Best of Phantom Quest Corp.

BEST OF PHANTOM QUEST CORP.

Pioneer LDCA
PICD-1007A
11 tracks
$17.98
Copyright © Madhouse, Pioneer LDCA, Inc.

— by Charles McCarter

1. That's You-Gen-Kai-sha 5:30

Vocal: Matsumoto Rica

2. Shiawase no Zeccho 4:14

Vocal: Matsumoto Rica and Yamadera Koichi

3. Ayaka Kisaragi On The Case 4:01

4. Blue Devil Blues 5:28

English Vocal: Uncredited

5. A Ghost's Love 3:50

6. Hitomi wa Mystery (Mysterious Eyes) 3:49

Vocal: Kotono Mitsuishi

7. Miren Nenbutsu (Prayer for Regret) 3:54

Vocal: Matsumoto Rica

8. No Other Job is as Fun as Ghost Busting 5:35

9. Dancin' with a Demon 4:42

English Vocal: Uncredited

10. Ayaka vs. Evil Spirits 6:42

11. Mahiru no Tokai 4:35

Vocal: Matsumoto Rica

Pioneer, along with JNA, has been one of the two companies who have steadily been releasing domestic versions of anime soundtracks (and they are now joined by Viz). However, while JNA only represses and repackages the CDs here in the United States, Pioneer has taken a different approach with their most recent releases, combining the BGM and Japanese vocals with the English vocals done for the dubbed versions. THE BEST OF PHANTOM QUEST CORP. is one of these CDs, and as a result, it contains a mix of tracks.
The first track, "That's You-Gen-Kai-Sha," is a soulful jazz tune that starts off very slowly and changes to a fast-paced frenetic song with a great deal of energy and character. Matsumoto Rica (who is also the voice for Ayaka) sings the vocal and she does an excellent job - her powerful voice carries the song and gives it that extra something that brings it to life.
"Blue Devil Blues" is the English version of the opening. What's interesting about this version of the song is that, although the translation is not literal, it manages to capture the feel of the original. Of course, part of that is also due to the performance of the English vocalist, who is uncredited on this CD (but I believe it is Sharyn Scott, who has done English versions of some Tenchi songs). The vocalist's voice is in the same range as Ms. Matsumoto's, so the songs sound unusually simliar, which is a good thing.
This same uncredited vocalist also sings the ending theme, "Dancin' with a Demon," with the same results. The song is upbeat and catchy, and the vocalist knows how to sing jazz. It too compares favorably to Matsumoto Rica's original, "Mahiru No Toakai."
"Shiawase no Zeccho" (Top of Happiness) is a karaoke enka song sung by Matsumoto and Yamaderi Koichi (the voice of Detective Karino). It's a slobbery, overly sentimental song - which is exactly what it is supposed to be. The vocalists demonstrate their skills by adapting to this type of song and making it sound authentic and yet still enjoyable.
The remaining vocal, "Hitomi wa Mystery" (Mysterious Eyes), is sung by Kotono Mitsuishi, who plays Nanami. It's a fluffy pop song, and while it's certainly not her best performance ever, it's not bad. Still, it pales in comparison to some of the better songs on this album.
The BGM is mostly light jazz/pop in nature. "Ayaka Kisaragi on the Case" makes extensive use of both brass and saxophones, and has a quiet piano solo in the middle, complete with bongo drum accompaniment. Even the track "Ayaka vs. Evil Spirits," although tinted with discordant trumpets and the low moan of an electric guitar, manages to convey an almost upbeat feeling. Only "A Ghost's Love" avoids any jazz trappings; it is a slow solo piano piece, melancholy and forlorn.
The CD contains seven vocals and four BGM tracks - a rarity in today's market where vocals are becoming a scarce commodity. BEST OF PHANTOM QUEST CORP. is an enjoyable CD, especially if you are a fan of the show. But even if you're not, the strong vocals by Matsumoto Rica and her American counterpart should be enough to persuade you to get this CD.