Jazz

Game Music

A Would-Be Great Idea: Eight Bits of Jam

October 13, 2009 | Patrick Gann | 1 Comment Share this

Alright, this concept needs little to no explanation. Have a live band play the otherwise-chiptuned VGM that plays from your NES.

The dudes that put this video together are obviously showing off their humorous side, though they’re also demonstrating their talents as musicians in the process. That’s always a killer combo. At first I was worried it would just be all Super Mario Bros. But then they expanded to Double Dragon and Mega Man. Suddenly, life made sense and all was beautiful.

Much as I would like to have a band backing me up during my frantic gaming sessions, we all know the price point would be so astronomical that this advertised “service” could never happen. The next best thing is going to concerts like Video Games Live and PLAY! and watching those videos up on the screen while the band/orchestra does their thing. And oh, do they do it well.

[via bitmob]
Doujin, Game Music

Time to Tune in to Something New: Retro Remix Revue Volume 2!

September 14, 2009 | Audun Sorlie | 8 Comments Share this

Almost one year ago to the day, Retro Remix Revue, led by Blaine McGurty, released their arrangement album Retro Remix Revue: Volume 1 on iTunes. The album was a blend of many different styles and instrument, with McGurty himself being responsible for the arrangements and synth work. The album was well received with it’s diverse sound and feel, going from rock to jazz which is a little similar to The OneUps in its approach.

A year has passed us by, and Retro Remix Revue is ready to release Volume 2.

Hit the jump to read our review and thoughts on the album! (more…)
Miscellaneous

Brian Setzer Tracks Down OSV, Demands We Tell You About His New Album

August 19, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | Comments Off on Brian Setzer Tracks Down OSV, Demands We Tell You About His New Album Share this

This is downright bizarre. Remember a few months ago when we posted about Retro Remix Revue drummer Adam Alesi submitting a Sonic the Hedgehog demo to join the Brian Setzer Orchestra? Apparently the Setzer crew over at Surfdog Records is looking for every instance of “Brian Setzer” on the web and contacting sites about his new album. We only mentioned him once, but we’ve been graciously sent his two latest singles which hit iTunes yesterday from his upcoming studio album, Songs From Lonely Avenue.

While this is an interesting tale, I am actually a fan of Brian Setzer, so I figured I’d tell you my thoughts about the two singles. The first is “Trouble Train,” your standard Setzer rock/swing (I guess they call this “rockabilly?”) blend with some aggressive guitar licks and lyrics. There’s even a nice guitar breakdown in the middle of the track as a jazz bass plods along at an upbeat tempo. “Lonely Avenue,” however, is more my style with its slow big band ballad approach. The brass and string sections are so smooth, and I really dig the xylophone work that comes in about midway through.

They’re definitely worth checking out on iTunes if you’re a fan of Brian Setzer. You can check out the official press release with more details about both of these tracks as well as his upcoming album after the jump. (more…)
Game Music, Reviews

Get Sleezy With The Godfather II Soundtrack by Christopher Lennertz (Review)

July 10, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | 2 Comments Share this

I had the pleasure of meeting Christopher Lennertz at the Golden State Pops Orchestra game music concert a couple months ago, and was able to find out what he had been working on lately. One of those titles was The Godfather II videogame. While we all know that games licensed from major films are usually crap, the Godfather series has actually received positive marks in the past, so I was curious to hear what Lennertz would do with the music in the game.

I can tell you that while there’s not a whole lot of it (about 20 minutes in all), it’s quite good. Of course it references Nino Rota’s “The Godfather Theme” from the films, as you’d expect, but the combination of gritty basslines, classy orchestral elements, and smooth brass sections really hit the spot for me.

Is it worth you time? Read our review of The Godfather II soundtrack after the jump. (more…)
Game Music

E3 2009: Bayonetta = Sleek and Sexy with a Touch of “Smokey Jazz”

June 4, 2009 | Don Kotowski | 2 Comments Share this

Bayonetta has actually been near the top of my must-own games for 2009 since it was announced. Directed by the creator of the Devil May Cry series, Hideki Kamiya, it hopes to provide over-the-top cutscenes and gameplay full of innuendo. Yesterday, I was able to get a small preview of the music via a developer-driven demo. From the trailers, there has definitely been some jazz music, but was there anything else worthy of note?

Check out the small preview after the jump! (more…)
Game Music, Reviews

Just Relax With Hiroto Saitoh’s Melodia (Review)

May 11, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | 2 Comments Share this

We recently covered Hiroto Saitoh’s POWER DoLLS 1 Soundtrack Resonance album, and we noted that Saitoh appears to be quite fond of jazz and bossa nova. What better way to reinforce his love for these particular styles of music than with his original albums that have been released on LILT Records over the years.

Melodia in particular is a collection of 8 tracks that include many Saitoh originals alongside a couple of arrangements of works by bossa nova maestro Antonio Carlos Jobim and Japanese composer Nagayo Motoori. The music is mainly jazz, and is always laid back and accessible, so kick off your shoes and prepare yourself for a tranquil experience.

Hit the jump for our review of Hiroto Saitoh’s Melodia. (more…)
Japanese, Miscellaneous, Reviews

Hibino + American and Canto Pop = Gentle Love (Review)

May 8, 2009 | Patrick Gann | 1 Comment Share this

We at OSV have had a lot of exposure to Norihiko Hibino and GEM Impact. But the vast majority of it has been for games and anime. But what about smooth jazz covers of pop/ballad standards in America and China? I bet you didn’t see this one coming.

“Gentle Love” is an album that Hibino-san is trying to promote in East and Southeast Asia to showcase his talents as a performer. The entire album is a jazz trio of piano (Yuichiro Onuki), guitar (Syuji Narikawa), and saxophone (Norihiko Hibino). And you wouldn’t believe the song selection.

Find out what they chose to cover, as well as what I thought of this strange demo album, after the jump! (more…)