Some people are so talented it’s ridiculous. Nao Matsushita is not only a young television and film actress, but also an accomplished pianist. She studied piano at the Tokyo College of Music, and at the age of 24 already has already released three full-length albums and a number of singles. Sounds like the life to me!
Her latest album, pf, was released in Japan in February, and caught me totally off guard. This isn’t your everyday piano album, as it’s full of different styles that demonstrate Matsuhshita’s proficiency with the instrument. From ballads to jazz to even some more “gamey” tracks, pf will have something you’ll like.
Hit the jump to find out why I was blown away from the first track onwards. (more…)
Here we are with the last of our coverage to come out of GDC 2009. I’m honestly still recovering from the five day conference last month, but it surely was a lot of fun. On the final day of the conference, we were able to sit down with Gerard Marino and Carmen Rizzo to discuss their panel and talk about the game they’ve been busily working on over this past year.
As more information about this title becomes available, you can bet we’ll be covering it as the music sounds absolutely amazing. In the meantime, enjoy our discussion about blending musical styles, the potential for collaboration in the future, and Rizzo’s thoughts on digital versus physical distribution and film and games in general. The infamous Gerard Marino holiday party Guitar Hero contest where I supposedly “hustled” (or beat) him also comes up, so be sure to check that out. We already knew Gerard was awesome, but I hope gamers come to know Carmen Rizzo’s music as he’s extremely talented and a cool guy all around.
Read our interview with the duo after the jump. (more…)
Sounds like hentai, but it’s not. I guess POWER DoLLS is a strategy game series for the PC centered on an all-female combat unit that utilizes mechas. DoLLS interestingly is an acronym for “Detachment of Limited Line Service.” Is it all starting to make sense to you? Well, not for me either, but what I can tell you is that Hiroto Saitoh’s music for the series is amazing.
This album goes even further though, providing you with three different versions of the original POWER DoLLS soundtrack. There’s an FM version (awesome!), a MIDI version, and the focus of this release, an all-new arranged version featuring remixes from Saitoh, the SuperSweep team, and even ESTi from Korea!
This is quite the dream team, so join us after the jump for our review of POWER DoLLS 1 Soundtrack Resonance. (more…)
Bet you thought I forgot! Not a chance. In case you weren’t regularly checking the Mephtik website (none of you, right?), here I am to tell you about what you’ve been missing. This month we have Darkness Into Light EP by Steven Buckner, which is a preview of his full-length album with several of the jazzier selections compiled in mp3 format for your free listening pleasure.
I’ve been dying to get some jazz music on Mephtik for quite some time, so it was an exciting release. “Moonlight in the Sahara” is my particular favorite, but given that it’s free, you have no excuse not to check the whole thing out. Also feel free to head over to Buckner’s website for information about the album and the planned follow-ups, and his MySpace for more music.
Have a favorite track from the EP? Looking forward to hearing a release from Joshua Morse on the label now that we’ve proven we’re not all about electronic music?
One of Capcom’s latest forays into the world of retro-style downloadable content features some of the downright funkiest music we’ve heard in ages. And it comes from our pal, Norihiko Hibino!
There’s a touch of Hibino’s old Metal Gear Solid espionage-friendly tunes on this shortie-but-goodie. But Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 is no Metal Gear Solid in terms of gameplay. The developer, Backbone Entertainment, created a familiar top-down shooter (like the other games in the Commando series).
How this type of gameplay manages to involve a soundtrack that sounds like it’s performed by Will Ferrell’s fictional character Ron Burgundy (from the film Anchorman) is beyond my comprehension. But if you’re ready for some funky, dirty, almost industrial jazz (complete with jazz flute!), then take the jump to read our full review of the Commando 3 soundtrack.
Alright, another video that I’ve been meaning to post about for months. I don’t even remember who told me about these guys at this point (Dale, perhaps?), but yeah, they basically perform classic game and anime music while wearing strange frog, rabbit, and scream masks. If it doesn’t make sense, just watch the above video and be amazed.
This Chrono Trigger medley really hit the spot after listening to the beautiful arrangement of “Wind Scene” that was featured on the Chrono Trigger Orchestra Extra Soundtrack from last year (that’s how long I’ve been meaning to post about this). The “Magus Theme” segment is awesome too. If you browse around YouTube, TheScreamer has an impressive rendition of “Vampire Killer” from Castlevania and a “Theme of Love” duet from Final Fantasy IV. They also do Naruto and Princess Mononoke as well, so check ’em out!
Is this the most bizarre idea ever? Are you happy that they’re doing it anyway? I know I am.
You may or may not remember us running this story about DJ Max Fever‘s limited edition contents, as well as its availability. The basic gist of it was this: 30 lucky fans are going to get the most elaborate limited edition set for a game ever. Unfortunately, however, you couldn’t get the full set simply by being wealthy and/or willing to spend loads of money on the game.
All that changed, however, with the advent of The Crew Edition. Starting last week, fans could preorder one of 125 available copies of this special package, which essentially mimics the Japanese “Orpheus” limited edition that we described in our last story. What all will you find? Along with the PSP game itself (signed by the developers), you get the DJ Max Audio Trinity Soundtrack (3 discs), a DJ Max Art book, an NB Rangers mask, some post cards, a puzzle, and a DJ Max Technika IC Player Card.
Are you interested in owning it? I’m afraid I have some bad news. Just a few days after the preorder was made available, the limited edition sold out. So we’re a little late reporting the news. Maybe some chump will decide to re-sell his/her copy of DJ Max Fever: the crew, and then you’ll be in business. But unless that happens, you won’t be able to jump on this train-full-of-goodies. Sorry about that.
The good news is that, for the gamer who likes to keep a tight reign over the old wallet, this limited edition set cost $130. Compare that to the $40 retail price of the regular edition DJ Max Fever (which was published by PM Studios in late January this year), and you’re talking huge savings. So yeah… maybe it’s a good thing you missed out on this one. Not that I’m condemning the lucky few who got their preorders in on time!
We will have a comprehensive review of DJ Max Fever in the coming weeks, so if you’re not sure if you’d even be interested in this rhythm game, keep an eye out for the review to help determine whether or not it’s up your alley.
