CD REVIEW- Nomad the Warrior + News from Top Dollar PR
Nomad the Warrior
Music by Carlo Siliotto
Varese Sarabande VSD 6796 (EU)
33 Tracks 71:24 mins
After Borat took the mickey out of Kazakhstan last year, this epic historical picture goes some way to redressing the balance. Shot in the Kazakh language, yet starring American actors, the film tells the story of the legendary warrior who rises from a common background to unite the warring tribes into one strong nation.
The music is by Carlo Siliotto and is most certainly the best thing I have heard from his pen to date. The Punisher, though receiving some critical acclaim, really did little for me, but this huge score is another matter. Of course that hugeness, drawing on the talents of the Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra, The Kazakh Kurmangazy Orchestra of Folk Instruments, plus choir, solo vocalists and numerous specialist ethnic instrumentalists, goes a good way towards its appeal. That and a strong main theme, which is sweeping and reminiscent of Maurice Jarre's famous themes for the likes of Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago. This theme returns often in the score, and there is also a very nice sentimental secondary theme for the more romantic and intimate moments.
Added to this are some very powerful moments for choir and throat singers, as well as some huge passages for drums and othe percussion. Action cues are perhaps not as numerous as one would expect, but are effective in short bursts (many of the tracks are quite brief in fact).
Favourite cues include the fateful mover "Amen," the solo cello of "You Are Still My Brother, " the heroics of "Gaukhar Rescues Mansur," and the lengthy "Kazakh Victory," which begins with conflict then proceeds through some of the best variations on the sweeping main theme, before ending quite spiritually.
Although not listed as bonus tracks, the album concludes with a couple of takes on the main theme. The first version of "Nomad" features a brisk arrangement by the Bulgarian Symphony; the second version, a more leisurely, folksy reading by the Kurman Gazi Orchestra. There is also an 'improvisational' rendering of a Kazakh traditional song by Zhanar Sabit, which is quite haunting.
There were some reaised eyebrows when Siliotto's score received a nomination at this year's Golden Globes, but the foreign press had obviously discovered, before most of us, this fine score. Can't wait to see the film!
UBISOFT’S TMNT™ VIDEO GAME FEATURES ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK
COMPOSED BY CRIS VELASCO & SASCHA DIKICIYAN
Acclaimed Video Game Composers Provide Cowabunga! Action Music Score for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles®
Los Angeles, March 21, 2007 – Renowned video game composer duo Cris Velasco and Sascha Dikiciyan have created the original musical score for Ubisoft’s TMNT™ video game based on the upcoming CGI feature-length film starring the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles®. Developed by Ubisoft’s Montreal and Quebec City Studios, the TMNT video game is rated E10+ and available now at North American retailers.
Drawing on their diverse musical references, Velasco and Dikiciyan have composed a cinematic, action-driven score that encompasses orchestral, rock and break beats to match the acrobatic navigation, collaborative combat and powerful, fast fighting moves of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
As characters from the movie and the original comic book series creep out of the shadows to face the Turtles, Velasco and Dikiciyan’s music captures the sinister landscape of New York City and immerses players in the intense video game adventure. The composers deliver a mélange of bass-driven electronic synths and orchestral swells with an overlay of raw guitar punches, staccato beats and Asian-flavored melodies.
Cris and Sascha’s other video game credits include the dark, epic orchestral score for Dark Messiah of Might and Magic™ and the main cinematic title for Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Double Agent™. For more information, visit their respective websites at www.monarchaudio.com and www.sonicmayhem.com.For more information on TMNT, please visit the official website at www.tmntgame.com.
About Ubisoft:Ubisoft is a leading producer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment products worldwide and has grown considerably through its strong and diversified lineup of products and partnerships. Ubisoft has offices in 21 countries and sales in more than 50 countries around the globe. It is committed to delivering high-quality, cutting-edge video game titles to consumers. Ubisoft generated revenue of 547 million Euros for the 2005/2006 fiscal year, an increase of 3 percent over the previous fiscal year at constant exchange rates. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com.
About 4Kids Entertainment:Headquartered in New York City with international offices in London, 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: KDE) is a global provider of children's entertainment and merchandise licensing. 4Kids, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, provides domestic and international merchandise licensing; product development; television, film, music and home video production and distribution; media planning and buying; and Web site development. For further information, please visit the Company's Web site at www.4KidsEntertainment.com and www.4Kids.TV.
©2007 Mirage Studios, Inc. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™ and TMNT are trademarks of Mirage Studios, Inc. All rights reserved. Software ©2007 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Ubisoft, Ubi.com, and the Ubisoft logo are trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the U.S. and/or other countries.
Nomad the Warrior
Music by Carlo Siliotto
Varese Sarabande VSD 6796 (EU)
33 Tracks 71:24 mins
After Borat took the mickey out of Kazakhstan last year, this epic historical picture goes some way to redressing the balance. Shot in the Kazakh language, yet starring American actors, the film tells the story of the legendary warrior who rises from a common background to unite the warring tribes into one strong nation.
The music is by Carlo Siliotto and is most certainly the best thing I have heard from his pen to date. The Punisher, though receiving some critical acclaim, really did little for me, but this huge score is another matter. Of course that hugeness, drawing on the talents of the Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra, The Kazakh Kurmangazy Orchestra of Folk Instruments, plus choir, solo vocalists and numerous specialist ethnic instrumentalists, goes a good way towards its appeal. That and a strong main theme, which is sweeping and reminiscent of Maurice Jarre's famous themes for the likes of Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago. This theme returns often in the score, and there is also a very nice sentimental secondary theme for the more romantic and intimate moments.
Added to this are some very powerful moments for choir and throat singers, as well as some huge passages for drums and othe percussion. Action cues are perhaps not as numerous as one would expect, but are effective in short bursts (many of the tracks are quite brief in fact).
Favourite cues include the fateful mover "Amen," the solo cello of "You Are Still My Brother, " the heroics of "Gaukhar Rescues Mansur," and the lengthy "Kazakh Victory," which begins with conflict then proceeds through some of the best variations on the sweeping main theme, before ending quite spiritually.
Although not listed as bonus tracks, the album concludes with a couple of takes on the main theme. The first version of "Nomad" features a brisk arrangement by the Bulgarian Symphony; the second version, a more leisurely, folksy reading by the Kurman Gazi Orchestra. There is also an 'improvisational' rendering of a Kazakh traditional song by Zhanar Sabit, which is quite haunting.
There were some reaised eyebrows when Siliotto's score received a nomination at this year's Golden Globes, but the foreign press had obviously discovered, before most of us, this fine score. Can't wait to see the film!
UBISOFT’S TMNT™ VIDEO GAME FEATURES ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK
COMPOSED BY CRIS VELASCO & SASCHA DIKICIYAN
Acclaimed Video Game Composers Provide Cowabunga! Action Music Score for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles®
Los Angeles, March 21, 2007 – Renowned video game composer duo Cris Velasco and Sascha Dikiciyan have created the original musical score for Ubisoft’s TMNT™ video game based on the upcoming CGI feature-length film starring the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles®. Developed by Ubisoft’s Montreal and Quebec City Studios, the TMNT video game is rated E10+ and available now at North American retailers.
Drawing on their diverse musical references, Velasco and Dikiciyan have composed a cinematic, action-driven score that encompasses orchestral, rock and break beats to match the acrobatic navigation, collaborative combat and powerful, fast fighting moves of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
As characters from the movie and the original comic book series creep out of the shadows to face the Turtles, Velasco and Dikiciyan’s music captures the sinister landscape of New York City and immerses players in the intense video game adventure. The composers deliver a mélange of bass-driven electronic synths and orchestral swells with an overlay of raw guitar punches, staccato beats and Asian-flavored melodies.
Cris and Sascha’s other video game credits include the dark, epic orchestral score for Dark Messiah of Might and Magic™ and the main cinematic title for Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Double Agent™. For more information, visit their respective websites at www.monarchaudio.com and www.sonicmayhem.com.For more information on TMNT, please visit the official website at www.tmntgame.com.
About Ubisoft:Ubisoft is a leading producer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment products worldwide and has grown considerably through its strong and diversified lineup of products and partnerships. Ubisoft has offices in 21 countries and sales in more than 50 countries around the globe. It is committed to delivering high-quality, cutting-edge video game titles to consumers. Ubisoft generated revenue of 547 million Euros for the 2005/2006 fiscal year, an increase of 3 percent over the previous fiscal year at constant exchange rates. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com.
About 4Kids Entertainment:Headquartered in New York City with international offices in London, 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: KDE) is a global provider of children's entertainment and merchandise licensing. 4Kids, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, provides domestic and international merchandise licensing; product development; television, film, music and home video production and distribution; media planning and buying; and Web site development. For further information, please visit the Company's Web site at www.4KidsEntertainment.com and www.4Kids.TV.
©2007 Mirage Studios, Inc. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™ and TMNT are trademarks of Mirage Studios, Inc. All rights reserved. Software ©2007 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Ubisoft, Ubi.com, and the Ubisoft logo are trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the U.S. and/or other countries.
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