VGM: Sega Piano Nocturne
Games: Various
Piano & Arrange: Kiminori Atsuta
Release: 1/26/2005
(Sega Corporation / Wave Master, Inc.)
Dream the night away with piano renditions of classic Sega tracks! 🕹🎹
Ever wondered what some of your favorite Sega tunes would sound like completely reimagined with nothing but a Grand Piano? Well, dream the night away with some beautiful piano renditions of classic Sega tracks including Shenmue, OutRun, Space Harrier, Burning Rangers, NiGHTS, and more... on Sega Piano Nocturne!
These new renditions were wonderfully arranged by Kiminori Atsuta, who performed the songs on a Yamaha C5 Grand Piano. The clarity of each note really comes through, evoking a relaxing Piano Bar vibe; almost like Ryo Hazuki walking in to a newly discovered music bar, that has been tucked away in the coding of Shenmue's 1986 Yokosuka, which is rather fitting, since the opening track of the album is a lovely rendition of the Shenhua theme from Shenmue.
Sega Piano Nocturne contains 8 eclectic piano arrangements containing classic Sega mainstays, and unexpected gems from Sega of yore.
1. Shenhua (from Shenmue ~ Chapter 1: Yokosuka)
2. Future~Voyage (from Sakura Taisen 3)
3. Can Still See the Light (from Phantasy Star Online)
4. Passing Breeze (from OutRun)
5. Main Theme (from Space Harrier)
6. I Just Smile (from Burning Rangers)
7. System Down (from S.D.I.)
8. Dreams Dreams (from NiGHTS)
You really can't go wrong with any Sega music album that opens with Shenmue and is bookended by NiGHTS, however what is really special about Sega Piano Nocturne is the musical traveling that is done between where the album really shines. While it's wonderful to see popular franchises like Phantasy Star and Sakura Taisen have memorable renditions on offer here, it's Space Harrier, OutRun, and Burning Rangers however that surprisingly lend themselves very well to this creative musical endeavor. S.D.I.-Strategic Defense Initiative (Sega, 1987) is the most unique of the bunch, and while it clocks in as the shortest track on the album at 1:07, the improvisational jazz take on this classic Arcade chip-tune is incredibly unique and fun.
The album as a whole has 16 tracks in total; the first 8 being the newly arranged piano renditions, while tracks 9-16 are the tracks in their original form. It's a nice addition that encourages comparison of the two versions in more detail.
Overall, Sega Piano Nocturne is a unique, and engaging listen, that evokes feelings of nostalgia while also being fresh in its approach. So, grab a drink, a classic issue of your favorite Sega magazine, and relax to some classy, dreamy Sega tunes in an entirely new way.
*Bonus Stage: Sega Piano Nocturne also contains a spine card that doubled as a free entry coupon for up to 4 people to Sega Tokyo Joypolis, an indoor Sega owned game center and amusement park (the coupon's expiration date was 03/31/2005).
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