Ubiktune

Chip Music, Japanese

OSV Exclusive: SOUNDSHOCK 2: FM FUNK Hidden Names

April 2, 2012 | Audun Sorlie | 2 Comments Share this

On April 5th, the dead will rise, bringing the funk to town the way only classic game music can provide. The graves tremble in unrest, the electronic screams reaches further and the haunted sound that shall never be forgotten will fill the streets once again.

OSV visited the tomb of the FM Synth, actually because it seemed like a good place to do the dirty lambada without getting caught, but then as the casket cracked open and the fumes of the faded rose into the sky, clues were discovered, a list of names, hidden in code, shrouded in mystery. Can you figure it out?

Too Big Dee Jay
Cool Lord
.— — … …. ..- .-
The King of the Valar
cadence
Mad Stalker
Electrician
Loath Manginess
Each Lir
Boom Guy
Bun ala Bush
oturan feat. Ikustatuf Aya
Mute Boxing
banger & zicter
Mickey H

All will be clear on OSV on April 4th…
Chip Music, Reviews

A New World, A True Classic: C-Jeff’s Preschtale (Review)

March 28, 2012 | Audun Sorlie | 2 Comments Share this

With the release of Around Past in 2010, C-jeff along with Megus illustrated a fully realized vision of his blend using chiptune music combined with live instruments, a combination that has been done before, but not with the rather unique way in order to seemlessly craft a very expressive and organic soundscape that stands out among the many great releases of Ubiktune. Around Past was something of a defining moment in terms of C-jeff’s stylistic approach to the chiptune genre, and with the promise of a solo album using many of the same elements as found in the Around Past album, excitement couldn’t have been higher for the young Russian’s brave new album.

Finally, in January 2012, the album saw light, and Prechstale set out to truly define C-jeff’s sound and style. With suprise guest performers and a story to tell, Prechstale hopes to be one of the true musical experiences you have in 2012.

Click the jump to enter the world of Preschtale! (more…)
Chip Music

Ubiktune Universe Grows New Stars

March 20, 2012 | Brenna Wilkes | 3 Comments Share this Ubiktune Universe Grows New Stars

We’re only halfway through March of 2012, but Ubiktune has been busy making every month like Christmas with several new releases. 2011 was Ubiktune’s greatest year to date, but it seems they are already well on their way to eclipse their own success even further.

Currently Ubiktune has a slew of new artists showcasing their talents for the chiptune world to listen at large. Of the latest releases, beyond the fantastic releases of Shnabubula’s NES Jams, C-Jeff’s Preschtale and Jake “Virt” Kaufman’s FX4 (All of which Audun will take a closer look at later this week!), we’ve also been treated to a taste of nostalgic bliss with I Miss You – Earthbound 2012, and it’s interesting use of the Earthbound soundfont in the entire album’s creation to give an appropriate heartfelt and evoking feel with various well known artists graciously lending their talents. Maxo released his first completed album, FAKEBIT 2012, with interesting pop style and change-ups in rhythm and pace to give it a unique sound. (“Contexts From Last Night” sounds fairly reminiscent of Starlight Zone from Sonic the Hedgehog for you Sonic lovers). 7bit Date: Robot Love combines the “primitive” video game natures with a slight hip-hop and electronic jazz fusion that will make you find yourself tapping your foot to courtesy of Beek. If you’re looking for something that strays from traditional chiptune style, subPixel’s The Wave combines live instrumentation renditions and chiptune versions on the same EP for dual-listening experiences, showcasing the strength of the compositions in both live and electronic enviroments.

Check it all out on Ubiktune.com and hear for yourself, and check back here for the reviews of NES Jams, Preschtale and FX4!
Chip Music

FX4: virt’s Next FX Installment Drops March 1st on Ubiktune

February 26, 2012 | Jayson Napolitano | Comments Off on FX4: virt’s Next FX Installment Drops March 1st on Ubiktune Share this

More goodness from virt and Ubiktune hot off their big wins in our OSVOSTOTY 2011 Awards. Jake Kaufman will be releasing the fourth installment in his popular FX series on March 1st on the Ubiktune label, with a pre-release listening party to take place beforehand on Noise Channel. TrueStar and virt will be talking about the album at length on the program before playing it live in its entirety and making it available to the public on Ubiktune and Bandcamp.

Oh, and you have to read this story setup for FX4, which is apparently a prequel to the events of FX3 (I never even knew these albums told a story… I just loved the music!):

“It concerns the loss of an experimental superweapon at sea, during a future war. Decades later it is recovered by a team of scientists, and restored to working condition. An aircraft which creates space-time anomalies, its use has unforeseen consequences, such as allowing a gay time-travelling vampire (FX3’s antihero) to cross into our universe. FX4 is written in FamiTracker using only 2A03 sounds, and contains 9 songs packed with loving detail.”

Sounds good to me! What do you think? Are you looking forward to the release of FX4 next week?
Chip Music, Game Music

Hidden Gem: Kulor’s Alter Ego Original Soundtrack

December 18, 2011 | Audun Sorlie | 1 Comment Share this

Ubiktune has quickly become the most versatile and fresh chip music label currently in operation, with each month bringing something new and exciting on the table, presented in sleek, fully imagined music albums with a consistent flow and pacing as they strive to supply the eager ears with the very best that today’s chip musicians have to offer. From their groundbreaking Equilibrium to the official soundtrack release of Bloodrayne: Betrayal, 2011 has truly been the year of Ubiktune.

Now that we are nearing the end of 2011, it’s time to play the year out with a playful and charming album that brings us to a close on the wonderful year that it has been. That album is Kulor’s, real name Richard Armijo, Alter Ego, a new and quirky fun puzzler for the NES, originally developed for the ZX Spectrum. Kulor had to deal with the limitations of the classic system, having only 9kb of memory and no ability to change the duty cycle of the instrument except at the very beginning of each song, along with no effects or volume column. The newcomer rose to the challenge and created a full and rich soundtrack, reminiscent of calmer sides of Follin and Alberto González. Despite being his first album, Kulor already manages to create a unique sound for himself, firmly seated within the recognizable video game music framing that longtime gamers and newly christened chiptune fans should be able to enjoy Alter Ego’s cheerful beats.

The artwork is done by the inspiring British artist Rufus Blacklock, and the game itself can be found for free for ZX Spectrum, NES and Windows 7 Phones.

Alter Ego Original Soundtrack can of course be downloaded at Ubiktune.
Chip Music, Demoscene

Ubiktune’s Magic Lamp Continues To Give

September 21, 2011 | Audun Sorlie | Comments Off on Ubiktune’s Magic Lamp Continues To Give Share this

To say that 2011 has been a good year for independent label Ubiktune would be a gross understatement. Since the earliest months of this year, they have graced us with some of the most fantastic albums across any genre, and with each passing release, the creativity of their contributors as well as the foresight and understanding of consumer preferences continue to grow and improve at ever increasing rates. September has been a real knockout month only halfway through with Impostor Nostalgia‘s retro inspired groove, and of course the official Bloodrayne: Betrayal Soundtrack by none other than Jake “virt” Kaufman.

With these 2 releases alone, Ubiktune would be able to pat themselves on the back with the most impressive back to back albums in quite some time. But apparently, if you are to be outdone, you should be outdone by yourself. This week, Ubiktune has presented yet 2 more album of the year candidates in Shnabubula’s Game Genie, an incredible SNES prog rock / jazz fusion masterpiece from a deeply interesting mind, and Jay Tholen, a man that could sell you this album on his beard alone, but manages to win one over with a great electronica album that mixes in diversity with the use of live instruments and vocals. As usual with the releases over at Ubiktune, these albums are free, though you can name your own price to support the artists if you feel inclined.

And no need to wait for preppy Brits to tell you where these albums can be found for your listening pleasure, this shortlegged Viking has got you covered. Head on over to Ubiktune.com and support the amazing creative outlet, at whatever price.
Chip Music, Demoscene

Zöta Zatisfaction: Ubiktune Presents Zeta Force

August 8, 2011 | Audun Sorlie | 1 Comment Share this

<a href="http://zabutom.bandcamp.com/album/zeta-force">Zeta Force by zabutom</a>

The famous Swedish chiptune extraordinaire zabutom has been chipping it up with the best of them for over a decade now, having been part of demoscene groups like Share and Enjoy, Fadeout, Fyllece as well as others. His music isn’t just limited to electronic releases, he has also toured the world with his music, appearing at Blip Festival in New York City in 2008, placing him in the elite of chip music talents. But despite his fame and experience, zabutom has yet to release his very own full length album.

Ubiktune has luckily come in to save the day by finally releasing an all new album by none other than zabutom. Having been in various degrees of production for over 10 years, the album is an 16-bit space journey oozing of melody and voyageristic atmosphere. Despite being described as a 16-bit release, it is as if the Swedish tech-wiz used all the best elements of MSX, Amiga and SNES, showing shades of old Konami Kukeiha Club, Zuntata and of course filled with demoscene arpeggios to craft one of the coolest chiptune albums so far this year. It is not to be missed for any demoscene, chiptune or retro shooter game fans, a true must have.

Available at: Bandcamp ($5)