Tekken 6 for PSP Original Soundtrack - EP

Searching for more of Junichi Nakatsuru's music, it has lead me to this download.  I've never played the game, and I probably won't in any future, but there is no reason to not try the music.  This set of music was composed for the PSP release of Tekken 6.  Six tracks for only two dollars and 99 cents is a real bargain.  Why pay a dollar just for Nakatsuru's contribution when I can own the entire collection?  Here is what good that come out of that. 

01	Blue Wall-Akitaka Tohyama	3:14
02	Broken Ties-Tetsuya Uchida	1:46
03	Spider- Tetsuya Uchida	2:06
04	Rebirth- Yoshihito Yano	2:30
05	Synthetic Pulse Installation-Tetsuya Uchida, Yoshihito Yano	3:36
06	Side Winder-Yoshihito Yano, Junichi Nakatsuru	2:12

Disc length 15:24


Tohyama opens up with a techno beat in Blue Wall, and the flavor of the arrangement doesn't start until about 45 secs with some string-like instruments.  He then takes us back into the loop with the standard beat and electronic flips of sound. The second time around feels more accomplished.  Akitaka doesn't really push for any type of flare.  I don't think he really pushed his personality here.  It is a laid back kind of piece, keeping the same mood and beat throughout the three minutes.  The track is at least passable, but I don't know how techno music can create a fighting environment. 

Broken Ties is a hip rock tune with some nice vocal lyrics added to it.  Even with the rock elements, it doesn't mask the fact that its mostly techno-electronic sounds.  This track may feel repetitive, but it will over before that it grows annoying.  I've never experienced Tetsuya Uchida, but this is a good start.  Spider continues in a rock fashion, though he can't keep from the electronic sounds like Tohyama.  At least Spider does not loop.  The opener feels like menu music, but the rest of the track changes tone. 

Uchida is aided by Yoshihito Yano in Synthetic Pulse Installation, which is not too different from Akitaka's offering.  It is definitely more industrial in style.  The techno beat and sounds can be bothersome.  For two composers working together, one would expect to be lost in style, but I can sense none in this one.  It is the worst of the bunch, as it feels like a collection of sounds, hence the name of the track.  Somehow, they don't manage to completely turn off the listener.

Yano seems to fuse Uchida's rock style with Tohyama's trance in Rebirth.  Some guitar riffs like in Uchida's tracks, fill in the background, along with the bunches of synthetic sounds and hints vocals.  Yano has kept it simple, which should be the case for music that can be entirely synthesized.  However, Nakatsuru aids Yano in Side Winder, the best of the tracks.  The opener is dark and broody, almost devoid of any electronic synth.  Nakatsuru basically took Yano's Rebirth(with some of Uchida's guitar riffs) and gave it a rehaul.  The entire track changes rythym, giving the soundtrack a fresh feel.  Along with the ambietic synth, there is the guitar riffs, some electronic guitar-like rythym flows through, and the track doesn't fade off like the rest of them.

This album is very concise.  While the composers were at different ends of the spectrum, in terms of music style, the overall sound is kept similar.  Either there was electronica, rock, or the fusion of the two.  Uchida stood out to me the most for his attemptive creativity and guitar fusions.  As expected, Nakatsuru really offered a unique take on Tekken's techno-cratic style.

Being a digital download, I would like a better effort in terms of packaging.  Sure the music at a discount price is enticing, but what about a credits picture, or actual credits on the list of music.  Composer comments, bios, how the album came to be, etc.  There should also better album cover artwork.  It's too generic.  And being that it is a digital download, it doesn't get a packaged grade. 

Album:C-
Three bucks for six tracks(decent or indecent), I think is still worth the dip in the wallet.  I am satisfied, greatly in what I've heard.  What's lowering the grade, is the lack of, well... actual music.  The entire album seems to be done by sitting back, with only real assertion by Uchida.  There isn't enough volume pumped into the score.  Only Nakatsuru twists things up for a short period of time.  In my parting words, I would still make the purchase. 

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+