After many delays, the GODZILLA SOUNDTRACK PERFECT COLLECTION BOX FOUR
is almost here. © 2006 Toho Co., Ltd.

The Long Delayed CD Box Set to be Released at Last
Author: John “Dutch” DeSentis with Robert Saint John
Source: Ark Soundtrack Square, Masao Iwase Blog
Special Thanks to Keith Aiken, Ed Godziszewski, and Larry Tuczynski’s Godzilla Monster Music Website

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.
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Akira Ifukube’s incredible score for KING KONG VS GODZILLA is
finally commercially available in the US. ©1962 Toho Co., Ltd./2006
La-La Land Records

La-La Land Records Hits Another One Out of the Park
Author: John “Dutch” DeSentis

Following up their incredible release of the musical score to GODZILLA in 2004, La-La Land Records has made available for the first time ever in North America the soundtrack to 1962′s KING KONG VS GODZILLA. As most of Akira Ifukube’s score was replaced with stock library music for the film’s 1963 American release, this CD is truly a first.

Just like the former release, this disc is a grand slam, perhaps even more so than the first one. To me, KING KONG VS GODZILLA represents the pinnacle era of not only Toho, but also Akira Ifukube’s magnificent scores. Between 1954 and 1964, the maestro produced what could arguably be his best scores to both Godzilla and non-Godzilla films alike. KING KONG VS GODZILLA is a non-stop tour de force of great thematic material, much of which would pop up in Ifukube’s later scores.
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Author: Tim Eldred

Maestro Hiroshi Miyagawa. ©2006 Voyager Entertainment.

Maestro Hiroshi Miyagawa, the award-winning pop music composer and creator of the score for Japan’s famous anime series SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO (Uchû Senkan Yamato, 1974) died on March 21, 2006 of heart failure. He was 75. Anyone who has ever listened to his work knows that those words barely scratch the surface.

Join STAR BLAZER’s Tim Eldred for a look at one of Japanese animation’s major musical influences and the man who provided the musical canvas for one of anime’s biggest animated hits!
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Author: Richard Pusateri

Akira Ifukube, composer of some of the greatest scores
in film history, has passed away.

Akira Ifukube has joined Tomoyuki Tanaka, Ishiro Honda and Eiji Tsuburaya in the next world. On February 8, 2006, Mr. Ifukube died at age 91, in Tokyo.

Born May 31, 1914 in Kushiro, Hokkaido, Mr. Ifukube grew up in a small village with a large population of Ainu, the native people of Japan. This early exposure to the pristine nature of Northern Japan and the culture of indigenous people greatly influenced his music. The “ostinato” style Mr. Ifukube later used in his film scores recapitulated the percussive, repetitive nature of Ainu folk music and dancing.

Mr. Ifukube’s early occupation was forestry but he was always interested in music. He pursued an informal musical education while played the violin. His brother, Isao, and the music of Igor Stravinsky, especially “The Rite of Spring,” inspired Mr. Ifukube to pursue the composition of classical music.

At age 21, he wrote “Japanese Rhapsody,” and it won the Tcherepnine Prize in 1935. After this break, his musical career accelerated as he received personal instruction from Alexander Tcherepnine.
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SHOGO TOMIYAMA: REMEMBERING AKIRA IFUKUBE

A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Toho Pictures President Shogo Tomiyama shares his thoughts on the
passing of his friend, Akira Ifukube. GODZILLA: FINAL WARS © 2004
Toho Co., Ltd.

Since 1989, Shogo Tomiyama has been directly involved with the making of each Godzilla film. Chosen as associate producer on GODZILLA VS BIOLLANTE by Godzilla co-creator Tomoyuki Tanaka, Tomiyama eventually became executive producer of the series. In 2004, he was promoted to President of Toho Pictures.

As the associate producer of GODZILLA VS KING GHIDORAH (1991), Tomiyama was thrilled to have Akira Ifukube return to score the film after 16 years away from the series. The two became good friends and would work together on three more Godzilla movies that included Ifukube’s final film soundtrack, GODZILLA VS DESTOROYAH (1995). Most of Tomiyama’s later Godzilla films would include at least one of Ifukube’s themes as a tribute to the maestro’s undeniable impact on the character and the franchise.

Mr. Tomiyama has graciously accepted SciFi Japan’s request for his thoughts on the passing of Mr Ifukube. The following is a direct translation of his words…