09 October 2024

LMH Mixtape #228: Man To Woman

One last free play before the top ten Year In Review, so get your "tenners" in now.  Jumping right in, pound for pound, Konami/Ultra just can't be beat, and "Maniacs (Zone 3)" from Rollergames is proof of that.  The fun energy of this tracks is enough to make anyone want to get up and move their body. 

Of course if you mention Konami, it's only fair to mention one of the other big hitters of the time: Capcom.  "Proto Man" from Mega Man 3 is a classic track that starts simply with a lone whistle and builds into a beautiful iconic piece. 

"SpoonyBangRide Code (Arcade)" from Jay and Silent Bob: Mall Brawl is another one of those "it was legal at the time" tracks, since it played on original NES hardware.  Its legal status may have been revoked, but that doesn't make it any less of an absolute bonk jam!

Additionally, in the full episode, Sentimental in San Gabriel dropped his new hit VGM Karaoke track, "If We Survive," so it's worth a re-listen if you missed it the first time around.


MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant favorite: Rollergames - Maniacs (Zone 3)
Another favorite: Ranma 1/2: Chounai Gekitou Hen - VS Ryouga Hibiki
Illegal favorite: Jay and Silent Bob: Mall Brawl - SpoonyBangRide Code (Arcade)


Track listing and original episode:

02 October 2024

Episode 277: Far Out

Some good music on this free play episode.  Yeah, this month was supposed to be a "best of the year" episode, but the schedule got a little confused, so that'll be next month instead.  Anyway, the boizz get pretty out there with a couple of the tracks (in different ways) and it's definitely a bit of a trip.  They also talk about Leisure Suit Larry and, well, really so much more.  You're just gonna have to listen.  Full track listing below.



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

Ninja Gaiden - Keiji Yamagishi (More Yamasan) - Requiem - Tecmo - NES - 1989

Dragon Crystal - E. Fugu - Levels 11 to 20 - Sega - Sega Master System (Europe) - 1991

Blades of Steel - Hidehiro Funauchi, Akiko Ito - Exhibition - Konami - Game Boy - 1991

Sangokushi Seishi: Tenbu Spirits - 135 (Shigeto Kajiwara, Shigeharu Takagi, Yoshihiro Honda) - Flow the Yellow River - Wolf Team - Super Famicom - 1993

Hany on the Road - Atsuko Iwanaga (Ako Matsudaira), Yasushi Kawasaki (Manipii Kawasaki), Junya Kozakai - Go! Go! Train - Arc System Works/Face - PC Engine - 1990

Hexion - Yuji Takenouchi, Satoko Miyawaki - Form Select Mode (“The Hexagon I Dreamed Of”) - Konami - arcade - 1992

Over Drive - Konami Kukeiha Club - Magic Lady - Konami - arcade - 1990

MegaMind - Tadahiko Inoue (XOR) - BGM 2 - Sega - Mega Drive Meganet - 1991

TV Sports Football - Bob Lindstrom - Title Screen - Cinemaware/NEC - TurboGrafx-16 - 1990

Super Hydlide - Shigeru Tomita - O.M.I.S.E (Shop) - T&E Soft/Seismic Software - Genesis - 1990

Ax Battler: A Legend of Golden Axe - Psychedelic Chung (PP.Chung) - Ice Cliffs - Aspect/Sega - Game Gear - 1991

Otto's Ottifanten: Baby Bruno's Alptraum - Alberto José González - Welcome to Hell - Bit Managers/Infogrames - Game Boy (Europe) - 1998

City Bomber - Konami Kukeiha Club - Stage 3 - Konami - arcade (Japan) - 1987

25 September 2024

LMH Mixtape #227: Youthful Hair

While the pandemic quarantine continued, haircuts may have been in short supply, but one thing that is always abundant is the supply of great VGM for the boizz to share.  Starting things off, we've got some classic David Wise music from Battletoads for the Game Boy featuring all of his iconic style.  "Painting Panic!" from The Legend of the Mystical Ninja is smooth as all heck with its funky bass and upbeat mojo.  "Riverside (Round 2)" from Mighty Final Fight shows just how much Capcom was able to squeeze out of the NES towards the end of the system's lifespan.  Of course I have to mention the smoothest jam of all, "Unused (Brave)" from Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine, which sounds a bit like the song "Come Undone" by Duran Duran, as was pointed out in the full episode.


MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant favorite: Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine - Unused (Brave)
Another favorite: The Legend of the Mystical Ninja - Painting Panic!
Mighty good: Mighty Final Fight - Riverside (Round 2)


Track listing and original episode:

18 September 2024

LMH Mixtape #226: The Legend Of Kai

This mixtape comes out swinging with a face melting rock jam ("Omake 5") from Lightening Force that is undeniably pumped up.  That's followed up by a super jazzy track from 1943 Kai: Midway Kaisen by Tamayo Kawamoto which has a really cool and funky bass line. 

In Gabe's Corner, we got to hear "Spiritual Peaks (Street Race 8)" from Kat's Run: Zen Nihon K Car Senshuken, which is an absolute stand-out track that is super fun and catchy.  Check out the full episode to hear Brent freestyle lyrics from Sade's "Smooth Operator" over the top of this track.  It fits really well, and will definitely be stuck in your head afterwards.


MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant favorite: Kat's Run: Zen Nihon K Car Senshuken - Spiritual Peaks (Street Race 8) 
Another favorite: Shinseiki Odysselya II - Pruisen Castle
Rockin' favorite: Lightening Force: Quest for the Darkstar - Omake 5


Track listing and original episode:

11 September 2024

LMH Mixtape #225: Noise

The title of the episode may be "Noise," but this free play is filled with anything but.

We've got a lot of tracks from games that are new to the show, as well as some classic returning titles.  For example, somehow, Rob still manages to find another Lightening Force track that hadn't been played yet, and it packs all the punch you've come to expect from that soundtrack. 

We've also got another (legal at the time) track, "Jungle" from Nebs 'n Debs.  While that track would technically fall under the "Beyond 16-Bit" category now, it's still a really cool and catchy track, done in full 8-bit glory, running on original NES hardware.

"House in Fire Area" from Drakkhen is a very mellow track that can help you calm your mind and allow you to meditate for a moment.  Breathe... focus... block out all the "noise" surrounding you, and enjoy the musical journey of this mixtape.


MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant favorite: New 3D Golf Simulation: Waialae no Kiseki - Tournament Champion
Another favorite: Lightening Force: Quest for the Darkstar - Omake 3
No longer legal, but still a favorite: Nebs ’n Debs - Jungle


Track listing and original episode:

04 September 2024

Episode 276: Repetition

The theme of this episode is repetition.  While video game music from the third and fourth generation, generally speaking, is repetitious by nature (or format or whatever), in Episode 276, Brent, Rob, and Gabe share specific pieces that employ a deliberate use of repetition as a motivated compositional device.  Does that make sense?  Full track listing below.



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

Alien 3 - Matt Furniss - Stage One - Probe Entertainment/Arena - Genesis - 1992

Gunple: Gunman’s Proof - unknown - Wood Tower - Lenar/ASCII Entertainment - Super Famicom - 1997

Arrow Flash - Hanauri Musume - Stage 3-2 - ITL/Renovation - Genesis - 1990

Pulseman - Junichi Masuda - Voltage Algorithm - Game Freak - Mega Drive - 1994

Faceball 2000 - David Whittaker, Darren Stone (arr.) - Title Screen - Xanth Software/Riverhillsoft - Game Gear (Japan) - 1993

Zombie Nation - Norio Nakagata - Delusion (Round 3-2) - KAZe/Meldac - NES - 1991

Mini-Yonku Let's & Go!! Power WGP 2 - Masaru Tajima - Character Presentation - Jupiter Multimedia/Nintendo - Super Famicom - 1998

Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair - Shinichi Sakamoto - Name Entry - Aicom/Sega - Mega Drive - 1990

Alien Syndrome - Takashi Horiguchi (Fumi) - Title Screen - SIMS - Game Gear (Japan) - 1992

Power Drive - Kev Bruce - Placings - Rage Software/U.S. Gold - SNES (Europe) - 1995

Hurricanes - Andi McGinty (Andi) - Level BGM 1 (Lagoon, Jungle, Temple, Compound) - Arc Developments/U.S. Gold - Game Gear (Europe) - 1994

The Mahjong Touhaiden - Soushi Hosoi, Pirowo - Force of Tiger - Video System/Khaos - Super Famicom - 1993

Kat's Run: Zen Nihon K Car Senshuken - Yusuke Takahama, Satoshi Nagano, Michihiko Shichi - Menu Select - Atlus - Super Famicom - 1995

28 August 2024

LMH Mixtape #224: Beyond 16-Bit 6

It is time, once again, to break free of the third and fourth generation bonds, and venture forth into the land Beyond.  That's right, it's time for another Beyond 16-Bit episode.  Number six to be precise, and there's a lot of great music here to be enjoyed.  For example, golf games have always been a reliable source of great tracks, and that holds true in the "beyond" as well.  "Fujiyama Oriental Golf Club (Japan)" from Neo Turf Masters is a fantastically energetic and jazzy track with a splash of tropical flavor added in for good measure. 

Looking for something "beyond" yet still traditional sounding?  "World 2 (Platforming)" from Regular Show: Mordecai and Rigby in 8-Bit Land by the incomparable Jake Kaufman is a total banger, done in a classic 8-bit style.

How about some high octane "shoot them up" tracks?  Dimahoo and Sol-Feace bring all the fusion energy you'll need to complete your mission.

Additionally, you'll even find a couple tracks with vocals in this episode!  So, take a moment to enjoy this mixtape with its diverse selection of tracks that you wouldn't normally find in a traditional LMH episode.


MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant favorite: Under Defeat - Can’t Come Back? (Stage 1)
Another favorite: Shin Megami Tensei - Devas' Hall (Palace of the Four Heavenly Kings) 
So many favorites: Gunlord - End Credits
Too many favorites: Regular Show: Mordecai and Rigby in 8-Bit Land - World 2 (Platforming)


Track listing and original episode:

21 August 2024

LMH Mixtape #223: Quarantined

This marked the first episode to go completely remote as a safety precaution during the early COVID-19 lockdown.  Not even a pandemic could stop the boizz though, because there is still plenty of great VGM to share.  Speaking of which, this free play mixtape doesn't miss a beat.  To start off, "Staff Roll" from Umi Tsuri Meijin: Suzuki Hen is a chill and relaxing track that features the sound of rolling ocean waves.  But don't get too relaxed though, because following that is "Ice Cave (Stage 6)" from Dragon Saber, which despite being an ice level, this track totally brings the heat!

"Silent" from Alien Soldier is a cool yet creepy piece that makes great use of the Mega Drive's sound capabilities, which is no surprise since it is composed by the legendary Norio Hanzawa.  Finally, what good mixtape would be complete without some classic golf tracks from games like Bandai Golf: Challenge Pebble Beach and Lee Trevino's Fighting Golf.  So grab your headphones (or not), quarantine yourself, and dive deep into this mixtape.


MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant Favorite: Dragon Saber - Ice Cave (Stage 6)
Another Favorite: Alien Soldier - Silent
Favorite from the future: Doraemon 4: Nobita to Toki no Okoku - In the Future


Track listing and original episode:

14 August 2024

LMH Mixtape #222: You're Fired

This mixtape features all of the variety you've come to expect from a free play episode.  There's even a (legal at the time) modern NES track from the 2018 game Nebs 'n Debs which gets really funky and creative.  "Stage 1-2" from Alisia Dragoon makes great use of stereo sound with different elements bouncing back and forth between the left and right channels.  "Fired in the General Meeting 2" from Top Management II is the track that actually led to the theme of this episode.  Can you hear the exact "You're Fired" moment in this track?  You're at no risk of being fired though, because you're only job right now is to enjoy the music and you can easily handle such a task, can't you?


MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant Favorite: World Class Rugby - Main Theme
Another Favorite: Trinea - Shop
And another favorite: Alisia Dragoon - Stage 1-2


Track listing and original episode:

07 August 2024

Episode 275: Rock Music 3

What’s your favorite rock band?  You think they’ll sound anything like the tracks on this episode?  That’s right, the Legacy Music Hour is back at it with another rock music focus.  What even is rock music when you think about it, huh?  Full track listing below.



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

Battle Mania: Daiginjou - Fumito Tamayama, Yasuyuki Hamada, Yoko Suzuki, Shigenori Masuko - Blue Sky Laundry - Vic Tokai - Mega Drive - 1993

Jackal - Shinya Sakamoto, Atsushi Fujio - Final Boss - Konami - NES - 1988

Flying Hero: Bugyuru no Daibouken - Mitsuhito Tanaka - In the Toy House ~ Act 5 - Sting/Sofel - Super Famicom - 1992

Road Rash 3: Tour De Force - Don Veca - Title Screen - Electronic Arts - Genesis - 1995

The Great Battle V - Kennosuke Suemura, Norihiko Togashi - Caverns & Mines - Sun L/Banpresto - Super Famicom - 1995

Batman Returns - Shigemasa Matsuo (Otsumami-Matsuo), Takashi Tateishi (G5 Tateishi) - Stage 1: Gotham Plaza  - Konami - NES - 1993

Shin Nekketsu Kouha: Kunio Tachi no Banka - Kazunaka Yamane - Shinji's Hideout - Almanic/Technos - Super Famicom - 1994

After Burner II - Hiroshi Kawaguchi, Noriyuki Iwadare (arr.) - City 202 - Sega - Genesis - 1990

Mahjong Taikai II - unknown - Hercules - Koei - Super Famicom - 1994

Lethal Enforcers - Kenichiro Fukui - “Fight For Your Life” (Stage 3-2 and 5-1) - Konami - Genesis - 1993

Mega Man Soccer - Oka, Tomi, Norihiko Togashi (Noririn) - Dr. Wily - Capcom - SNES - 1994

Air Zonk - Daisuke Morishima, Matsukui - Stage 3: Rock’in Stadium - Red Company/Hudson Soft - TurboGrafx-16 - 1992

Shadowrun - Marshall Parker - The Cage - Beam Software/Data East - SNES - 1993

31 July 2024

LMH Mixtape #221: Conspiracy Connections

There's no conspiracy here.  The connection between Free Plays and killer mixtapes is undeniable.  You'll get a nice variety of systems and genres, such as "Dynamite Guy" from Line of Fire on the Sega Master System, alongside "Crossroad (Stage 1)" from Willow for the arcade. 

This episode featured one particularly intriguing track though: "Don't Stop the Jam! (Credits)" from Rejoice: Aretha Oukoku no Kanata.  This track, which clocks in at over six minutes, features a lot of interesting components, such as DJ scratches and even vocal samples from existing songs.  Check out the full episode to hear the boizz take the track into the isolation chamber to examine those samples in closer detail.


MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant Favorite: Rejoice: Aretha Oukoku no Kanata - Don't Stop the Jam! (Credits)
Another Favorite: Double Dragon III: The Sacred Stones - U.S.A. (Street)
"You are great!": Willow - Crossroad (Stage 1)


Track listing and original episode:

24 July 2024

LMH Mixtape #220: Movements

"Movements" became the theme of Episode 220 and there are a lot of different types of movements showcased here.  Sometimes a track has that "get up and get moving" energy like "Rainy City Night (Street Race 11)" from Kat's Run: Zen Nihon K Car Senshuken, which is great for a race or just cruising down the road.  "Title Theme" from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings: Volume 1 is a classical sounding piece of music that is calming and whimsical, as opposed to the slightly unnerving track "Opening" from Psycho Dream, which features some almost ghostly baby laughs.

Tracks like "Explosive Situation" from Final Fight 3, have both "explosive" energy musically and can also tell the story of an impending "movement" of the gastrointestinal type that may result in a different type of "Explosive Situation" (listen to the full episode to understand that reference). 

Capping off this mixtape is a track from The Great Battle V, which takes clear inspiration from Chrono Trigger.  While maybe not the most "original" sounding track, it is still an absolutely fantastic piece of music, and is very moving in its own right.


MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant Favorite: The Great Battle V - Mountain Path
Another Instant Favorite: Kat's Run: Zen Nihon K Car Senshuken - Rainy City Night (Street Race 11)
Has That Iconic Capcom Prog Rock/Jazz Fusion Sound: Final Fight 3 - Explosive Situation


Track listing and original episode:

17 July 2024

LMH Mixtape #219: Two

It's a classic free play episode, which means a nice variety of classic third and fourth gen tracks.  There are even a couple "modern" tracks in this playlist from Battle Kid and Micro Mages -modern releases that run on original NES hardware, so they were technically LMH legal at the time, but then later determined not legal at one point in the future.  Lullaby from Pac-Man 2 is a track that sounds a lot like the 1978 Disney recording of Peter and the Wolf. 

"Title" from Lord Monarch features some fantastically smooth bass guitar that shows off the strengths of the Super Famicom's sound capabilities, while "Opening" from NHK Taiga Drama: Taiheiki has a great raw and crunchy bass sound, which highlights the strength of the Sega Genesis.  Whatever you're looking for, this mixtape has something for everyone.


MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant Favorite: Lord Monarch - Title
Classic 80's credits music: World Class Rugby - Staff Roll
Love those Super Famicom strings: Lupin III: Densetsu no Hihou o Oe! - Happiness


Track listing and original episode:

10 July 2024

LMH Mixtape #218: Puzzle Games 3

Episode 218 was the third focus on Puzzle Games, and features some real bangers.  "Warrior's Relaxation" from Shi Kin Jou is a totally 80's track reminiscent of groups like Erasure.  "Sticker" from Puyo Puyo is a super fun piece that you can't help but sing along to VGM Karaoke style.  In fact, in the full episode, Keyglyph, who is no stranger to VGM Karaoke, joined the boizz live in the studio bringing gifts and good conversation.  So be sure to check that full episode out if you haven't already.


MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant Favorite: Puyo Puyo - Sticker
This track has got it going on and it's got that swing!: Soldam - VS Mode
80's to the max: Shi Kin Jou - Warrior's Relaxation


Track listing and original episode:

03 July 2024

Episode 274: The Big Wave

This is another free play and the boizz talk about movies a bit.  There's also this audio issue that happens at one point, so watch out for the big wave.  Other than that, it's the usual good video game music selections from the third and fourth generation that you might expect.  Full track listing below.



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

New 3D Golf Simulation: Waialae no Kiseki - Yumi Satake (Yumi Kinoshita), Shunsuke Minomiya, Shigekazu Kamaki, Hiroshi Morita, Yusaburo Shimojyo, Akira Tamada - Hole Overview - T&E Soft - Mega Drive - 1994

Super Adventure Island - Yuzo Koshiro - The Island of Everlasting Summer (Round 2-1 and 2-2) - Produce/Hudson Soft - SNES - 1992

Insector X - unknown - Party In Their Nest (Round 5: Their Empire) - Hot-B (dev.)/Sage Creations (pub.)/Taito (licensed by) - Genesis - 1990

Gley Lancer - Masanori Hikichi, Noriyuki Iwadare, Yoshiaki Kubotera, Isao Mizoguchi - Stage 11 (Rescue Success) - NCS - Mega Drive - 1992

Gley Lancer - Masanori Hikichi, Noriyuki Iwadare, Yoshiaki Kubotera, Isao Mizoguchi - Stage 5/Story Demo 2 - NCS - Mega Drive - 1992

Shadow of the Ninja - Iku Mizutani, Kouichi Yamanishi - Stage 4 - Natsume - NES - 1990

Super Chase H.Q. - Yasuhisa Watanabe, Naoto Yagishita, Kennosuke Suemura (Adon Suemura), Jag - Round 3 - Taito - SNES - 1993

SimCity - Soyo Oka - Capital - Nintendo - NES - 1991 (unreleased)

A Nightmare on Elm Street - David Wise - House 3 - Rare/LJN - NES - 1990

The Legendary Axe - Jun Chikuma (Atsushi Chikuma), Toshiaki Takimoto - Zone 5 - Victor Interactive Software - TurboGrafx-16 - 1989

Gdleen - Psychosonic, You Ohyama, Toshimichi Isoe, Masakazu Anai, Hitoshi Sakimoto (comp., arr.), Tenpei Sato (arr.), Naoto Niida (arr.) - Curtia - Jorudan/Seta - Super Famicom - 1991

Pachi-Slot World Cup '94 - unknown - Space Wars - I'Max - Game Boy (Japan) - 1994

Uchuu Keibitai SDF - Hideki Kanazashi (Zap Rodeo), Jun Ishikawa - Unused (BGM 11) - HAL Laboratory - Famicom - 1990

26 June 2024

LMH Mixtape #217: Best Of Year In Review 8

It's time once again to celebrate another year of the Legacy Music Hour.  This is the 8th "Best Of Year In Review" episode where Brent and Rob play their top 10 (third and fourth gen) tracks that they discovered over the course of the year.  In addition, Gabe's Corner has been added to the countdown this time around, showcasing Gabe's top 3 tracks.

19 June 2024

LMH Mixtape #216: Beyond 16-Bit 5

Every once in a while the boizz venture outside the realm of the 3rd and 4th generation, and go Beyond 16-Bit.  This marks the fifth time exploring this topic, and the LMH crew have a lot of great tunes to share with you in this episode.  While these are all "beyond" tracks, you would be forgiven for mistaking some of these for 3rd or 4th generation tracks.  The first track of this mixtape is a perfect example of this, with an 8-bit tune from the Menu of the NES Classic.  There's a lot of great modern retro style VGM composers in this mix like Jake Kaufman, Toby Fox, and Eric W. Brown, but there's also classic greats like Tomoya Tomita with "Frosty Wheel" from Kirby's Epic Yarn.  Finally, this mixtape caps off with an absolute banger, "One Night In Neo Kobe City" from the Sega CD game Snatcher, which features some killer saxophone!  So grab your headphones and join us in this journey beyond.


MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant Favorite: Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow - Dracula's Tears 
Favoriting Start!: Undertale - Dating Start!
Another Favorite: Regular Show: Mordecai and Rigby in 8-Bit Land - World 1 (Space Shooter)
And Yet Another Favorite: The Messenger - Bamboo Boogaloo (Bamboo Creek) (Past)


Track listing and original episode:

12 June 2024

LMH Mixtape #215: Role-Playing Games 3

You wake up in your peaceful village, where warm inviting music is playing in the background.  You meet up with some of your friends for a day of celebration, but suddenly the town is attacked by a dark force (queue ominous music).  You and your companions set out to save the world from this darkness.  You venture forth into the world (inspiring traveling music plays).  Suddenly, your party is attacked by a random monster, and intense battle music begins playing!  You win the battle and are greeted with triumphant music celebrating your victory. 

This is just the first small step on what will become an incredible and epic journey.  What other wonderful music will you encounter along the way?  I wonder what's in that cave up ahead?  Only one way to find out, and that is to dive right into this role-playing game focused mixtape.  This is the third (sort of fourth) RPG focus for LMH, and there is no shortage of amazing music to enjoy.  Grab your sword and headphones, and prepare to set forth on this musical odyssey!


MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant Favorite: Last Bible III - Sky Wing
Another Favorite: Albert Odyssey 2: Jashin no Taidou - Straying off in the Depth
Melancholic, but also Beautiful: Mystic Ark - Threads of Memories
Dark, yet Playful: Dark Kingdom - Town


Track listing and original episode:

05 June 2024

Episode 273: Beyond 16-Bit 10

Another beyond fourth generation episode.  You know how it goes by now, right?  Note: Rob does play a piece at one point that turned out to be a music library track, so... illegal, that one was.  The boizz also talk about trilogies.  Full track listing below.



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

Mystic Warriors: Wrath of the Ninjas - Mr. Inoue - Great Airforce (Stage 7 BGM 2) - Konami - arcade - 1993

Jim Power - Chris Hülsbeck - Title - Loriciels/Micro World - PC Engine CD-ROM² - 1993

Regular Show: Mordecai and Rigby in 8-Bit Land - Jake Kaufman - Credits - WayForward/D3Publisher - Nintendo 3DS - 2013

Super Monkey Ball - Hidenori Shoji, Haruyoshi Tomita, Sakae Osumi - Monkey Billiards - Amusement Vision/Sega - GameCube - 2001

Everhood - KM_EXP - Reconciliation (excerpt) - Foreign Gnomes - Nintendo Switch - 2021

Neo Turf Masters - Takushi Hiyamuta (Hiya) - Blue Lagoon Golf Course (Australia) - Nazca/SNK - Neo Geo - 1996

Metal Slug - Takushi Hiyamuta (Hiya!) - Stage 2 - Nazca/SNK - Neo Geo - 1996

Pebble Beach Golf Links - Yumi Satake (Yumi Kinoshita) - Settings - T&E Soft - Sega Saturn - 1995

Cyber Shadow - Enrique Martin (Pentadrangle) - Mekacity Docks (Chapter 4) - Mechanical Head Studios/Yacht Club Games - Xbox One - 2021

Border Down - Yasuhisa Watanabe (Yack) - Why do you come back? (Ending A) - G.Rev - Dreamcast - 2003

Wario Land: Shake It! - Tomoya Tomita - Ropey Jungle - Good-Feel/Nintendo - Wii - 2008

Jack Nicklaus Turbo Golf - Dwight Mikkelsen - Unused (Hollywood) - Sculptured Software/Accolade - TurboGrafx-CD - 1992

OverTop - Keiichiro Segawa - Music Of The Wind (BGM 4) - ADK/SNK - Neo Geo - 1996

29 May 2024

LMH Mixtape #214: Virgin

This mixtape has a lot to offer, starting with a classic high-energy shoot-them-up track from the arcade game Saint Dragon.  "Be Your Age! (Area 3)" from Viewpoint is playful and quirky while also being really catchy.  That is followed immediately by "Altar of Dreams" from Hani in the Sky which features an instrument that sounds a lot like an office telephone ringing, yet somehow fits really well within the track!  "Training Boss 1-1: Trol (IZ-HD310)" from Heavy Nova features a baseline that is very reminiscent of the track "Lower Brinstar" from Super Metroid. 

From arcade to PC Engine to Satellaview, this mix has a bit of everything.  Finally, if this is your first time hearing any of these tracks, then your Virgin ears are in for a treat!


MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant Favorite: Battle Tycoon: Flash Hiders SFX - Map
Another Favorite: Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master - Idaten
Relaxing yet eerie: BS-X: Sore wa Namae o Nusumareta Machi no Monogatari - Naming Screen


Track listing and original episode:

22 May 2024

LMH Mixtape #213: Sports 5

Grab your favorite jersey, because the LMH boizz are back again for the fifth installment of the topic that keeps on giving... Sports!  Even if you're not a sports fan, LMH users can tell you that a sports focused episode means one thing: really great music.  For example, "Main BGM" from Konami Hyper Soccer is an absolute jam, but due to its limited release as a European exclusive, many may have missed it.  Luckily the LMH crew are pros at digging up these hidden gems.  Of course no sports episode would be complete without a track from the fan-favorite, Pebble Beach Golf Links.  So get pumped, because it's game time!


MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant Favorite: Konami Hyper Soccer - Main BGM
Energetic Favorite: AWS Pro Moves Soccer - Menu Theme
Classic 80's Famicom VGM: Exciting Boxing - gameplay


Track listing and original episode:

15 May 2024

LMH Mixtape #212: Kindergarten Graduation

This mixtape hits hard right out of the gate with an energetic track from Battle Mania: Daiginjou, followed immediately by a super cool track from Mario no Super Picross which features some iconic Mario-style percussion.  It doesn't stop there though.  The track "Un Caillou Ricochet (Area 2)" from Viewpoint showcases a solo that can only be described as "going off.”  All that and so much more in this free play.


MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant Favorite: Human Grand Prix IV: F1 Dream Battle - World Champion
Another Favorite: Mario no Super Picross - Mario Puzzle 4
Most Energetic: Battle Mania: Daiginjou - Twilight Express


Track listing and original episode:

08 May 2024

LMH Mixtape #211: Breaking Up

While there may have been some technical difficulties during the full episode, that didn't prevent the boizz from delivering a solid setlist for this free play. You'll find some classic style video game music from Rambo: First Blood Part II for the Sega Master System and Adventure Island II for the NES.  Looking for something less conventional?  Check out Blue Sea of Changing Daytime from Cho Aniki: Bakuretsu Rantou Hen, which gets pretty creative with it's instrumentation, making use of some unique samples, resulting in a really fun and catchy track.


MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant Favorite: Slap Fight MD - Hishou (Flight)
Another Favorite (and another slap): Aa Harimanada - Young Noble's Slap
Creatively Unconventional: Cho Aniki: Bakuretsu Rantou Hen - Blue Sea of Changing Daytime


Track listing and original episode:

01 May 2024

Episode 272: Jazz Music 3

This month, The Legacy Music Hour returns to a topic last explored twelve years ago, Jazz Music.   All the tracks featured here are third and fourth generation game music examples of jazz (and in one case, jazz-ish) pieces.  Some pretty sophisticated stuff!  Full track listing below.



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

Dynamite Dux - Hiroshi Kawaguchi - Stage 4: Chicago (DUX In Darkness) Sega -arcade (Japan) - 1988

Gokinjo Boukentai - Akihiko Mori - Battle - ITL/Pioneer LDC - Super Famicom - 1996

Sonic Boom -  Katsuhiro Hayashi - Stage 3, 5 - Sega - arcade (Japan) - 1987

Sailor Moon S: Kondo wa Puzzle de Oshioki yo! - Harumi Fujita - Original Game - Tom Create/Bandai - Super Famicom - 1994

Pu-Li-Ru-La - Kazuko Umino (Karu) - BGM 1, Zac & Mel's Town - Taito - arcade (Japan) - 1991

Sadakichi Seven: Hideyoshi no Ougon - Daisuke Inoue - Main Theme (Day) - Sofix/Hudson Soft - PC Engine - 1988

Super Chase H.Q. - Yasuhisa Watanabe (comp., arr.), Naoto Yagishita (arr.), Kennosuke Suemura (Adon Suemura) (arr.), Jag (arr.) - Lover’s (Unused) - Taito - SNES - 1993

The Jetsons: Invasion of the Planet Pirates - Hideki Takahagi - Stage 3 - Sting/Taito - SNES - 1994

Party Quiz Mega Q - Hirofumi Murasaki - Swing! MQ! - Minato Giken/Sega - Mega Drive - 1993

Leading Company - Mark Soskin (comp., improvised solo 1), Chuck Loeb (improvised solo 2) - The Door To September - Koei - Super Famicom - 1993

Janou Touryuumon - Mecano Associates - BGM 3 - Game Arts - Mega Drive - 1993

Mini-Yonku Let's & Go!! Power WGP 2 - Masaru Tajima - Racing - Jupiter Multimedia/Nintendo - Super Famicom - 1998

King of Casino - Hiroshi Suzuki - Music No. 4 (Inside Casino) - NEC - TurboGrafx-16 - 1990

24 April 2024

LMH Mixtape #210: Beyond 16-Bit 4

It's time once again to explore outside the world of third and fourth generation video game music to a land beyond 16-bit.  You might think that some of these tracks were actually from the third or fourth generation, with how well some modern composers have been able to re-create that style.  A prime example of that would be the fantastic Shovel Knight soundtrack by Jake Kaufman.  Other composers like Toby Fox blend vintage and modern styles to create a "best of both worlds" sound.  Of course a Beyond 16-Bit episode wouldn't be complete without some great CD era tracks like Rusty Ruin Zone Act 1 from Sonic 3D Blast which sounds like it would fit right in on a new age album by groups like Enigma or Delerium.  This mixtape clocks in at a little over an hour in length, so there's a lot to explore in this land beyond... time?


MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant Favorite ("We're saving our own lives"): Pilotwings Resort - Glider
Another Instant Favorite: Sonic 3D Blast - Rusty Ruin Zone Act 1
Beautifully hypnotizing: Celeste - First Steps
Too many favorites to choose from: The Messenger - Into The Depths (Catacombs) (Past)


Track listing and original episode:

17 April 2024

LMH Mixtape #209: Creed II

We've got another free play full of bangers for your listening pleasure.  Looking to relax?  "Chillin'" from Side Pocket is a perfectly apt name for that track, with its tropical flavor and laid back tone.  Don't get too comfortable though, because you may be called upon to save the world with some pumped up tracks like "Outside The Base" from The Cyber Shinobi and "Hotel Dada" from The Great Battle V.  And to cap off this mixtape is a great track by Soyo Oka titled "Megalopolis" from the unreleased SimCity for the NES!


MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant Favorite: The Great Battle V - Hotel Dada
Another Favorite: The Cyber Shinobi - Outside The Base
Unreleased but not unappreciated: SimCity - Megalopolis


Track listing and original episode:

10 April 2024

LMH Mixtape #208: Ending Music 3

The boizz celebrated the start of a new year with a focus on ending music.  This is the third focus of its kind, and as you'll hear, there's no shortage of supply for great ending tracks, tracks that really shape the mood and tone of the conclusion of a game and this case, a whole range of expressions.  There's a great bluesy track from Darkwing Duck, a cool jazzy number from Viewpoint, a fully-pumped and triumphant piece from Gley Lancer, and you guessed it, so much more.  You've battled through all the levels, defeated the final boss, and so, now it's time to relax and receive your reward.


MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant Favorite: Darkwing Duck - Ending
Another Favorite: Bells & Whistles - The Day Peace Returns to Planet Mel (Ending)
Favorite track that sounds a lot like Army Dreamers: Ordyne - Ending


Track listing and original episode:

03 April 2024

Episode 271: Shooters

Not to be confused with "Flying and Shooting," the topic of this episode is Shooters.  So not just shoot-them-up games, but any game with some sort of shooting.  Shooting of a gun, shooting of a camera, shooting of balls in a panchinko machine, whatever.  Brent gets a little delirious on this one, by the way.  Full track listing below.



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

Super Bonk - Masaaki Nishizawa, Keiji Ueki, Kennosuke Suemura - Shoot the Smiley! - Red/Hudson - SNES - 1994

Winning Shot - unknown - Day 3 - Data East - PC Engine - 1989

Dragon Ball Z: Hyper Dimension - Takano, Nakajima, Tonkupon, Chatrita - Landbase (Decisive Battle) - TOSE/Bandai - Super Famicom - 1996

Eliminate Down - Tatsuya Matsumoto - Round 4-1 - Aprinet/Soft Vision International - Mega Drive - 1993

International Superstar Soccer Deluxe - Hideyuki Eto, Harumi Ueko, Tomoya Tomita - Staff Roll - Konami - SNES - 1995

Double Dribble: 5 on 5 - Tsuyoshi Sekito - Team/Settings Select - Konami - Game Boy - 1991

Gley Lancer - Masanori Hikichi, Noriyuki Iwadare, Yoshiaki Kubotera, Isao Mizoguchi - Stage 11 (Rescue Failure) - NCS - Mega Drive - 1992

Nice de Shot - Toshiyuki Takine - Classic Course - Magical Company/ASK Kodansha - Super Famicom - 1994

Pachinko Kuunyan - H. Suzuki - Pachinko Chamomile and Tieguanyin Center - I.S.C./Soft Vision International - Mega Drive - 1992

Trouble Shooter - Fumito Tamayama, Yasuyuki Hamada, Youko Suzuki, Shigenori Masuko - Stage 4 - Vic Tokai - Genesis - 1991

Axelay - Taro Kudou - Mother - Konami - SNES - 1992

Aoki Densetsu Shoot! - Kennosuke Suemura - Title - Affect/KSS - Super Famicom - 1994

Bionic Commando - Harumi Fujita, Junko Tamiya (arr.) - Albatross Munitions Base - Capcom - NES - 1988