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The ''[[Streets of Rage (series)|Streets of Rage series]]'' from [[Sega]] is known for its memorable in-game music. It has inspired three soundtracks based on compositions by noted video game composer, [[Yuzo Koshiro]].
The '''[[Streets of Rage (series)|''Streets of Rage'' series]]''' of [[beat 'em up]] [[action game|action]] [[video game]]s, released by [[Sega]] from 1991 to 1994, are known for their memorable in-game [[chiptune]] music, produced by noted [[video game music]] composer [[Yuzo Koshiro]]. The series has inspired three [[soundtrack]]s featuring music from the games.

The soundtracks mainly consist of, often [[experimental music|experimental]],<ref name="sega_horowitz"/> [[chiptune]]-based<ref name="1up_fm"/> [[electronic music|electronic]] [[electronic dance music|dance music]],<ref name="jeff_davis"/> encompassing [[list of electronic music genres|electronic genres]] such as [[electro (music)|electro]], [[house music|house]],<ref name="gradar_sor2"/> [[techno]], [[Hardcore (electronic dance music)|hardcore]], [[Drum and bass|jungle]],<ref name="jeff_davis"/> [[ambient music|ambient]],<ref name="square_sor2"/> [[breakbeat]],<ref name="square_sor2_ryan"/> [[gabber]],<ref name="discogs_bk3"/> [[noise music|noise]],<ref name="hg101_sor3"/> and [[trance music|trance]].<ref name="gradar_sor2"/><ref name="square_sor2_ryan"/><ref name="mean_sor3"/> The music was produced using the [[Yamaha Corporation|Yamaha]] [[Frequency modulation synthesis|FM-synth]] [[sound chip]]s of the [[Mega Drive|Sega Mega Drive / Genesis]] [[video game console]] ([[Yamaha YM2612|YM2612]]) and [[NEC PC-8801|NEC PC-88]] [[computer]] ([[Yamaha YM2608|YM2608]]),<ref name="1up_fm">{{cite web|last=Barnholt|first=Ray|title=The Magic of FM Synth|url=http://www.1up.com/features/the-magic-of-fm-synth|publisher=[[1UP.com]]|accessdate=6 August 2012|month=June|year=2012}}</ref><ref name="hg101_retro"/> along with Koshiro's own [[audio programming language]] "Music Love," a modified version of the PC-88's [[Music Macro Language]] (MML).<ref name="hg101_retro"/>

The soundtracks have been critically acclaimed. They are considered ahead of their time,<ref name="gradar_sor2"/><ref name="square_sor2"/> and as some of the best video game music of all time.<ref name="gradar_sor"/> The soundtracks have influenced a range of chiptune, [[electronica]], [[Grime (music)|grime]] and [[dubstep]] musicians through to the the present day, including artists such as [[Ikonika]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Lawrence|first=Eddy|title=Ikonika interview: Producer and DJ, Ikonika had an incredible 2010|url=http://www.timeoutdoha.com/nightlife/features/20343-ikonika-interview|work=[[Time Out (company){{!}}Time Out]]|accessdate=5 August 2011|date=11 January 2011}}</ref><ref name="self-titledmag">{{cite web|title=Recording Under the Influence: Ikonika|url=http://www.self-titledmag.com/home/2010/04/21/recording-under-the-influence-ikonika-on-streets-of-rage-dalis-film-buddy-and-why-kode9s-wrong-about-numbers/|work=Self-Titled Magazine|accessdate=5 August 2011|month=April 21|year=2010}}</ref><ref name="timeout_20425">{{cite web|last=Lawrence|first=Eddy|title=Ikonika interview: Dubstep has taken the world by storm over the past 12 months|url=http://www.timeoutdubai.com/nightlife/features/20425-ikonika-interview|work=[[Time Out (company){{!}}Time Out]]|accessdate=6 August 2011|date=18 January 2011}}</ref> [[BT (musician)|BT]],<ref name="square_sor2"/> [[Labrinth]],<ref name="timeout_20425"/> [[Martyn (musician)|Martyn]], [[Joker (musician)|Joker]], [[Darkstar (band)|Darkstar]],<ref name="self-titledmag"/> [[Donald Glover|Childish Gambino]],<ref name="whosampled_koshiro">{{cite web|title=Yuzo Koshiro|publisher=[[WhoSampled]]|url=http://www.whosampled.com/sampled/Yuzo%20Koshiro/|accessdate=2011-08-30}}</ref> and [[Danger (musician)|Danger]].<ref>{{Discogs release|2119427|Danger (7) – 09/17 2007}}</ref>


==''Streets of Rage'' soundtrack==
==''Streets of Rage'' soundtrack==
{{see also|Streets of Rage}}
{{Infobox album
| Name = Bare Knuckle <br> Original Soundtrack
| Type = Soundtrack
| Artist = [[Yuzo Koshiro]]
| Cover =
| Cover size =
| Released = {{Start date|1991|9|21}}
| Recorded =
| Length =
| Genre = [[Chiptune]],<ref name="1up_fm"/> [[Electro (music)|Electro]], [[Electronic music|Electronic]],<ref name="discogs_bk">{{cite web|title=Yuzo Koshiro ‎– Bare Knuckle - Original Soundtrack|url=http://www.discogs.com/Yuzo-Koshiro-Bare-Knuckle-Original-Soundtrack/release/665962|publisher=[[Discogs]]|accessdate=7 August 2012}}</ref> [[Funk]], [[Video game music|Game]],<ref name="square_bk">{{cite web|title=Bare Knuckle: Review|url=http://www.squareenixmusic.com/reviews/don/bareknuckle.shtml|publisher=Square Enix Music Online|accessdate=7 August 2012|author=Don}}</ref> [[House music|House]],<ref name="discogs_bk"/> [[Industrial music|Industrial]], [[Jazz]],<ref name="square_bk"/> [[Techno]],<ref name="discogs_bk"/> [[Urban contemporary|Urban]]<ref name="square_bk"/>
| Label = [[Alfa Records#GMO Records|GMO Records]] / [[Alfa Records]] <ref name="vgmdb_koshiro">{{cite web|title=Yuzo Koshiro|url=http://vgmdb.net/artist/148|publisher=VGMdb|accessdate=7 August 2012}}</ref>
| Producer = Yuzo Koshiro <br> Kyoji Kato
| Reviews =
| Misc =
}}
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
| Catalogue Number:
| Catalogue Number:
Line 15: Line 35:
(all tracks by Yuzo Koshiro; produced by Koshiro and Kyoji Kato)
(all tracks by Yuzo Koshiro; produced by Koshiro and Kyoji Kato)


The first game's music has a warm, Caribbean quality. Koshiro has said he was listening to artists like [[Soul II Soul]], [[Black Box (band)|Black Box]], [[Maxi Priest]], and [[Caron Wheeler]] around the time of composing. The soundtrack versions of the tracks uses the [[PC88]]'s [[Sound Board II]] soundchip rather than the Mega Drive's [[YM2612]].
The first game's music combined elements of [[chiptune]], [[techno]] and [[house music]]. Many tracks also have a warm, [[List of Caribbean music genres|Caribbean]] quality; Koshiro has said he was listening to artists like [[Soul II Soul]], [[Black Box (band)|Black Box]], [[Maxi Priest]] and [[Caron Wheeler]] around the time of composing. The soundtrack versions of the tracks uses the [[PC-8801|NEC PC-88]]'s Sound Board II ([[Yamaha YM2608]]) [[sound chip]] rather than the [[Sega Mega Drive]]'s [[YM2612]] chip.

The soundtracks for the ''Streets of Rage'' series were composed using then outdated PC-88 hardware alongside Koshiro's own original [[audio programming language]]. According to Koshiro: "For ''Bare Knuckle'' I used the PC88 and an original programming language I developed myself. The original was called MML, [[Music Macro Language]]. It's based on [[NEC]]'s [[BASIC]] program, but I modified it heavily. It was more a BASIC-style language at first, but I modified it to be something more like [[Assembly language|Assembly]]. I called it ‘Music Love'. I used it for all the ''Bare Knuckle'' Games."<ref name="hg101_retro">{{cite web|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/JPNcomputers/Japanesecomputers.htm|title=Retro Japanese Computers: Gaming's Final Frontier|first=John|last=Szczepaniak|publisher=Hardcore Gaming 101|accessdate=2011-03-29}} Reprinted from {{citation|title=[[Retro Gamer]]''|issue=67|year=2009}}</ref> [[GamesRadar]] considers the soundtracks to have some of the best video game music ever composed.<ref name="gradar_sor">{{cite web|last=Elston|first=Brett|title=Game music of the day: Streets of Rage|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/game-music-of-the-day-streets-of-rage/|publisher=[[GamesRadar]]|accessdate=31 July 2012|date=December 4, 2010}}</ref>

{{Listen
| pos = right
| filename = Streets of Rage - Attack of the Barbarian.ogg
| title = ''Streets of Rage'' - "Attack of the Barbarian" (1991)
| description = "Attack of the Barbarian" from ''Streets of Rage'' (1991) demonstrating elements of [[chiptune]], [[techno]], [[electro (music)|electro]] and [[house music]].
| filename2 = Streets of Rage - The Last Soul.ogg
| title2 = ''Streets of Rage'' - "The Last Soul" (1991)
| description2 = Sample of the final [[level (video gaming)|stage]] theme "The Last Soul" from [[video game music|the soundtrack]] of ''Streets of Rage'' (1991).
}}


#The Street of Rage
#The Street of Rage
Line 43: Line 75:


==''Streets of Rage 2'' soundtrack==
==''Streets of Rage 2'' soundtrack==
{{see also|Streets of Rage 2}}
{{Infobox album
| Name = Bare Knuckle II / <br> Streets of Rage 2 <br> Original Soundtrack
| Type = Soundtrack
| Artist = [[Yuzo Koshiro]]
| Cover =
| Cover size =
| Released = {{Start date|1993|1|21}} <small>(Japan)</small> <br> {{Start date|2000}} <small>(US)</small>
| Recorded = 1992
| Length =
| Genre = [[Ambient music|Ambient]],<ref name="square_sor2"/> [[Breakbeat]],<ref name="discogs_sor2"/> [[Chiptune]],<ref name="discogs_sor2"/> [[Electronic dance music|Dance]],<ref name="jeff_davis"/> [[Electro (music)|Electro]],<ref name="gradar_sor2"/> [[Electronica]],<ref name="square_sor2_ryan"/> [[Video game music|Game]], [[Hardcore (electronic dance music)|Hardcore]],<ref name="jeff_davis"/> [[House music|House]],<ref name="gradar_sor2"/> [[Jazz]], [[Progressive electronic dance music|Progressive]],<ref name="square_sor2_ryan"/> [[Techno]],<ref name="discogs_sor2"/> [[Trance music|Trance]],<ref name="square_sor2_ryan"/> {{nowrap|[[Trip hop|Trip-hop]]}}<ref name="square_sor2_ryan"/>
| Label = [[Alfa Records#GMO Records|GMO Records]] / [[Alfa Records]] <ref name="vgmdb_koshiro"/> <small>(Japan)</small> <br> Mars Colony Music <small>(US)</small>
| Producer = Yuzo Koshiro <br> Kyoji Kato
| Reviews =
| Misc =
}}
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
!
!
Line 61: Line 109:
|}
|}


This is the easiest (note that this is relative to the other 2) Streets of Rage soundtrack to find, having been released in the United States. The tracks on this soundtrack are identical to the Japanese CD soundtrack known as "Bare Knuckle II". Composed and played by [[Yuzo Koshiro]] (with a few by [[Motohiro Kawashima]]), this is said to be one of his greatest and it shows the power of the 8-bit [[Sega Mega Drive|Mega Drive/Genesis]] soundchip. The music is described by Yuzo as "hard-core [[techno]]". The CD contains 20 tracks and was produced by him and Kyoji Kato. Interestingly some fans have noticed that the song "Under Logic" sounds like [[The Shamen]]'s mid 90s hit ''[[Move Any Mountain]]'' and The S.O.R Super Mix is similar to [[Enigma (musical project)|Enigma]]'s [[Sadeness]]. Another interesting fact about S.O.R. Super Mix is that it is composed from parts of previous Streets of Rage songs: The Street of Rage, You Became The Bad Guy (being the core of the song), and The Last Soul. The Arranged version of You Became The Bad Guy also has parts of choir similar to Sadeness. The track lists are as follows:
The soundtrack for 1992 video game ''Streets of Rage 2'' is the least difficult ''Streets of Rage'' soundtrack to find, having been released in the United States. The tracks on this soundtrack are identical to the Japanese CD soundtrack known as ''Bare Knuckle II''. It was mostly composed and played by [[Yuzo Koshiro]], with a few tracks also composed by Motohiro Kawashima. The soundtrack is said to be one of Koshiro's greatest and it shows the power of the [[History of video game consoles (fourth generation)|16-bit]] [[Mega Drive|Mega Drive/Genesis]]'s [[Yamaha YM2612|YM2612]] sound chip. The music was described by Koshiro as "[[Hardcore (electronic dance music)|hard-core techno]]."<ref name="jeff_davis"/> The game has also been been noted as one of the first video games where the composer's name, Yuzo Koshiro, appears on the title screen.<ref name="square_sor2"/>

The soundtrack was influenced by [[electronic music|electronic]] [[electronic dance music|dance music]], specifically [[House music|house]], [[techno]], hardcore techno,<ref name="jeff_davis">{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Jeff|title=Interview with Yuzo Koshiro|url=http://www.psy-q.ch/mirrors/thegia/sites/www.thegia.com/features/f010123.html|work=Gaming Intelligence Agency|accessdate=6 August 2011}}</ref> [[progressive electronic dance music|progressive techno]],<ref name="square_sor2_ryan"/> [[breakbeat]],<ref name="discogs_sor2">''Streets of Rage 2'' on Discogs:
*{{cite web|title=Yuzo Koshiro ‎– Bare Knuckle II|url=http://www.discogs.com/Yuzo-Koshiro-Bare-Knuckle-II/release/884374|publisher=[[Discogs]]|accessdate=30 July 2012}}
*{{cite web|title=Yuzo Koshiro ‎– Streets Of Rage 2 - Original Soundtrack|url=http://www.discogs.com/Yuzo-Koshiro-Streets-Of-Rage-2-Original-Soundtrack/release/301585|publisher=[[Discogs]]|accessdate=30 July 2012}}</ref> The soundtrack for ''Streets of Rage 2'' (1992) is considered "revolutionary" and ahead of its time,<ref name="gradar_sor2"/><ref name="square_sor2">{{cite web|title=Streets of Rage 2 Original Soundtrack (US): Review|url=http://www.squareenixmusic.com/reviews/mustin/streetsofrage2.shtml|publisher=Square Enix Music Online|accessdate=31 July 2012|author=Mustin}}</ref> for its "[[electro house|blend of]] swaggering house [[synths]]," "[[electroclash|dirty]]" [[electro (music)|electro-funk]] and "[[Trance music|trancey]] electronic textures that would feel as comfortable in a [[nightclub]] as a video game."<ref name="gradar_sor2">{{cite web|last=McNeilly|first=Joe|title=Game music of the day: Streets of Rage 2|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/game-music-of-the-day-streets-of-rage-2/|publisher=[[GamesRadar]]|accessdate=28 July 2012|date=April 19, 2010}}</ref>

Square Enix Music Online praised the soundtrack for having "some of the baddest beats ever to grace a video game soundtrack" and its creative use of the Mega Drive/Genesis's limited sound chip, such as "[[panning (audio)|panning]] in the left and right speakers" to keep "the melodic material briskly moving forward" in the first [[level (video gaming)|stage]] "Go Straight" track. "In the Bar" has been described as "dreamy" [[blues]]-influenced piece with "a briskly walking bassline" and "a semi-improvisational feel that adds a [[jazz]] mystique." The [[boss (video gaming)|boss]] theme "Never Return Alive" is described as an "insane piece" where the "[[sawtooth wave|saw wave]] drills into your mind and serves as a nice synopative measure to keep the edgy nature of the musical material intact throughout the piece's duration." The second stage "Spin on the Bridge" track, described as "[[hip hop music|hip hop]] on crack," has been praised for its "absolutely wicked breakbeats!" "Dreamer" has been described as a "dream-like" track with [[electronica]] [[arpeggio|arpeggiations]], [[Ethereal Wave|ethereal]] tones, and [[trance music|trance]] elements. "Alien Power" has been described as [[trip hop]] with "a bit of [[Folk music|ethnic]] drum percussion," giving it a "strange and a bit creepy" feel. "Slow Moon" has been praised for its [[funk]] and [[Call and response (music)|call-and-response]] elements.<ref name="square_sor2_ryan">{{cite web|title=Streets of Rage 2 Original Soundtrack (US): Review|url=http://www.squareenixmusic.com/reviews/ryan/streetsofrage2.shtml|publisher=Square Enix Music Online|accessdate=7 August 2012|author=Ryan}}</ref> "Jungle Base" has been described as a hard-hitting dance song. Another stand-out track is the seventh stage "Expander" theme, which was largely composed by Motohiro Kawashima and has been praised as a hard-hitting track with "raunchy [[synth bass]], panning synths," and fast [[tempo]]. "Too Deep" has been described as an [[ambient music|ambient]] track, though with sound effects that "sound like a [[ringtone|ringing phone]]."<ref name="square_sor2"/>

{{Listen
| pos = right
| filename = Streets of Rage 2 - Go Straight.ogg
| title = ''Streets of Rage 2'' - "Go Straight" (1992)
| description = "Go Straight" from ''Streets of Rage 2'' (1992) demonstrating [[techno]] and [[house music|house]] elements, [[distortion (music)|distorted]] [[electro (music)|electro]] synths, "[[Trance music|trancey]] electronic textures," and [[Panning (audio)|panning]] audio.
| filename2 = Streets of Rage 2 - Expander.ogg
| title2 = ''Streets of Rage 2'' - "Expander" (1992)
| description2 = "Expander" from ''Streets of Rage 2'' (1992) demonstrating a [[electro house|blend of]] house music with [[electroclash|"dirty" electro]] basslines and "[[Trance music|trancey]] electronic textures."
}}

The CD contains 20 tracks and was produced by Yuzo Koshiro and Kyoji Kato. The track lists are as follows:

# Go Straight
# Go Straight
# In The Bar
# In The Bar
Line 83: Line 150:
# Little Money Avenue ''(M.K.)''
# Little Money Avenue ''(M.K.)''


Some fans have noticed that the song "Under Logic" sounds like [[The Shamen]]'s mid-90s hit "[[Move Any Mountain]]" and The S.O.R Super Mix is similar to [[Enigma (musical project)|Enigma]]'s "[[Sadeness]]". "S.O.R. Super Mix" is composed from parts of previous ''Streets of Rage'' songs: "The Street of Rage," "You Became The Bad Guy" (being the core of the song), and "The Last Soul." The arranged version of "You Became The Bad Guy" also has parts of choir similar to "Sadeness."
==''Streets of Rage 3'' soundtrack==
[[Image:BkIII.JPG|right|150px|]]


==''Streets of Rage 3'' soundtrack==
{{see also|Streets of Rage 3}}
{{Infobox album
| Name = Bare Knuckle III
| Type = Soundtrack
| Artist = [[Yuzo Koshiro]] and Motohiro Kawashima
| Cover = BkIII.JPG
| Cover size =
| Caption = Cover of the ''Streets of Rage 3'' soundtrack album.
| Released = {{Start date|1994|8|24}}
| Recorded =
| Length =
| Genre = [[Chiptune]],<ref name="1up_fm"/> [[Electronic dance music|Dance]],<ref name="jeff_davis"/> [[Electro (music)|Electro]],<ref name="gradar_sor2"/> [[Electronic music|Electronic]], [[Experimental music|Experimental]], [[Gabber]], [[Video game music|Game]],<ref name="discogs_bk3">{{cite web|title=Yuzo Koshiro / Motohiro Kawashima ‎– Bare Knuckle III|url=http://www.discogs.com/Yuzo-Koshiro--Motohiro-Kawashima-Bare-Knuckle-III/release/884359|publisher=[[Discogs]]|accessdate=7 August 2012}}</ref> [[Hardcore (electronic dance music)|Hardcore]],<ref name="jeff_davis"/> [[Hardtechno]],<ref name="square_bk3">{{cite web|title=Bare Knuckle III: Review|url=http://www.squareenixmusic.com/reviews/don/bareknuckle3.shtml|publisher=Square Enix Music Online|accessdate=7 August 2012|author=Don}}</ref> [[House music|House]],<ref name="gradar_sor2"/> [[Industrial music|Industrial]],<ref name="square_bk3"/> [[Drum and bass|Jungle]],<ref name="jeff_davis"/> [[Noise music|Noise]],<ref name="hg101_sor3"/> [[Rave music|Rave]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Streets of Rage 3, Kirby's Avalanche, Legend of Hero Tonma|url=http://www.gamezone.com/editorials/streets-of-rage-3-kirby-39-s-avalanche-legend-of-hero-tonma|publisher=[[GameZone]]|accessdate=8 August 2012|author=Kombo|date=September 27, 2007}}</ref> [[Techno]],<ref name="discogs_bk3"/> [[Trance music|Trance]]<ref name="mean_sor3"/>
| Label = [[Alfa Records#GMO Records|GMO Records]] / [[Alfa Records]] <ref name="vgmdb_koshiro"/>
| Producer = Yuzo Koshiro <br> Motohiro Kawashima
| Reviews =
| Misc =
}}
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
| Catalogue Number:
| Catalogue Number:
Line 97: Line 181:
|}
|}


The music style of Streets of Rage 3 has a different feel to that of the first 2 games. Described by Yuzo Koshiro as "fast-beat techno like jungle", it was composed using an [[Automated Composing System]]. As with Streets of Rage 2, the soundtrack features tracks composed by both Koshiro and Motohiro Kawashima.
The music style of Streets of Rage 3 has a different feel to that of the first two games. Described by Yuzo Koshiro as "fast-beat [[techno]] like [[Drum and bass|jungle]]," it was composed using his own "Automated Composing System," used to produce heavily randomized sequences.<ref name="jeff_davis"/> The soundtrack also had elements of [[abstract music|abstract]], [[experimental music|experimental]], [[gabber]],<ref name="discogs_bk3">{{cite web|title=Yuzo Koshiro / Motohiro Kawashima ‎– Bare Knuckle III|url=http://www.discogs.com/Yuzo-Koshiro--Motohiro-Kawashima-Bare-Knuckle-III/release/884359|publisher=[[Discogs]]|accessdate=1 August 2012}}</ref> and [[trance music]].<ref name="mean_sor3"/> As with ''Streets of Rage 2'', the soundtrack features tracks composed by both Koshiro and Motohiro Kawashima.<ref name="discogs_bk3"/>


Unlike the first 2 soundtracks, the tracks are not in the order that they appear in-game.
Unlike the first two soundtracks, the tracks are not in the order that they appear in-game. The full title of this CD is ''Bare Knuckle 3: Iron Fist Scriptures''. The disc itself is difficult to find today.

The full title of this CD is "Bare Knuckle 3: Iron Fist Scriptures". The disc itself is extremely hard to find.


#Fuze ''(M.K.)''
#Fuze ''(M.K.)''
Line 133: Line 215:
#Ending ''(Y.K.)''
#Ending ''(Y.K.)''
#Game Over ''(Y.K.)''
#Game Over ''(Y.K.)''

{{Listen
| pos = right
| filename = Streets of Rage 3 - Bulldozer.ogg
| title = ''Streets of Rage 3'' - "Bulldozer" (1994)
| description = "Bulldozer" from ''Streets of Rage 3'' (1994) demonstrating [[experimental music|experimental]] randomized sequences, with elements of electro, house, [[hardcore (electronic dance music)|hardcore techno]], [[glitch (music)|glitch]]/[[noise music|noise]] and [[trance music]].
}}

For the soundtrack to ''Streets of Rage 3'', Koshiro created a new composition method called the "Automated Composing System" to produce "fast-beat techno like jungle."<ref name="jeff_davis">{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Jeff|title=Interview with Yuzo Koshiro|url=http://www.psy-q.ch/mirrors/thegia/sites/www.thegia.com/features/f010123.html|work=Gaming Intelligence Agency|accessdate=6 August 2011}}</ref> It was the most advanced techno technique of the time, incorporating heavily randomized sequences.<ref name="greening_kotowski">{{cite web|title=Interview with Yuzo Koshiro|date=February 2011|publisher=Square Enix Music Online|author=Chris Greening & Don Kotowski|url=http://www.squareenixmusic.com/features/interviews/yuzokoshiro.shtml|accessdate=2011-06-20}}</ref> This resulted in innovative and [[Experimental music|experimental sounds]] generated automatically that, according to Koshiro, "you ordinarily never could imagine on your own." This method was very rare at the time, but has since become popular among techno and trance producers to get "unexpected and odd sounds."<ref name="sega_horowitz">{{cite web|last=Horowitz|first=Ken|title=Interview: Yuzo Koshiro|url=http://www.sega-16.com/feature_page.php?id=136&title=Interview:+Yuzo+Koshiro|work=Sega-16|accessdate=6 August 2011|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080921205228/http://www.sega-16.com/feature_page.php?id=136&title=Interview:+Yuzo+Koshiro|archivedate=21 September 2008|month=February 5|year=2008}}</ref>

The game's experimental, abrasive [[noise music|noise]]-based, [[electronic music]] received a mixed reception upon release,<ref name="mean_sor3"/><ref name="hg101_sor3">{{cite web|title=Streets of Rage|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/streetsofrage/streetsofrage.htm|publisher=Hardcore Gaming 101|accessdate=5 August 2012}}</ref> but has since been considered to be ahead of its time.<ref name="mean_sor3"/><ref name="sega_horowitz"/> According to ''[[Mean Machines]]'', the "music takes some getting used to - ironically it pre-dated the 'trance' era that came a short while after release."<ref name="mean_sor3">{{cite web|title=Streets of Rage 3 review - Sega Megadrive|url=http://www.meanmachinesmag.co.uk/review/411/streets-of-rage-3.php|work=[[Mean Machines]]|accessdate=1 August 2012}}</ref> The experimental sounds and use of heavily randomized sequences are also considered ahead of its time.<ref name="sega_horowitz"/>

==References==
{{reflist}}


{{Streets of Rage}}
{{Streets of Rage}}

Revision as of 07:16, 8 August 2012

The Streets of Rage series of beat 'em up action video games, released by Sega from 1991 to 1994, are known for their memorable in-game chiptune music, produced by noted video game music composer Yuzo Koshiro. The series has inspired three soundtracks featuring music from the games.

The soundtracks mainly consist of, often experimental,[1] chiptune-based[2] electronic dance music,[3] encompassing electronic genres such as electro, house,[4] techno, hardcore, jungle,[3] ambient,[5] breakbeat,[6] gabber,[7] noise,[8] and trance.[4][6][9] The music was produced using the Yamaha FM-synth sound chips of the Sega Mega Drive / Genesis video game console (YM2612) and NEC PC-88 computer (YM2608),[2][10] along with Koshiro's own audio programming language "Music Love," a modified version of the PC-88's Music Macro Language (MML).[10]

The soundtracks have been critically acclaimed. They are considered ahead of their time,[4][5] and as some of the best video game music of all time.[11] The soundtracks have influenced a range of chiptune, electronica, grime and dubstep musicians through to the the present day, including artists such as Ikonika,[12][13][14] BT,[5] Labrinth,[14] Martyn, Joker, Darkstar,[13] Childish Gambino,[15] and Danger.[16]

Streets of Rage soundtrack

See also: Streets of Rage
Untitled
Catalogue Number: ALCA-181
Publisher: Alfa Records
Year: 1991

(all tracks by Yuzo Koshiro; produced by Koshiro and Kyoji Kato)

The first game's music combined elements of chiptune, techno and house music. Many tracks also have a warm, Caribbean quality; Koshiro has said he was listening to artists like Soul II Soul, Black Box, Maxi Priest and Caron Wheeler around the time of composing. The soundtrack versions of the tracks uses the NEC PC-88's Sound Board II (Yamaha YM2608) sound chip rather than the Sega Mega Drive's YM2612 chip.

The soundtracks for the Streets of Rage series were composed using then outdated PC-88 hardware alongside Koshiro's own original audio programming language. According to Koshiro: "For Bare Knuckle I used the PC88 and an original programming language I developed myself. The original was called MML, Music Macro Language. It's based on NEC's BASIC program, but I modified it heavily. It was more a BASIC-style language at first, but I modified it to be something more like Assembly. I called it ‘Music Love'. I used it for all the Bare Knuckle Games."[10] GamesRadar considers the soundtracks to have some of the best video game music ever composed.[11]

  1. The Street of Rage
  2. Player Select
  3. Fighting in the Street
  4. Attack of the Barbarian
  5. Round Clear
  6. Dilapidated Town
  7. Moon Beach
  8. Keep the Groovin'
  9. Beatnik on the Ship
  10. Stealthy Steps
  11. Violent Breathing
  12. The Last Soul
  13. Big Boss
  14. My Little Baby (Good Ending)
  15. You Became the Bad Guy!
  16. Up & Up
  17. The Super Three
  18. Name Entry
  19. Game Over
  20. The Street of Rage (Arrange version)
  21. Fighting in the Street (Arrange version)
  22. The Last Soul (Arrange version)
  23. Keep the Groovin' (Arrange version)
  24. You Became the Bad Guy! (Arrange version)

Streets of Rage 2 soundtrack

See also: Streets of Rage 2
Untitled
Japanese US
Catalogue Number: ALCA-443 MCM-10106-2
Publisher: Alfa Records Mars Colony Music
Year: 1993 2000

The soundtrack for 1992 video game Streets of Rage 2 is the least difficult Streets of Rage soundtrack to find, having been released in the United States. The tracks on this soundtrack are identical to the Japanese CD soundtrack known as Bare Knuckle II. It was mostly composed and played by Yuzo Koshiro, with a few tracks also composed by Motohiro Kawashima. The soundtrack is said to be one of Koshiro's greatest and it shows the power of the 16-bit Mega Drive/Genesis's YM2612 sound chip. The music was described by Koshiro as "hard-core techno."[3] The game has also been been noted as one of the first video games where the composer's name, Yuzo Koshiro, appears on the title screen.[5]

The soundtrack was influenced by electronic dance music, specifically house, techno, hardcore techno,[3] progressive techno,[6] breakbeat,[20] The soundtrack for Streets of Rage 2 (1992) is considered "revolutionary" and ahead of its time,[4][5] for its "blend of swaggering house synths," "dirty" electro-funk and "trancey electronic textures that would feel as comfortable in a nightclub as a video game."[4]

Square Enix Music Online praised the soundtrack for having "some of the baddest beats ever to grace a video game soundtrack" and its creative use of the Mega Drive/Genesis's limited sound chip, such as "panning in the left and right speakers" to keep "the melodic material briskly moving forward" in the first stage "Go Straight" track. "In the Bar" has been described as "dreamy" blues-influenced piece with "a briskly walking bassline" and "a semi-improvisational feel that adds a jazz mystique." The boss theme "Never Return Alive" is described as an "insane piece" where the "saw wave drills into your mind and serves as a nice synopative measure to keep the edgy nature of the musical material intact throughout the piece's duration." The second stage "Spin on the Bridge" track, described as "hip hop on crack," has been praised for its "absolutely wicked breakbeats!" "Dreamer" has been described as a "dream-like" track with electronica arpeggiations, ethereal tones, and trance elements. "Alien Power" has been described as trip hop with "a bit of ethnic drum percussion," giving it a "strange and a bit creepy" feel. "Slow Moon" has been praised for its funk and call-and-response elements.[6] "Jungle Base" has been described as a hard-hitting dance song. Another stand-out track is the seventh stage "Expander" theme, which was largely composed by Motohiro Kawashima and has been praised as a hard-hitting track with "raunchy synth bass, panning synths," and fast tempo. "Too Deep" has been described as an ambient track, though with sound effects that "sound like a ringing phone."[5]

The CD contains 20 tracks and was produced by Yuzo Koshiro and Kyoji Kato. The track lists are as follows:

  1. Go Straight
  2. In The Bar
  3. Never Return Alive
  4. Spin on the Bridge
  5. Ready Funk
  6. Dreamer
  7. Alien Power
  8. Under Logic
  9. Too Deep
  10. Slow Moon
  11. Wave 131
  12. Jungle Base (M.K.) & (Y.K.)
  13. Back to the Industry
  14. Expander (M.K.)
  15. S.O.R. Super Mix
  16. Max Man (M.K.)
  17. Revenge of Mr. X
  18. Good End
  19. Walking Bottom
  20. Little Money Avenue (M.K.)

Some fans have noticed that the song "Under Logic" sounds like The Shamen's mid-90s hit "Move Any Mountain" and The S.O.R Super Mix is similar to Enigma's "Sadeness". "S.O.R. Super Mix" is composed from parts of previous Streets of Rage songs: "The Street of Rage," "You Became The Bad Guy" (being the core of the song), and "The Last Soul." The arranged version of "You Became The Bad Guy" also has parts of choir similar to "Sadeness."

Streets of Rage 3 soundtrack

See also: Streets of Rage 3
Untitled
Catalogue Number: ALCA-5006
Publisher: Alfa Records
Year: 1994

The music style of Streets of Rage 3 has a different feel to that of the first two games. Described by Yuzo Koshiro as "fast-beat techno like jungle," it was composed using his own "Automated Composing System," used to produce heavily randomized sequences.[3] The soundtrack also had elements of abstract, experimental, gabber,[7] and trance music.[9] As with Streets of Rage 2, the soundtrack features tracks composed by both Koshiro and Motohiro Kawashima.[7]

Unlike the first two soundtracks, the tracks are not in the order that they appear in-game. The full title of this CD is Bare Knuckle 3: Iron Fist Scriptures. The disc itself is difficult to find today.

  1. Fuze (M.K.)
  2. Spinning Machine (Y.K.)
  3. Boss (M.K.)
  4. Beat Ambiance (Y.K.)
  5. Cycle II (M.K.)
  6. KAMADECOCO (Y.K.)
  7. The Poets I (M.K.)
  8. Shinobi Reverse (Y.K.)
  9. Percussion (M.K.)
  10. Moon (M.K.)
  11. Happy Paradise (Y.K.)
  12. The Poets II (M.K.)
  13. Random Cross (Y.K.)
  14. Dub Slash (M.K.)
  15. Inga Rasen (Y.K.)
  16. Bulldozer (M.K.)
  17. Crazy Train (Y.K.)
  18. Cycle I (M.K.)

Not on the CD, but in the game (However included on Disc 3 of Yuzo Koshiro BEST Collection vol.2):

  1. Disco (Y.K.)
  2. ROBO X (Y.K)
  3. Round Clear (Y.K.)
  4. BGM I (M.K.)
  5. BGM II (Y.K.)
  6. BGM III (Y.K.)
  7. BGM IV (Y.K.)
  8. Ending (Y.K.)
  9. Game Over (Y.K.)

For the soundtrack to Streets of Rage 3, Koshiro created a new composition method called the "Automated Composing System" to produce "fast-beat techno like jungle."[3] It was the most advanced techno technique of the time, incorporating heavily randomized sequences.[23] This resulted in innovative and experimental sounds generated automatically that, according to Koshiro, "you ordinarily never could imagine on your own." This method was very rare at the time, but has since become popular among techno and trance producers to get "unexpected and odd sounds."[1]

The game's experimental, abrasive noise-based, electronic music received a mixed reception upon release,[9][8] but has since been considered to be ahead of its time.[9][1] According to Mean Machines, the "music takes some getting used to - ironically it pre-dated the 'trance' era that came a short while after release."[9] The experimental sounds and use of heavily randomized sequences are also considered ahead of its time.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Horowitz, Ken (2008). "Interview: Yuzo Koshiro". Sega-16. Archived from the original on 21 September 2008. Retrieved 6 August 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  2. ^ a b c d Barnholt, Ray (2012). "The Magic of FM Synth". 1UP.com. Retrieved 6 August 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Davis, Jeff. "Interview with Yuzo Koshiro". Gaming Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i McNeilly, Joe (April 19, 2010). "Game music of the day: Streets of Rage 2". GamesRadar. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Mustin. "Streets of Rage 2 Original Soundtrack (US): Review". Square Enix Music Online. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h Ryan. "Streets of Rage 2 Original Soundtrack (US): Review". Square Enix Music Online. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Yuzo Koshiro / Motohiro Kawashima ‎– Bare Knuckle III". Discogs. Retrieved 7 August 2012. Cite error: The named reference "discogs_bk3" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  8. ^ a b c "Streets of Rage". Hardcore Gaming 101. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  9. ^ a b c d e f "Streets of Rage 3 review - Sega Megadrive". Mean Machines. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
  10. ^ a b c Szczepaniak, John. "Retro Japanese Computers: Gaming's Final Frontier". Hardcore Gaming 101. Retrieved 2011-03-29. Reprinted from Retro Gamer, 2009
  11. ^ a b Elston, Brett (December 4, 2010). "Game music of the day: Streets of Rage". GamesRadar. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  12. ^ Lawrence, Eddy (11 January 2011). "Ikonika interview: Producer and DJ, Ikonika had an incredible 2010". Time Out. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  13. ^ a b "Recording Under the Influence: Ikonika". Self-Titled Magazine. 2010. Retrieved 5 August 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  14. ^ a b Lawrence, Eddy (18 January 2011). "Ikonika interview: Dubstep has taken the world by storm over the past 12 months". Time Out. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  15. ^ "Yuzo Koshiro". WhoSampled. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
  16. ^ Danger (7) – 09/17 2007 at Discogs
  17. ^ a b c "Yuzo Koshiro ‎– Bare Knuckle - Original Soundtrack". Discogs. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  18. ^ a b c Don. "Bare Knuckle: Review". Square Enix Music Online. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  19. ^ a b c "Yuzo Koshiro". VGMdb. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  20. ^ a b c d Streets of Rage 2 on Discogs:
  21. ^ a b Don. "Bare Knuckle III: Review". Square Enix Music Online. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  22. ^ Kombo (September 27, 2007). "Streets of Rage 3, Kirby's Avalanche, Legend of Hero Tonma". GameZone. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  23. ^ Chris Greening & Don Kotowski (February 2011). "Interview with Yuzo Koshiro". Square Enix Music Online. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
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