LMH Mixtape #283: Happy Beginnings

Happy Beginnings means (among other things) that this mixtape begins with an absolute banger.  Divine Bloodlines (Stage 1 BGM) from Dracula X on the SNES is a very faithful rendition of the original CD version, with sampled electric guitar and some killer bass guitar.  Castle Theme from Valkyrie no Densetsu has a very regal sound, with some great sampled choir voices.

This mixtape isn't just happy beginnings though.  We cap off this mixtape with a relaxing tropical sounding track, "Other Match Results" from Ganbare Pennant Race!  But you can't get to that point without the happy beginning.  So don't worry, hit play, and be happy!

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MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Blatant Favoritism Award: Castlevania: Dracula X - Divine Bloodlines (Stage 1 BGM)

Instant Favorite: Surprise Attack - Reap the Reward (Bonus)

Chill Favorite: Ganbare Pennant Race! - Other Match Results

Track listing and original episode:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2025/03/episode-283-happy-beginnings.html

Episode 293: Asiatic Music 3

Not since 2013 has the Legacy Music Hour done a focus on music with an Asiatic influence, but as they've been doing more themed episodes lately, here it is once again.  Some pretty standard picks here from games like Shinobi and Legend of the Mystical Ninja, but maybe a couple lesser known titles as well, all employing some kind of Far East element, even if sometimes subtly.  Brent and Rob are also sick for this episode, but Brent is noticeably and audibly sick, so beware of and sorry about that.  Full track listing below.

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Game - Composer - Track - Company - Console - Year (North American release unless otherwise indicated)

Double Dragon III: The Sacred Stones - Akira Inoue (Inoue), Takaro Nozaki (Nazaki), Michiya Hirasawa (Hirarin) (arr.), Yoshihiro Kameoka (Kame) (arr.) - Mission 3: Japan (Outside) - Technos/Acclaim - NES - 1991

Super Ninja-kun - Takahiro Ogata - Stages 2-1 (Main Music) - Jaleco - Super Famicom - 1994

Super Ninja-kun - Takahiro Ogata - Stages 6 and 8-1 (Main Music) - Jaleco - Super Famicom - 1994

The Legend of the Mystical Ninja - Harumi Ueko - Headquarters of the Otafu Army (“Eat Black Soy Beans”) - Konami - SNES - 1992

Hana Taaka Daka!? - Kinuyo Yamashita - Junko O. No. 1 - Natsume/Taito - PC Engine - 1991

Hi no Tori: Gaou no Bouken - Iku Mizutani (Funny Iku), Hidenori Maezawa (Dandy Hidenori), Kinuyo Yamashita (Charming Kinuyo) - Present - Konami - Famicom - 1987

Shinobi - Yasuhiro Kawakami - BGM 1 (Mission 1-1, 2-3, 4-1, 5-2) - Sega - arcade - 1987

Ganbare Goemon Kirakira Douchuu: Boku ga Dancer ni Natta Wake - Kazuhiko Uehara, Yukie Morimoto - Water Fortress Revisited - Konami - Super Famicom - 1995

Tenchi Souzou - Miyoko Kobayashi, Masanori Hikichi - Neotokio - Quintet/Enix - Super Famicom - 1995

Ganbare Goemon Kirakira Douchuu: Boku ga Dancer ni Natta Wake - Kazuhiko Uehara, Yukie Morimoto - Desert Moon Forest - Konami - Super Famicom - 1995

P.T.O. II: Pacific Theatre of Operations - Yoichiro Yoshikawa - American Weapon Production - Koei - SNES - 1995

Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master - Masayuki Nagao, Hirofumi Murasaki, Morihiko Akiyama - Izayoi - Sega - Genesis - 1993

Illusion of Gaia - Yasuhiro Kawasaki - Golden Road - Quintet/Enix - SNES - 1994

Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master - Masayuki Nagao, Hirofumi Murasaki, Morihiko Akiyama - Japonesque - Sega - Genesis - 1993

LMH Mixtape #282: Super Famicom

Japanese exclusive Super Famicom games was the focus here.  Much of the best VGM from the third and fourth generation never made it out of Japan.  Luckily for you though, the LMH boizz are here to share some of these incredibly smooth, jazzy, and just plain bonk tracks with you.  Energetic and memorable tracks like "Ending" from Drift King Shutokou Battle '94: Tsuchiya Keiichi & Bandou Masaaki.  "International School" from Mini-Yonku Let's & Go!! Power WGP 2 is a totally funky jam with punchy bass.  "BGM 3" from The Masters: Harukanaru Augusta 2 is a very bright and bouncy piece that will stick with you.  Basically, there's just a lot of really great stuff to check out in this mixtape, so let's explore some of Japan's best kept secrets.

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MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant Favorite: Drift King Shutokou Battle '94 - Ending 

Another Favorite: Final Stretch - System Configuration

And Another Favorite: Pro Mahjong Kiwame III - Expert Challenge Ending

Track listing and original episode:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2025/03/episode-282-super-famicom.html

LMH Mixtape #281: AI

The subject of artificial intelligence was a loose theme in Episode 281.  But don't worry, no A.I. was used to create this mixtape.  Just some great taste and a lot of great music.  Things start off with "Boat Fishing at Kenzaki" from Fishing Koushien.  You can always count on fishing games to bring the jams.  "Military" from Rise of the Robots features some distinctive western style arpeggios.  "The Sky’s Brilliance" from Energy Breaker has a really rich and smooth sound, with a country style.  This is real and good music here, nothing artificial about it.

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MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant Favorite: Popful Mail - Jungle

Another Favorite: Fishing Koushien - Boat Fishing at Kenzaki

Sounds like a peaceful country field: Energy Breaker - The Sky’s Brilliance

Track listing and original episode:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2025/02/episode-281-ai.html

LMH Mixtape #280: Making Connections

The unofficial theme of this episode was "making connections."  For one, Rob had a running theme through his choices.  Did you catch the theme?  There were also a lot of connections made between tracks and other media of which those tracks were reminiscent.  For example, "Burning Fighter (Stage 3)" from Surprise Attack had parts that reminded the boizz of music from the movie Bloodsport.  Additionally, a specific part of that track reminds me (ManaTree) of a section from "Land of Confusion" by Genesis (the band, not the Sega console).  There's a lot of great music in this mix to explore, so take a listen and start making your own connections!

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MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant Favorite: Surprise Attack - Burning Fighter (Stage 3)

Another Favorite: Hexion - 2P Co-op Mode (“Penguin Dance”)

Metal to the max!: Metal Max 2 - Wanted Person Battle

Track listing and original episode:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2024/12/episode-280-making-connections.html