LMH Mixtape #238: The Villain Pac-Man

Lot's of good stuff in this mixtape, so let's jump right in.  Game BGM 1 from Hat Trick Hero 2 for the Super Famicom is a straight-up jam with some terrific prominent bass guitar laying down some funky riffs.  Against all odds, Rob still manages to keep finding Lightening Force tracks that have yet to be played on the show and Omake 2 is a great example of how that soundtrack is full of bangers.  Ending from Pac-Attack is a jaunty little track, especially for a game about a VILLAIN (listen to the full episode for context).  Speaking of soundtracks that are packed with top-tier tunes, Paradigm (Stage 4) is everything you expect a track to be from none other than Gimmick!  All that and so much more in this mixtape, so let the waves of VGM happiness wash over you.

Download and listen NOW

MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant favorite: Gimmick! - Paradigm (Stage 4)

Another favorite: Lightening Force: Quest for the Darkstar - Omake 2

So good it's a shame it was unreleased: Secret Ties - Stage 2: The Palace of Zan

Track listing and original episode:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2021/07/episode-238-villain-pac-man.html

LMH Mixtape #237: Mighty Legacy Music Rangers

It's Morphin' Time for the Legacy Music Hour!  We're starting this free play mixtape off strong with a track from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (the SNES game, not the actual movie).  While this episode is in fact a free play, Rob's picks were mostly focused on golf games, starting with "BGM 1" from Arnold Palmer Tournament Golf.  In fact, there is a lot of Soldam good music in this mixtape.  Such as "Searching for a Doubtful Truth (Soldam Mode 2)" from the arcade game Soldam or "Seatown" from Kira Kira Star Night DX.  Hop in your favorite Zord of choice and crank these tunes up while you save the world from overgrown monsters.

Download and listen NOW

MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant favorite: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie - Main Frame Centre

Another favorite: Soldam - Searching for a Doubtful Truth (Soldam Mode 2)

No longer legal favorite: Kira Kira Star Night DX - Seatown

Track listing and original episode:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2021/06/episode-237-mighty-legacy-music-rangers.html

LMH Mixtape #236: Beyond 16-Bit 7

Time to slap some beyond meat on the grill and cook up a sizzling mixtape.  That's right, it's time for another Beyond 16-Bit episode where the boizz get to share tracks that wouldn't normally be LMH legal.  Starting things off is a beautiful and haunting gothic piece from Alice: Madness Returns.  Following that is "Robot Factory (Chapter 6)" from the incredibly bonk soundtrack from Cyber Shadow.  "Autumn's Rise" from CrossCode is a very relaxing smooth jazz jam.  "Minnie's Theme/Versus Minnie" from Magical Tetris Challenge is also jazzy, but with a little more pep in its step.  And of course, an infectious track that almost needs no introduction, "Let’s Go Away" from (say it with me)...Daytonaaaaaaaaaaaaaa USA.

Download and listen NOW

MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant favorite: Cyber Shadow - Robot Factory (Chapter 6)

Another instant favorite: Cyber Shadow - Mekacity Ruins (Chapter 3)

Another another instant favorite: CrossCode - Autumn's Rise

Guaranteed to be stuck in your head: Daytona USA - Let’s Go Away

Track listing and original episode:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2021/05/episode-236-beyond-16-bit-7.html

Episode 279: Anything Goes

This is a very unusual episode.  For this one time only, any electronic game music from any era and any device or platform is eligible to be shared.  So you might hear some modern computer game music or some modern pinball machine music or a regular NES track or who knows?  Take a listen and find out (or just look at the track listing).  Full track listing below.

Download and listen NOW

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

Voidrun - Enrique Martin (Pentadrangle) - Omessah - Benjamin Soulé - PC - 2019

Shinobi - Tatsuyuki Maeda - Transfiguration - Overworks/Sega - PlayStation 2 - 2002

Doodle Champion Island Games - Qumu - Overworld - Google/Studio 4°C - web browser - 2021

Bakuten Shoot Beyblade - unknown - Battle - Rokumendo/Broccoli - Game Boy Color - 2001

UFO 50 - Eirik Suhrke - Pilot Quest: Wild Zone - Mossmouth - PC - 2024

Zed Blade - Manabu Namiki (Santaruru) - Universe Blue (Stage 2, 5) - NMK/SNK - arcade - 1994

Power Dolls 2 Dash - Hiroto Saito, Kayoko Maeda - Calling Me (Title) - Kogado Studio - PC-98 - 1995

Grindstone - Sam Webster - Backpack - Capybara Games - Nintendo Switch - 2020

Wheel of Fortune Elegant Emeralds - unknown - Base Game - IGT - slot machine - 2022

Two Shot Diary - Hiroaki Sano (HUMI), Akio Kawai - Yuko Oka 1 - Mink - PC-98 - 1994

Sugar Rush 1000 - Makro Mikro - “Good Sugar” (Base Game) - Pragmatic Play - web browser - 2024

Super Monkey Ball 2 - Hidenori Shoji, Haruyoshi Tomita - Monkey Billiards 2 - Amusement Vision/Sega - GameCube - 2002

Team Innocent: The Point of No Return - Kenji Kawai - Saki - Hudson Soft - PC-FX - 1994

LMH Mixtape #235: The Saga Of DJ Baby T-Rex

Radical!  Bodacious!  Excellent!  Legendary!  Those are just some ways of describing this mixtape.  If you haven't figured it out already, this mixtape features the unused Baby T-Rex rap from the prototype game that would later go on to be reworked as Radical Rex, but before that there was the real cool, real cool Baby T-Rex.  Of course there is more than just that in this mixtape.  There's also another one of those legal-at-the-time tracks "Off to a Green Start! (The Hills)" from Twin Dragons, which is kinda reminiscent of the later release Mega Man games on the NES.  Speaking of late release NES games, we've also got "The End" from Panic Restaurant with its funky percussion and infectious melody.  Additionally, there's some classic VGM with "Level B & E" from Cyborg Hunter for the Sega Master System.  This mixtape caps off with a totally bonk Game Boy jam from Tetris Plus.  So how about dress up in your most excellent 90's gear while you listen to this one, huh?  It's a real cool, real cool baby mixtape.

Download and listen NOW

MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant favorite: Twin Dragons - Off to a Green Start! (The Hills)

Another favorite: Astro Ninja Man - Staff Roll

And one more favorite: Tetris Plus - Staff Roll

Track listing and original episode:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2021/04/episode-235-saga-of-dj-baby-t-rex.html

LMH Mixtape #234: De Niro

You listenin' to me?  Are you listenin' to ME?  I don't see any other mixtapes around, so you must be listenin' to me.  And it's a good thing you are, because we've got another absolutely stacked episode for your listening pleasure.  "Pokey Step" from the 2016 Famicom release: Kira Kira Star Night DX (another legal at the time track) is a really fun and cheerful track to put some pep in your Pokey Step.  Following that is "Title Theme" from Pac-Attack on the Genesis.  In the full episode this track led to much debate over which version was better, the SNES or Genesis version.  Do you have a preference?  

Next up is another incredible Super Famicom hidden gem track: "Bright Forest" from Gegege no Kitarou: Fukkatsu! Tenma Daiou.  These are just to name a few of the jams in store for you.  So sit back, pop on some headphones, practice your De Niro impression and enjoy some fantastic tunes.

Download and listen NOW

MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant favorite: Gegege no Kitarou: Fukkatsu! Tenma Daiou - Bright Forest

Another instant favorite: Kat's Run: Zen Nihon K Car Senshuken - City Night (Street Race 10)

Most likely to have glow sticks: Choujikuu Yousai Macross: Scrambled Valkyrie - Water Factory (“Dirty Rave”)

This track has a special remix: Pac-Attack - Title Theme*

*Brent created a mix of the Pac-Attack track using the best elements of both the Genesis and SNES versions, which you can hear here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tGX7feSimQ

Track listing and original episode:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2021/03/episode-234-de-niro.html

LMH Mixtape #233: Missing Signals

Make sure you don't miss this mixtape since there's a lot of cool stuff to check out.  For example, there's a track from the unreleased SNES game Socks the Cat Rocks the Hill that features some really fun and funky bass.  There's an absolute slapper from Pop'n TwinBee that exudes that amazing Konami shoot-them-up energy.  After that is another one of those "legal at the time" tracks from Astro Ninja Man, which was a 2020 Famicom release!  There's also a great track from Kat's Run: Zen Nihon K Car Senshuken which features some creative instrumentation (is someone going to answer that phone?).  I'm sending you a signal now... "Pop on this mixtape and appreciate some excellent tunes!"

Download and listen NOW

MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant favorite: Pop'n TwinBee - Mechanical World

Another instant favorite: Astro Ninja Man - Stage 1

Classic all time great: Kat's Run: Zen Nihon K Car Senshuken - Unused 4

Track listing and original episode:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2021/02/episode-233-missing-signals.html

LMH Mixtape #232: Through The Years

The LMH crew kicked off 2021 with a classic free play episode.  As always, there's a great mix of systems and styles to love.  "Stage 1: Evil Forest" from the late-release Famicom game Moon Crystal is a really great, mysterious-sounding, sci-fi track composed by Tsukasa Tawada.  The Mega Drive gets to shine with "Main BGM 3 (Floors 11 and 12)" from Madou Monogatari I.  This track features some really excellent use of stereo panning (listen on headphones for the best experience).  "Sector 2" from Power Blade is a top tier NES track, but that's no surprise since it was written by famed Castlevania composer Kinuyo Yamashita!  And finally, this mixtape closes out with a classic beloved track by Takashi Tateishi: "Flash Man" from Mega Man 2.  All this and more in today's mixtape, so go ahead and kick off 2021 (again) with some great VGM!

Download and listen NOW

MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant favorite: Madou Monogatari I - Main BGM 3 (Floors 11 and 12)

Another instant favorite: Power Blade - Sector 2

Classic all time great: Mega Man 2 - Flash Man

Track listing and original episode:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2021/01/episode-232-through-years.html

LMH Mixtape #231: An 80's Christmas

Like Christmas morning in the 80's, we've got lots of third and fourth generation gifts for your listening pleasure.  "Ending" from Ranger X is a totally cool track with great stereo effects and classic 80's synth.  We slow things down with "Ending Theme" from Kiss Shot, which is a sultry jam, perfect for a smoky lounge.  We then kick things back into high gear with "Rock and Roll Boss (Stage 2 Boss)" from TwinBee 3: Poko Poko Dai Maou, which is a rockin' Konami tune that almost has a surfing feeling to it.  Capping off this mixtape is "Flower Garden (Dream 2)" from Little Nemo: The Dream Master by none other than longtime LMH favorite Junko Tamiya!  Those are just a few of the totally tubular 80's tracks for your enjoyment in this mixtape.

Download and listen NOW

MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant favorite: Ranger X - Ending

Most motivating: Elemental Master - Blood-Stained Lake (Stage 4)

Most fun: TwinBee 3: Poko Poko Dai Maou - Rock and Roll Boss (Stage 2 Boss)

Track listing and original episode:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2020/11/episode-231-80s-christmas.html

LMH Mixtape #230: Reading Rainbow

It's the start of a new LMH year, and with that comes the potential for all new tenners for your listening pleasure.

In this episode we get some fantastic tracks.  "Mr. X" from Mega Man 6 shows how Capcom was still putting out bangers on the NES, even for the late releases of the console's lifespan.  We also hear from a Mega Drive Meganet game with the track "Nineball Game" from Kiss Shot, which really captures that smooth jazzy atmosphere of a pool hall.  "Stage 6" from the shoot-them-up game Aldynes: The Mission Code for Rage Crisis is the perfect track for when you're deep within enemy territory on a mission to save the galaxy.  Princess Tomato in the Salad Kingdom closes out the set with the regal-sounding, adventuresome track "Peanut Village/Carrot Plateau (Level 6)."  There's a lot of great variety in this mixtape, so pop some 'phones on your 'drums and enjoy!

Download and listen NOW

MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant favorite:  Mega Man 6 - Mr. X

Another favorite:  Gradius II - Heavy Blow (Stage 3a)

Yet another favorite:  Aldynes: The Mission Code for Rage Crisis - Stage 6

Track listing and original episode:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2020/11/episode-230-reading-rainbow.html

LMH Mixtape #229: Best Of Year In Review 9

Get your "tenners" ready, because it's time for the Best Of Year In Review (number nine)!  Reaching the end of this episode marks the ten year point for the show, so you're probably already familiar with how this works by this point.  If not, here's a quick rundown: Brent and Rob alternate, counting down their top ten tracks that they discovered within the previous year.  This time Gabe has been added to the mix, providing his top three tracks.  Additionally, if there are any overlapping picks, that track will be simply be played again (or potentially three times if Brent, Rob and Gabe all pick the same track).

Download and listen NOW

MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Sorry, no spoilers for Best Of episodes.

Track listing and original episode:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2020/10/episode-229-best-of-year-in-review-9.html

Episode 278: Best Of Year In Review 13

Once again, it's that time when Brent and Rob and Gabe count down their favorite tracks of the last eleven episodes or so.  Lots of great tracks this year, so you better believe this episode is mmm poppin' from start to finish.  See you at the sushi bar.  Partial track listing below.

Download and listen NOW

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

Surprise Attack - Miki Higashino (Pretty Miki-Chang), Hidenori Maezawa (Michael Maezawa), Yoshinori Sasaki (Moai Sasaki), Kozo Nakamura (La Nakamur) - Return to Terra (Ending) - Konami - arcade (Japan) - 1990

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.

Download and listen NOW

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:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2020/09/episode-228-man-to-woman.html

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.

Download and listen NOW

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

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.

Download and listen NOW

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:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2020/08/episode-227-youthful-hair.html

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.

Download and listen NOW

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:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2020/07/episode-226-legend-of-kai.html

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.

Download and listen NOW

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:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2020/06/episode-225-noise.html

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.

Download and listen NOW

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

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.

Download and listen NOW

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:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2020/05/episode-224-beyond-16-bit-6.html

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.

Download and listen NOW

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:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2020/04/episode-223-quarantined.html

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?

Download and listen NOW

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:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2020/03/episode-222-youre-fired.html

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.

Download and listen NOW

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

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.

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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:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2020/02/episode-221-conspiracy-connections.html

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.

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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:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2020/01/episode-220-movements.html

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.

Download and listen NOW

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:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2019/12/episode-219-two.html

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.

Download and listen NOW

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:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2019/11/episode-218-puzzle-games-3.html

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.

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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

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.

Download and listen NOW

Partial track listing and original episode:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2019/10/episode-217-best-of-year-in-review-8.html

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.

Download and listen NOW

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:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2019/09/episode-216-beyond-16-bit-5.html

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!

Download and listen NOW

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:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2019/08/episode-215-role-playing-games-3.html

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.

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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