Revision: 06/11/96

Symphonic Suite Yamato, reviewed by Steve Harrison

The first, and IMHO, still the best. A very cleanly produced album, with a variety of musical moods and flavors. Track 2 (The Birth) starts slow, but builds to a massive rendition of the traditional `Space Battleship Yamato' theme, as heard in the opening credits (and everywhere else). Track 10 (Recollection) starts as a full string section, fades into a guitar solo, very sad and melancholy, with violins making counterpoint, melding into the full orchestra. It can bring a tear to your eye. Track 7 (Scarlet Scarf) is a surprisingly light and bouncy rendition of the normally sad and lonely end song for the first Yamato series, showing the versatility of the composer, Hiroshi Miyagawa. And track 11 (Hope for Tomorrow-Dream / Romance / Adventure) is one of the most interesting uses of voice and orchestra I have ever heard. Powerful, uplifting music.

If you have little money, and can't afford to buy many import CDs, buy this one. If you're a Star Blazers fan, looking to rediscover your youth, buy this one. If you're a Yamato fan, trying to get your friends hooked on `that old show,' buy this one CD, and play it for them. If you love well done Symphonic music, buy this CD.

If you buy no other Yamato CD soundtrack, buy this one.

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