Takenobu Mitsuyoshi

Game Music

Wave Master Surprise: Alex Kidd Complete Album Announced!

August 10, 2009 | Audun Sorlie | 5 Comments Share this

Hot on the heals of the announcement of Wave Master’s Shinobi Complete Works CD, they have now also announced a complete collection of for Alex Kidd series! Alex Kidd was Sega’s mascot during the Master System era, and for many a glorious early memory of their humble gaming beginnings.

While no tracklist has been revealed at this time, the album name would suggest that every game is included. There are a total of 6 Alex Kidd games, and he was also featured in some cameos in different games, the latest being Segagaga on the Dreamcast. You can also expect some arrangements, as our great friend Takenobu Mitusyoshi has been mentioned to be on this album!

What other Sega classics would you like to see getting the collection treatment from Wave Master?

[via Carl Laron’s Twitter feed]
Game Music

From Hyper 2 Softer: Takenobu Mitsuyoshi Discusses His Newest Collection Set

July 9, 2009 | Audun Sorlie | 5 Comments Share this

Takenobu Mitsuyoshi has been for almost 20 years now as one of SEGA’s most prolific and hardest working composers. He had his start in SEGA SOUND TEAM and its SST Band, and went on to compose music for many of SEGA’s most memorable arcade games. Possibly my most famous of these are DAYTONA USA, where Mitsuyoshi first came into video game fame for his catchy English vocals and fast tempo music. While this is by far his most famous work, he has been part of many other soundtracks of great fame, such as Shenmue, Space Channel 5 and Burning Rangers.

Now, he has released his second vocal collection CD, From Loud 2 Low Too, featuring his most famous vocal work in game music. Mitsuyoshi was generous enough to take the time to discuss his latest CD with us, so check out what he has to say.

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

From Loud 2 Low Too: A “Too” Disc Marvel (Review)

July 8, 2009 | Audun Sorlie | 2 Comments Share this

From Loud 2 Low may not be a very familiar name to many game music fans, but for Takenobu Mitsuyoshi fans, it is basically the holy grail of his CD releases. From Loud 2 Low was released in November of 2003, and was only released in a very limited number via SEGADirect, Sega’s Japan-only web shop. Because of these circumstances, the album was very obscure and hard to get, and importers had to resort to middleman services in order to get it.

From Loud 2 Low is a collection of Mitsuyoshi’s best works in game music, and contains the main themes for many well-known games such as DAYTONA USA, Shenmue, Virtua Fighter 2 and Burning Rangers. It is a blend of vocal and instrumental works; also, it contains 2 all new originals, “Night in H.A.P.” and “I feel so good…” The CD does a brilliant job showcasing Mitsuyoshi’s talents as a vocalist as well as a composer, and for fans who only are familiar with his work on DAYTONA USA, this is a real eye opener to his actual skills.

Now, six years later, Mitsuyoshi announced he would release From Loud 2 Low Too, a follow-up of his collected works. As more details unfolded, it was revealed to be a two disc release, with the first From Loud 2 Low (excluding a few instrumental tracks) on the first disc. The second CD is a collection of ballads, again revealing a rather underrated side of Mitsuyoshi’s talent.

After the jump, our full review of From Loud 2 Low Too. (more…)
Anime

Takenobu Mitsuyoshi Commercial: It Doesn’t Get More 80s Than 1996

June 23, 2009 | Audun Sorlie | 3 Comments Share this

Hello everyone, “Akumu” Audun here. I am proud to be the newest team member here at OSV, and hope you will enjoy what I can bring to the table.

In preparation for Takenobu Mitsuyoshi’s new album, From Loud 2 Low Too, let’s look at a classic commercial that was made for his single, Ai Ga Tarinaize. It was the second opening theme for the Virtua Fighter anime series. It will be featured on Loud 2 Low Too.

He is just as smooth today as back then. and look at that Keytar! Man they might be holding onto those 80’s style rock ballads over there, but I’d be damned if i wasn’t shaking my hips like a pregnant woman to it.
Game Music, Reviews

Daaaytooona Isn’t Going Away: The Daytona USA Anniversary Box (Review)

April 8, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | 7 Comments Share this

Takenobu Mitsuyoshi is back for more, just as we promised in our Derby Owners Club 2008 review. Can you believe that Daytona USA has been around for fifteen years? Wave Master has released the Let’s Go Away The Videogame Daytona USA Anniversary Box to celebrate this event, and I bet you’re dying to find out what’s inside.

The 4-disc collection features all the music from across the series, as well as a couple bonuses. What kinds of bonuses? No, not stickers and posters and the like (although these would have been cool), but rather a few arranged tracks that are tacked on to the beginning and end of the first disc. With the box due out tomorrow in Japan, is it worth your hard-earned money?

Find out after the jump! (more…)
Game Music, Reviews

Gambling Never Sounded So Noble: Derby Owners Club 2008 feel the rush Soundtrack (Review)

March 25, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | Comments Off on Gambling Never Sounded So Noble: Derby Owners Club 2008 feel the rush Soundtrack (Review) Share this

This isn’t your adorable Horsez simulation game! Derby Owners Club 2008 is the real deal when it comes to horse racing, and the best thing about it? It includes Takenobu Mitsuyoshi who was responsible for the orchestral recording. He seems to have a thing for racing (in fact, I hear there’s a Daytona USA Anniversary Box coming out next month), and he has teamed up this time with Mitsuharu Fukuyama, another racer guy from SEGA with albums like Sega Rally 2006 and the Outrun 20th Anniversary Box under his belt.

The score is orchestral in style, sounding as regal as some of Koichi Sugiyama’s work at times (who I hear also likes horse racing) and as whimsical as some of Hitoshi Sakimoto’s music at others, so it goes without saying that this album surprised me. The duo recorded the FILMharmonic Orchestra Prague, which we recently heard on the Halo Wars soundtrack, and the powerful themes and Western approach definitely make for something new and exciting.

Hit the jump to find out exactly what I’m talking about after the jump. (more…)