Best Original Soundtrack and Arranged Album of 2006 Discussion

Top original soundtrack releases:

1) Shin Sangokumusou Original Sound Track Ultimate Box
As a major MASA fan, seeing this on the release calendar at the beginning of '06 threw me for a loop. This box set is a Dynasty Warrior music fans dream. And with the soundtrack to Shin Sangokumusou BB coming out in a couple days, I'm expecting even more DW goodness to close out the year.

2) Carnage Heart Portable Original Sound Track
SuperSweep has had a really good 2006, so good in-fact, that this album might have flown under the radar for a lot of people. Regardless, Ryuuji Nishida and Yousuke Yasui do a killer job on this score. Those who have passed it over are really missing a treat.


The Fukasawa Factor

Hideyuki Fukasawa hadn't worked on anything since 2003's Chaos Legion, then he breaks out and works on two gems in '06.

3) Shin Onimusha Dawn of Dreams Special Pack Original Soundtrack
Best Onimusha to date, in my opinion. Combining Fukasawa's rocking style with Jamie Christopherson's orchestral work, this 3-disc release of the soundtrack delivers on all fronts.

4) Mobile Suit Gundam Target in Sight Original Soundtrack
While Fukasawa didn't work as a composer on this soundtrack, but an arranger, his imprint on this album is still evident. I'm hearing that the actual game is horrible but the soundtrack has an orchestral score, with a lot of Fukasawa's familiar guitar influences, that blows my mind.


5) Ace Combat Zero The Belkan War Original Soundtrack
No, it's not the monster that Unsung War was, but the impact still hits nearly just as hard. "ZERO" might not be a "Megalith" or "Unsung War" in it's approach, however, it is in it's delivery. Team Namco always comes through musically when it comes to this series. Without question.

6) Raiden III Perfect Soundtrack
These Insanity DVD releases are quite expensive, but this one in particular is well worth the price of admission. Go Sato!!!


Hosoe Heaven

7) Ibara Original Soundtrack
8) Under Defeat -Sound Tracks-
Shinji Hosoe continues to impress me, simple as that. Dragon God already hit the nail with these two. I don't really have anything else to add.


Kreative Koreans

9) TalesWeaver Original Soundtrack
10) Yogurting Original Soundtrack
11) Granado Espada Soundtrack CD
Slowly but surely, these Korean composers are making a huge name for themselves. All 3 albums have a little bit of everything and are all worth listening to. Nauts, Jang, Sung-woon and SoundTeMP... keep 'em comin'!


-- Honorable Mentions --

>> Front Mission 5 ~Scars of the War~ Original Soundtrack
>> PRINCESS WALTZ Original Sound Track
>> Lost Technology Plus
>> Genso Suikoden V Original Soundtrack
>> Okami Original Soundtrack
>> Radiry Original Soundtrack


Top arrange album releases:

1) Rockman ZX Soundtrack -ZX TUNES-
No album this year has gotten more play on my computer or CD player than this one. The III sound staff delivers time and time again, and this is no exception.

2) Gyakuten Saiban Orchestra Album ~Gyakuten Saiban Meets Orchestra~
Oh my, I can't explain how much I love this album. Iwadare's work on arrange albums had been subpar as of late but he does a total 180 on this joint. His contributions are amazing, but the whole album is damn good.

3) Wild Arms Music the Best -rocking heart-
Ryo Yonemitsu. That's all I got and that's all that needs to be said.

4) Atelier Iris ETERNAL MANA 2 Arranged Tracks RED LUCIFER RISING
S.S.H.'s second foray into Atelier arrangements is definitely a successful one. Now, let's see one for Grand Fantasm.

5) HAGANEBUSHI
There were so many great OST releases this year that I wasn't able to get Hyakutaro Tsukumo on that list, so I thought I'd make sure to make a place for him here. Tsukumo does a masterful job at arranging this old PSX/Saturn game.

6) Back in the Gamadelic!! ~Data East Arrange Album~
Gamadelic is the most underrated sound team in the game. This album is pretty tight.

7) Ibara Remix Tracks
This is a very nice extension and compliment to the OST. Hosoe is a true dynamo.



Maybe I'll do a couple disappointmnts later. I don't really feel like it right now. I can tell you that KOF Maximum Impact 2 and Blue Dragon are two of them though. Maximum Impact 2 simply did not live up to it's predecessor and I just don't see where this huge appreciation for Blue Dragon is coming from. I listened through it twice and I just don't hear it. The rock influences are nice an all, but that alone is surely not enough to chalk this one up as a success to me. Nothing really stands out. Despite that, I'm glad to see Uematsu back in the mix.

Jam it back in, in the dark.