Lupin III Theme Collection

LUPIN III
THEME COLLECTION
Copyright © Columbia
COCC-9457
Available Now
¥2,800

—by Charles McCarter

20 tracks; 77:06

1. Lupin Sansei - Special Medley Mix 8:28

2. Lupin Sansei 3:23

3. Lovin - You (Lucky) 3:19

Vocal: Tommy Snyder

4. Lupin Sansei Ai no Teema (Love Theme) 2:42

5. Lupin Sansei no Teema (Vocal Version) 3:21

6. I Miss You Babe 4:33

Vocal: Sandi A. Hohn

7. Lupin Sansei Ai no Teema (Vocal Version) 3:18

Vocal: Mizuki Ichiro

8. Lupin Sansei 3:15

9. Love Squall 3:28

Vocal: Sandi A. Hohn

10. Honoo no Takaramono (Treasures of the Flame) 3:11

Vocal: Bobby

11. Kaisou no Mysterious Journey (Mysterious Journey of Reflection) 3:56

12. Lupin Sansei 3:42

13. Leave You 4:20

Vocal: Kimura Noboru

14. Super Hero 2:58

Vocal: Tommy Snyder

15. Love is Everything 3:58

Vocal: Kimura Noboru

16. Sexy Adventure 3:31

Vocal: Kitahara Shin

17. Fairy Night 3:32

Vocal: Morimura Ayumi

18. Manhattan Joke 3:39

Vocal: Kawai Naoko

19. Song of Babylon 2:28

Vocal: Kawai Naoko

20. Georgia Moon (the Ballad for Lupin) 5:57

Amidst the waves of nostalgia that seem to be washing over anime fans like tsunami, it seems only fair that we take a look at some of the most influential (and successful) titles. LUPIN III has spawned several television series in Japan, along with several feature films and innumerable TV and OVA specials, so there is a wealth of music to choose from.
The bulk of this collection are versions of the familiar LUPIN III theme. Normally one would think that such repetition is a filler, but in this case, each of the themes is different enough to warrant inclusion. Each has a jazz feel, but they are different variations on a theme, including the first instrumental, the vocal version, and my personal favorite, the second instrumental which makes good use of marimbas to give a playful and mysterious tone to the song.
The rest of the songs will probably be something of a mixed bag to new LUPIN fans or to those who don't have a long-standing fondness for the thief. As most of these songs are from the TV series, they are very definitely dated, and sound like any number of things from the pop charts in the late 1970's. For example, "Love Squall," is a female ballad that makes extensive use of a flute and strings, which was a popular combination for pop ballads at the time. "Loving You (Lucky)" is another song that sounds as if it came straight from an American 1970's TV show. Sung entirely in English, as many of the vocals on this disc are, the cornball lyrics and smarmy melody could rival "The Pina Colada Song" any day.
But the most humorous song on the CD is ultimately "Super Hero," another English Vocal. After all, with a serious disco-pop feel and lyrics like: "Everybody wishes they could be like me/Smart and cool. Handsome wealthy and so sexy..." how can you possibly keep a straight face when you listen to it? The song seems somehow aware of it's own innate stupidity, so for some reason it isn't that annoying. And Lupin fans always seem to enjoy the sheer goofiness of this song.
There are some more serious songs on this CD as well, including "Hono no takaramono," which is the ending theme from the film CASTLE OF CAGLIOSTRO. A slow ballad without a pervasive 70's feel, it is performed beautifully by "Bobby." Other notable songs include "Manhattan Joke," "Fairy Night," and the instrumental "Georgia Moon (Ballad for Lupin)."
While not the only collection of LUPIN themes available, this CD provides a nice selection of vocals and instrumentals from the TV series and the early films and specials. However, much of the material on this CD, with the exception of the LUPIN III opening themes, will probably take some getting used to, and seem to be held in greater regard by those with a preexisting fondness for the LUPIN anime. If you've never seen the LUPIN III TV series or early films, then perhaps you should pick up a different compilation.