Chris' Daily Soundtrack Recommendations (Speedy Downloads Included)

[Chris]

Well, I tried to make a recommendations thread for out-of-print and moderately rare a while ago, but it didn't really take off. I suppose the reason was that I didn't provide downloads. So, here's an alternative: I upload an OOP album that I enjoy to the site on a daily basis and post the link here for members to download, listen to, possibly analyse, and hopefully enjoy! Most of the downloads will be related to the site and all downloads will be available for a week. All feedback about albums are appreciated.

To make recommendations of your own, feel free to post here (http://www.squareenixmusic.com/forum/showthread.php?t=269) or start a similar thread if you wish to maintain it on a regular basis and can provide reliable downloads.

Please do not link to these downloads for non-forum users. If you do, I'll be forced to abandon the idea or implement password protection.

This week's albums:

- Soukyugurentai, Game Sound Collection Vol. 6 (http://www.squareenixmusic.com/recommendations/Soukyuugurentai,%20Game%20Sound%20Collection%20Vol .%206/) (VOCR-5018)
- Bushido Blade 2 Original Soundtrack (http://www.squareenixmusic.com/recommendations/Bushido%20Blade%202%20Original%20Soundtrack/) (SSCX-10019)
- The Fear Original Soundtrack (http://www.squareenixmusic.com/recommendations/The%20Fear%20Original%20Soundtrack/) (TTRS-2003)
- Shadow Hearts Special Sound CD (http://www.squareenixmusic.com/recommendations/Shadow%20Hearts%20Special%20Sound%20CD/) (no catalog number)
- ESPGaluda Original Soundtrack (http://www.squareenixmusic.com/recommendations/ESPGaluda%20Original%20Soundtrack/) (CVST-0001)
- Dragon Quest Symphonic Suite Best Selection Vol. 1 ~Roto~ (http://www.squareenixmusic.com/recommendations/Dragon%20Quest%20Symphonic%20Suite%20Best%20Select ion%20Vol.%201%20~Roto~/) (SRCL-3565)
- Dragon Quest Symphonic Suite Best Selection Vol. 2 ~Tenku~ (http://www.squareenixmusic.com/recommendations/Dragon%20Quest%20Symphonic%20Suite%20Best%20Select ion%20Vol.%202%20~Tenku~/) (SRCL-3566)
- Front Mission 2 Original Soundtrack (http://www.squareenixmusic.com/recommendations/Front%20Mission%202%20Original%20Soundtrack/) (SSCX-10011)

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My first recommendation would have to be Soukyugurentai, Game Sound Collection Vol. 6 (http://www.squareenixmusic.com/recommendations/Soukyuugurentai,%20Game%20Sound%20Collection%20Vol .%206/) (VOCR-5018), a long out-of-print shooter soundtrack composed by Hitoshi Sakimoto (Final Fantasy XII etc.) released in 1996. It combines Sakimoto's unusual textures and melodies with heavy use of percussion (particularly timpanis) and fast-paced electronica. It's similar to the soundtrack to Gradius V, except more aggressive and original.

I have written a full review of it here (http://www.squareenixmusic.com/reviews/chris/soukyuugurentai.html) for those who are interested.

[eriol33]

hmm... just wondering could I request out of print album from here as well? I especially looking for any VGM album done by Kentaro Haneda outside Wizardry.:p

I will download it later Chris, thanks for sharing :)

[Chris]

Anybody find this useful or potentially useful? If so, I'll continue. If not, bad idea. Sorry!

hmm... just wondering could I request out of print album from here as well? I especially looking for any VGM album done by Kentaro Haneda outside Wizardry.

Sorry, this isn't a requests thread. Try The Trading Estate!

[Rain]

Excellent idea. :D This is awesome.

[Chris]

OK then... Today, after mentioning the album several times, I shall share the Bushido Blade 2 Original Soundtrack (http://www.squareenixmusic.com/recommendations/Bushido%20Blade%202%20Original%20Soundtrack/) (SSCX-10019). Composed by Square rocker Ryuji Sasai, it combines hard rock with Japanese instruments such as the shamisen to create a powerful and interesting mix ideal for representing Japanese fighting.

A good full review is available here (http://www.squareenixmusic.com/reviews/kerohazel/bushidoblade2.html) from Kero Hazel. I think you'll like this album!

[TheShroud13]

Soukyugurentai reminds me a great deal of Shadowrun for the SNES, which was a mostly sweet soundtrack. The synth is pretty terrible (what can ya do?), and sometimes the somewhat dissonant padding harmonies (especially in the intros to tracks) don't offer the type of brilliance I tend to like in more aggressive pieces, but the percussion work is of typically high Sakimoto quality. Rhythm is definitely the focus on this bad boy, and it works quite well. "On a Satellite's Orbit" is probably my favourite track on the album, it has the most memorable melody thanks to some solid harmonic choices, and is driving all the way through. Fun stuff :)

Bushido Blade 2 is interesting as well. Quite reminiscent of Ishiwatari's Guilty Gear scores. At the very least "Moment of Force" is. "Option Screen" is a wonderful little track that I'd love to have seen in a more expanded setting. I do like the fusion of the Japanese sounds and the rock, it's quite unique and works very well. I'm not that into the non-rocking part of the album, but those that do rock rock it well.

[Kie]

Ah Bushido Blade 2, a great game with an equally great soundtrack. Good choice there!

[Chris]

Thanks for all the feedback. Glad you liked the downloads, Shroud. I don't think Soukyuugurentai's synth is THAT bad for 1996 and thought that Manabu Namiki did a decent job programming overall. I agree that it's the rock in Bushido Blade 2 that makes it most appealing. "Moment of Force" is the best rock theme to come out of Square Enix, as far as I'm concerned.

Soukyuugurentai will only be available for one more day. In the meantime, a new download: The Fear Original Soundtrack (http://www.squareenixmusic.com/recommendations/The%20Fear%20Original%20Soundtrack/) (TTRS-2003).

Composed by Taito/Zuntata's Tamayo Kawamoto, the album is the orchestral accompaniment to an Enix's PlayStation 2 full-motion horror-adventure game, described as too scary to be released overseas. There were over 1200 FMVs featured in this game, though Kawamoto's soundtrack is short but sweet. Its highly recommended featuring a memorable main theme and plenty of other eerie tracks.

No review available. Perhaps you could be the first!

[Harry]

Thanks for all the feedback. Glad you liked the downloads, Shroud. I don't think Soukyuugurentai's synth is THAT bad for 1996 and thought that Manabu Namiki did a decent job programming overall.

I'm positive that Namiki didn't program the synth for either ports.

Out of the downloads there, I've only heard a bit of Bushido Blade 2 ("Moment of Force") but it was enjoyable as far as I can recall.

[Chris]

I'm positive that Namiki didn't program the synth for either ports.

Whoops, I made a mistake interpreting CocoeBiz's list. I guess they use 'S' for Sound Effects, not Sound Programming. All the same, slightly confusing. :p What is 'Sound Porting' for the Saturn release? He did that too.

[Z-Freak]

In the meantime, a new download: The Fear Original Soundtrack (http://www.squareenixmusic.com/recommendations/The%20Fear%20Original%20Soundtrack/) (TTRS-2003).

Composed by Taito/Zuntata's Tamayo Kawamoto, the album is the orchestral accompaniment to an Enix's PlayStation 2 full-motion horror-adventure game, described as too scary to be released overseas. There were over 1200 FMVs featured in this game, though Kawamoto's soundtrack is short but sweet. Its highly recommended featuring a memorable main theme and plenty of other eerie tracks.

No review available. Perhaps you could be the first!

:love:

ATTN eriol33 and Josh-Barron : Both of you are orchestral whores (I mean that in a good way ;)), so don't miss this one !! Great music, here !! :thumbs:

[PQTN]

What is 'Sound Porting' for the Saturn release? He did that too.

Terra Diver(Soukyugurentai) had been released for ST-V, the arcade system board at first. I don't know if the music also had been sequenced in that board, not streamed by CD-XA or CD-DA, but maybe it would have been so because I'm sure medias of most ST-V games were not CD-ROM, but cartridges. Anyway, when Terra Diver was ported in Sega-Saturn, Namki was responsible for 'porting' suquencing and timbre datas from the arcade.

Well, I can't figure what version this OST includes. I think it would include the arcade sound which had been downconverted into ST-V board, but for me, it somehow sounds better than the arcade sound of Radiant Silvergun(released in ST-V board 2 years after, too). It's strange and curious. If given the chance, I'll investigate it.

Sorry for the off-topic post. I love this thread so much.

[Chris]

Thanks for the feedback here, PQTN. It makes sense about Namiki's role now and I'm interested to hear your conclusion about its quality. It's not off-topic -- this is about discussing the releases and their background, so it was very relevant and interesting.

Anyway, new album today: Shadow Hearts Special Sound CD (http://www.squareenixmusic.com/recommendations/Shadow%20Hearts%20Special%20Sound%20CD/) (no catalog number). This brief collection of SH-related arrangements and bonus tracks was enclosed in the Shadow Hearts From the New World Premium Package for Japanese customers.

It's an interesting album with some successful experiments, albeit quite brief. For a review, check out Resk's here (http://www.squareenixmusic.com/reviews/resk/shadowspecial.html). Enjoy!

BTW, I'm making all downloads go on for a week now. :)

[TaylorHord]

Chris, you are my hero. I have been looking for "Ladder to Heaven" for ages now and had no clue where to look for it; it was a boss battle theme from SH2 that wasn't included in the OST. (I liked it for being almost a precursor to "Lady Tears II"). Anyways, Thank you very, very much!

[Chris]

Today it's the ESPGaluda Original Soundtrack (http://www.squareenixmusic.com/recommendations/ESPGaluda%20Original%20Soundtrack/) (CVST-0001), a Trance soundtrack to a Cave shooter that is the prequel to the recently released ESPGaluda II Original Soundtrack.

With some anthemic tracks, other psychadelic and progressive ones, and three interesting arrangements (including an awesome one from the maestro Takayuki Aihara), it's the best game music Trance experience available. It obviously won't appeal to all, but is a very interesting effort that is definitely worth a try (starting with "Different Blood ~ Wearing Blood" and "Huge Battleship Elinies (Arranged)" perhaps). A review from me is coming very shortly.

Chris, you are my hero. I have been looking for "Ladder to Heaven" for ages now and had no clue where to look for it; it was a boss battle theme from SH2 that wasn't included in the OST. (I liked it for being almost a precursor to "Lady Tears II"). Anyways, Thank you very, very much!

You're very welcome. I'm really glad that it came in handy. Thanks for the nice comments. :)

[Piano]

It would be easier if they were zipped up. Anywho, BB2 is wholly recommended, but not for listening to at night before bed.

[Chris]

Just to note, as my computer fan has been malfunctioning, this thread won't be updated for a while. As soon as it's functioning again, I'll be sure to update it every day.

I'll consider zip files in future, Piano, though don't know if they'll be abused.

[Chris]

To make up for lack of sharing recently, I thought I'd provide two OOP Dragon Quest Symphonic Suite Best of selections for those who wanted an intro to the Dragon Quest series:

Dragon Quest Symphonic Suite Best Selection Vol. 1 ~Roto~ (http://www.squareenixmusic.com/recommendations/Dragon%20Quest%20Symphonic%20Suite%20Best%20Select ion%20Vol.%201%20~Roto~/) (SRCL-3565)
Dragon Quest Symphonic Suite Best Selection Vol. 2 ~Tenku~ (http://www.squareenixmusic.com/recommendations/Dragon%20Quest%20Symphonic%20Suite%20Best%20Select ion%20Vol.%202%20~Tenku~/) (SRCL-3566)

These albums come together to make the Dragon Quest Symphonic Suite Best Selection ~ Roto / Tenku (SRYL-7331/2), which is simply the two discs of Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 with a Koichi Sugiyama Character Information Message. Unfortunately, I can't find an image of the album anywhere, given it's super-rare. Help appreciated here. :D

[Dave]

Oh, wow, thanks a lot for these Chris. I'll try looking around for an image, though I doubt I will find anything. Comments on the music soon!

[eriol33]

hmm, I havent downloaded any of these dragon quest albums, but believe me, I know all the music from the entire series DQ 1-6 :), personally I think Tenku is the best. While Roto is enjoyable, I found Sugiyama used more baroque style in Tenku chapter.

I'm also glad I have begun to like DQ 7 & 8 score, believe me, I was disappointed and thinking they are totally crap when listening to 'em at first time, but well, I'm the crap! it's just Sugiyama style that has developed and it took a bit time for his listener to like his new style.

[Totz]

Yay, more DQ! :D Thanks a bunch for those albums, Chris. :)

[Chris]

Today, I'm sharing the Front Mission 2 Original Soundtrack (http://www.squareenixmusic.com/recommendations/Front%20Mission%202%20Original%20Soundtrack/) (SSCX-10011), the superb 1997 score to the second true Front Mission game. Scored by Noriko Matsueda, I consider it her best symphonic work and I hope others enjoy it too.

A review by our long lost friend Zeugma is available here (http://www.squareenixmusic.com/reviews/zeugma/frontmission2.html). Enjoy!

[Stryfe]

I'll have to take a look at these. I'm posting now, because I have to point out...

(particularly timpanis)
One of those is not a word. >_> <_<

[Chris]

I'll have to take a look at these. I'm posting now, because I have to point out...


One of those is not a word. >_> <_<


Well, you learn something every day. *does a mass search and replace at SEMO on the word timpanis*

I don't think I'll use timpano ever though...

[Stryfe]

Well, you learn something every day. *does a mass search and replace at SEMO on the word timpanis*

I don't think I'll use timpano ever though...

Hahaha XD;

I'm just a stickler for stupid things like that. And our percussion instructor always enforces this particular usage on us.


I like what I'm hearing from Soukyuugurentai, but my evil internet keeps cutting downloads mid-...download. mmrph.

[Dave]

I thought timpani was like a singular and a plural, like sheep? Although a single sheep is technically a lamb...?

[Stryfe]

No, "timpano" or "timpano drum" is one. "Timpani" or "timpani drums" are many. This is, of course, not mentioning the y that some people use (tympani) but I find ancient and ugly. :<