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SUPER ROBOT TAISEN
VOCAL COLLECTION VOL. 1
Copyright © First Smile Entertainment, Ltd.
FSCA-10004
Available Now
¥2,548
—by Charles McCarter
| 1. |
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Neppu! Shippu! Cybuster (Fiery Wind! Hurricane! Cybuster) |
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Vocal: Mizuki Ichiro, Kageyama Hironobu |
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| 2. |
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Mazinger Z |
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Vocal: Mizuki Ichiro |
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| 3. |
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Ore wa Great Mazinger (I am Great Mazinger) |
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Vocal: Mizuki Ichiro |
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| 4. |
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Getter Robo |
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Vocal: Kageyama Hironobu |
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| 5. |
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ComBattler V no Teema (Combattler's Theme) |
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Vocal: Mizuki Ichiro |
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| 6. |
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Sora Tobu Mazinger Z (Mazinger Z Flying Through the Sky) |
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Vocal: Mizuki Ichiro |
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| 7. |
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Dunbine Tobu (Dunbine Fly) |
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Vocal: MIO |
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| 8. |
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Goshogun Hasshinsei yo! (Goshogun Launch!) |
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Vocal: Kageyama Hironobu |
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| 9. |
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Burning Love |
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Vocal: Kageyama Hironobu |
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| 10. |
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FLYING IN THE SKY |
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Vocal: Kageyama Hironobu |
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| 11. |
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Mizu no Hoshi e Ai o Komete (Love Reaching Beyond the Planet of Water) |
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Vocal: MIO |
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| 12. |
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Bokura no Mazinger Z (Our Mazinger Z) |
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Vocal: Mizuki Ichiro |
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SUPER ROBOT TAISEN is a popular video game franchise which combines mecha
and characters from many different anime, including more recent shows such
as GUNDAM W and G GUNDAM
and older shows like GETTER ROBO and MAZINGER Z.
Thus, something which could gather together various licenses from several
different production companies in Japan would seem a logical choice to spawn
a theme song compilation, but this one puts a unique spin on its contents.
Rather than taking the existing versions of the songs and just compiling the
CD, the producer hired several anime song artists, Kageyama Hironobu, Mizuki
Ichiro, and MIO, and re-recorded these classic tunes. Now, those who have
bought the MAISON IKKOKU FOREVER REMIX or the URURSEI YATSURA remix album
know the horror of hearing one's favorite song turned into something so
horrible that you would prefer to go to the dentist without anesthetic.
Fortunately, though, most of these versions are successful. Reworked with
either a jazz or a classic rock influence, the songs are handled competently
by the vocalists. Mizuki Ichiro's credits go all the way back to 1971,
where he performed the MAZINGER Z songs. Kageyama Hironobu's anime credits
are more recent, including the DRAGONBALL Z song, "We Gotta Power," and
songs from LET'S & GO. And finally, there is MIO, who is known for singing
many anime songs from DUNBINE and L-GAIM all the way up to GUNDAM 0083. It
is interesting to note that even with their "updated" accompaniments, these
songs still retain their unique feel and identity.
The two best tracks, in my opinion, are the MIO songs. First, she reworks
the already-great theme song she originally sang for AURA BATTLER DUNBINE.
A more intense rock beat provides an updated feel, and the blaring brass
still fit in. Of course, MIO'S delivery is as powerful and emotional as ever.
After "Dunbine Tobu," MIO tries her hand at the second theme from
ZETA GUNDAM, "Mizu no Hoshi ni Ai o Komete." Originally a gentle pop song, "Mizu
no Hoshi" is given an infusion of Jazz and Bossa Nova, complete with bongos
and marimbas. MIO retains control of this song as the lyrics flow along
with the accompaniment and add a new groove to an old favorite.
Many of the songs are from older series—nearly a third of the songs on
this CD are from the MAZINGER shows. More variety in the songs would have
undoubtedly increased the appeal of this compilation. After all, MAZINGER
is nostalgic for many people, but there are other shows represented in
SUPER ROBOT TAISEN that haven't been represented here (which probably explains the
appearance of a Volume 2). Many fans may not know the songs from
COMBATTLER V, GETTER ROBO, and GOSHOGUN, but that shouldn't prevent them from enjoying
this CD.  |
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