PLEASE NOTE: All articles are the property of the authors and/or SciFi Japan. Reprint or reproduction of any material in part or in whole, including the copying or posting of articles on any internet or computer site, without the authors' consent is strictly forbidden. Links to articles appearing on SciFI Japan are allowed (and appreciated).
La La Land Records has made the announcement on their website that their great 2004 release of Akira Ifukube’s career defining score for GODZILLA (Gojira aka; Godzilla, King of the Monsters, 1954) is going out of print on March 31st. There are reportedly less than 120 copies left in their inventory so fans who missed out on this when it initially came out would do well to act fast. Another great incentive to purchase this CD is that it’s price has been reduced to $4.98!
La La Land’s release boasts a significant upgrade in sound quality and is a no-brainer alternative for fans who cannot afford to track down a rather expensive copy imported from Japan. The only Japanese import still in print is the version from the GODZILLA SOUNDTRACK PERFECT COLLECTION which cannot be bought on its own. The 1993 Toshiba/EMI release as well as the version that came packaged with the score to RODAN are both long out of print. Continued…
Tsuburaya Productions is touting their latest special effects extravanganza, MEGA MONSTER BATTLE: ULTRA GALAXY (Daikaiju Battoru Urutora Ginga Densetsu The Movie, 2009), as a rebirth for both the company and it’s long-running Ultraman franchise. The producers of the movie wanted a dramatic, Hollywood-style score to complement the updated visuals so they turned to an American composer, Mike Verta.
Mike Verta knew he wanted to make movie music after seeing the original STAR WARS at age five. He moved to Los Angeles in 1990 to become a film composer, but soon expanded into visual effects work as well. He established his own post-production company and has provided music, FX, sound design, and editorial work on a wide range of productions.
MEGA MONSTER BATTLE: ULTRA GALAXY is Mike’s first soundtrack for a Japanese theatrical feature film. He recently spoke with SciFi Japan’s Steve Ryfle about his work on the film, his approach to movie music, and his crash course introduction to 40+ years of Ultraman history. Continued…
ZATOICHI – THE BEST CUTS (1967-1973): LIMITED EDITION
Music by Shigeru Ikeno, Akira Ifukube, Isao Tomita and Kunihiko Murai
Limited Edition of 1500 Units
NOW SHIPPING
RETAIL PRICE: $19.98
LLLCD 1102
Presenting the original soundtrack music from Toho’s legendary “blind swordsman” series of ZATOICHI feature films. Famed GODZILLA composer Akira Ifukube, along with Shigeru Ikeno, Isao Tomita and Kunihiko Murai, provide the influential music on ZATOCHI – THE BEST CUTS (1967-1973): LIMITED EDITION, a compilation of dynamic original recordings from the ZATOCIHI films released between 1967-1973. This compilation was assembled from remastered elements from the Toho Studios’ vaults. In-depth liner notes by Randall Larson take you behind the scenes of The Blind Swordsman and his musical legacy. A Limited Edition of 1500 Units. Continued…
Upcoming German Audio Drama is a Homage to Classic Japanese Kaiju Movies
Author: Keith Aiken
Source: Sven Pyczak, Ralf Lorenz, The Gualagon Team
Offical Webste: Gualagon — Frankensteins Schreckengigant
Additional Material: Godzilla-Germany
Special Thanks to Avery Guerra
In Germany, a group of fans who grew up watching the likes of Godzilla and Gamera at their local cinemas have decided to honor the glory days of Japanese monsters with their own kaiju production; a German language audio drama entitled GUALAGON- FRANKENSTEIN’S GIANT OF TERROR (Gualagon- Frankenstein’s Schreckengigant).
In promotional materials for GUALAGON, the production group (known collectively as “the Gualagon Team”) explained that their idea was based on “the most beautiful films from the golden era of Japanese monster movies… It was during that time that most of the people involved in the project were introduced to the Godzilla movies. Those flicks usually played on Saturday or Sunday afternoons at the local cinemas in the kids matinee; and it was back then that we were first exposed to THE WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS [known in Germany as Frankenstein - Zweikampf der Giganten/ FRANKENSTEIN: DUEL OF THE GIANTS], the main source of inspiration for GUALAGON.”
SciFi Japan goes behind the scenes of GUALAGON- FRANKENSTEIN’S GIANT OF TERROR with exclusive information, artwork, and photos, plus a look at the German theatrical releases of the classic Japanese monster movies that inspired this upcoming tribute. Continued…
Japanese Version of Website Launched; MORNING MUSUME Announced as First Official Guests of Honor
Source: BAM! Marketing, Publicity & Promotions press releases
Official Site: anime-expo.org
Special Thanks to Chase Wang
Located in Los Angeles, CA, Anime Expo is the nation’s largest anime/manga convention. The event serves as a key meeting place for the general public to express their interest and explore various aspects of anime/manga, as well as for members of the industry to conduct business. AX 2009 will be held July 2 – July 5, 2009 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Southern California.
Attendees, Press and Industry Members are invited to view the video coverage site of the 2008 convention at AXBackstage.org and to register for the 2009 convention at anime-expo.org. In addition, the convention recently launched a Japanese language version of its newly re-designed fan-friendly site to be used as a welcome portal to Japanese industry, press, attendees and fans.
Event organizers have also announced the attendance and performance of Japan’s most celebrated and top all-girl music group Morning Musume(also referred to as “Momusu”) at AX 2009. Continued…
The Music of SPEED RACER, Then and Now
Author: John “Dutch” DeSentis
Special Thanks to Bob Johnson
Nobuyoshi Koshibe interview translated by Shino Sumida
If you were to ask any number of people, be they fans or non-fans, what they know and remember about SPEED RACER the most, chances are they will recall the great theme song which started each episode. In fact, the jingle has become so famous that to have anything Speed Racer related without it would be like having James Bond without the famous John Barry theme. Famous for its whirling beginning representative of a speed engine and catchy lyrics, the song is a recognizable and enjoyable piece of pop-culture.
Join SciFi Japan for a look back at the original MACH GO GO GO soundtrack, an interview with composer Nobuyoshi Koshibe, as well as a critical look at the score from the new SPEED RACER movie by Michael Giacchino. Continued…
The Highly Popular CLOVERFIELD End Credits Music to Be Released on iTunes
Author: John “Dutch” DeSentis
Source: Soundtrack Net, Film Score Monthly Online, CLOVERFIELD DVD
Official site: iTunes
On April 29th, iTunes will make available for download “ROAR!” the CLOVERFIELD overture. Written by frequent J.J. Abrams composer Michael Giacchino, “ROAR!” is a tribute to the classic style of monster movie scoring and has become a much sought after track among fans who enjoyed it during the closing credits of the 2008 film. Continued…
Reiko Yamada Plays Ifukube’s “Ritmica Ostinata”
Author: Ed Godziszewski Japanese Giants
On the evening of March 28, 2008, a rare performance of one of Akira Ifukube’s classical works, “Ritmica Ostinata”, was held in the city of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Seldom performed stateside, on this night Ifukube’s “Ritmica Ostinata” was tackled by the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, featuring former Ifukube pupil Reiko Yamada as the orchestra’s principal pianist, as part of a program titled ‘Japanese Garden’. Continued…
Latest news on the next Godzilla CD collection
Author: James Ballard
Official Website: Toho Music
Following the release of the GODZILLA SOUNDTRACK PERFECT COLLECTION BOX 4 in October 2006, Toho Music have at long last decided that the release date for GODZILLA SOUNDTRACK PERFECT COLLECTION BOX 5 will be January 31st 2008. Altogether there will be 9 CDs in the set, with a list price of 10,500 Yen (approx US$90.) Pre-orders will begin early in the new year. The CD set will cover the music from the films GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA II (Gojira tai Mekagojira, 1993), GODZILLA VS. SPACEGODZILLA (Gojira tai Supeesugojira, 1994), GODZILLA VS. DESTOROYAH (Gojira tai Desutoroia, 1995) and GODZILLA 2000 (Gojira Ni-Sen Mireniamu, 1999). Also included is the first performance of the “SF Symphonic Fantasia” (1983) and “Ostinato”, both re-issues of discs previously released by King Record. Continued…
Eclectic Rock Arrangements of Classic Godzilla and Monster Themes
Author: John “Dutch” DeSentis
Source: The Monster Project
Special Thanks to Bob Johnson
Well now this is something that you certainly don’t hear very much. THE MONSTER PROJECT is a collection of rock arrangements of classic monster music, most of which is dedicated to the music of Godzilla. According to the group’s website, The Monster Project is a progressive rock outfit of seven people from New York City and presents faithful arrangements of classic monster movie scores. The group apparently had a short life, only performing between 2005 and 2006 before dissolving. Somewhere in that timeline, they managed to record this 65 minute album of material they had performed.
So just what does THE MONSTER PROJECT offer? Well that certainly depends on your taste and if you can accept eclectic rock arrangements of the music you know and love. As far as Godzilla goes, two composers are represented here: Akira Ifukube and Richiiro Manabe. Continued…
La-La Land Records Brings the Long Unreleased Score to Disc
Author: John “Dutch” DeSentis
Official Site: La-La Land Records, David Arnold.com
Special Thanks to Robert Saint John
In the history of Godzilla fandom, there are few events that had as much of an impact on the image and perception of Godzilla globally than the release of TriStar’s “remake” in 1998. One of the shining spots that most people will universally regard as being the strength of the film is David Arnold’s fantastic score. Most fans will recognize Arnold’s name from the modern James Bond era. He entered that series after his album of reinterpretations of classic Bond themes (SHAKEN AND STIRRED: THE DAVID ARNOLD JAMES BOND PROJECT) came to the attention of John Barry, who recommended him by name to producer Barbara Broccoli during the production of TOMORROW NEVER DIES. In an age when mindless action movies are plagued by the likes of Hans Zimmer clones that simply program the loop machine and slap on some standard rhythm sequences, David Arnold’s music has always had a wonderfully organic life. The GODZILLA score and his scores to INDEPENDENCE DAY and STARGATE are often coupled together being as they all have similar musical subject matter as well as being his only collaborations with director Roland Emmerich. Continued…
The First Ever Performance in North America of Akira Ifukube’s Music for the 1962 Film
Source: The Austin Wind Symphony
Special Thanks to Patrick Phillips
Godzilla fans in Texas are in for a real treat. For the first time ever in North America, musical selections from Akira Ifukube’s score to KING KONG VS. GODZILLA will be played in concert by the Austin Wind Symphony on October 19th. The suite of music will be arranged by SciFi Japan’s own John “Dutch” DeSentis.
The upcoming October concert will feature the likes of John Williams and Danny Elfman, but conductor Patrick Phillips was looking for a little something else as well: “As I was preparing and selecting the music for The Austin Wind Symphony’s upcoming ‘Creature Features’ concert, it occurred to me that the ‘King of the Monsters’ wasn’t among them. I have always been a fan of the Godzilla films, and was moved to do an internet search for existing Godzilla music written by the late Akira Ifukube.” Continued…
La-La Land Records, a US label specializing in rare film scores, has announced its release of David Arnold’s original orchestral score for the 1998 TriStar Pictures film GODZILLA. While the GODZILLA film itself has been greatly maligned by critics and Godzilla fans alike, Arnold’s score has remained a much sought-after rarity. A 1999 promo CD (produced by Arnold himself for an Academy Award submission) became the source for bootlegs that have remained consistently popular in the collectors’ circle over the years. This new Limited Edition (3000 units) marks the first official, studio endorsed release of the full score. The 2CD-set includes 40 tracks totaling 109 minutes, including four bonus tracks. Exclusive liner notes are also included, and the set is available directly from La-La Land Records for $24.98 plus shipping.
For a complete track listing, MP3 track samples, and to order, visit the La-La Land Records website.
VERY early news of the live concert performance in Kalamazoo, Michigan
Author: Ed Godziszewski
Official Site: Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra
Special Thanks to Kazuo Sumiya
Mark your calendars now. It may be a year away, but Akira Ifukube fans will have the rare chance of listening to one of the maestro’s premier classical pieces, “Ritmica Ostinata”, performed live by the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra on March 28, 2008 and featuring the keyboard skills of Reiko Yamada. Presented as part of a musical tribute to Japan, Ifukube’s piece will highlight a program which will also feature pieces by Toru Takemitsu and Paul Hindemith. Continued…
Back in 2004, amidst the hysteria that was Godzilla’s 50th Anniversary, it was announced that Toho Music would re-release the Godzilla soundtrack series in six special edition boxes loaded with extras such as alternate cues, dialog from the movies, and several bonus discs. The first of these GODZILLA SOUNDTRACK PERFECT COLLECTIONs hit the streets in October that year and the second set followed in December. Strangely, there was quite a delay on the third set as it did not see release until April of 2005. Little did collectors know that the delay of the third box would be nothing compared to the wait they would endure for the next. Now, after nearly a year and a half, the long delayed fourth box is finally set to be released on October 20, 2006.
Continued…
