CD REVIEW - Tsotsi plus three press releases
Tsotsi
Various Artists
Milan M2-36156 (U.S.)
19 Tracks
The South African film Tsotsi has been receiving universal acclaim, not least from the Academy Award voters, who voted it Best Foreign Film.
It's musical score has also received it's fair share of attention, although I have to say that on the evidence of the soundtrack album, it is unlikely to appeal to soundtrack collectors, as there is very little of Paul Hepker and Mark Kilian's work in evidence here - only four, mainly brief tracks, all featuring haunting wordless vocals, sparsely accompanied by electronics and some percussion.
The majority of the album's tracks feature rapper Zola and his "crew." It's kind of a hip-hop sound, but different. There are some more tuneful numbers to be found, including more traditional African choral sounds, but, as I say, there is very little to interest the serious film score follower.
It's a shame, because it sounds like a film to see but if, like me, you spend your life seeking out new, but largely traditional film score experiences, time will dictate that you'll probably give it a miss.
FROM COSTA COMMUNICATIONS
FILM COMPOSER DAVID KITAY
SCORES A "DATE"
Lakeshore releases "Date Movie" soundtrack March 7
David Kitay scores "Date Movie" for writers/directors Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer. Starring Adam Campbell, Allyson Hannigan, Eddie Griffin, Fred Willard and Jennifer Coolidge, the film is a spoof of the hit romantic comedies of recent years. 20th Century Fox released the film in February, and Lakeshore Records released the accompanying soundtrack on March 7, which includes a version of the theme song to "The Price Is Right" performed by David Kitay. The "Date Movie" score was designed to operate on two levels. Although it sounds authentic to the familiar images of romance, it also conveys the humour of the spoof.
"Date Movie" is the latest in a series of hit comedies Kitay has done since early in his scoring career. After solidifying his reputation in the teen genre with hit movies like "Clueless," "Can't Hardly Wait," "Scary Movie,"
"Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle" and "Dude, Where's My Car?" Kitay kept his sense of humour and expanded into independent film. Two upcoming releases, "Art School Confidential" and "Darwin Awards," are the next examples of offbeat, interesting films Kitay has done for a variety of innovative directors. Showing remarkable innovation, his score for Finn Taylor's upcoming "Darwin Awards" is the world's first retrograde reverse score, wherein the music was performed backwards and digitally reversed to play forwards, so the notes sound reversed even though they are accurate.
Kitay has also completed scores for "Relative Strangers," starring Ron
Livingston, and John Cosgrove's comedy ensemble "Caffeine," both set for release this year.
Among other honours, David has received four prestigious BMI awards, several for his scores for the hit TV series Mad About You. In addition to scoring,
David has recently produced records for such artists as The Boxing Ghandis,
Susanna Hoffs (The Bangles) and David Baerwald.
MEDIA RELEASE FROM TOPDOLLAR PR
FULL SPECTRUM WARRIORT: TEN HAMMERS
GETS HOLLYWOOD SOUNDTRACK TREATMENT
Film and Television Composer Garry Schyman Provides Middle Eastern
Flavoured Score Performed by Hollywood A-list players and vocalists
Film, television and video game composer Garry Schyman (www.garryschyman.com) has created the original score for the upcoming THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) video game Full Spectrum WarriorT: Ten Hammers, developed by Pandemic Studios. The score blends Middle Eastern instrumentation with additional orchestral sounds to deliver an authentic, immersive soundtrack that enhances the drama and emotional experience of the player's actions onscreen. To ensure the best live performances, Schyman recorded with Hollywood's leading Arabic instrumentalists and vocalists.
Sequel to the critically acclaimed squad-based real-time tactical combat game, Full Spectrum Warrior: Ten Hammers takes the brand's innovative and authentic military gaming experience to the next level with new features in every aspect of the game. Full Spectrum Warrior: Ten Hammers is scheduled to release for Xbox(r), PlayStation(r) 2 and Windows PC on March 22, 2006. For more information visit www.fullspectrumwarrior.com.
David Rovin, Audio Director, Pandemic Studios, LLC, said, "Our vision for the music on FSW2 was a subtle mix of western military themes and middle-eastern timbres. Garry understood immediately what we were shooting for, and he nailed it. In some pieces he leaned more on the traditional orchestral ideas, weaving in subtle ethnic sounds. In others he let the Arabic instrumentalists and vocalists create the dominant atmosphere."
Schyman's previous video game soundtrack credits include THQ's smash hit Destroy All Humans!T developed by Pandemic Studios. Schyman's score for Destroy All Humans! has recently been nominated by the Game Audio Network Guild for "Music of the Year 2005," "Best Live Performance Recording" and "Best Original Instrumental" - Destroy All Humans! Main Title. This nomination is considered, by many, to be the most prestigious of all music nominations because it is voted on by the leading composers, musicians and audio directors in the video games industry. Winners are announced on Thursday, March 23, 2006 in San Jose, California during the Game Developers Conference. More information available at www.garryschyman.com.
About Pandemic Studios:
Pandemic Studios, LLC is a premier developer of entertainment for PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, and the PC. Over the last eight years, industry veterans Josh Resnick and Andrew Goldman have built the company into one of the largest independent developers in the world, with studios in Los Angeles, California and in Brisbane, Australia. Pandemic games have won numerous awards and have sold millions of copies worldwide. More information about Pandemic is available at www.pandemicstudios.com.
About THQ:
THQ Inc. (Nasdaq: THQI) is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems, personal computers and wireless devices. Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, THQ sells product through its global network of offices located throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. More information about THQ and its products may be found at www.thq.com and www.thqwireless.com. THQ, THQ Wireless, Destroy All Humans! and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc. For more information please visit www.thq.com.
Pandemic(r) and the Pandemic logo(r) are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Pandemic Studios, LLC. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.
PRESS RELEASE FROM TOPDOLLAR PR
SUMTHING ELSE MUSIC WORKS ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF
HALO 2 ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK VOLUME TWO
FEATURING THE ACCLAIMED ORIGINAL SCORE COMPOSED AND PRODUCED BY MARTIN O'DONNELL & MICHAEL SALVATORI
Sumthing Else Music Works, Inc., through its licensing relationship with Microsoft Game Studios, proudly presents Halo(r) 2: Original Soundtrack Volume Two. The highly anticipated Volume Two soundtrack will be released on April 25th to US retail outlets through Nile Rodgers' Sumthing Else Music Works label www.sumthing.com, the industry leader for licensing and distributing video game soundtracks.
The Halo 2: Original Soundtrack Volume Two CD features nearly 70 minutes of award-winning compositions by Bungie Studios' Audio Director Martin O'Donnell and his writing partner Michael Salvatori, the composers behind the best-selling Halo(r) 2: Original Soundtrack Volume One and Halo(r): Combat Evolved Original Soundtrack. The signature guitar sounds of revered rock guitarist Steve Vai also make an appearance, courtesy of Epic Records, and the album is produced by veteran music producer and Sumthing Else label founder Nile Rodgers.
Commenting on the back-story to the Volume Two soundtrack release, Martin O'Donnell said, "In the summer of 2004 Nile Rodgers and I decided that it would be a good idea to present the music of Halo 2 in two separate volumes. The first volume would contain all the music that was finished and mixed plus some 'inspired by' music from groups whose music was being used in the game."
Since the first Halo 2 soundtrack was assembled before the game actually shipped, it was always envisaged that the second volume would contain the rest of the game's music, some of which Martin O'Donnell was still composing and producing, and would be rearranged for maximum listening pleasure.
"The music in Halo 2 will play back a little differently each time someone plays the game," explains O'Donnell, "But on the soundtrack I have the opportunity to arrange the music in an album format. For Halo 2 Volume Two I decided to use a 'suite' structure that also corresponds to the chapters within the game. In a sense by listening to this soundtrack you will hear the musical representation on the story of Halo 2. Enjoy!"
Halo(r) 2 is the game that redefined first-person combat and multiplayer action for millions of gamers worldwide. In Halo 2, the saga continues as Master Chief - a genetically enhanced super-soldier - is the only thing standing between the relentless Covenant and the destruction of all humankind. For more information visit http://www.xbox.com/games/halo2/.
About Bungie
Bungie Studios was founded in 1991 with two goals: to develop games that combine brilliant technology, beautiful art, intelligent stories and deep gameplay, and then sell enough of those games to achieve its real goal of total world domination. Over the past 10 years it has produced games such as the "Marathon Trilogy," the first two "Myth" games, and the "Halo" franchise, hailed as classics by critics and gamers around the world. Released in 2004, the award winning "Halo 2" for Xbox has achieved phenomenal success and has sold more than 7.3 million units worldwide. More information on Bungie can be found at http://www.bungie.net.
About Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the Xbox(r) and Xbox 360T video game systems, the Windows(r) operating system and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse games for Windows (http://www.microsoft.com/games), including such franchises as "Age of Empires(r)," "Flight Simulator" and "Zoo Tycoon(r);" Xbox and Xbox 360 (http://www.xbox.com), including such games as the upcoming "Gears of War" and franchises such as "Halo(r)," "Fable(r)," "Project Gotham Racing(r)" and "Forza MotorsportT"; and MSN(r) Games (http://www.games.msn.com), the official games channel for the MSN network and home to such hits as "Bejeweled" and "Hexic(r)."
About Xbox
Xbox (http://www.xbox.com) Microsoft's future-generation video game system that delivers the most powerful games experiences ever. Xbox empowers game artists by giving them the technology to fulfil their creative visions as never before, creating games that blur the lines between fantasy and reality. Xbox is now available in North America, Japan, Europe and Australia.
About Nile Rodgers
Award winning record producer Nile Rodgers is one of the most prolific music producers in history. Nile's production accomplishments include such diverse artists as Diana Ross, Madonna, David Bowie, Duran Duran, The B-52's, David Lee Roth, Grace Jones, Mick Jagger and top selling game soundtracks such as Halo(r) 2 Volume One. Records produced by Nile Rodgers have sold more than 100 million copies worldwide. As a founding member of the perennial Rhythm & Blues dance band Chic, Nile co-wrote all of their big hits including "Le Freak" and "Good Times," as well as "We Are Family" for Sister Sledge. In addition to records, he has also scored or produced music for numerous films including "Coming to America," "Thelma and Louise," "The Flintstones," "Beverly Hills Cop" and "Rush Hour II," as well as a variety of television shows and commercials. Nile is a board member of several organizations including the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS).
About Sumthing Else Music Works, Inc.
Nile Rodgers started Sumthing Else Music Works (SEMW) as a nationwide record label and creative outlet for independent artists and unique musical projects. Through its affiliated company, Sumthing Distribution, SEMW prides itself on its ability to rapidly and effectively deliver to the marketplace many innovative products. In view of the successes of its previous game soundtrack releases, the company is now considered the leader in this newly emerging musical genre. Accordingly, SEMW has bolstered its commitment to enhancing gamers' overall experience by acquiring many new titles to complement its current catalogue of releases.
Microsoft, Bungie, Halo and Xbox are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries, and are used under license from Microsoft.
Sumthing Else Music Works and Sumthing Distribution logos are copyright of their respective companies. All other names of products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
Tsotsi
Various Artists
Milan M2-36156 (U.S.)
19 Tracks
The South African film Tsotsi has been receiving universal acclaim, not least from the Academy Award voters, who voted it Best Foreign Film.
It's musical score has also received it's fair share of attention, although I have to say that on the evidence of the soundtrack album, it is unlikely to appeal to soundtrack collectors, as there is very little of Paul Hepker and Mark Kilian's work in evidence here - only four, mainly brief tracks, all featuring haunting wordless vocals, sparsely accompanied by electronics and some percussion.
The majority of the album's tracks feature rapper Zola and his "crew." It's kind of a hip-hop sound, but different. There are some more tuneful numbers to be found, including more traditional African choral sounds, but, as I say, there is very little to interest the serious film score follower.
It's a shame, because it sounds like a film to see but if, like me, you spend your life seeking out new, but largely traditional film score experiences, time will dictate that you'll probably give it a miss.
FROM COSTA COMMUNICATIONS
FILM COMPOSER DAVID KITAY
SCORES A "DATE"
Lakeshore releases "Date Movie" soundtrack March 7
David Kitay scores "Date Movie" for writers/directors Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer. Starring Adam Campbell, Allyson Hannigan, Eddie Griffin, Fred Willard and Jennifer Coolidge, the film is a spoof of the hit romantic comedies of recent years. 20th Century Fox released the film in February, and Lakeshore Records released the accompanying soundtrack on March 7, which includes a version of the theme song to "The Price Is Right" performed by David Kitay. The "Date Movie" score was designed to operate on two levels. Although it sounds authentic to the familiar images of romance, it also conveys the humour of the spoof.
"Date Movie" is the latest in a series of hit comedies Kitay has done since early in his scoring career. After solidifying his reputation in the teen genre with hit movies like "Clueless," "Can't Hardly Wait," "Scary Movie,"
"Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle" and "Dude, Where's My Car?" Kitay kept his sense of humour and expanded into independent film. Two upcoming releases, "Art School Confidential" and "Darwin Awards," are the next examples of offbeat, interesting films Kitay has done for a variety of innovative directors. Showing remarkable innovation, his score for Finn Taylor's upcoming "Darwin Awards" is the world's first retrograde reverse score, wherein the music was performed backwards and digitally reversed to play forwards, so the notes sound reversed even though they are accurate.
Kitay has also completed scores for "Relative Strangers," starring Ron
Livingston, and John Cosgrove's comedy ensemble "Caffeine," both set for release this year.
Among other honours, David has received four prestigious BMI awards, several for his scores for the hit TV series Mad About You. In addition to scoring,
David has recently produced records for such artists as The Boxing Ghandis,
Susanna Hoffs (The Bangles) and David Baerwald.
MEDIA RELEASE FROM TOPDOLLAR PR
FULL SPECTRUM WARRIORT: TEN HAMMERS
GETS HOLLYWOOD SOUNDTRACK TREATMENT
Film and Television Composer Garry Schyman Provides Middle Eastern
Flavoured Score Performed by Hollywood A-list players and vocalists
Film, television and video game composer Garry Schyman (www.garryschyman.com) has created the original score for the upcoming THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) video game Full Spectrum WarriorT: Ten Hammers, developed by Pandemic Studios. The score blends Middle Eastern instrumentation with additional orchestral sounds to deliver an authentic, immersive soundtrack that enhances the drama and emotional experience of the player's actions onscreen. To ensure the best live performances, Schyman recorded with Hollywood's leading Arabic instrumentalists and vocalists.
Sequel to the critically acclaimed squad-based real-time tactical combat game, Full Spectrum Warrior: Ten Hammers takes the brand's innovative and authentic military gaming experience to the next level with new features in every aspect of the game. Full Spectrum Warrior: Ten Hammers is scheduled to release for Xbox(r), PlayStation(r) 2 and Windows PC on March 22, 2006. For more information visit www.fullspectrumwarrior.com.
David Rovin, Audio Director, Pandemic Studios, LLC, said, "Our vision for the music on FSW2 was a subtle mix of western military themes and middle-eastern timbres. Garry understood immediately what we were shooting for, and he nailed it. In some pieces he leaned more on the traditional orchestral ideas, weaving in subtle ethnic sounds. In others he let the Arabic instrumentalists and vocalists create the dominant atmosphere."
Schyman's previous video game soundtrack credits include THQ's smash hit Destroy All Humans!T developed by Pandemic Studios. Schyman's score for Destroy All Humans! has recently been nominated by the Game Audio Network Guild for "Music of the Year 2005," "Best Live Performance Recording" and "Best Original Instrumental" - Destroy All Humans! Main Title. This nomination is considered, by many, to be the most prestigious of all music nominations because it is voted on by the leading composers, musicians and audio directors in the video games industry. Winners are announced on Thursday, March 23, 2006 in San Jose, California during the Game Developers Conference. More information available at www.garryschyman.com.
About Pandemic Studios:
Pandemic Studios, LLC is a premier developer of entertainment for PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, and the PC. Over the last eight years, industry veterans Josh Resnick and Andrew Goldman have built the company into one of the largest independent developers in the world, with studios in Los Angeles, California and in Brisbane, Australia. Pandemic games have won numerous awards and have sold millions of copies worldwide. More information about Pandemic is available at www.pandemicstudios.com.
About THQ:
THQ Inc. (Nasdaq: THQI) is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems, personal computers and wireless devices. Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, THQ sells product through its global network of offices located throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. More information about THQ and its products may be found at www.thq.com and www.thqwireless.com. THQ, THQ Wireless, Destroy All Humans! and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc. For more information please visit www.thq.com.
Pandemic(r) and the Pandemic logo(r) are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Pandemic Studios, LLC. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.
PRESS RELEASE FROM TOPDOLLAR PR
SUMTHING ELSE MUSIC WORKS ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF
HALO 2 ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK VOLUME TWO
FEATURING THE ACCLAIMED ORIGINAL SCORE COMPOSED AND PRODUCED BY MARTIN O'DONNELL & MICHAEL SALVATORI
Sumthing Else Music Works, Inc., through its licensing relationship with Microsoft Game Studios, proudly presents Halo(r) 2: Original Soundtrack Volume Two. The highly anticipated Volume Two soundtrack will be released on April 25th to US retail outlets through Nile Rodgers' Sumthing Else Music Works label www.sumthing.com, the industry leader for licensing and distributing video game soundtracks.
The Halo 2: Original Soundtrack Volume Two CD features nearly 70 minutes of award-winning compositions by Bungie Studios' Audio Director Martin O'Donnell and his writing partner Michael Salvatori, the composers behind the best-selling Halo(r) 2: Original Soundtrack Volume One and Halo(r): Combat Evolved Original Soundtrack. The signature guitar sounds of revered rock guitarist Steve Vai also make an appearance, courtesy of Epic Records, and the album is produced by veteran music producer and Sumthing Else label founder Nile Rodgers.
Commenting on the back-story to the Volume Two soundtrack release, Martin O'Donnell said, "In the summer of 2004 Nile Rodgers and I decided that it would be a good idea to present the music of Halo 2 in two separate volumes. The first volume would contain all the music that was finished and mixed plus some 'inspired by' music from groups whose music was being used in the game."
Since the first Halo 2 soundtrack was assembled before the game actually shipped, it was always envisaged that the second volume would contain the rest of the game's music, some of which Martin O'Donnell was still composing and producing, and would be rearranged for maximum listening pleasure.
"The music in Halo 2 will play back a little differently each time someone plays the game," explains O'Donnell, "But on the soundtrack I have the opportunity to arrange the music in an album format. For Halo 2 Volume Two I decided to use a 'suite' structure that also corresponds to the chapters within the game. In a sense by listening to this soundtrack you will hear the musical representation on the story of Halo 2. Enjoy!"
Halo(r) 2 is the game that redefined first-person combat and multiplayer action for millions of gamers worldwide. In Halo 2, the saga continues as Master Chief - a genetically enhanced super-soldier - is the only thing standing between the relentless Covenant and the destruction of all humankind. For more information visit http://www.xbox.com/games/halo2/.
About Bungie
Bungie Studios was founded in 1991 with two goals: to develop games that combine brilliant technology, beautiful art, intelligent stories and deep gameplay, and then sell enough of those games to achieve its real goal of total world domination. Over the past 10 years it has produced games such as the "Marathon Trilogy," the first two "Myth" games, and the "Halo" franchise, hailed as classics by critics and gamers around the world. Released in 2004, the award winning "Halo 2" for Xbox has achieved phenomenal success and has sold more than 7.3 million units worldwide. More information on Bungie can be found at http://www.bungie.net.
About Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the Xbox(r) and Xbox 360T video game systems, the Windows(r) operating system and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse games for Windows (http://www.microsoft.com/games), including such franchises as "Age of Empires(r)," "Flight Simulator" and "Zoo Tycoon(r);" Xbox and Xbox 360 (http://www.xbox.com), including such games as the upcoming "Gears of War" and franchises such as "Halo(r)," "Fable(r)," "Project Gotham Racing(r)" and "Forza MotorsportT"; and MSN(r) Games (http://www.games.msn.com), the official games channel for the MSN network and home to such hits as "Bejeweled" and "Hexic(r)."
About Xbox
Xbox (http://www.xbox.com) Microsoft's future-generation video game system that delivers the most powerful games experiences ever. Xbox empowers game artists by giving them the technology to fulfil their creative visions as never before, creating games that blur the lines between fantasy and reality. Xbox is now available in North America, Japan, Europe and Australia.
About Nile Rodgers
Award winning record producer Nile Rodgers is one of the most prolific music producers in history. Nile's production accomplishments include such diverse artists as Diana Ross, Madonna, David Bowie, Duran Duran, The B-52's, David Lee Roth, Grace Jones, Mick Jagger and top selling game soundtracks such as Halo(r) 2 Volume One. Records produced by Nile Rodgers have sold more than 100 million copies worldwide. As a founding member of the perennial Rhythm & Blues dance band Chic, Nile co-wrote all of their big hits including "Le Freak" and "Good Times," as well as "We Are Family" for Sister Sledge. In addition to records, he has also scored or produced music for numerous films including "Coming to America," "Thelma and Louise," "The Flintstones," "Beverly Hills Cop" and "Rush Hour II," as well as a variety of television shows and commercials. Nile is a board member of several organizations including the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS).
About Sumthing Else Music Works, Inc.
Nile Rodgers started Sumthing Else Music Works (SEMW) as a nationwide record label and creative outlet for independent artists and unique musical projects. Through its affiliated company, Sumthing Distribution, SEMW prides itself on its ability to rapidly and effectively deliver to the marketplace many innovative products. In view of the successes of its previous game soundtrack releases, the company is now considered the leader in this newly emerging musical genre. Accordingly, SEMW has bolstered its commitment to enhancing gamers' overall experience by acquiring many new titles to complement its current catalogue of releases.
Microsoft, Bungie, Halo and Xbox are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries, and are used under license from Microsoft.
Sumthing Else Music Works and Sumthing Distribution logos are copyright of their respective companies. All other names of products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
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