GEM Impact

Featured, Game Music

OSV Exclusive: Otomedius X Artist List Revealed

February 24, 2011 | Jayson Napolitano | 2 Comments Share this

Otomedius X (Excellent) has been delayed numerous times, but I think game music fans will find the wait worth it once they see who’s involved with the soundtrack. The series is known for taking the classic side-scrolling shooter formula and combining that with many of Konami’s most beloved franchises, and with so many franchises to cover, there’s a lot of music that needs to be composed and arranged. How much music, you ask? Around 120 tracks, with 28 different artists from all around the globe contributing to that tally.

As it turns out, our friends over at GEM Impact have been responsible for coordinating the talent for this project. With Norihiko Hibino at the helm, the 28 artists from around the world have gathered to create a true international collaboration. To name a few, GEM Impact, Unique Note, SuperSweep, and members of Basiscape appear from Japan, with Roc Chen from China, Bently Jones from the UK, and Jake Kaufman, Justin Lassen, and Jeremy Soule from the USA.

With both the Otomedius X for the Xbox 360 and the first game’s soundtrack due out on March 24, 2011, here’s hoping that Otomedius X also gets an official soundtrack release. Looking at the roster alone, I know it will be worthy of one.

Hit the jump for the full artist list. (more…)
Japanese, Reviews

Bland Title, Flavorful Music: GEM Impact’s “Japanese Songs” (Review)

September 20, 2010 | Patrick Gann | 3 Comments Share this

Hibino and the GEM Impact crew have been prolific publishers of original albums lately. Today, we’re talking about “Japanese Songs,” which is about as bland and descriptive a title as if they had renamed “Gentle Love” something like “This is some jazz music I recorded with my friends.”

This particular album is a collection of 17 piano solo recordings, arranged and performed by GEM Impact members Yuichiro Onuki and Yoko Nakamura. The source compositions are actually from more Western-style Japanese composers of the last century (a few of the tracks have unknown composers and are folk pieces from the last 200 years).

If you are into piano solo recordings as much as I am, please continue on the journey! … After the jump!! (more…)
Japanese, Reviews

An Album Sequel With Originality: Gentle Love 2 (Review)

August 30, 2010 | Patrick Gann | 2 Comments Share this

Since the time he helped form GEM Impact, Norihiko Hibino has explored a lot of different territory. But, a familiar place for him to go is always jazz. As a trained saxophonist, Hibino always does well in this realm.

Last year, Hibino released “Gentle Love,” which featured a jazz group (with Hibino on sax) covering a variety of American, Japanese, and Canto jazz/contemporary standards. This time around, for Gentle Love 2, Hibino comes to the scene with twelve original pieces. Can the Metal Gear Solid composer show his softer side in this original album? Find out after the jump! (more…)
Japanese, Reviews

Prescription For Even More Sleep: Hibino Sound Therapy Lab (Review)

July 26, 2010 | Patrick Gann | 1 Comment Share this

I had talked about the music for this strange, relaxing iPhone App last year. But, at the time, only four songs were available to check out via the app. Let’s face it: that’s not good enough! We need *more* sleep medication! And by “medication,” I mean “soft music from Norihiko Hibino!” No drugs required here.

Though, it should be noted, there is currently a P4S package sold in Malaysia containing this CD along with an “herbal supplement” in tow. Unfortunately, when reviewing this album, I did not get to try any of said herbal supplement. Maybe it’s not FDA-approved or something.

In any case, you should just click the “more” button, because after the jump, we have a full review of the complete 11-track album, entitled “Hibino Sound Therapy Lab.” (more…)
Game Music

Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker Interview: The East Meets West Soundtrack

May 18, 2010 | Jayson Napolitano | 2 Comments Share this

Norihiko Hibino has been a long time friend of OSV. He actually was the subject of one of our first interviews on the site, which was about his and GEM Impact’s involvement with Metal Gear Solid 4: Sons of Liberty, which he felt his team didn’t get enough credit for. Well, here we are nearly two years later with Norihiko Hibino and GEM Impact once again contributing to the latest Metal Gear Solid outing, but this time, Hibino has brought along some friends from the West.

In our interview, Norihiko Hibino talks about GEM Impact’s involvement with the score, including their shift in role and the change in direction that Konami was aiming for with this installment. He also discusses bringing Jeremy Soule on board, his preference when it comes to working with Western composers, and what he has lined up in the future. While you’re waiting for the worldwide release of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, check out our interview and look into picking up the official soundtrack featuring music from Konami, GEM Impact, Jeremy Soule, and Todd Haberman.

Hit the jump for the interview. (more…)
Game Music

OSVchannel: Bayonetta’s 5-Disc Soundtrack Unpacking Video

November 12, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | 2 Comments Share this

Here we are again, this time with an unpacking video of the 5-disc Bayonetta soundtrack. It’s a pretty nice one, complete with a leather-bound case and individual slim jewel cases for each disc. It’s definitely a soundtrack to consider picking up from Japan, as it’s likely to sell out.

A few things about the video, though. First, I actually recorded this last week, before the soundtrack was released in Japan, and only a little after the game was released in Japan, so sorry for the delay. I was having technical issues getting the video on to YouTube. The other thing is towards the end where I mention Don’s comments about “dirty jazz,” when he actually said “smokey jazz.” My bad!

Anyway, enjoy, and let us know what you think of these kinds of videos and the Bayonetta soundtrack in particular.
Game Music, Reviews

The Music of Prescription For Sleep, Featuring GEM Impact (Review)

August 19, 2009 | Patrick Gann | Comments Off on The Music of Prescription For Sleep, Featuring GEM Impact (Review) Share this

It’s like Metallica’s “Enter Sandman,” but without all the creepy undertones of death and darkness. It was in March of this year that the iTunes / iPhone App Prescription for Sleep was released. The App, published by Mission One, features “soothing visuals and accompanying melodies composed by Norihiko Hibino and performed by a small ensemble of live players.” The press release goes on to say that “Each piece has been meticulously crafted to aid in sleep, with a measured pace and inaudible frequencies that replicate sounds heard in nature.”

Most surprising is that, in Japan, this App rose to the #2 spot for Apps in the “health and fitness” category. But really, all it is are some pretty images and about 20 minutes of music (spread across four musical pieces). For $2.99, it’s worth the price for the music alone. Attempting to use it as an alternative sleep aid, that’s your choice. I will say that it didn’t work on my kids; they slept better to recorded children’s nursery rhymes. After the jump, you can check out my thoughts on the four pieces GEM Impact put together for this special little App.

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