.  Love the strings and flute here.  Gets one ready to fight a dragon.  The action has yet to start, but gets you ready for it.  Sound production has truly gone up in one episode.  A short intermission from actual soundtrack.  A short drama piece, track 12.  Either it's Koichi's or Juinbo's seiyuu.  I like it, the music used makes it a blessing with what he's saying, yet a burden that it is not a stand alone track.  It opens with harps, and then adds the dark piano keys with the jingles of track 3.  

Episode 2's action piece, in short, is amazing.  I don't recall any music from this episode, but it's all laid out excellently here.  I was really expecting Seichiro's and Sayo's Love and Escape theme.  Though what's offered here is making me forget that.  For track 14 and 15 comes back to the anime's dark theme.  The childrens chant is a welcome in 14.  Track 14 gets you down, but 15 goes even further.  My favorite melancholic ending theme in triumphant mp3 form.  Chinese fiddle strings with powerful acoustics that chorally fill the ears, reaching beyond the soul.  Great addition of the pounding drums.  Whether heard off the show or on this OST, these two tracks are going to make you cry.  And keep on wanting to cry. 

Given how both episodes ended on a bad note, and 2 ended even worse.  Ep. 3 is does not continue in such a manner.  Again, I don't recall any of the music standing out here.  Though, production values seemed to have gotten even better again.  It's opener is odd, but used the alien sounds to accurately depict the strange life form that was the subject of this story.  It is truly an aesthetic piece.  Violins sweep, flute alienates the listener, bass violin takes over, accompanied by chilling vocals all to trumbling close.  

Track 17 jumps to the female monster chase fight/scene.  This one sounds like techno, but uses mostly traditional instruments.  Track 18 is another superb action piece.  So well done, that I felt the size of the monster that approaches the city.  Truly gets the feeling that something big is coming.  All to a climactic end.

HoLLLLLYYY Helllll!!!!!  Track 19 alone puts all of Nagaoka's music to shame.  It blasts open with crazy drums and tense cello sweeps.  The gong/bell sound is perfect rendition of how epic this battle is.  More violins and strings show the intensity between the warriors.  Amazing drum orchestration makes for a perfect track.  

Next is the full ending to the first and last episode. Don't expect to hear it the same way off the anime.  It's more fleshed out here.  Bass guitar interlude in the minute and a half mark is beautifully composed.  Excellent high point struck, and well crafted ending.  Another drama piece after this, but the BGM is more of a music box deal, so I'm not mad it's not alone.  

The final track is another prized track among the prize that this OST presents.  The tragic song of the Susa/Koichi sacrifice.  Cause how can they make a song and not have it available.  When listening to this, don't expect to know the lyrics because the first verse was not used in the anime.  佐藤 幸世 or Sato Hiroyuki is the vocalist, whom I guess was a popular anime singer of that time.  Nagoaka gets her vocal chords to work in sync with the already emotional composition.  She hits the high pitch note, as is normal with Japanese Seiyuu, but does not even feel like it.  A very mature song, thankfully.  Love the whipping sound as the percussion.  Here is a taste of the previous few tracks.  Put some headphones on and listen carefully.

                                  

The packaging here suffers.  Though it is normal for Victor to just have a few pages, or just a panphlet.  The album cover is attractive, but more of that could have been inserted.  The only extra provided here is commentary by the creator/director Osamu Yamasaki.  Whom, I will be giving bio coverage of, eventually.  Though, the man in question, Mr. Nagaoka had no lines to speak.  That's ok, his musical voice is good enough.  Package Grade: 4/10

 

I really had a difficult time reviewing this OST.  That's because I have no education on what the sounds or instruments really are.  Even so, this soundtrack is so amazing, that I still can't find the right words to describe it.  Absolutely, NO track can be done with out.  Many BGM's are missing.  Though, what is here, cannot be denied.  Koichi's theme was probably left out, becuase it was upbeat and happy compared to the entire soundtrack.  I still think that this soundtrack could have been completed.  While the compositions are without peer, the sound was very weak.  Especially for the first episode.  They must have heard of Bass boost at that time.  It might be the greatest music, but it needs to be heard.  OST Grade: S++

Seek this treasure out!!!!!

JASDF 801st. Tactical Training Squadron: Music-Pod

Released on December 16, 1994 by BMG Victor Inc. and Lipop Record.  Catalog no.: BVCH-615

Ah, yes, another rare gem.  I would like to mention that I do have an extra copy(as of March 2012), for I can't find it on any site.    I couldn't wait to obtain this cd.  Only a few popped up for sale.  One way to tell this soundtrack is worth it, is the second is not.  Nagaoka has done the first three episodes of the OAV, mainly because there was a year before they continued it and another composer was picked up.

The second OST and remaining four episodes were done by Norimasa Yamanaka.  Whom, has done "Legend of Lemnear" and Hayashi's "Explorer Woman Ray", but she's well known for "Appleseed".  Her CD has been sitting there for a mere 300 yen since 2010, until recently.  Either, the seller had given up, or somebody felt sorry and decided to take it off his hands.  Poor Yamanaka.  Though, I will eventually try it.  After seeing it so long for sale, while Nagaoka's CD was fought for, I wasn't in a rush to get her take on the series.

Being impatient to receive this soundtrack, I looked up the show on youtube and wasn't impressed but by a few action pieces.  The opener was and still is one of the most attractive themes I've heard.  Though, the action pieces were making it a more painful wait.

01-01 虹になりたい(オープニング・テーマ|フル・バージョン)

01-02 801TTSのテーマ

01-03 オンボロ隊舎

01-04 科特隊801

01-05 更衣室ラプソディ

01-06 大怪獣ピョゴラ

01-07 夢,ふたたび(羽田のテーマ)

01-08 TAKE OFF!

01-09 EMERGENCY

01-10 めざせ!ブルーインパルス

01-11 スクランブル!

01-12 ウキウキMORNING

01-13 春風に吹かれて

01-14 WEEKEND OF 801TTS

01-15 静寂の午後

01-16 破局へのドッグファイト

01-17 黄昏のランウェイ

01-18 石動のテーマ

01-19 揺れる想い(三鷹のテーマ)

01-20 回想

01-21 傷心の三鷹

01-22 BLUE SKY DREAM

01-23 BLUE SKY DREAM #2

01-24 太陽があたためた気持ち(エンディング・テーマ|フル・バージョン)

01-25 虹になりたい(ラジオ・バージョン)

01-26 太陽があたためた気持ち(ビデオ・バージョン)

01-27 太陽があたためた気持ち(オリジナル・カラオケ)

01-28 おまけ#1 T-4/アイドリング

01-29 おまけ#2 T-4/フライパス

Let's start at the end of this disc.  The last two tracks are the sound effects to the aircraft.  It is credited to Nagaoka, surprisingly, but then again he is a sound designer.  It was not necessary, but it's a nice addition.  I don't think they were designed.  They do sound like authentic fighter planes, though listening through the tracks, it seems as though they were arranged.

I feel Victor Entertainment went above and beyond on this soundtrack.  Not only do we get sound effects to the aircraft, but also Nagaoka's first complete CD.  There is not a damn piece missing from the show.  They've even included the full opening and closers along with the ending karaoke, so you can enjoy them in their full glory.  But that's not all, you also get the short aired version of the songs.

Mayaka is the vocalist for the opener.  She does resemble Ai Orikasa's voice, though, but with a groggy voice and a high pitch.  The only problem I had with the opener is the drums.  They were altered on this cd.  I liked it a lot better in the show.  Here the drums sounded... less percussive.  Still, it doesn't take away from this excellent composition.  Seikou normally doesn't make great openers, or openers at all.  Mayaka's voice does hit the high note too high sometimes, which make it irritating, but makes up for it when she holds a note at a low key.  There is a jazzy feel to this rocking piece but you won't catch it right away or at all.  Nagaoka makes an excellent finish with his improv on the guitars.  This is J-pop at its finest.

Most of BGM's are short and rather stale.  The 801 TTS theme(track 2) is just as its titled.  Track 3 has a lazy bass guitar and some percussion, with laid back comical piano.  After that, we have nicely arranged jazz tune with some attitude.  I find it a more appropriate theme for the character Arisa Mitaka.  Number 5, again, your typical jazzy, slice of life, comical tune.

All the above are similar, yet do their job well.  It is the type of music that should play when nothing exciting is happening at an organization such as this.  This is standard fare for Nagaoka.  There just isn't enough time to grasp you and get you addicted to the cd with these short pieces.  None the less, sets the character and tone of the series.  Also, they sound like his work on the Tenchi series, but not to that level.  Actual sounds have been updated, as the beats can be felt and heard this time.

Track 6 is where this OST can enslave the listener.  Opening with militaristic snare drums, with some jazzy brass, followed by some ethnic Japanese woodwork and strings arrangement.  Even with the loop, it does not sound repetitive.  I love the gongs and crashing symbols, all the way to the end, leading to a excellent finish.

Miyuki Haneda's theme comes up and puts the emotional depth of the OAV on ground.  Seikou's piano is ever powerful and unique.  Violins carry the piece through, with the touch of acoustic guitar.  Soon after this track is done putting the feelings out there, we are treated with what I've been waiting for. ...

The stars of the soundtrack, Take Off! and Emergency!  These two pieces made the already boasting scenery that much more enjoyable.  The former is intense with percussion, yet just us uplifting with aerial guitars and brass.  Crashing symbols that touch the soul at the finish.  The later, also begins intensely, as the name suggests.  Wild casting of the drums open up the track, but then quickly recoups with bass guitar.  Then jumps back into the beat, and builds even heavier and more quickly on the dire situation at hand.  These two tracks alone are reason to buy this soundtrack at more than full value.

Following the gravity of the cd, is an anthemic track.  Nothing all that special, but it makes you feel as the danger has been averted and the good guys win.  Scramble brings us back to what makes this CD worthwhile.  Synthesizers bring out that sense of thrill and danger, as if you are actually going on a pilot mission.  Guitars make the serious sound with the addition of a great beat and well used brass.

 Fukifuki Morning is another slice of life theme.  It's more upbeat, with acoustic and bass guitars, along with progressive synthesizers.  Track 13 has some sweet melodic strings and oboe.  Weekend of 801tts, is standard character themes.  The only thing keeping it interesting is the use of percussions.  These are some of Nagaoka's weak points, but they are still more than passable.

15th track is reminiscent of Miyuki's theme, but more quietly adding other instruments to the synth.  Such as, the acoustic guitar again, and attractive keys.  Now back to another action track that begins with a fun beat.  Drums are arranged impressively here as well.  Then brass, guitars, and symbols take cover making for a catastrophic feeling.  The ending is held with an extra note of evilness.  A romantic theme follows the previous.  Though short and great, it is hard to actually get addicted to it.  Another minute long, acoustic theme follows that.  Wind sounds fill the background, giving a feel for the theme of the show.

Arisa's sad theme is just that.  Very similar to Washu's Heartache, but again, not arranged to that level.  Still these are Nagaoka's strength.  Even in failure to do better before, it's still better than everyone's best.  This track just fills the heart up with melancholy and joy.  Right after that, is my favorite sad piece, Memories, if my translation is correct.  Pianos instantly awaken the soul, then soon adding the acoustic guitars and synthesizers, finishing back with the dark keys.  One after another, Seikou Nagaoka pulls out another powerful piano piece.  This one tends to Arisa as well.  For a girl that is bold, sure gets the softest music.

Both Blue Sky Dreams are nicely done and arranged, but with a more bluesy feel to them.  Synthesizers may take away the grandness that the pieces are.  The first is the piano arrangement and it holds its own at two and a half minutes.  The second piece is shorted, increasing the pace of the previous with drums.

Concluding the BGMs section, I don't think its Nagaoka's best work.  It is very well balanced, though.  There is enough action, character interaction, emotion, and comedy to be weighted evenly.  Both his action and melancholic tracks were wonderfully done, which are the best here.  Below his best were the other ones, but I blame them on their briefness mostly.

Ai Orikasa and Aya Hisakawa sing the ending theme, The Sun Warms My Heart.  Although,  not as great as the opener, it is just as catchy.  I get the feeling of being on the beach with the Hawaiian themed rhythm.  Aya's voice similar to Ayeka's seiyuu, Yumi Takada.  Making this cd feel like another(possibly secret) Tenchi product.  i don't think the song was altered from the video like the opener.  If so, it's not affected so. The shortened version is just as good.  Both can listened through with a breeze.  The full versions end just as quickly as the short.  I wish the opening theme karaoke was included, as it is even harder to find the singles.

I didn't have scans this time, because I don't deem it necessary.  There is nothing extra to show, except the staff praising and interviewing the composer.  It is just text heavy too upload, unless somebody requests so.  Excellent cover designs.  Two pages of track titles, four of story coverage, two of character descriptions, one page of song lyrics, and finally credits.  Comes with CD sized sticker of the Airbats logo.  Package gets 8/10.

There is absolutely no reason not to have this soundtrack.  Unfortunately, the reason for that, few composers can get a high percentage of well produced music, such as this one.  Excellent songs, full, short, and karaoke, sound effects, and an actually completed collection of music.  This album gets an B+

Trust / A confession of TOKIO

Since only the TV version of Trust was available on the original soundtrack of He is My Master, I had to get the full version.  Not only was there just the one song, but another original and the karaoke.  Though I don't think the other song was based off of the TV series.  

01	Trust	4:18
02	A confession of TOKIO	4:34
03	Trust (instrumental)	4:18
04	A confession of TOKIO (instrumental)	4:32

Disc length 17:42

The new song is arranged by Hideyuki "Daichi" Suzuki and composed by Hiroshi Uesugi, though its probably not that important.  Daichi himself, has done a huge number of arrangement on many anime and game titles.  This song was done near the beginning of his massive career and it shows his skill.  A confession of TOKIO,  is probably the more attractive of the two, simply because of the opener.  Rocking base and electric guitars fill the airs, smoothly corresponding with Masami's voice.  Drums are strong and none of the other instruments clutter over each other. 

A tribute to the gals of He is My Master.  

I'm not stereotyping, but TOKIO follows typically in the J-pop genre.  Trust, however, is a bit more difficult to categorize.  Being an opener for anime, the chorus is too childish for popular music.  Pop music itself has been tending to children lately anyway.  Masami composes this piece, and Mr. Nagaoka completes it for her, making it an overall great piece.  Instrumentally, I do like it just as good as the other, and better.  Masami's lyrics works great and effectively with the backing guitars performed by Nagaoka.  

Seikou Nagaoka may not be the best song writer, but what gives him an edge over other J-Pop artists is his improvisations.  After the second verse in the song, when the electric guitar takes the lead, is what makes his arrangement worth listening to.  The drawback is, like I said before, the chorus that is slightly overdone.  Vocals were done just right for TOKIO.  I also think Masami's vocals were more mature in TOKIO, although in Trust, her solo was spectacular.  Thankfully, she doesn't bother hitting such a high note.  

Album:A+                     Package:6   

Both songs are a great asset to anyone's collection.  Masami Okui doesn't have the high-pitched voice that is standard of the anime industry.  That alone should be enough reason to own this.  I'm glad that the karaoke versions were included, as they were both great instrumentally.  Nagaoka especially gets kudos for his performances.  The only thing is that the background chorus' were left in there, though it shouldn't be much in the way of enjoying a vocal-less song.  In terms of package, I don't know why they would waste an entire CD, for it could have fit on a CDS.  

Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki Ongaku Hen 1

PICA-1003 

'92.08.25

 

I remember a different version of the cover.  Mihoshi was in place of Washu.  I find that odd, that all characters are shown before the release of the first episode, which comes out a month later.  It's a good way to get a feeling the characters before they go on screen.  Though, I'd rather have them come out as a surprise, then have this come out.  Anyways, there is a lot planned for the future with this CD.

 

One would expect an OST to mainly consist of, well, ORIGINAL MUSIC!! There are 8 short dramas, couple character songs, few instrumentals, and OP/ED themes in their full glory.  Chisa Yokoyama, Sasami's Seiyuu, sings the ending theme. Composed by Ikuru Fujiwara, the man behind most Pioneer/AIC theme songs.  He does an excellent job of capturing the fun in the anime in this one song.  Chisa's voice is actually not that annoying.  I can listen to this song without any qualms.  Even when compared to the amazing English versions.

Unfortunately, the original OAV theme opener does not lay anywhere on this disc, but we do get the Original Version and the Re-Mix Version.  Oddly, they place the remix first and the original last.  The original, of course, stays true to the opener, only getting into the main arrangement immediately.  Some haunting vocals have been added. Love hearing the bass.  Drums are masterful.  The jingles and japanese acoustic give great flavor.  Just when you think its over at 1:50 it loops, but doesn't give the feeling of repitition.  As Nagaoka, improvises it even further.  The remix version, is not necessary, and kind of can be a turn-off.  The drums are more ethereal here, as well as other instruments.  I was expecting more use of synthesizers, but all instruments sound authentic on this one.  The piece does feel a little slower.  I actually I am happy with the turnout. 

I've avoided the character songs for to long.  If not for this review, I wouldn't have embraced how well done these songs are.  Ryoko's seiyuu, Ai Orikasa, takes the mic in Daiichi Hakkensha Blues.  The smooth rythym posed in this song goes along with the cover.  As in, it gives off the whole jazz club feeling.  Nagaoka and Oriakasa should go together more often.  She does express her seduction as the character would in this song. 

Away from the R&B section, Yumi Takada, poses as Aeka, and sings us a ballad.  Seikou puts the Juraian themes in this song.  Piano, harps, oboe and snare drums occupy the entire track.  Takada is accompanied by some male vocals at the end.  All leading to a triumphant finish. 

Both Takada and Orikasa follow Masami Kikuchi in a duet, only with three people.  Ueno No Koi No Monogatari continues the rythym and blues theme.  I guess jazz and R&B is not so bad when in the hands of Nagaoka.  Ryoko and Aeka bicker with each other, trying to out sing one another.  The song almost falls apart hilariously at the end. 

Now for the radio dramas, constructed by none other, lady Nahoko Hasegawa.  It's worth actually getting into these voiced adventures.  Out of the Tenchi dramas, these are my favorites, because she truly expresses the characters in a unique way.  Hayashi Hiroki even sketches out the scenario for each drama.  Giving an extra method to understanding the dialog for non-Japanese speakers.

Mini-Drama 1 sounds like they are at bar.  Again, accurately depicted in the sketch above.  Ryoko is daydreaming or something and Aeka breaks the fantasy.  Then Aeka gets drunk as well, and she gets into her monologue.  Things get wild with some rapid footwork.  Aeka gives some shock therapy that tickles Ryoko. 

Ryoko's Theme follows.  A great representation of the character.  In one of the many Tenchi books, Seikou states that Ryoko is his favorite character.  It certainly shows here.  The track is filled with a strong beat, synthesizers depict Ryoko's fiestiness, and at the same time her lonliness. 

Second mini-drama, is a short Ryoko monologue.  Tenchi and Sasami are spying on her.  Trying to keep quiet and laugh at Ryoko's thoughts.  Ayeka gets the third mini-drama, for the full 30 seconds.  Then in the fourth, it's both of the girls, discussing something.  Aeka looks for Tenchi's attention, but does not respond.  She then yells for a response.  Ryoko laughs at the relationship.  Tenchi seems very overpowered here, but at least he says somethings.  Sasami is picked on for some reason. 

The middle of the OST has some long instrumentals.  The first is the Ryo-Ohki Summoning, or Sneaky Tenchi theme.  Bass, violins, and some acoustics quietly fill in for two minutes, before some percussive instruments take charge for another two minutes.  It feels tense as it should, and the synth helps add character.  Aeka's theme follows.  Might take some time to actually like.  Percussion and ethnic Japanese strings set the mood for the piece.  Acoustic rythyms and pace establish the peaceful and proper nature that is Aeka.  The opposite of Ryoko.  Don't skip this theme, becuase then the character can't be fully understood.

The Destruction of the Saito Bridge, begins with synthesizers and a beat, signifying that something is emerging.  The intensity builds, before some snare drums and ticking sounds give it speed.  The oboe moves in for the evolution of the BGM.  Guitars start getting pressed on to show the gravity of the situation.  At two minutes the action begins.  Oboe, clarinet and strings represent the fall of the ships.  An epic track that deserves the repeat treatment.

Mini-drama 5, has Tenchi on the edge.  Sasami and Aeka try to play karaoke.  Sasami comes out of no where laughing in the sixth drama.  Tenchi is running again. 

Another Aeka BGM insert.  This sweet piano/oboe ballad is very welcoming, but is put to shame by the next BGM.  The instrumental gem, Royal Teardrop of Jurai.  I'm not even going to describe how powerful this ensemble is.  A majestic symphony.

In the 8th drama, Ryoko sings her song which wakes up and annoyes Aeka.  Whereas, in 7, Ryoko and Aeka are sneaking in the middle of the night and cross each other.  They do battle. Aeka seems to be doing some damage.  Sasami is awoken, wakes up Tenchi, and he has a fit by the girls destruction.  They simmer down and pout about it. 

Kajishima provides the character illustrations.  Artwork that I cannot find in any other Tenchi media. The Washu uniform is sleek.  Wish it was used in the anime.  Pioneer does not mess around when it comes to extra's, but where is the music.  The booklet is complete with images and descriptions.  In my opinion, over the top design.  Booklet barely fits in the case.  Package: 10/10

What is provided here is beyond complaint.  The cuts between the tracks were off.  It was as if it was all recorded in sit.  A split second of the drama echoes into the BGM song.  The BGM song carries on into the drama.  With only 6 actual BGM's, it's hard to really grade the musical world of Tenchi.  There could have been the Tenchi and Sasami themes at least.  Aeka's themes may bore the listener, but they are quite essential.  The rest of the soundtrack is a party, and Ryoko alone is a fiesta.  Album: A...

City Hunter Original Special CD- #2 Bay City Wars, #3 Plot of $1,000,000

Since I liked the songs from the Dramatic Hunter cd that I reviewed last month, I went and bought me this.  This was the only cheapest one available with an obi.  As soon as it arrived, I just popped it in.  I actually listened to it all the way through, while working out.  Opening song was engineered rather nicely.  Then the following instrumentals carried me through the work out.  Anyway, I was only turned away by the jazzy/blues theme of the music.  I did like the rock orientation with it, but was used in a romantic way that I didn't like.  Still, this CD is worth a look.

While the cover does say its from the motion picture, I don't see how that is so.  This album seems more like an arranged or cover production.  Even seems more like music videos.  Instrumentals are done by Tatsumi Yano, and he arranged Take Me Back.  The other two songs were done by various artist.  I'm jealous that this production gets live instruments and there are composers who should be utilizing them. 

01-	Rock My Love	4:31
02-	Night Moves	4:40
03-	DeathTrap	6:29
04-	Kanojo no Omoi	4:03
05-	Woman in the Dark	4:35
06-	Easy-Going Guy	4:14
07-	Take Me Back	4:10
08-	BayCity Battle	4:29
09-	More More Shiawase	4:58
10-	Never Say Goodbye	4:45

I'll start with the songs.  Rock My Love has hip synthesizers and jazzy rock influence.  Yoki Oginome does a nice job as the vocalist.  Fitting for typical 80's and 90's themes.  I like the middle of the song where she raps.  Take Me Back is odd indeed.  It starts out more like a poem, with some bluesy strings.  Then the actually chorus and song take place with some soulful english lyrics.  I really love the arrangement of this song.  Both of the songs mentioned are very different.  They were really smart in songs styles.  Definetly not your normal beats.  Oginome also sings More More Shiawase.  Nothing attractive about the begining.  This song is more traditional in terms of songs style.  I didn't like the addition of kids singing in the chorus.  Still this does some justice to the ears.  Take Me Back definetly stands out though.

Yoko Oginome, ready to dance! This picture really has that 80's era feel.

It's time to test the series composer, the instrumentals are up.  Night Moves is hip, starting with some bass drums, and the jungle beats.  Snazzy strings and hornets carry you throughout this piece.  It stops with some nice romantic vocals.  The synthesizers and keyboards make it feel atmospheric.  An excellent piece, all the way through, as it fades out.  Death Trap begins with loud drum beats and moves in with some rocking gutiar, a great start, but the French horn rips in.  That is what scares me about jazz.  It always reminds me of someone ripping a big one.  It's a long track, kind of too long.  Yano plays around alot in this one.  Exactly at the middle of track, it sounds like its skipping, but not.  That was well put, and then starts back up again. 

Forth track isn't all that special.  This is really couples music here.  Even with a date, I wouldn't put on, but it may put that "falling in love" mood for the women.  Too much jazz club themes.  Violins are added for extra sweetness.  I like the drums, but doesn't help me like it much.  Easy Going Guy is also for dance clubs.  Takes you back to old west, and yet it its as modern the those jazz clubs still available today.  Not my cup of tea, though.  Woman in the Dark is a sweet rock melody.  Very entrancing.  Yano doesn't go far at all with trumpets and horns.  Keyboards are well used for a nice ring in your head.  It calls for repition like Night Moves.  The dog-like guitar arrangement was wierd but good.

 Baycity Battle gets into it right away.  Again, with those annoying horns ripping it out loud, but damn if this track isn't so rocking.  Guitars in the backround can be in the way.  This is like battle in a casino.  Nicely done anthemic ambience. Never Say Goodbye literally sounds like your turning on your Playstation.  Piano's and violins rule this moody track.  Vocal chorus and drums are a plus.  An excellent finish. 

I'm really happy with this purchase.  There were alot of things that I'm against in music, but Tatsumi Yano does a nice job in attracting me to his style.  He might make it to my favorite composer list.  I just need more of his cds and he doesn't have much outside City Hunter.

This CD deserves an A for outstanding music, orchestra, and songs.  Quality of tracks of are very high, but not a whole lot of variety.  Quantity is about fair.  In terms of the packaging, a 6/10 is fair.  Jewel case is basically empty without cd and booklet.  There is no back cover.  The booklet is the reason for the high package rating.  Booklet cover is nice, but doesn't stand out.  Credits are laid out well and we get director and producer comments.  Each song gets fleshed out on the pages.  The score above is enough warrant for you to obtain this cd.  It's not rare at all. 

F-Zero Arranged Album

 Having played F-Zero GX for the Gamecube and loving it and the music.  I went after the soundtracks.  I found this gem, after reading the few reviews.  Most gave it a 10/10.  I am not a big fan of jazz, but I like collecting the few and expensive extra's that Nintendo puts out there.  Seikou Nagaoka does a lot of jazz outside his soundtrack career, but I've grown to like his style.  So it was worth giving it a try. 

I was really turned off and away running through this cd the first time.  It was mostly the jazz orientation that scared me.  I was think of GX and I was wanting rock or even heavy metal.  Actually, I was skipping through the first time.  The alto sax sounded like a big one was being ripped, lol.  Which is I am not into jazz.  Especially since most music incorporated with it.  But I was drawn to the drums, guitar, and the use of a band-like musicians. 

This album production has banded together a bunch of American musicians, under lock and key of Nintendo composers of course.  All tracks composed by Yumiko Kanki, except 2 and 12, which are by Naoto Ishida.  Of the Americano's, Marc Russo(Sax's) and Robben Ford(Guitar) are the star of the show.  We get a picture of them, along with a comment by Marc.  Of course, they couldn't have an American translation.

01 Opening Theme 4:21
02 Big Blue 4:03
03 Red Canyon 4:11
04 Fire Field 4:16
05 Silence 4:34
06 White Land 4:22
07 Port Town 4:40
08 Select Time Theme 3:42
09 Mute City 4:25
10 Sand Ocean 4:39
11 Death Wind 3:31
12 Ending Theme 5:05
Realizing that I may eventually like, and I do, which is why I'm making this review.  Number 1 is great for a introductory jazz peice.  Makes you feel like a TV program is running through the list of racers and tracks.  Just before the 2 min. mark is where Marc works his lungs.  I like the sax player's lead from that point on.

I'll skip number 2 for now, but 3 Red Canyon, begins with the bass and carries you throughout with drums and sax.  It feels like those old movies, or like on broadway.  Think in the Mask, as he's going into the club.  That scene where Jim Carrey, livening up, I think I can remember the music to be of the like.  The way this track ends, perfectly fits that scene. 

Fire Field is where it gets good.  This actually fits into the racing genre that this cd should be doing.  Drums and electric guitar gets you into that racing mood.  Then the second guitar rocks out the show, leading to a great finish.  5 Silence has left me silent.  I have no comments good or bad for it, but I will say this,  I can listen to it but not worth repeating.  It has its uses for the F0-verse.  I remember the Ford commercials in the 90's sounding like this.

White Land is a perfect bland of mellow jazz and rock.  It's more of an atmospheric track.  It's very addictive, I repeat often.  Port Town sounds like your in Mexico, Spain, or Hawaii.  It doesn't seem like it in the begining, but definetly after the first minute and on.  If you're having a party at the luao, this music should be played doing the limbo or the Moroccan dance.  Select Time Theme definetly takes its time.  It is a slow piece, as if the jazz didn't slow the overall pace of the album.  I like the use of the bass in the middle of the track.  Has a fun fading finish. 

Mute City and Sand Ocean don't grab me so.  Especially Mute City, what with all its many arrangements out there.  I am kind of sick of it.  It is still one of the better arranged ones.  Sand Ocean starts out with the beachy feel, but kind of gets crazy with the strings, it sounds like techno.

Ah, Death Wind, it literally blows you away(I am not apologizing for the corny puns).  This is what Jazz-Rock Fusion is made for.  It's fast pace from the start, but it's too short.  Its the best one on the cd.  I can't sit down on this one.  Sadly, it's too short, as it's fading out it gets even better.  You must hear it.

Finally, I saved Naoto's tracks for last, because they are the odd ones.  Thankfully, he/she did two, but I think there was no need for him/her to be involved in this project.  Big blue is also like Mute City with tons of other arrangements, but like Mute City it captures the funky urban city life that this series is placed in.  Ending Theme is fitting, for an ending though.  It's these two that is hardest to listen to.

The package of the album is nothing at all, 4/10.  Why, well Nintendo is not known for it's CD's physical contents.  That score is too high of a score.  We get a picture of two of the musicians, and a small comment by Marc, but thats it.  There should have been more from the musicians, interviews, comments, how they(the Americans) got into this production.  Nintendo often doesn't know how to show their love.  They need help.  Cover art is not even noticeable, F-Zero as the title, how am I supposed to know if it's an arranged or an OST.  I can barely see that there is an engine on the cover and back.  The inside of the panphlet, has Falcon looking into the desert.  I won't scan it becuase it's not that fascinating. 

This CD gets in A for composition and arrangement.  A perfect, live arrangement of the games original soundtrack by Hirokazu Ando.  So well done, Nintendo doesn't give us his original compostions.  We don't need them though.  This cd is not terribly rare, but definetly not cheap.  The contents on this cd are all you need to go and find this rarity.

City Hunter Dramatic Master CD

This is one of many cd's that accidentally fell into my collection.  They had come with a bunch of cd's I didn't want, but had to get them if I wanted the specific one.  Of the bunch, I tried this and liked it.  I try a lot of cd's without regards to the show they belong to.  I'm quite glad I did, which got me to ordering some others from this series.  All other cd's I had, had no hand to grasp me.  The series is a old, but that is what makes it good.

1.ANGEL NIGHT～天使のいる場所～
2.WHAT'S GOIN' ON
3.ゴーゴーヘブン
4.NO NO NO
5.FOOTSTEPS
6.EARTH～木の上の方舟～
7.SUPER GIRL
8.STILL LOVE HER(失われた風景)
9.CITY HUNTER?愛よ消えないで～
10.MR. PRIVATE EYE
11.終りのない傾き
12.SARA
13.GIVE ME YOUR LOVE TONIGHT
14.PARTY DOWN
15.GET WILD
The entire cd is not all that great. What first grabbed me was, What's Goin' On sung by Kohiruimaki Kahoru.  She is spunky.  The song is jazzy as is all of the cd and most of the era's music.  I like the lyrics, even though I don't understand theme, and the upbeat tone of it.  She also sings track 9, which has her starting off at the wrong beat, but I like the bluesy lyrics. 

Go GO Go, number 3 is a fun song as well.  I don't like male vocals, but for this it was ok.  It's the high pitches they do, makes them less of a man.  Like track 11, another male vocalist, sounds like he can't sing, but the song is good.  I like how it fades out. 

Footsteps, is a nice short english song.  Even though the songs are in English, they're sung by the seiyuu.  Give Me YOUR Love Tonight is my other favorite.  It's those lonely city nights songs.  You can tell that she's japanese by the way she pronounces the words.  Like she's reading the English words in Japanese.  Party Down, is like the title says, composed by Koh Ohtani, and the vocals actually perfect the English tongue.  Mr. Private Eye, starts with a drama, which is annoying, I just want to hear the song.  Lyrics are great, and a fun beat to it.

That's all that I can talk about.  The rest on the cd don't have the same atmosphere as the ones I mentioned above.  Some are techno, which is out of place with the theme of the series, and others are like girlish anime songs. 

A cool cd to obtain.  An A- for the quality of the cd, good amount of songs, and the overall fun of them. 

4/10 for the package- cd cover is normal, booklet has no real extras, and artwork doesn't stand out.

Karasu Tengu Kabuto OST-カラス天狗カブト

The reason for me having this cd is because of the series called Tenchi Muyo! You will be seeing a lot on that by me.  I loved the first episodes, and the music is what made me watch it.  This was back when I was graduating high school, 2007.  I've wasted a lot of time on filling up my mp3 with only his music.   So everyday I'd be searching for the music. I'd eventually be downloading a lot of Seikou Nagaoka's music.  My thirst would never be filled, mainly because only a fraction of his music is available.  Only in the begining of 2009, would I start collecting off ebay, just in case the downloads missed something. 

Back to this soundtrack.  I've recently obtained it.  It was a difficult cd to track down, and cost quite a load, that's without the obi.  I still have no idea what those annoying things were made for, but I guess it's to show the authenticity of the product.  As in when it was made. 

A comment on the package of the CD.  This is my own scan above.  That's all about worth scanning.  The interview there, probably with the director, is poorly presented, as the background picture is obscuring the reader.  Not like I can read it, but I know he comments on the composer.  It wouldn't be much of a comment if he didn't mention the composer.  The rest of the booklet has the lyrics, performers, and character artwork.  The CD itself is neatly showcasing the four animals in silver on black. No comment from the composer, sadly. 

 I looked on youtube to see if I wouldn't be wasting money on music I never heard.  I have not watched any other shows that had his music.  I just liked the composer.  I came across the theme songs and fell in love with Beyond the Era sung by Mika Kaneko, and to my despise done by another composer.  I couldn't stop listening to it until the cd arrived.  I've moved from ebay to the Japanese yahoo auctions site, early in 2010.  Now with the declining dollar to yen, it's harder for me to get stuff. 
 

01	破者の道	1:38
02	ＫＡ・ＢＵ・ＴＯ	4:51
03	カラス天狗見参	2:03
04	玄武	2:15
05	背景音楽集Ⅰ	11:07
06	青龍	2:00
07	白虎	1:53
08	朱雀	2:06
09	背景音楽集Ⅱ	10:50
10	Ｂｅｙｏｎｄ　Ｔｈｅ　Ｅｒａ ～時代を超えて～	3:27

Disc length 42:10

As far as I can tell, this must be his first cd, at least the earliest cd I own of his.  His earliest work is basically the last in my collection.  It is great to hear the opening track, Road of Conquer.  Not the most welcoming, but it portrays the dark atmosphere of the series.  I've only seen a few moments of it.  52 episodes is too much to go through.  Anyway, the drums in the opening track, are weak.  Kabuto theme is nice.  Kind of upbeat for a dark anime, but I like the use of real instruments and the blazing guitars in both songs.  Mr. Nagaoka is a bit too attached to his synthesizers.  All his earlier works rock though.  The third track, Enter the Karasu Tengu, has a jungle beat to it. Guitars at least sound real.  The wind works sound majestic, probably symbolizing the heroism. 

Then onto tracks 5(Background Music Selection I) and 9(BMSII), are a combination of bgm's, which is common with this composer.  It is very annoying, because you have to fast forward if want to hear a specific piece.  Luckily this composer makes it all sound good, so one can't really mind listening to the 10 min. file.  I can't find a good mp3 splitter to do the job, and quite frankly, I had only tried one.  I need to get it done.  Most of them are minute long tracks, and then some, and some shorter, so they are sadly over before they begin.

BMS I starts out with those weak drums, and then gets in a weird blazing guitar riff. This file has 10 different tracks.  Second is another variation of the third theme.  Third is very Japanese-esque.  Very nice.  Fourth is a great, but short, sounds like the Kabuto song.  Fifth is a funky version of the third theme.  Then the sixth is those amazing evil themes Nagaoka does.  The beats of the drums make it sound like your in a lair.  Seventh is a soft track, like waking from a dream, I love it.  Eighth is another spooky drum and bell theme, fantastic.  Ninth is another dream theme, cool.  Then ten is a banging, upbeat, guitar ripping theme, almost heavy metal theme,  lasting 2:30.  They really should have left that one separate.

BMS II starts out rocking. I'll skim through this, 2nd is a dark theme, 3rd is an amazing evil guitar rocking piece, too short, 4th is a soothing violin and clarinet piece, then an upbeat end of the day theme, 6th is another evil theme, he makes a cool string breaking sound in the 7th, goose-bumpy, 8th is great another upbeat rock theme, and finally an odd version of the Enter Tengu track.

Track 4 Genbu's theme is my favorite, love how he use the drums.  6 is Seiryu and is nice, this is like Enter the Karasu tengu, and is used alot in the soundtrack.  Byakko theme, 7, gets funky with the base guitar.  Finally, Suzaku, track 8, is great.  I'll leave it at that.

Overall, this soundtrack is recommended.  I just hope that is all the music made in the series.  No piece is on this cd is at all objectionable.  The BMS's is something that can get on your nerves.  Character themes are very nicely portrayed.  The best thing is the songs at least and that Nagaoka doesn't use too odd of sounds.  His compositions are just perfect, if only they would give him orchestra or band.  Vocals were also a high point.  Mika Kaneko is the main attraction, her voice is dramatic and effective. For a TV budget, it feels more like OAV standard music. 

I give this an A+ for outstanding music and composition. 9/10 for the package and how the contents are put on the cd.  I should probably develop a better grading system.  What do you think?  If you are looking to here this cd, ask.  Or tips on where you can find it.