shadsy dot net: sonic music musings

sonic music musings

as of 02/12/2024, the directory playlist has been MOVED over to HERE.

in april of 2012, i started a special little music project called "sonic music musings"--a blog where i would post a music track from the sonic the hedgehog franchise every day, and talk a little about it. it was partially out of spite--a then popular sonic music blog suddenly deactivated that day, and as i loved it so much, i decided to take up the mantel. i was still in music college, so my analysis chops were on point. i gained a following and started taking requests. i even did a radio stream series!

as it goes, things change, i had less time, and i gradually started updating less and less. i slowed down at the end of 2013, and made a minor comeback in the front half of 2015, celebrating the blog's birthday in between. a couple posts of housekeeping in 2017. and then... in august 2023, i decided to make good on the housekeeping i had promised. so i reposted some old tracks with new audio. and then i posted new stuff from my drafts! and now requests are open! a small comeback nearly a decade later. the blog is not nearly as popular as it was in its heyday (i think tumblr's search and less saturation in the current sonic community at large plays a part), but i enjoy doing it.

in an effort to preserve the blog beyond the blog, i will be posting static commentary over here. tumblr won't last forever ~~as we've said for the last 5-7 years~~, and hey, talking about music is my sorta thing. so it will live on my website! happy listening and reading!

see the links above for the static commentary directory. as of 09/17/2024, only classic is in any state of viewability. i'll get the others up someday! (sweating)

commentary status

classic (as is as of 02/26/2024)
dreamcast
boost
modern

⏪ back to music

classic era commentary

this page covers sonic 1 (1991) through sonic r (1997). tracks are listed in order of posting by game. links to original tumblr post.

last updated 02/26/2024

game gear/master system

Bridge Zone (link) 05/26/2012
Howdy hey! Gotta say I loooove the blog also any chance I could request “Bridge Zone” from Sonic 1 on Master System?
- gearstrike

Hello everyone! Thank you for the praise, my friend! Writing this up from the past again, since I’m going to be crazy busy, but here we go!

I think I have this on the Sonic Gems Collection for Gamecube–oops, I just checked, it’s Master System Sonic the Hedgehog 2 I have. Regardless, I have played this format before! And let me say, this is a really adorable tune! It has a really bright sounding melody, pretty simple, but ah, it’s really catchy! I like the reverb effect that’s going on with the melody line. The 8-bit sound work is very, very well done, using the simplistic sound palette to generate something that’s effective and musical, without sounding like “blips and beeps” (a reason why my father doesn’t like video game music–I’m really determined to turn him around). The percussion sounds are very limited, with the bass wave carrying the beat of the whole thing, and it gets especially cool at the bridge section, no pun intended. I like the chord progression in that section as well, bVI and bVII used in a very effective way.

In looking this up, one of the Youtube comments mentioned that this sounds a lot like “Believe In Myself”, Tails’ theme from Sonic Adventure. The opening riff definitely has the melody from this track, and going through, the chorus melody takes from it as well. It’s a very neat call back, whether it’s intentional or not!

Scrap Brain Zone (link) 12/20/2012
Scrap Brain Zone from Sonic 1, Master System version?
- Anonymous

Hello friends! Have some 8-bit magic for today!

I love the drive to this track! The drum track is really effective here. The chords going on are really nice too; a bit of a classic video game feel. The bass is chugging right along, and there’s a ton of melody and countermelody stuff going on as well! The main melody is in the higher synth, while the more ornamented countermelody keeps up arpeggios in the background. It’s a simply orchestrated track, with only those four sounds going on, but it’s done so well. It drives, it’s enjoyable, and it’s not tiresome. A lovely piece!

Green Hill Zone (link) 03/09/2013
Green Hill Zone from 8-bit Sonic 1?
- Anonymous

And today’s track!

This is a very cute take on the very famous first stage! I always love hearing songs in the 8-bit medium, especially official ones like this. It captures all of the parts of the track without making it too busy sounding. The arpeggios in the very back are probably my favorite part of this–they’re subtle and add just the right amount of color. In a couple sections, the melody sounds like it’s doubled, and it’s a very cool effect. The bass is prominent, the drums are simple (a bit necessary for the medium), but it really gets all of the nuances of the original tune. This is great!

Ending (link) 07/10/2013
Now, how about the -other- Sonic 1 credit music? I heard it before, and it was a great song. I also heard part of it was Safari Citadel day.
- bre-ishurna

Hello friends! I hope this is the ending you were talking about!

I can hear the resemblance to Savannah Citadel in the beginning and ending, although the melody doesn’t quite match up. It’s very similar, however, and the chord progression is quite similar as well! It’s a very cute little theme, incorporating Green Hill smack in the middle of the track nearly seamlessly. The bass line is very nice, outlining all of the chords very well, and the padding and auxiliary sounds are also a nice touch!

Jungle Zone (link) 08/05/2013
How about Jungle Zone from Sonic 1 Game Gear? I always liked that one, even if I never could beat that boss.
- Anonymous

This is a really cute track! It’s simple, with just the harmonized melody, bass, and drum track. It’s got a nice swing feel, and I like the staccato nature of it! It’s charming, and I like the the little trills and turns in the bridge section of the melody. It doesn’t really sound like a jungle track, however–it sounds more like the intro to a game! It’s still lovely!

Labyrinth Zone (link) 09/21/2013
Has no one inquired about the Labyrinth Zone from 8-bit Sonic 1? ono That’s a shame!
- vizardjeffhog

This is a cute little swing theme! I love the simplicity of the 8-bit soundtracks–just drums, bass, and two melody lines that compliment each other. The focus then becomes on the effectiveness of the melody and the basic groove rather than instrumentation, which can be a challenge! However, this is done very well, especially with the walking bass line at the A section, and the line cliche in the B section. It’s super groovy and cool!

Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (1992)

Aquatic Ruin Zone (link) 04/08/2012

Take it back to the time when email was king! …No, that’s not right…

Ah, Sonic 2~! The Genesis games are actually quite hard for me, but I’ve gotten the farthest in this one. With cute little Tails floating around and getting into all sorts of messes! So after you get past your traditional beach jungle and the scary purple water, you end up in a water jungle.

Perhaps I like this purely for the samba feel, but I love it all the same. I love the rhythmic synth line that’s buried into the opening riff, it really sets the grove up. Hell, this whole song makes me want to groove out and dance! I love the chord progression, as well as the bass line. All very funky! The claps add a nice touch. This tune has a lot of typical samba rhythms in it, which I think is perfectly fine. I like how the percussion is limited to the snare and the clap sound, which may be because the sound chip in the Genesis only allowed for so much, but I dig it!

All of this is very good, because this level makes me want to tear my hair out because there are so many places to lose your footing and drown. At least I can groove out while I’m doing said drowning!

Mystic Cave Zone (link) 05/27/2012
Checked up on the playlist, and I’m surprised no one’s requested Mystic Cave Zone’s awesome tunes! It’s one of those songs that pops into my head at any random time - it’s got a catchy beat, yet still has the aura of walking into a possibly haunted forest late at night…or that might just be me. c: Give it a listen - I’d love to hear what you have to say about it!
- vinjaryou

Hey, Scourgey~! And all you lovely people out there! I’m not sure why this hasn’t been requested either, given how funky this track is! Interestingly enough, I have reached this far in Sonic 2, sliding around those cool vine things that you can hang on to and run around with. The driving force of this track is the ostinato bass line that runs through just about the whole thing, and it reminds me of Inspector Gadget, for some reason. This whole track reminds me of Inspector Gadget! I like the melody besides; in the first section, it has that “spooky” warble; in the second section, the chromatic bits, and the bell like sounds used for it are a nice flair. In the bridge section where the bass changes to the intro, the trills going on are really funky. I think the neatest thing about this track is all the aux. stuff, the fills in the first section, and the cool comping in the second section, it’s all great! All of your comments are spot on too, and the song really fits the mood of the stage. Awesome!

Death Egg Zone (link) 06/10/2012
Oh man, I love Sonic 2. My favorite tune from that game is Death Egg Zone. I’m not a music student, but I always felt that it sounded like some sort of demented lullaby. I just felt that the melody, if slowed down and played on a different instrument, would sound very relaxing.
- janedoodles

Hey, here’s another flashback tune! Not a full analysis, but hey, why not?

Wow, you’re right, it does sound exactly like that—like you really are trespassing on scary waters, with the contrast of the “sweet” melody line to the bass line, as well as those frilly, eerie tweetlies that are in the beginning. This would definitely be fun to do a reimagining of it with that top line, maybe on piano or something? Or double solo flute…hmm. Death Egg Lullaby indeed!

Chemical Plant Zone (link) 09/10/2012

Hey, what’s going on everybody? I just started classes this week, yowza! I’m taking time this week to do some of my own picks before we start requests back up, and I promise not to disappoint!

For your Monday, we have a nice classic tune, coming from the second Sonic game! The moment I heard this, I really fell in love with it when playing Sonic 2. Combined with going faster than the camera and all the little nooks and crannies you can race through, it really made the stage. The bass work is really fantastic, a huge driving force along with the percussion. I love the melody, the staccato parts and the long lines provide some nice contrast. There’s a bunch of comping going on throughout as well, taking from the opening riff, tying everything together. And then that huge crescendo before the turnaround, hitting that high not and really bending on it, so cool! I can see a fresh combo doing this, with a sax in the lead and really ripping through those lines. I like to practice along to this song, and it’s a hell of a lot of fun! Just watch out for all the purple water.

Special Stage (link) 11/26/2012
I’ve got two for you, how about the Special Stage music [from Sonic 2] […]
- Anonymous

Hey everyone! Hope you all had decent Mondays!

The beginning of this reminds me of a crazy carnival game, and makes me simultaneously go “oh no, here we go” and “all right, let’s do this!”. The melody synth has quite a bit of modulation on it, giving it a funky sort of feel. Then we have that cool bass line, repeating over and over in an ostinato feel. The instrumentation is pretty sparse, just with some harmonizing in the melody, and some comping in the background. Oh, and there’s some light arpeggios going on as well! They have a sparkle feel to them, which is very cool! I like the drum groove quite a bit, not just for the sound quality that the Genesis soundchip gives it (it’s a very unique sound, I find, and I enjoy it a lot!). It’s groovy, and while it’s not my favorite special stage track, it’s definitely got a nice vibe!

Oil Ocean Zone (link)
oil ocean zone!
- foreverdechan

Hello friends! Hope everyone is doing well!

I love the Eastern flavor that this track has, from the unstable drumbeat, to all the sounds that it uses. The bass is pretty intense–both the drums and bass have that characteristic Genesis sound to them, and it’s a nice color to the overall mix. The sound of the melody is beautiful too, lilting around in harmonic minor and phrygian (perhaps the elusive Spanish phrygian that doesn’t really exist). It doesn’t have the same drive that most Sonic tracks do, but I think it fits well enough with the rest of the music. It suits the stage, with all the sinkable oil that’s around. It conjures an image of deep purple, gold yellows and oranges, like an eternal, hot sunset that never crosses the horizon. It’s very neat!

Hidden Palace (unused) (link) 01/04/2013
How about the unused theme in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 for Genesis that was to be used for Hidden Palace?
- wreck-it-mikey

I think this is the track you’re looking for! Hope everyone’s doing well!

This has a slow waltz feel, disrupted by the off hand snare hits. It moves mostly by the heavy chords going on in the main melody and supporting counterlines. It’s got a trance like feel to it, like thousands of people waltzing in the desert, dipping all at the same time. The very short turn around brings about some chordal stability, but otherwise, everything is constantly moving in a strange canon, making it a little hard to solidify one’s place in the form. With that said, I love the tones being used, and I think that adds to the charm of this track! I’m surprised that it wasn’t used!

Ending Theme (link) 04/03/2013
Would you mind reviewing the Ending Theme for Sonic 2? It’s got a lot of emotion to it due to where most people end up finding it.
- janedoodles

Doubling up today!

I (still) haven’t finished Sonic 2 yet, but I did some research–apparently, this was remixed for the Sonic 2006 soundtrack with lyrics and everything! This is a really lovely song, and I love the melody and progression of it too! It goes to a lot of different places harmonically, and it’s really beautiful! The transition between the verse and chorus is particularly powerful, as well as the transition to the coda. There’s limited percussion, but the melody and padding really pushes the track forward. The harmonization in the melody is beautiful too! There’s even some dynamic range, some piano-forte’s going on right before the climax of the track. I’ve heard the remixes and it fits very well with them–this is lovely!

Final Boss (link) 04/09/2013
Has the music from the final boss from Sonic 2 been done yet?
- Anonymous

It has not! I hope everyone’s doing well!

This definitely has a final boss feel, especially from those dissonant chords at the beginning! I think the drums and their different timbres really give the track that final feel we’re familiar with. There’s also a distinct traditional minor feel, with the dominant five chords in the minor key. The melody is pretty consistent and catchy, as well as the bass line, and I like how it switches things up for the second section. It’s very effective!

Emerald Hill Zone (2 Player) (link) 04/28/2013
Hi, there! First time requester, so I have a few of them for you if you don’t mind me putting multiple requests down at once. All from Sonic 2, with a common theme to them: Emerald Hill (two-player VS mode) […]
- mandolihpuff

Hello everyone! I’m spreading out this group of requests over a few days. This has such a different vibe from the one player version of this! There isn’t a strong drum presence on this track, relying mostly on the bass and the melody to carry the track. There are some cool chords going on in the middle of this, sounding like a bit of a modulation from our original key. It sounds a bit like a carnival tune, and has a happy vibe to it. It’s pleasant and listenable, and uses a variety of sounds from the Genesis soundchip!

Mystic Cave Zone (2 Player) (link) 05/01/2013
Mystic Cave (two-player VS mode)
- mandolihpuff

Doubling up!

This definitely has a different feel to things compared to the original Mystic Cave! Probably the most prominent thing is that low end riff at the head, lapsing into an ostinato in the bass line. The melody line, in contrast to the busy bass, is pretty elongated, and has a cool quality to it. There are also some nice canons and counter melodies going on, plus some auxiliary lines that really compliment the piece! Everything is based off the bass ostinato, just sort of a big bed of sound for everything, and things still stay interesting throughout the loop! It’s actually almost trance inducing with all the overlapping lines. Very cool!

Casino Night Zone (2 Player) (link) 05/02/2013
[…] and Casino Night (two-player VS mode).
- mandolihpuff

Hello friends!

This still has largely the same vibe as the original, although with more of a hip hop groove behind it. Regardless, it’s still bouncy, and check out that hip bass line! I think it would probably even slap a little bit if it were a real instrument. The melody exists in big chunks throughout, with sprinkles of auxiliary sound everywhere, adding in chunky chords where it’s needed. The chord progression is actually pretty busy in the bridge section before the turn around, but it all blends in so well together, it’s hard for the ear to notice it! Check out the padding during that section as well. Overall, a great piece!

Hill Top Zone (link) 07/20/2013
Hill Top zone from Sonic 2?
- Anonymous

And today’s track, at last!

Whenever I hear this, I just remember what a hard time I had with this stage, for some reason. Maybe it was because Tails would always ride some of the pulleys before I could get to them…! I do like the fun, sort of upbeat feel to this track, however! The bass in this is super funky, as well as the comping going on. The melody is definitely very catchy, and there’s a bunch of bluesy voicings in the keyboards, making it a hip sound. It’s light and fun and clearly depicts all the bright colors and the mood of the stage.

Metropolis Zone (link) 07/29/2013
Metropolis Zone from Sonic 2? I’m surprised no one’s requested it until now.
- Anonymous

Last track for today!

This track seems a little out of whack for the Sonic 2 soundtrack…then again, I don’t think I ever got this far! There are lots of different little themes into it, from the intro, to all of the pitch bending, to the break and the turnaround. I think I like the turnaround the best–it quotes some of the earlier themes in the game and uses it quite effectively! The melody in the A section is hard to decipher, whether you want to follow the chordal motion or the lower melodic piece. It’s definitely an interesting piece, and the Genesis sound chip gives it even more of a flare!

Sky Chase Zone (link) 08/05/2013
How about Sky Chase Zone from Sonic 2?
- Anonymous

Okay, I’m all caught up now!

This track has a bit of an odd feel to it, in my opinion–it feels a little dated. There isn’t a lot of bass motion or backing, but there are some mid range arpeggios, and the chord padding tends to reside in the high end of the synths. The melody is really dense and long, traversing over several different changes–because the loop excludes the intro, it’s a bit hard to tell where it starts and ends. I find that really great in a looped track, though! It means it has a lot of body, and a lot to work with melodically. The drums are a bit sparse, but I think it works for the mix. I’m not sure if it invokes a chase, however, but it’s still a cute track!

Wing Fortress Zone (link) 08/27/2013
Wing Fortress Zone? It seems to be the only Sonic 2 zone left.
- Anonymous

The regular versions of Emerald Hill and Casino Night haven’t been done, as well as many of the jingles, but most of Sonic 2 Genesis has been pretty tapped out!

This has a heroic fanfare at the beginning–in some ways, the whole track feels like ending credits music. It does have that dissonance in the middle of the loop, and you think it’s going to pick up from there, but it stays in a triumphant sort of feel the rest of the way through. It’s curious for a Sonic stage, but I suppose it has its place? It sounds very traditional march to me, in the medium of the Genesis sound chip. It has good chordal movement and voice leading, but the feel of it doesn’t really seem to go with the fast pace of the game. An interesting choice!

Title Screen (link) 09/07/2013
The ‘Title screen’ music from Sonic The Hedgehog 2 please?
- Anonymous

Sure thing! This title screen isn’t too much different from the Sonic 1 title screen, except for the sparkle bit at the end. Whether it’s something just to make it different, it’s a nice touch!

Emerald Hill Zone (link) 01/23/2015

Happy Friday, everyone!

Out of the Genesis games, Sonic 2 was the only one I could really get anywhere with (although I was pretty good at CD), so this track gives me some nostalgia because of the time I spent on it. I love the bass line the most, it has a slapping effect, and acts more as a countermelody than an actual bass. The foundation of this track is more in the simple pads and the steady drums. The melody itself is pretty catchy, and changes hands with the synths it uses, creating sonic variety in itself. In fact, when one listens, one finds themselves either focusing on the bass or the melody, it’s a bit of a task to focus your head on doing both. Either way, it’s catchy and cool, and doesn’t get old.

1-UP (100 follower milestone) see Sonic 1 above

End of Act (300 follower milestone) see Sonic 1 above

game gear/master system

Sky High Zone (link) 06/13/2012
… The Game Gear/Master System version of Sonic 2 has a lot of outstanding BGM that’s been overlooked because JESUS that game’s rough. Sky High Zone has a really simple but nice groove and is my personal favorite. Thoughts?
- daitarnweb

Hey there, cool cats! I have played a little of this from the Gems collection, and it is interesting to say the least. This little 8-bit track is really groovy! I like the bass line that goes all the way through it, it’s simple and yet so funky! The percussion track is really effective as well, simple and effective as things tend to be in 8-bit. I like the tones at the beginning, outlining the dorian mode really well. The melody is easy to sing along to, very effective in that manner! It’s amazing what one can do with the limited sound waves that the medium allows. Simple is always better in this format, which is exactly what this mix does. I’ve listened to this about seven times in a row at this point, and my head’s just boppin’. I dig it!

Green Hills Zone (link) 07/23/2012
I really love the BGM from the GG/Master System version of Sonic 2! One of my favorite tracks is the BGM for Green Hills Zone. What are your thoughts on it?
- overlookedninja

What’s up, chumpions? You know, I’ve actually played this version of Sonic 2, since it’s on the Gems collection, and it’s something! I was blown away by the fact that this track is basically an 8-bit version of “Sonic - You Can Do Anything” from Sonic CD! How wild is that? You hear it best on the “chorus” section, but man, that’s really cool! That’s the second Master System/Game Gear track that’s done this that we’ve covered here. This one makes more sense: Sonic 2 and Sonic CD were in development at the same time, but the latter got released about a year later. I’m so blown away, I need a couple more seconds!

Overall, I love the percussion shuffle that drives in the background, and the busy bass line in the back. The mix is basically that and the melody line, and that alone makes for a brilliant piece of 8-bit work. The best tracks of that nature are simply done. I like the echo effects going on as well in the main melody. It’s catchy and upbeat, and I love the mixolydian feel to it, a lovely groove! This is really a cute and jammin’ track, and I’m really enjoying it!

Ending (link) 04/15/2013
Ah! I’m sorry, when I said the ending to Sonic 2 I meant the 8-bit version! The one you posted was lovely, though.
- janedoodles

Ohh, this ending! I remember you doing a doodle about it a while ago! Well, I have it, so I’ll pop it up now!

This has a cute vibe to it! I especially like how the drums are used in this medium–all of the 8-bit Sonic games have a really sharp drum feel to them in comparison to a lot of other 8-bit music I’ve heard, and it’s really characteristic. The harmonies in the main melody are really nice to listen to, and the bass line is very cool! It’s a sparse arrange, but when an 8-bit mix gets too busy, it tends to get very muddy. This is done so well though! The melody is pleasant and everything comes together really well.

Scrambled Egg Zone (link) 04/27/2013
Scrambled Egg Zone from Sonic 2 Game Gear?
- Anonymous

Absolutely! Here’s today’s track!

I think the first person who requested Sonic 2 GG music said that the music was great, even though the game was rough. I took a listen to the whole soundtrack looking for this one, and it’s true–it’s a very charming soundtrack if you’re into chiptune!

Regardless, this track has a lot of drive to it, especially in the percussion section. The melody really has a lot to it as well, dipping and diving everywhere. And then there are of the hits that everyone has together before breaking into the B section, where we get some nice chordal movement, as well as sort of a shout chorus in the melody. It’s really lovely!

Underground Zone (link) 08/29/2013
Underground Zone from Sonic 2 (GG). It’s the only song I know since I’ve NEVER beaten the level.
- poppiseed

Hello friends!

I remember this song very distinctly myself, and something tells me I didn’t get through this stage either. There’s a lot of cool stuff going on though! I love the really high synth counter line, and how it swoops up into the main melody. The bass is really busy as well, it’s got such a groovy drive going on. The melody itself is really intricate, always going to new places, and it’s actually a pretty long loop for a Game Gear track! It starts off simple, then goes more and more intricate as the track progresses, before heading back to the top with the slides. The drums provide a solid foundation for the entire groove too. Cool!

Sonic The Hedgehog CD (1993)

Stardust Speedway (Past) (link) 04/01/2012

Let’s kick this off right, shall we.

Sonic CD is one of my personal favorite games, and yet I still can’t get through the whole thing, good future-ing it up without having to restart from a continue because I missed or messed up a signpost. And this funky fresh thing I supply you with is the Past mix of Stardust Speedway.

If you notice in comparison with the JP/EU soundtrack, where all the stages have their own theme remixed within the time zone things, this is a half step down from the rest of the Stardust Speedway tracks. I really dig the bass line, and the dorian mode in the A section. As well as the sweaty overweight jam sample at the very beginning, you can’t deny that’s cool. I think what really gives me the shivers is the B section, that flat-VI, flat-VII, I progression that’s in a thousand tunes, but here with the funk groove and the simple melody, and the way the synth pad kicks in at the second run-around of it makes it that much cooler. I like to solo sax on this and just wail away.

Also, I can link anyone to an extended version, if anyone is interested (like myself) to listen to ten minutes of this sucker looped.

Little Planet [US] (link) 04/06/2012

Happy Friday! Looks like we’re back in Sonic CD land!

I dig this track so much, I believe it plays when you’re picking stuff in the Time Attack section, or when you beat everything with a good future. Oh, this is from the US release by the way! I dig the US soundtrack quite a bit, equally to the JAP/EU one. Granted, the latter is significantly whackier, but that’s what makes it awesome.

Anyway, back to this! I love the acoustic guitar that drives this, as well as the dorian feel in the A section (you’re going to find that I love that mode as we go on). Even though the electric guitar fills seem a little out of place during that section, I like the color a lot. The bass is cool too, really punchy. Then when we hit the half-step modulation, everything kicks up a notch, with the electric guitar going into a consistant melody that I really enjoy. It just soars through! I like how it keeps the energy going back into the shorter A section, modulating back very neatly and nicely. This is one of those songs I keep on repeat; it’s got that early 90’s rock feel, and I dig it all.

Fun fact: I used a couple parts of this for my Garageband loops project in my Computer Apps for Music class. Yeah, I was the coolest.

Tidal Tempest (Bad Future) [US] (link) 04/09/2012

Ah, Monday. Can you tell I like the Sonic CD soundtrack?

This is the water stage, US version bad future. And many of the “bad future” song renditions in the US soundtrack are very…“edgy” sounding, for lack of a better way to put it. Compare this to the JP/EU soundtrack, which all of the bad futures have kind of a metallic, robotic feel. Makes sense, considering Eggman is taking over and roboticizing the Little Planet.

I like this for its eerie feel. I like the simple percussion, the swells, all of the vocal overdubs. It definitely creates a mood, for all the broken pillars and the water. I love the modulation near the end of the loop, including the deep voice that slides down on beats 2 and 4, plus all the other vocal overdubs there. There are lots of extra effects thrown in, and the mix has a very crisp, super-slick, super-smooth feel that is telling from the era in which the game was made. The shaker at 0:15 is also divine, and reappears around 0:30. The guitar swells are really neat as well.

Quartz Quadrant [JP/PAL] (link) (04/21/2012)

More Sonic CD? Sources whisper yes.

We’re coming back to the JP/PAL soundtrack! I really, really, really like this track. I love the groove at the beginning, the synth sounds, and that sexy bass line going through. Then the piano melody line, the horns come in blasting, and it’s really fun and driving. I believe this stage has all those treadmill things in it, that you can shoop through if you maneuver right. I like how it returns to the intro groove midway through, and the horn melody during the second part. The melody in the synth (it sounds like a reed of some kind, but it’s clearly MIDI, so much that I can’t tell what it is), how it really builds, it builds and builds, and then coming back around to the beginning of the loop comes back down. I’ve listened to the 30 minute loop of this many, many times. I dig the groove so much, and damn, I hope you all too!

Palmtree Panic (Good Future) [US] (link) 05/04/2012

Holy hannah, happy Friday, guys! There are a lot more people here than there were yesterday, and to you, I say welcome!

I am totally and completely okay with running the Sonic CD soundtrack dry, so we slink back to the US soundtrack for a good future. I love the groovy vibe to it, which somewhat carries over from the present version of the track. The bass line really moves, and I love the melody in the marimba. It’s simple, but it’s effective, y'know? And then a saxophone synth (some kind of synth) takes the melody as well, and then up the octave the second time! It’s a nice building motion. The aux percussion gives it that cool jungly feel. I like the modulation near the end of the loop, but I don’t like that it doesn’t go anywhere. In the original (and up ‘til the most recent rerelease), all the present, good and bad future music just…fades out. THEN restarts. That’s always been a pet peeve of mine, especially since the loops are so short (barely two minutes); but I’m happy to know that they’ve looped it for the most recent rerelease!

Of course, I only know this because I go on Youtube and listen to the 30 minute loops of this stuff. The loop is done really well! Hm, what else. Oh, the vocal kicks are really neat as well! They add just another flare that makes the mix. Enjoy!

Tidal Tempest (Bad Future) [JP/PAL] (link) 05/11/2012
I know you’ve already posted the US version of Tidal Tempest Bad Future, but what are your thoughts on the JP version? They’re both really cool tracks, but they both evoke different things; US evokes the image of dying, struggling-for-breath animals underwater, while the JP evokes the image of a giant machine continuously pounding the life out of something that’s trying to get away from it. What’s your take?
- janedoodles

Ah yes, any excuse to post more Sonic CD! And I almost forgot, happy Friday!

Like I’ve said before, I like how all the bad futures in the JP/PAL soundtrack sound really industrial, like giant machines. I also think this track in particular is interesting because it’s so vastly different from the present melody. I like how the pan is used in the sliding synth. Oh, now that I’m listening closely, some of the more pad sounding synths echoes the second section of the present melody. It sounds so dissonant compared to the rest of what’s going on, with some of the aux. synths. I like how the bass stays constant throughout, nearly an ostinato going throughout the whole thing. The percussion is generally simple and processed as well. I like the almost dial tone sounds scattered around as well. With the ostinato going on there, it’s hard to find a set chord structure, which gives it a really eerie feel to begin with.

I think this mood really fits the bad future just as well as the US version, and I get the same image as you do–with the machines pounding the life out of the area. That’s essentially what Eggman’s doing to Little Planet in all the bad futures, and some of them look pretty devastating.

Palmtree Panic (Bad Future) [JP/PAL] (link) 05/19/2012
What do you think of Palmtree Panic Bad Future (JAP/PAL)? I personally like it a lot better than the US one.
- stareon

Hello you amateurs! The weekend’s posts are going to be queued because I’m going to be at camp. But alas, more Sonic CD!

I think this is one of my favorite bad futures from the JP/PAL soundtrack. I like all the elements it takes from the present, with the “YAY”’s, and the synth sax riff falling in the middle that doesn’t jell with the rest of the mix. I like all the percussion work, the different sounds, how heavy it is, and again, we get the feel of machinery going through. I love the overdriven synth that’s running through the whole mix, and the piano lines! Those are awesome! It gives it that upbeat feel from the jungle that’s crossed over somehow into the robotic wasteland that it became. The way the “yay”’s are sequenced in there, along with the chords behind it, it leaves a very eerie feeling, and then there’s the lick that runs up to the main chorus, yes! Then that section right after, where there’s more chordal movement before the loop restarts is really cool. I can’t say that I like it better than the US version, because I really love that one too (it’ll be posted eventually), but this is definitely a jammin’ track.

Tidal Tempest (Past) (link) 05/23/2012
I know you’ve posted a lot of this stage already, so you can save this request for later if you want, but could I request the Past version of Tidal Tempest? It’s one of my favorite pieces of music from the Sonic series! I love it because it’s so mysterious, yet so upbeat at the same time–it actually took me a while to realize that it was a remix of the present version because of how different it sounded, pff. The part that incorporates the ‘unused’ loop is also pretty sweet!
- uwu

Today’s request is brought to you by Hannah! Hope you all are doing swell this fine Wednesday!

Oy, I had this all written up, and then Tumblr ate the dust, so here we go again! I really like the mood for this piece, it is very mysterious! When compared to the present mix, it’s relatively sparse. There is a lot of padding and hushing sounds in the present, whereas the past is simply arranged–percussion, a muted bass, a melody line, and an aux. synth line that serves a different purpose for each section. In the first section, it helps keep up the eighth note pulse and push the mix forward. In the section section, it crescendos and decrescendos a trill that matches (well, somewhat) the chord quality that’s going on at the moment. It gives it that mysterious feel, with the major seventh interval, and because the chord qualities aren’t as strong, it strengthens that further. And in the last section, the aux synth has these cool xylophone runs up that really remind me of bubbles coming to the surface. Really fitting for a water level!

The melody bears similarities to the present mix, especially in the final section, and is a very effective one, moderately staccato with some echo. The bass in this is not as present, which makes for a different feel for the whole mix. It leaves room for the other aspects to shine, which is very cool. The percussion is nice and earthy, especially present at the loop when it’s exposed. All in all, it’s a very neat track!

Quartz Quadrant (Good Future) [JP/PAL] (link) 06/06/2012
Can you give your input on Quartz Quadrant (Good Future JP)? It’s one of my favorites! :)
- Anonymous

Mmm, good morning, you chumpions! Time to hang-glide back to Sonic CD land!

This track has an almost soothing quality to it, taking its main melody from an almost buried section in the Present mix. I love the acoustic guitar in it, the synth bass, and all the shaker sounds in the percussion. The percussion itself is mixed with a lot of treble it sounds like, which gives it that lighter quality that I really enjoy. I like the synth violin for what it is, even though it can sound a little out of control at times. I love the melody lines that are going on, and all the nature sounds too! It makes me really feel like we freed the animals! If you listen really carefully, it sounds like there’s even a little cowbell in the very back of the mix.

The horn kicks, of course, are always a winner for me, as well as the constant arpeggios that some auxiliary synth has at any given time. At some sections, instead of a cymbal hit, there is a clatter of wind chimes, which is a really cool variation. I love the chord structure to this as well, ascending to descending structures. It stays constant throughout the whole mix, but with all the variety in the other sounds, it’s a good constant, and doesn’t get boring in the slightest. The brightness of this track also fits with the brightness of the good future too, which is always a plus!

Cosmic Eternity - Believe In Yourself (link) 07/26/2012
... "Cosmic Eternity - Believe in Yourself" from CD?
- insufficientmage

It’s been a little while since our last CD track, and I’m excited! This is the track that plays during the end mini movie once you complete the game (in the US version, it’s “Little Planet” with some added vocals from “Sonic Boom”). I love the groove to this overall! The intro is surprisingly slow, before everything kicks in. A stand out section is some vocal sampling at the beginning that fades in, along with the scatting there as well, super groovy! The piano is a nice touch underneath, and the bass work is spectacular as well! I like the female vocal a lot (the male vocal work isn’t necessarily my style, but it fits the mood of the piece), the way she scoops and the contour of the line. Not to mention her growling at the beginning of phrases! There’s some panning in the male vocals that sounds really cool as well. I love the chord progression, even though it’s simple at times (never underestimate the power of the bVII!). All the synth work going on is very cool, adding to that 90’s dance/pop feel of the entire track. The strange break near the end before the piano solo trips your ear up, but it’s a nice little fill! This whole thing captures the feel of the entire JAP/PAL soundtrack–a little whacky, but groovy over all!

“Extraordinary things can happen if you believe in yourself!”

Sonic Boom (link) 08/08/2012
If you haven’t already, could you do the opening to Sonic CD, Sonic Boom? My sister and her boyfriend got it via XBOX live points yesterday, and we learned that the opening theme is different. Apparently they lost the rights to it? Which sucks cause it’s a great jam. So, thoughts? :D
- makinglovetoapillow

Hey, everyone! Did they really lose the rights? I know that the JP/PAL soundtrack is featured prominently on the rerelease, with the option of the US soundtrack, so maybe they just didn’t include the opening? Either way, it is one of my favorite tracks–especially since it was rereleased on the 20th anniversary CD, which includes the entire song!

I love the synth sounds, the driving percussion, and all the guitar lines at the beginning. It’s very catchy! The vocals are absolutely lovely, especially the harmonies at the chorus! The modulation at the chorus is one that I approve of, because we don’t expect it, and it’s really effective. The half-step modulation seems to be quite prominent in this era and genre, as it’s present in “Super Sonic Racing”, released a few years later. The synths become more intense during the chorus as well, which is a very good move; keeps the energy high. The bass in this track is fairly simple, but effective, especially with all the other things going on in the track. The standout, especially if you haven’t heard it, is the breakdown, not present in the original opening! Everything spaces out, we get some rim taps and an overall half time feel once everything kicks in. The bass gets busier, with the absence of the busy beats. The padding is awesome, as well as the guitar synths, and the fill coming out of it back into the main feel is very smooth. It’s easy to tell that this is from the 90’s, with the bright mixing and certain aspects of the song, but I really love that about it, and I think in some ways it makes the track.

Crush 40 and Cash Cash did a remix of this track for this CD as well, with a crunchier, more guitar heavy feel to it. Go on and check it out!

Wacky Workbench (Past) (link) 08/09/2012
how about Wacky Workbench Past from Sonic CD? I loved all the songs played in the past, but Wacky Workbench is my favorite.
- qualitybanana

Hey there, guys!

This happens to be one of my favorite past tracks too! I used to be a pro at this stage, but I’ve lost my touch recently. This track feels like it’s constantly moving–the first metaphor that popped into my head was that of a conveyer belt (even though those are featured in the stage previous to this). The rhythm section really drives on this one, with the constant riff in the bass and the fresh percussion line. Of course, in the intro, the bass is a bit sparse, but it kicks right in during the bulk of the song. I love how the chords still change above it, even though the riff is the same. The melody line is also busy, but fun to sing along to. The panning in this mix is very cool–running back and forth between ears at just the right moments. The second section has a bit of an empty feel, with the high keys padding and the bass in a higher register, but it kicks back in when we come to the bridge and turn around, with a steady riff looping back into the intro. This would be really funky to hear with real instruments–I can picture an alto sax doing the man riffs, and a flute or piano doing the higher ones. Just, all the arpeggios going on, everything’s flowing and moving, while you’re bouncing around on those crazy (or should I say, wacky) floors! This is one of those tracks that gets stuck in my head and I wonder where it came from, but I love it!

Stardust Speedway (Good Future) [JP/PAL] (link) 08/22/2012
Stardust Speedway Good Future (JP/EU)
- passion-in-empty-places

Hey, everyone! Hope things are going well for all you cats out there!

I like how this one starts out with the second section of the past mix, before jumping into the main riff with the horns. When I listen to this, the word that comes to mind is “sparkle”–there are a lot of bright sounds going on, chimes and all of that, which is fitting for a good future of this nature. I love the percussion sounds in this one, not just the groove, but the the instruments used–I think I hear some cowbell! There’s also distinct use of the major seventh chord, which is always a lovely, lifting sound to hear. The vocal sampling in this jam is very cool as well, used sparingly, but effectively! All the synth work and padding has its place here, and there isn’t a place where it gets too busy, or anything gets in anyone’s way. I like that! The part where it meshes both sections of the mix is a cool aspect as well. A very enjoyable (if short) track!

Tidal Tempest (Good Future) [US] (link) 09/13/2012

How’s everyone doing today? I don’t think things would be complete without some Sonic CD!

I love the vibe of this, it’s very upbeat, and I think it goes very well with the good future of this stage. While the JAP/PAL soundtrack has a really spacey quality, this has a different take. I love the bass, I love the guitar line, I love the vocal kicks! This is a super groovy track that has a lot going on, but there are points where it sounds very sparse and has a lot of echo in the mix. You’ve got the synth parts, which are very effective when they’re used. Then there’s the nice modulation for the bridge, and that rockin’ guitar solo! It sounds a little wild, but still stays melodic instead of merely improvisational and soloistic. This is my handmade loop from the rerelease, and I think that the connecting part is exceptional here, taking a nod from the bridge, omitting the guitar solo and adding some additional synth stuff before seamlessly bringing it back around to the top. You can hear this being played at your local pool, can’t you?

Sonic Boom (Crush 40 vs. Cash Cash) (link) 10/07/2012
Can I get a request in? Do you remember Sonic Boom? (first heard in Sonic CD). Well, the original has this nice little tune for its time. The last remix I know it received was the “Crush 40 Vs Cash Cash version” with vocals by the most awesome Johnny Gioeli. Well, I think that last one is the most awesome. But just for your benefit, why don’t you listen to both the original from Sonic CD and the Crush 40 vs Cash Cash version and see how you like them? Also, you’re awesome and deserve a cookie :)
- primesonic

What’s happening, everyone? Thank you for the praise, and another late night!

We’ve already listened to the original, so let’s hit it up with this remix! It starts off with a lot of heavy guitar work, and some steady arpeggios, reminiscent of the original, but a different flavor. It’s also in a different key, and in my tastes, it definitely comes across quite different along with the instrumentation. I don’t think the half step modulation is quite as effective in this mix. There are also some characteristic “Crush 40” chords, especially in the intro section. There is some auto-tune in the chorus, which has its effect. I like the layering of the vocals, and the overall instrumentation with the rock combo. It definitely has a different feel overall, less “sparkly” and poppy than the original, and it replaces the half time breakdown with a little chordal solo. It is a heavy mix, and it’s enjoyable for what it is!

Quartz Quadrant (Bad Future) [US] (link) 10/10/2012

Please do some reviews on Quartz Quadrant Bad Future US? I think it’s one of those unappreciated gems from Sonic CD.
- janedoodles

Good evening, friends!

I agree, I really like this one, and it doesn’t get a lot of notice. This starts just like the good future, but goes in a decidedly darker direction. I like the heavily treble mixed drums in this, as well as the vocal cues in the back. Again, like Tidal Tempest bad future, we get the feel that there are animals trapped in a huge machine, waiting for their doom. The guitars in this are a nice touch, just that sort of edge that gives it a heavy vibe. The synth aspects going on, especially in the intro, add to that mechanical vibe. There’s a straightness to the background aspects that emphasize it as well. It’s definitely dark, but it’s got a drive to it, and a feel that resonates with the rest of the US soundtrack. I love it!

Boss [US] (link) 10/31/2012

HAPPY HALLOWEEN...

Okay, I’ll say a few things! This is the creepiest track in the Sonic games to me, with all the laughter in the background, and the oscillating synths going all over the board, as well as the distortion in other voices. It’s repetitive and crazy! A bit unnecessary for the feel of the game, but boy, doesn’t it make you want to kill off the boss fast!

Sonic - You Can Do Anything (link) 11/16/2012
I was so surprised to see You Can Do Anything (Toot Toot Sonic Warrior) by Utoku Keikono not on there!
- chockfullofmelanin

Hey cats, happy Friday! This is a good day to double up on (since I was out late last night), because our other track is so short.

But yes, I was surprised myself! It’s such a fun little track! It’s really driving, and really doesn’t let up until the very end. I like the beginning keyboard vamp a lot; it really sets things up. The track itself is a bit distracting to write up things for, especially with that male vocal section. This has a lot going on–lots of synth sounds, lots of guitar, a driving drum section, and a few different chordal sections. I like how the “pre-chorus” section has a similar but different sound to the actual chorus; it almost tricks you a little bit! The female vocal is really cool in this too, I love her tone! Lots of guitar licks in the background, whereas the all the vocals are really up front and in your face. This track didn’t used to be my favorite, but I really like it now, especially after hearing its 8-bit counterpart!

“Because if you try, you can do anything...!”

Ending - Sonic Boom (link) 12/07/2012
Hi! Can you do the ‘full’ version of Sonic Boom? It has a very different feel to it than the opening version, and you can hear the lovely harmonies better.
- Anonymous

Here we are, folks! Happy Friday!

I am absolutely completely in love with this track! This takes the place of “Cosmic Eternity - Believe In Yourself” in the US version. It takes the Little Planet theme and adds the additional verses, making it even more groovy than to start with! I’ve expressed in my analysis of the instrumental version that I love the instrumentation–fresh bass, drums, acoustic guitar, and electric guitar for fills. The elongated chorus section is very appealing, and I adore the harmonies going on. The augmented rhythms in the verse too keep the groove fresh, and gives the track additional spice. The key change in here, like in the original, is a beautiful sound, especially in this more acoustic environment. I love the guitar fills, and my favorite part is at the end–the band fades out except for the acoustic guitar, playing the main chords of the chorus. It’s pretty simple, but the voicing is so rich and open that it really makes the ending. It’s got a little bit of a slide aspect into it too, which continues to add to things! I’m so glad that this was requested!

“Make your move, work it out, that’s what life is all about, it’s your invention…”

Stardust Speedway (Present) [JP/PAL] (link) 12/14/2012
Hey, Rach! Your blog is the bomb diggity! And so are you! You know how I feel about Sonic CD JP soundtrack, so what is YOUR favorite track of it? (That you haven’t done yet! ;;)
- fastest-thing

Aw, thank you very much, Tiffany! Here’s a track that I’ve been digging fairly recently off the JP soundtrack!

I love how upbeat this track is, it’s very fresh! The vocal samples in this are very nice and keep it fun. I love all the horns, and I love the electric piano soloing in the background. Of course, there’s that really awesome bass line that goes through out; it’s downright funky! The drums have a lot going on in themselves, with some triangle and cowbell along with that hip hop groove. I love all the sections of it, especially when the piano comes in with the second melody, it’s such a great sound. It’s one of those tracks that keeps you boppin’ down the street when you’re walking home, or something like that. Enjoy, and happy Friday!

Collision Chaos (Present) [US] (link) 12/27/2012
Collision Chaos (Present) (US)! I’d really like to hear your analysis of that one!
- beezoweldar

Hello, friends!

This one has always had an eerie sort of feel to it, with all the guitar swells going on. I love the slap bass that’s going on in the back quite a bit, I think it’s a really nice touch. All the percussion going on is amazing, a kit to some Latin stuff as well (and tambourine!). There’s always a rhythmic synth going on high in the mix, and for some reason, it can be easy to forget about. Yet, it’s the main thing that’s keeping the tonal center in check! Speaking of tonal centers, it does wander a little bit, but not enough to distract or to sound too abrupt. I’m a little sad they didn’t do something cool to help loop it for the 2011 remake; you’ll notice it starts straight from the top without any transition. It’s an intense little mix!

Stardust Speedway (Bad Future) [US] (link) 02/17/2013
Has the bad future of Stardust Speedway from the US version of Sonic CD been done? I’ve always loved that track.
- damnfourthchaosemerald

Hey there, everyone!

I’ve always been fond of this track too! I love how it starts, with just the synth line and the drums trucking forward, and then the bass comes in later. The bass is actually a really driving part of the melody in this track! It’s hard to find an actual melody, however–there are a lot of tracks in this soundtrack that are largely atmospheric, different sounds layered on each other that mesh together without a distinct line. It’s a very cool effect, though! I dig when the heavily distorted guitar comes in with that heavy lick in the back–it adds depth to the mix. It also sounds like the tonal center is moving around in all the sections too. This extended loop is spectacular as well–it’s a very smooth transition! It’s all perfect for the Metal Sonic race-off.

Little Planet/D.A. Garden [JP/PAL] (link) 02/20/2013
Little Planet/D.A Garden (JPN/EU)?
- indygogo

What’s happenin’, cats and kittens?

I really like the vibe of this track! All of the jungle sounds in the back, combined with the off beat bass line, and the constant drum track makes for a cool beat. The chords used in this track are really interesting, and quite dense too! There are a lot of dominant sevenths on the top of the chords, for example, and it creates a really hip sound! The melody goes in and out, but it’s largely long and flowing until the bridge section. In that section, the sound filters out into a vibe that’s very rhythmic in melody and comping. It’s a well layered and well composed piece, fitting with the whole vibe of the soundtrack!

Final Fever!! [JP/PAL] (link) 02/21/2013
I have a choice for you! I couldn’t choose between the credits theme for the Genesis version of Sonic 3D Blast or Final Fever, the last boss theme from the JP/EU version of Sonic CD, so pick which song you prefer! =D
- poppiseed

What’s going on, everyone? I picked this one since it was already in my library, but feel free to request the other sometime! They’re both great!

This track definitely has a final boss feel to it, but it also has that funky craziness to it that's prevalent throughout the entire CD soundtrack. The operatic vocals going on make it somewhat dramatic and silly at the same time, but it’s definitely a cool effect. We’ve got a snare drum riff at the top that would fit in a “traditional” setting, but it’s done on a synth drum kit, giving it a different flare. Lots of different sounds and themes going on in this track, from trumpets to guitar lines, to all sorts of different grooves. There’s a lot of auxiliary percussion going on as well, and the organ sounds also give it that impending doom mood. It fits perfectly for this type of game and stage!

Wacky Workbench (Bad Future) [US] (link) 03/12/2013
I know you said the request list is dwindling down, but in case it builds up again before you get the chance, I’d like to request whatever song you want to post
- Anonymous

You’re very kind, anonymous listener!

I’m really fond of Wacky Workbench in general, both soundtrack-wise and gameplay wise–I used to be an expert at getting good futures there! I also like both versions of the soundtrack, but this, US Bad Future, is really up there for me! I love the groove–from the drums, to the guitar comping to the busy bass line. It’s got such a nice feel to it! The vocal kicks are a really excellent touch, as well as the synth line that responds to it. It’s a wonderful bed, and then the guitar solo rips through the changes, continuing that funky sound! Some nice effects in the vocal kicks too, as well as a great drum break. I just love this tune!

Sonic - You Can Do Anything (Instrumental) (link) 03/17/2013
Toot-Toot Sonic Warrior (Instrumental)?
- Anonymous

Sure thing! Happy St. Patrick’s day, everyone!

This pretty much as the same vibe as the original, but it is kind of strange to hear it without the vocals going on. You notice a lot more, like the bass in the beginning, and the slightly different chord progression as well. Although, they do replace the vocals with a synth outside of the spoken section, which fills it a little bit. As always, I love the groove to this, and I just love how it’s all put together, with all the auxiliary synth lines, and how forward moving it is. It’s really great!

Palmtree Panic (Good Future) [JP/PAL] (link) 03/20/2013
Palmtree Panic good future (Japanese/European version)?
- Anonymous

What’s up, cats and kittens? I’ve been getting a lot of Sonic CD requests lately, and that pleases me immensely!

This is very cheery and upbeat, I mean, there are even kids cheering at the beginning! The horns and the samba beats keep things fresh as well, and there is a lot of padding and comping going on in the back as well. I love the melody line–I listen to a lot of the past version of this track, and you can really pick up the main melody going on in the latter half of the track. Lots of auxiliary percussion, and the mix is really full. I think it’s impossible to be sad when you’re listening to this!

Cosmic Eternity - Believe In Yourself (Instrumental) (link) 03/21/2013
Cosmic Eternity (Believe in Yourself) Instrumental, please!
- groovy-blaze

What’s up, everyone?

Similar to the “Sonic - You Can Do Anything” instrumental, this has the same general vibe as the original, accomplishing the same effect without the vocals. I believe you hear this during the credits of the 2011 remake. It really sounds like they had to build the whole mix from scratching–you can hear how the intro has some different sounds, as well as the general instrumentation is an imitation of the original. They got the bass sound very solid though! I love the guitar sound used for the main melody, it really keeps things in perspective. The synth sound for the chorus section isn’t my favorite, but I could see what the effect was. Otherwise, everything is still intact, including the piano solo near the end. You can really hear everything come together, and it sounds awesome!

Special Stage [US] (link) 03/23/2013
I would love to hear your input on the US version of the Special Stage music from Sonic CD!
- chamaxia

Doubling up today! I hope you all had magnificent Fridays!

I really dig the groove to this track, the bass really propels this forward! It’s not one that I listen to often, but when I do, I always really enjoy it. It’s sparse in some respects, with regards to some of the synth sounds, providing just the right amount of spice to keep our ear interested. The breakdown section where it goes into half time is really catchy! There’s a lot of scattered color around the main bass groove that really adds to the track, giving us chord samples that aren’t necessarily expect when referring to the bass. And of course, the drums provide a bed to jam on! Awesome!

Stardust Speedway (Bad Future) [JP/PAL] (link) 03/25/2013
Stardust speedway JP bad future
- Anonymous

Hello friends!

This is a really groovy jam! I love all of the vocal samples, and just the pulse of the entire piece–I think it’s my favorite bad future from the Japanese soundtrack. The piano line for the main melody is really effective, compared with the bass and the rest of the synth driven track. There are some nice auxiliary lines in the background that really bring about the JP bad future vibe–the sound of the machine, even down to how the vocal samples are handled. It’s really funky all around, and I really love it!

Quartz Quadrant (Past) (link) 04/10/2013
I’m sorry you had to do that Chronicles song. ._. So, here’s some Sonic CD for you! How about Quartz Quadrant Past? That’s a jam!
- Anonymous

It’s no worries! I appreciate the CD request, however!

This is a groovy piece! I love the sliding bass line before the groove fully kicks in, and just the general feel with the comping and the melody put together is a lovely sound. The second section with the counter melodies in the marimba provides nice contrast to the main melody. And then the little solo riff coming out of that section is really funky too–it sounds almost improvised! It’s a forward moving track, speeding up the main riff of the Quartz Quadrant melody, and really puts its own spin on things! Very cool!

Metallic Madness (Bad Future) [JP/PAL] (link) 06/13/2013

Metallic Madness (BF JP)
- Anonymous

What’s going on, everyone?

This is a groovier track than I ever remember! And also a little unsettling–with all of those vocal samplings, and the laughter that rings every so often. It really captures the bad future essence of the JP soundtrack–sounding like you’re a cog in the machine, a little frantic, and a little odd is all a part of the package. I love all of the sounds going on, from the drum groove, to all of the auxiliary synth sounds, and the inclusion of the main melody that lets you know that we’re in Metallic Madness. I think the “metal” sounding effect on some of the vocal samples is probably the strangest sounding part, it puts a chill down my spine! But, the whole track has a cool groove that really settles in, even with the aura of the bad future.

Wacky Workbench (Present) [US] (link) 06/25/2013

Wow, I’m request free! Looks like you get a couple of my picks today!

The bass groove in this track is simply infectious! I really love the sound of the guitar comping in this too, it’s a bright, hip sound! All of the horn kicks are super cool, providing that chordal bass when it’s necessary. Then, you have all of the vocal kicks as well, especially in the B section on all of the upbeats! Even in the A, all of the harmonies in the vocal samples are super cool, adding that extra dimension of sound. The loop in this is seamless as well! Just how the bass grooves through the whole piece too is just perfect, I love it so much!

Stardust Speedway (Present) [US] (link) 07/13/2013
What do you think of Stardust Speedway US (Present) from Sonic CD?
- loserincarnate

There’s a very different feel from this present to the JP present, but I still like the style! I love the smooth groove at the beginning, with the padding and the solid drums. Probably my favorite part is the second half–I love the chords being used there! Probably a III minor to a VI minor–it’s just a big contrast from the overly major feel of the first section and it’s wonderful! I love all of the lines going on as well; both elongated synths and short, staccato guitar bits fused together. It really gives depth to the track. This loop also is a smooth transition, as most of the present US loops tend to be. Always a plus!

Quartz Quadrant (Bad Future) [JP/PAL] (link) 07/26/2013
Ahh I got the steam version of Sonic CD working on my PC and I love it :3 Not my favorite classic sonic game, but it’s still pretty fun! So how about Quartz Quadrant bad future, Japanese version?
- starlightsparklestar

Doubling up! A couple of JP CD themes for today!

I think the highlight of this track is the wet, synth bass sound that drives the whole thing forward–it really gives it that JP bad future feel! The US and JP bad futures have different, distinct feels to them, and this really captures the feel of being caught in the machine. I like how they kept the piano sample of the main melody, sometimes just repeating the first part over and over for emphasis. It’s neat how bad future uses the beginning of the Quartz Quadrant feel, whereas good future uses the second part of it (the “half time” feel in the present mix). Lots of auxiliary synth sounds, and lots of drive here too!

Boss!! [JP/PAL] (link) 07/26/2013
Oh, and the JP boss theme from CD? gaah I love that theme so much…
- starlightsparklestar

Happy Friday!

This is a wacky theme to begin with, with all the vocal samples and that laughter sample near the beginning. About halfway through, there are definitely samples from other stages, but it’s a bit hard to decipher exactly with the distortion of sound. It definitely has more of a groove to it than the US boss (which is just plain creepy!), and there’s a playful element to it, despite all the weird parts to it! I love all of the beats and the synth elements to this as well!

Collision Chaos (Good Future) [JP/PAL] (link) 07/30/2013
Hey what about that Collision Chaos Good Future music from the Japanese version of Sonic CD?
- blu-remi

Hello friends!

I really like how all of the good futures have this bright sound in some way–here, we have a lot of light, airy synths padding the sound, as well as the “dial tone” arpeggios in the back. It all gives a feel good sort of mood about the track! This takes mostly from the opening riff, rather than the latter half of the present track, and it’s quite effective! It’s almost refreshing to have more of a relaxed track than something more fast paced. The CD soundtrack definitely mixes up the drives, and I think that’s part of what makes it really enjoyable!

Palmtree Panic (Bad Future) [US] (link) 08/27/2013

Last is my choice!

Oh, I absolutely love the feel of this one! I love the bass, and the sparseness at the beginning, then going into the vocal padding. I love all the chords and the building in the vocal parts, how each thing adds on, it’s very cool! It’s a pretty simple loop, relying on all of the percussion going on to drive it forward, but it’s a nice touch! This one also has a nice loop from the 2011 remake, reiterating the melody in the bass line, while there some cool bell synths. It mimics the good future mix a little bit in fills and turnarounds too. It’s very cool to see all the contrast!

Palmtree Panic (Past) (link) 01/13/2015

Hey, friends! I started compiling all the tracks I haven’t done, and by the time I finished with the classic/Genesis era, I had 3 hours worth of material. So, we’ll be hanging with the classics for a little bit!

I’ve always loved the level of immersion with the past stages–they use PCM synth audio instead of standard CD audio, making you really feel like you’re going back. The gentle samba of this track is a change of pace from the high energy present and future variations, and it’s quite pleasant. I love the start of the loop with the minor toned ostenato at the beginning, it tricks your ear a little for the melody that’s to come. The counter melody in the second section really flows under the synth strings too. It settles into the true Palmtree Panic melody after the bridge, and the quality of the tones is quite charming. I believe this is a semi-tone below A440, so the slight downtuning also gives it some nice character.

End of Act [US] (200 follower milestone) (link) 06/10/2012

200 followers, exhausting just to think a– wait a second, that’s not right…

Ah, but thank you guys so much! I really appreciate all of you sticking around and listening to me babble!

End of Act [JP/PAL] (800 follower milestone) (link) 05/06/2013

800 followers! Thank you all so much!

Sonic Chaos (1993)

Aqua Planet (link) 09/17/2012
How do you feel about Sonic Chaos’ Aqua Planet music?
- Anonymous

Hey cats! A little late night groove for tonight!

I think what sticks out the most to me is all the bending in the 8-bit melody. It’s unique, as if they’re trying to give a real sound feel, make it sound loose in the format. The melody is really catchy and prominent in the front of the mix, making for a cool sound. The bass lays back during the harmonized melodies, but starts walking a cool line during some of the busier parts. The percussion line is fairly simple, but adds just enough groove in the back to really make the mix. It’s something easy to listen to over and over again, which is a good quality in any video game piece, let alone an 8-bit piece. Some of the short notes really have a lilting quality to them that remind me of old Game Boy pinball games (the one I have in mind is Pokemon Pinball). I dig it!

Boss Theme (link) 05/09/2013
There’s so little Sonic Chaos in there. You know, I actually had a Game Gear back then. Sonic Chaos was actually the first proper Sonic game I actually owned. And to that, the first real game-induced adrenalin rush I remember during a few of those bosses. So on that note, lets gets pumped with the Sonic Chaos Boss Theme.
- primesonic

And today’s track!

This is a pretty intense track, and it has all of the signature riffs that most of the 8-bit Sonic games are known for, from some of the slides, and that distinctive drum style as well! I thought it started out a little sparse, but it really comes into it once things pick up. I like all of the lines going on, especially combined with the counter lines and arpeggios that intermingle with the melody. The kicks and almost shout chorus like riffs in the bridge section are particularly engaging! So is the bass line, scaling upwards in every bar. This is great for a boss track!

Gigaopolis Zone (GG) (link) 09/07/2013
Gigalopolis Zone from Sonic Chaos!~ It’s the zone that I most remember even to this day, over 18 years later! I probably had to re-do that stage more than any other stage in the game.
- primesonic

I had to pick one, because this is one of the few that has different versions for Game Gear and Master System! I picked the GG one because it has a cooler groove and an actual beat to it, if that’s okay!

I love how it rolls through, and I love the drive of the melody! It’s cool when the drum track rolls in, and the melody splits a bit–one retaining the original riff, the other going on a countermelody, and then they all come together at some kicks. Some of the tensions in the counter melody are really unique too! It really has groove and style to it!

Sonic Spinball (1993)

Lava Powerhouse (link) 09/01/2012
Heeeeey, your list is lacking in some Sonic Spinball, and though I know the game isn’t too loved, it did have some pretty good music and has some great memories for me. How about the second level, Lava Powerhouse?
- vinjaryou

Of course! Hope all you cats are having a good Saturday!

I think my favorite part of this track is how it switches from busy grooves to more straight forward beats. For instance, it starts out very straight ahead, snare on two and four, and an elongated melody. Then in the next section, the eighth note bass line stands out, and we get a busier sort of feel; not to mention the triplets in one of those synth sounds. It sounds a little like 6/8 going against 4/4, which is a neat groove! Then, the heavier drums drop out, and we’re left with some cool auxiliary percussion, and a nice synth groove that’s quick and all over the place–and we slowly build back up with some Genesis vocal manipulation and a short fill back to the main groove. There’s a lot going on here, even though the chords stay in the same general area. It’s a groovy little track!

Options (link) 01/18/2013
Options Menu from Sonic Spinball? I feel like I’m the only person in the world who enjoys it.
- the-world-ends-with-me

Happy Friday, friends!

This track has some pretty intense synth action going on! That melody line is really piercing sounding stuff to it, but I like the phrasing used on it! The rhythms in the second section are also a bit crazy, but I like how they spice things up. The bass drum is really heavy, as well as the bass deep in the mix–it keeps the groove flowing. I find that Spinball uses interesting parts of the Genesis soundchip, namely that main synth. Lots of power chords going on (just root and fifth), and the bell sounds in the bridge are pretty neat!

Toxic Caves (link) 06/23/2013
What about Toxic Caves from Spinball ?
- Anonymous

Doubling up!

This track definitely has a solid groove to it–imagine if this were done with real instruments, how heavy that bass would be! It practically is the melody, the higher synths simply echoing the sound. There are a lot of cool kicks going on as well, the short, staccato melody really working for the feel. The drums are pretty simple, but all of the rhythms in the other instruments make up for the beats. It’s sparse, but at the same time, it has a lot of body to it, and it’s really a very cool track!

The Machine (link) 08/27/2013
How about the theme from The Machine from Sonic Spinball (Megadrive/Genesis)? I always loved how it was so rhythmic, in contrast to how a lot of popular video game songs are very focused on the melody.
- sonicandasses

This is very true! It’s all centered around one bass line and some synth swells. Later on, we get some robot sounding synths to add to the rhythm, and then some low-mid sounding riffs. The shifting modulation around the point where the drums pick up is a very cool effect. The track has a cool mood to it–it all sounds like you’re trying to sneak around the belly of the robobeast! I feel like every loop that this goes through, there’s another little thing added to the loop–there are some higher synths later on in the track, all in the same vein of just being modal, rhythmic riffs. It never gets too busy, however!

game gear

Toxic Pools (link) 09/30/2012
Everyone knows how awesome Toxic Caves from Sonic Spinball is. What are your thoughts on Toxic Pools from the game gear version?
- wegulawity

Hey there, cats!

This is a really sweet track! It’s super driving, and completely different from Toxic Caves! I love the melody, and I think my favorite part is the middle section, where it sounds like it modulates temporarily. It’s such a fresh sound! The bass sound is also really rockin’, a solid sound keeping time in the back. The drums are fairly simple, but prominent in the back, with a fresh sounding “bass drum” sound. The harmonies going on are really cool, along with all the arpeggios. It doesn’t necessarily sound like it’s entirely from a Sonic game, but I think that’s part of it’s charm. Cool track!

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 (1994)

Ice Cap Act 1 (link) 04/20/2012

Happy Friday, you chumps!

I haven’t actually gotten this far in Sonic 3, and came across this looking for arrangements, but oh my goodness, I really really dig this! I love the groove, the synthy arpeggios, the elongated chordal melodic section with the accented hits that sound like clave things…and even just the chord progression is really, really catchy. The main melody is simple, but very attractive. The backwards cymbals are a neat touch too (that “shwoosh” sound). It’s amazing what you can do with a limited color palette for sounds, but when you do it right, damn doesn’t it sound good!

This is act one, and I checked out act two real quick, and it sounds very similar, just with some added arranging and playing with what sounds come in where. All in all, this is killer, and it makes me want to drag out my emulated Sonic 3 & Knuckles! If I can even get this far…

Hydrocity Act 2 (link) 06/08/2012
Hydrocity Zone Act 2?
- Anonymous
Hmm… What about your thoughts on […] Hydrocity Act 2 […]?
- toramarushou

Considering there were two requests for this, I should have put it up a little sooner, but hello and happy Friday, Sonic goons!

So our best friend Knuckles hits another switch after we swing through his island, and we’re plunged into the water world that is Hydrocity! I have actually gotten this far, and I think this track is so fresh! The melody going through is really well written; it kinda makes me want to transpose it and write it for sax. If this was arranged for high quality audio, I think the melody line would have been recorded with a nice rippin’ alto sound. Anyway, I love the groove of it, I love the percussion and bass working together, as well as the auxiliary sounds that kinda make it sound like we really are underwater. All the kicks going on add to the mix too, and everything gels really well together. The chord structure is a little more complex, but it may be because of the added tensions on the chords, or maybe the unusual choices, especially in the first section. There’s a major sound on the last chord in the progression of the first section that our ears don’t really expect, which mixes things up. Overall, this is a super groovy mix!

Carnival Night Act 1 (link) 06/27/2012
In light of the recent Afro Circus nonsense, might it be fun to do Carnival Night Zone? (Act 1)
- araiyoudechan

What’s up, friends and neighbors? I was hoping that by the time this got posted, the whole Afro Circus thing would be over. Is it? Has it become a thing of the distant past?

I don’t know about you, but circus themes give me a slight sense of unease. Maybe it’s because I read IT in my mid-adolescence, or because of certain amusement park themes put in an eerie light, but I just get the creeping feeling in the back of my spine that we may be descending into hell at any moment. Probably that beginning lick, with the weird harmonization, helps a little bit. The synth sound for the majority of the melody also gives it that feel, but this is Sonic we’re talking about, and that’s not scary at all! You’re just subjected to pinball stages, which have their own brand of animosity.

What I do love about this track is the rhythm section! It’s super funky, with the simple bass, and the cool drum track. I like all the breaks, it gives it quite a variety in structure. The constant eighth note organ synth pads out the mix for that delicious carnival feel. In fact the mix stays pretty sparse–drums, bass, organ, and two other synth sounds that stay in unison, then break up during the bridge, also known as the long V chord. Some of the breaks come in when you don’t really expect it, also keeping you on your toes. After listening to this a few times, it’s not a bad track overall, and damn, it certainly has a cool groove to it!

Desert Palace (link) 06/13/2012
Just because I haven’t seen it yet, how about Sonic 3’s Desert Palace?
- gearstrike

Hi there, guys! These are being posted from the past, since it’s highly likely that I won’t be around at all this weekend. This is a fun little track! I love the intro to it, as well as that melody synth line throughout. It has a very catchy, fun melody, that mixes things up at each section, which is also very cool. There’s a lot of chromatic bass movement downward going on throughout each section, especially in the intro and the section after that. The I-bVII-VI movement is really nice, a nice mixolydian feel. The auxiliary synths going on are super cool as well, adding fullness to the rest of the mix. I think that the loop is a little jarring, but it’s a little thing running through the whole context of the mix. The percussion work in this is really nice, a cool little groove running through, very cool! I think this track’s strong point is all the variety in it, how each section to the loop is something a little different, each phrase has a little more to offer. That’s a sign of a well done track!

Special Stage (link) 07/21/2012
How about the Special Stage music from Sonic 3?
- Anonymous

Hey guys! My power’s been out for the last 12 or so hours, but we’re back! Hope your weekends are all going swell! I really love the beat and groove to this track, it’s very fun sounding! During the main turnaround, there’s a strong I to bVII sound, a cool little mixolydian groove. You combine that with the improv-sounding keys riff that goes along with it, and it’s so cool! The bass and drums are doing a little samba thing, the bass in particular giving a nice ostenato that’s really heavy. The piano synth is also helping along tremendously. The melody is really catchy and easy to sing along with, while having quite a bit of variety. I love how the whole mix brightens when we hit the turnaround, because of the sound quality of the key synth in the melody. It’s groovy, and yet it’s light sounding (the overall major sound helps)…I could almost dance to it! Very fun and cool!

Credits/Ending (link) 10/19/2012
The ending theme to Sonic 3? (bonus question! Which popular artist composed this? :D)
- Anonymous

Hey cats, happy Friday! And I believe this was the soundtrack Michael Jackson helped out with, so I’m going to wager my guess there?

Oh, this is fresh! I like what’s going on in the percussion, as in I really really dig it! Sounds like old school Genesis sampling in it’s own way? Something like that. And the chords going on throughout are particularly refreshing! It’s ones we’re used to hearing, in a slightly different configuration–not to mention they’re harmonized in mostly a root-fifth configuration, which, at least for me, is a very appealing, open sound! Then there’s the arpeggiating line in the back, that’s doing all that it can to keep things moving, and then the sparse bass that grooves…and of course, the actual melody! It’s pretty basic, but with all of everything going on in the back, it really fits the mood. I’m really impressed by this, and I’m glad that it’s so long for the loop!

Marble Garden Act 2 (link) 11/21/2012
Request Time! Marble Garden Act 2 from Sonic 3. One of my favorite stages with a tune has a chill vibe with a touch of funk; an overall relaxed sensation. And given a stages with more vertical climbs than the others, where speed only happened occasionally, it fits nice and proper. I’ve heard this one redone with electric and bass guitars that gave new life to the old 16-bit classic. But first, let’s pay our respects to the original tune.
- primesonic

I’ve heard this one done several different ways, but it’s really grown on me! The bass line going on is really catchy, and overall, everything’s mixed really low, a neat sort of aspect to things! The drums are really simple, and the melody is sparse in places, creating the right sort of feel going through this track. The auxiliary things around are nice too! It is very mellow, just like you said, but it’s got enough groove to keep it going. I love funk tracks in general, and this definitely has the feel going on. The chord progression is simple, as it is in a lot of funk, but it doesn’t need anything fancy, with the bass and the melody carrying the weight. Sweet!

Angel Island Act 1 (link) 12/19/2012
Would you mind doing Sonic the Hedgehog 3 - Angel Island Zone Act 1?! Thanks!
- rejord

Doubling up!

I’ve always liked this track quite a bit; I think it’s really fun! (I’m especially fond of Act 2, but that’s for another day) I love the feel of the bass and the drums working together, and that melody is really fresh, going through the different synths. It really has a jungle like feel to it! Things change up during the second section, with the arpeggios and the shifting of chords. It’s got a lot of variety to it melodically, while keeping up the samba feel. It’s fast paced as well, perfect for a Sonic track. It makes me want to dance!

Angel Island Act 2 (link) 01/08/2013
Angel Island Act 2 ^.^
- herecomesthedreamer

Ooo, another favorite of mine! Hope everyone’s doing well today!

I love how this track starts, a very different feel than act one of this stage! I love the low melody near the beginning as well, it sets a very nice color to the track! I think my favorite part about this track is the uses of the tones and colors–for the most part, things lie in the high and low mids, and it’s just a very appealing sound for me. The comping is excellent too, and those drums! They’re mixed pretty high, providing contrast to the melody and counterharmonies. The trills in the second part of the melody are lovely, and the bass line really pushes through in the background, providing a solid foundation. Awesome!

Angel Island (SSBB Mix) [from True Blue: Best of] (link) 01/23/2013
Angel Island Zone ~SSBB Remix~ from the album True Blue - The Best of Sonic the Hedgehog.
- herecomesthedreamer

Hi everyone!

This definitely has a Senoue feel to it, and I love it! I really love the merging of the Genesis sound with the modern rock sound. The slap bass in particular is a joy, as to be expected of Senoue’s work. The double time feel is a nice addition too! I like the mallets at the beginning, really reminicent of the original. Oh, and they incorporate both Act 1 and Act 2 into it! That’s really nifty, oh I’m impressed! The guitar leads have enough flare to them, and it’s a real classic Sonic feel–or rather Dreamcast feel? I associate a lot of the Sonic feel with the beginning of the use of Redbook audio, so that’s where I’m dragging a lot of my reference from. There’s some synth work in the background, adding to the feel and mood of things. I really like this!

Act 2 Boss (link) 11/11/2012
the Dr. Robotnik theme, (sorry that’s what i call it) i think it’s called Act 2 boss….
- herecomesthedreamer

Hi there, friends! Let’s see if I can punch this one out before I sneak off to my marathon of rehersals!

I always think that the classic era boss themes are very well done, the way that their melodies play out and everything. I love the comping in the back, and the way the melody line flows throughout. There are some cool low brass synths going on as well, which is a cool little effect! The drums are fairly simple, that is, apart from that awesome intro, which draws me to this in the first place! The bass is also pretty neat, a lot of octave motion going on, but it outlines everything pretty well. The way the intro interrupts the feel of the rest of the track is a cool effect, and very catchy!

Endless Mine (link) 02/26/2013
Sonic 3’s Endless Mine!
- cyanblur

What’s going on everyone?

This is a delightful little track, and the source of the harmony sample in Sonic Generations’ City Escape Classic! It has such a quaint feel to it, and I think a lot of it has to do with the light, short rhythms and the synths used. All of the sounds are mixed into the high mids and trebles, with the exception of the actual bass line. Speaking of the bass line, there’s a nice ostinato going on down there! It’s really effective, and doesn’t detract from the main melodies. A very groovy little samba!

Hydrocity Act 1 (link) 03/13/2013
Sorry if I’m inflating your inbox, but what do you think of Hydrocity Zone’s act 1?
- dynasdiscoveries

It’s perfectly fine, don’t worry!

This is one of my favorites that I often forget about, simply because of its grooviness! It’s got such a heavy hip-hop/funk beat to it that really lays back. And the melody line is very catchy–I think if anyone started singing the opening riff, you could get someone to sing along with you! The bass is crankin’ too, with a little bit of a slap to it, and the chords and auxiliary synths really compliment the sound as well. I’m bobbing my head to the beat right now, that’s how fresh it is!

Act 1 Boss (link) 03/23/2013
I’m happy to see that your requests are dwindling down! Please don’t kill me for putting in another. ;_; But, what are your thoughts on the Sonic 3 mini boss/Knuckles’ theme? I enjoy it but you don’t get to hear it when you combine the games… :(
- poppiseed

Considering the track labeled “S3 Knuckles” is just a drum groove, I believe this is the track you’re looking for!

The vocal samples are neat, as well as the different drum samples going on! It kind of reminds me of the Sonic CD [JP] boss theme, with how kind of all over the place it is! Each different part is doing its own thing, from the melody, to the bass, to the drums, to all those samples going on. There is a lot of play going on with the melody as well, with bends and dives in the synths. Man, I really dig those drum samples though–you don’t usually hear this sound utilized in a lot of Genesis tracks! It gives it a really fat, hip hop sound, which makes this even cooler! It is too bad that you don’t get to hear it when you combine the games, this is a real gem!

Azure Lake (link) 05/25/2013
I request Sonic the Hedgehog 3 - Azure Lake!
- rejord

Doubling up! How many of you were at Anime Boston yesterday? I was a Fionna!

This has an interesting groove to it, I think! For me, I think it’s the intro that sort of throws me, then it sort of settles into its own thing. The percussion is pretty heavy into the mid section, instead of having any high cymbals, which could also contribute. I love the chords and the comping, it’s a dense sort of sound that’s quite warm. The melody is mixed pretty high instead, aside from some of the counter synth sounds. It’s a fun track with a lot of energy!

Final Boss (link) 07/23/2013
Final boss for Sonic 3, please?
- steffieglydefan

This is such a neat track! I love the bass line we’ve got going on, and of course this has been made popular by the Generations version. It’s pretty faithful to it–I love all of the synth lines, and I really like how it doesn’t sound like a traditional boss fight. We don’t have the faux orchestration or any of that, instead we have a driving rock-like track, with driving drums and a whole lot of overlapping synth lines. The sound quality of the different melodies, including the wet sound of the bass, is also really intriguing and fun to listen to!

Gumball Bonus (link) 08/29/2013
Let’s go into a Bonus Stage: Gumball Machine style!
- bre-ishurna

This sounds very carnivalesque! Or rather, it has a bit of a march feel to it as well. That chromatic bass line motion in the main melody is a nice touch! I like how the bass moves from that through to the B section with a bit of a busier tone to it The tone of the melody is also really pleasant as well. It’s just got nice tone overall! Enjoyable background music, like your hitting slots at the end of a level, or something of that nature!

Ice Cap Act 2 (link) 09/17/2013
I can’t believe I’m requesting this because I’ve had enough of this track for a LIFETIME, but how about some Ice Cap Act 2? No one’s asked for it! Also have you beaten Sonic 3 and Knuckles yet? ;D
- poppiseed

I think my favorite part of this track is how it takes the separate parts of the Ice Cap melody, and sort of spreads it out throughout the mix. You get the main melody, but no bass, and no second section. Then you get only bass and percussion, with the chordal padding coming in later. Of course, it does all come together in the second run, but the intro lays it out pretty well. There’s even a section where the drums drop out as well! It really reveals all of the separate parts in their own respect, and shows how they all fit into the mix. You get to appreciate some of the syncopation and rhythmic aspects a little better as well!

Chrome Gadget (link) 01/09/2015

Why, hello Simone, Debra, the internet! It’s been quite some time, hasn’t it? I think it’s time for a comeback. A revival after about a year and a half. So let’s start with some classics!

I listen to the S3&K soundtrack a lot at work, and I’ve grown really fond of this track. I think it’s the harmonies in the main synth line that gets me–lots of cool tensions in there that really lift the song. I love the 9ths in the second half of the track, it creates a major sounding tension that’s really bright. Notice how the foreground harmonies contrast with the background bell lines–it’s awesome how they work together to create a cohesive harmony without drowning each other out. The drum and bass groove is also pretty busy, probably to give body to the mix while long tones are played over the melody. It’s important to balance between the melody and the backgrounds; if both have a lot going on, it’s distracting for the listener and they don’t know what to focus on. If both are steady and more elongated, it can be too monotonous for more casual listeners. This has a great balance of both, and is groovy to boot!

Marble Garden Act 1 (link) 09/23/2023
Hi there! Please could I request Marble Garden Act 1[…]
- Anonymous (ask from 02/23/2014)

🎶Let’s not make a big deal out of this…it’s just a little new sonicmusicmusings post…🎶

I love how “in the pocket” this one is. It’s actually been a while since I’ve given the Genesis/MegaDrive soundchip a listen–those tangy synths and bass sounds are just delightful. This is a bit sparser than the Act 2, letting each voice really stand out and especially letting the melody take center stage. A big fan of those “wooaaaw” synth sounds. And the modal shift in the B section is always a beautiful touch.

What other ghosts from the past will we encounter in the coming weeks?

Carnival Night Act 2 (link) 09/27/2023
...and Carnival Night Act 2? Thanks
-Anonymous (ask from 02/23/2014)

This one is very similar to Act 1, but with some shuffling in the form. The main difference is that the melody is absent in some sections (particularly in the A before the repeat of the chorus). It makes it seem even more off kilter than Act 1–and that has the same jaunty feel! Just when you’re getting settled into the groove, it puts you a little on edge. Then, the melody comes back in the B section, you think you know what to expect–bam! The ending hits early! While it’s not as much of a variation as some of the other S3&K pairs, it’s just enough to keep you on your toes.

Sonic & Knuckles (1994)

Death Egg Act 1 (link) 06/05/2012
Hmm… What about your thoughts on […] Death Egg Act 1 […]?
- toramarushou

Hey, you guys! Our first Sonic & Knuckles track!

I think this is a really fun final level track. I love the heavy bass in the background that really drives the whole thing forward. The percussion does a nice job as well, but it’s the bass that’s doing most of the heavy lifting. The melody is pretty staccato, but it’s catchy in its own right because it stays simple. The bridge section adds some cool synth pads, giving it that classic Eggman “robotic” feel. The auxiliary synth stuff even in the main melody is a nice touch. The track is very modal all the way through, likely dorian again. It’s a popular mode! It’s a very short loop, but it’s catchy enough so that it stays fresh all the way through, even as you’re playing the level. And maybe if you’re good enough, you’ll be able to ace it before you even get through the third loop!

Lava Reef Act 1 (link) 10/10/2012
Lava Reef Zone Act 1 from Sonic & Knuckles!
- jordowag

Hullo, everyone! Let’s do some classic tunes!

I’m actually surprised this one hasn’t been requested yet! I love the groove for this, the I, to flat-VI, to flat-VII is really powerful in this case. There’s a bunch of arpeggios going on in the background high parts and low parts, apart from the actual melody. I dig the contrast between the simple, elongated melody and the constant arpeggios. There’s some cool chromatic action going on in the melody too, sweet! And then the bridge shakes it all up, especially bringing out the bass, and bringing some of the auxiliary parts together into the melody, before turning it around back to the head. Everything keeps moving, with a push that’s not too heavy, but just enough to keep things groovy. I could listen to this on repeat for hours!

Doomsday Zone (link) 10/18/2012
Whatabout Doomsday Zone from the end of Sonic and Knuckles? One of my favourite nostalgia tracks, it definitely is.
- mogtaki

All right, here’s today’s track, for real!

This has an old school final level feel to it, which I dig! The chromatic bass thing going on in the back creates a cool little ostinato permeating the piece, and it creates a drive. It’s almost surprising when it goes away for a brief period before it loops back around. The percussion is very consistent, also giving it a push forward, and drawing more attention to the melody and bass line. I love the chord near the end of the first section; it sounds like it could be a flat-VI going on, or that same sort of feel to it. The melody is fairly simple, which I believe fits it–anything too crazy, and it would get too busy. The auxiliary things going on around the main pieces, such as the heavy treble diminished arpeggios give it all a nice touch. Awesome!

Sky Sanctuary (link) 01/24/2013
Hello! I would like to request Sky Sanctuary Act 1 from Sonic & Knuckles! Thanks in advance!
- rejord

Sure thing, my friend!

The first thing I notice about this track is how minimalistic it sounds compared to the Generations remakes. It’s really only the melody, the bass, and the drums going on, which creates a unique sort of texture and mood for the track! I love the sound of the bass itself, it’s very mellow overall. The drums are fairly spaced out, a little lack of a solid rhythm, but it creates an interesting sort of bed for the sound. The melody is the main focus, as it’s constantly at the forefront and constantly moving. I think this would be fun to try and recreate acoustically, even with a horn and bass! It’s moving and light, and I really enjoy it!

Act 2 Boss (link) 02/18/2013
Can you do the second act boss theme from Sonic and Knuckles?
- damnfourthchaosemerald

Sure thing!

I like this boss theme quite a bit myself! I like the overall dynamic of it, the way it has that rhythmic bit at the beginning, and it keeps on driving through the bass. I like the synth used for the melody during the meat of the song as well! It’s simple, but very effective. The bass and drums work together as a unit, creating that solid rhythm section that perpetuates the entire piece. It’s driving and intense, and just right for the mood!

Flying Battery Act 2 (link) 08/19/2013
Can I request Flying Battery Act 2 from S&K?
- furanneru

Hey friends!

I like the muted sound for one of the main melodies here at the beginning of the track! Overall, the mix is very mid range oriented, with all of the colors coming out in the high, auxiliary synths, and it makes for a really handy mix! This is especially apparent during the B section before the turn around. The chromatic line in the main section is also really cool, and the whole thing drives along. It has a final stage ring to it, and it’s way cool!

Lava Reef Act 2 (link) 09/07/2013
Lava Reef Act 2, cause you can really feel the lava cooling down in the music itself.
- primesonic

I remember playing this on air, and not recognizing the Lava Reef riff at the beginning, but it’s definitely there! It has a very different feel from the act 1, and you’re right, it’s a bit of a cool down! It’s more of a quiet groove that relies on the arpeggios going on in the low end. The main riff and melody are up in the higher synths as opposed to something right in your face. It’s more color than anything. The bass line is pretty groovy as well! There’s so much more going on besides the main Lava Reef melody we all know pretty well, and it really defines itself!

Sonic Triple Trouble (1994)

Sunset Park Act 3 (link) 09/12/2012

What’s happenin’, cats?

This track is from a sometimes frustrating spin off game, but is one of my favorite chiptune Sonic tracks out there! The act three section has its own special music while you’re dodging various things flying at you, and I love the way it drives! I love the percussion track, and the main melody track the most. It’s really moving, especially in the beginning, when everything fades. The lines and arpeggios are really cool, and the way it switches into the major key mixes things up. The melody is really catchy, from going down to pedal tones on the off beats when it has eighth notes, super cool! And we can’t forget the bass line, which is catchy and driving as well. Enjoy!

Sunset Park Act 1 (link) 06/14/2013

Triple Trouble: Sunset Park (Normal)
- Anonymous

Happy Friday, everyone!

This track has a solid drum line behind it, even if the melody is a little everywhere. There are a lot of cool 8-bit sounds going on in general, especially the trills in the back of the melody. The bass movement and the deceptive resolutions in some parts of the harmony are really neat sounding–they give the track a little bit of a lift in the minor sounding sections. And with this track transitioning into the train section, it’s a very cool sound!

Knuckles Chaotix (1995)

Botanic Base (link) 09/19/2012
Your thoughts on Botanic Base from Knuckles Chaotix?
- mayurasan

Hey everyone! Hope your days and evenings have been going swell!

This is an enjoyable, hip little number! I love the padding going on in the background; I can imagine a jazz organ filling that out if this were done with real instruments. The percussion is just another flavor when you compare it to the real rhythm carrier–the funky bass line. It’s a bit reminiscent of a slap bass line, and it’s very well done! I love the melody in this as well, with all the different sounds going on–I’m especially fond of the bell sounds in the second part of the melody. There’s a lot of countermelody and harmony going on, making this a very dense mix for the medium it’s on. There is nice form, cool breaks, and a general neat groove that keeps the song moving forward. I’m diggin’ it!

Door Into Summer (link) 12/29/2012
Door To Summer? (Knuckles Chaotix)
- turbo-katztic

How’s everyone doing this weekend?

This is the track that the Collection Room from Generations comes from! This is a delightful track, even in the limited instrumentation. I particularly like all the bends and liberties that the melody takes in the bridge section. The tone is great to use for it as well! The hits in the other sounds with tighter waves are great as well, supporting the melody. Check out that fast ride cymbal during the end of the bridge too! The climbing lines and infectious melody really carry this track through. The bell-like sounds add a nice touch, and the rhythm section and comping throughout is really tight and fluid. It’s a fun little track, and I could really listen to it over and over!

Marina Madness (link) 05/18/2013
Oh, Marina Madness from Knuckles Chaotix! Couldn’t get enough of it since I listened to that old “Just the Two of Us” mash-up. XD
- vizardjeffhog

What’s up, everyone? You ought to listen to that mashup too, it’s very good!

I really dig the groove behind this! The bass is really funky, which is probably what’s drawing me in (those of you who have been here for a while know what a sucker I am for a catchy bass line). The comping going on is a very light sound as well, mellow combined with all the auxiliary sounds in the back as well. The melody is lovely as well! It’s very lilting and everywhere, but with a definite cohesiveness to it. The drums, while simple, are really nice and they tie everything together–there are even some hits and fills going on too!

Speed Slider (link) 07/29/2013
Speed of Sound/Speed Slider from Knuckles Chaotix, please?
- Anonymous

This is a fun theme! It sounds very familiar–I get the feeling that it’s used in a Generations challenge theme, or at least quoted! The chord changes in the B section are very cool, and I like how it holds over the arpeggios from the beginning throughout the entire piece! At some points, it sounds a little too busy and all over the place, but it has a charm to it! The bass is really snappy here, and the track has quite a drive to it. It’s neat!

Training Mode (link) 01/27/2015

Hey there, everyone! Here’s a track from a game you don’t hear about too often!

I love the atmosphere to this one, it feels very open, even though there is a lot going on. The bass is busy, and so are all of the supporting kicks, but the melody, what our ears are supposed to be drawn to, is decidedly less so. It creates a cool tonic landscape, especially with the lydian inspired chord progression. There’s a lot you can do with a couple of chords and maybe a turnaround! The drums are pretty busy too–I believe they’re using the 32X’s soundchip for the drums, since it has a decidedly different sound quality compared to everything else. (In order to truly confirm, we’d need someone with this game, the 32X and the Genesis to see what sounds come through when the 32X isn’t plugged into the Genesis). I love the hip-hop feel to this too, and it’d be cool to see this turned into some kind of nu-disco pop track. Imagine the horns on those kicks!

Tribute (link) 01/31/2024

Hello all, some classic tunes for today!

I will have to admit ignorance and am not sure what part of the game this plays in–but to me, it definitely sounds like credits or an end game cutscene. The intro has great build up with the bass pedal and tight chord voicings, along with tension in the drums as well. It then opens up to a major sounding cadence and big chords. It sounds definitely like a farewell, and I love the extra depth the drum samples from the 32X give it. It doesn’t outstay its welcome, and the ending is particularly spicy with the unison hits and quick arpeggios–two whole bars of hits! It’s a cute little melody that’s bite sized and easy to enjoy.

Tails Adventure (1995)

Poloy Forest (link) 04/21/2013
Great blog, it’s nice to see video game music appreciated like this. Anyway, I request the music of Poloy Forest from Tails Adventure.
- Anonymous

Thank you so much for the praise! Doubling up today!

I really like the bass action going on in this track, as it serves to propel everything forward, serving as a melody in and of itself. The intro has a completely different vibe from the rest of the track, with conflicting rhythms between the drums and the melody, but it serves for a cool effect! I like how the melody line has bends and lines built into it, kinda swinging all around–it makes the whole thing really hip! This is a cool piece of chiptune work!

Sonic The Fighters (1996)

Death Egg ~ Never Let It Go (link) 10/26/2012
Mind if I request the Sonic the Fighters track for Metal Sonic called “Never Let It Go”?
- gearstrike

Not at all! Hope all of you guys are living it up this Friday night!

This a really forward track, really suiting for a fighting game. The vibe reminds me of when I used to play Street Fighter II with my dad. I love the piano riff at the beginning of the loop–it throws a curveball for the rest of the song, which prominently features an aggressive synth sound for the melody. The sound is a bit dated, but I think it fits the mood of the song. I love the chordal bits going on here too; the padding is nice, and so are the rest of the auxiliary sounds. The harmony is fairly simple, with lots of minor sounds–if it were terribly complicated, it’d be too busy I think, and harder to listen to. There are some nice licks going on around the main melody, and it’s refreshing when the piano comes in and out. Very nice!

Super Sonic ~ Everything (link) 11/09/2012
In honor of the upcoming Sonic the Fighters rerelease, how about a track from that game? My pick would be “Super Sonic ~ Everything”
- wegulawity

Hey everyone! I had a long day yesterday, so we’re doubling up again today!

I love the way this starts, it reminds me a little bit of “Sonic - You Can Do Anything” from CD. When the groove kicks in the synth horns are extremely reminiscent of Miror B’s theme from Pokemon Colosseum. Anyway! It’s very driving, as well as treble heavy, those synth horns really taking the head of things. The repeating piano line is very catchy, and so are the sixteenth notes in the drums. Lots of root-fifth based chords, giving a lot of open voicings, or “power chords” in the track. Sometimes, this sound can give an ambiguous effect as far as tonality goes, but it’s clear this is predominantly minor. Lots of pentatonics used as well, in the minor variety. This is a pretty simple effect, but it really works out! I dig it!

Fairy of A.I.F. (link) 02/06/2013
What do you think about Fairy of A. I. F. from Gems Collection?
- wegulawity

What’s happenin’, cats and kittens?

This is a pretty funky track, with a lot of elements involved that were popular in the 90’s. Those opening synth lines, for example! Along with some vocal padding and effects, and that angular sounding bass line. It’s a little perplexing, but it’s definitely cool! I like the keyboards going on, and the groove seems to shift just slightly in every section. There are some synth horns going on, and some auxiliary synth stuff as well, and it all blends together for a neat groove. I like the quality of the vocals, the tone of the male voice…even though I don’t think anyone is sure of what is actually being said! It’s a strange, groovy track!

Sonic X-treme (1996) [cancelled]

Space Queens (PC Demo) (link) 02/28/2013
How about Space Queens from Sonic X-Treme?
- Anonymous

Our first track from the cancelled Saturn game! I do have the whole conceptual soundtrack for this, so feel to request from it!

This track has super heavy synth base, but I think it’s really what makes it. There’s a lot going on melodically, with several different lines intersecting and trading off–and then there are some neat arpeggios in the background. The bass even has a neat slap sound to it! Chordally, there’s a ton of movement, going from major and minor tonalities–I think it’s a true dorian sound, just moving around the chords that fit it, and it makes for an ambiguous sound. It’s really neat, and very reminiscent of the era.

Smog Tower (link) 05/23/2013
A Sonic Xtreme track of your choosing.
- Anonymous

Hello friends!

There are a lot of Xtreme demos in the set that I have, so trying to pick just one was difficult! I think I like the chord progression in this one the most, along with those cool guitar lines! In some ways, this reminds me a lot of the Sonic CD US soundtrack, like Collision Chaos, but in a much cooler sense. Those marimba sounds in the back are a neat addition, especially in contrast to the synth bass going on. I like the space that’s in it as well, and then when the mix floods with sound back and forth, it creates a lot of dynamic! The guitar leads go from complicated to melodic, and it’s also another great contrast! It’s a cool track!

Sonic 3D Blast (1996-97)

Volcano Valley Act 1 (link) 11/29/2012
hello! i love this tumblr, this is so cool. i was wondering if maybe you could do volcano valley zone (sonic 3d blast - genesis) please? either act 1 or 2; they’re both awesome. thank you! :)
- apicturesquecore

Thank you so much for your praise! And for identifying the Genesis soundtrack–this game happens to have two soundtracks, and occasionally I’m unaware or forgetful of these things!

I love the vibe of this track, especially the bending synths going on in the background. The ostinato bass line in the first section is also particularly infectious, combined with the melody in the low mid range. It really sounds like a tune played in a dark, hot place such as the bottom of a volcano! The sound used for the melody reminds me strongly of Lava Powerhouse from Spinball, and for good reason! The chord progression in the first section is very nice as well, although simple. During the second part of it, everything amps up a bit, from the arpeggios to the increased activity in the drums. Everything acquires a higher pitch as well, like it’s all mixed a bit higher than the first section, and it creates a good structure in the song. It’s really well done, and I like it a lot!

The Final Fight (link) 01/19/2013

Tumblr user patrickrgt92 requested the final fight theme from Sonic 3D Blast, so here we go!

I checked out both versions, and I think I have a bit of a preference for this one. I dig the drum beats in this, as well as the lower melody at the beginning. The tone for the melody is really nice too! I like how it slides up on occasion. The heavy reverb on one of the comping synths is really clever as well, I like how it gets featured on its own for a brief moment. The chord progression is fairly dense as well, changing around quite a bit in the second section. It’s pretty heavy for a Genesis mix, especially in the drum department. The melody is very active, and I love that about it!

Rusty Ruin Act 1 (link) 02/07/2013
I noticed a lack of music from Sonic 3D Blast, so I was wondering what you think of Rusty Ruin Act 1 from the Genesis version of the game?
- stareon

What’s up, everyone?

I really like the feel of this track, and the constant statement of the main riff. It’s always present, even if it’s just in the background! There’s usage of all the synth sounds available in the Genesis, which is really enjoyable! The hip-hop type groove in the drums and bass I think is the most infectious part of this piece, it propels it all forward. The chords and melodic structures are neat as well, always changing a little bit, and it’s easy to just have this on repeat. The background tones are particularly appealing. Very cool!

Credits/Staff Roll (link) 06/11/2013
Your thoughts on the Sonic 3D Blast credits theme? (Genesis Version)
- Anonymous

Hey cats! I hope you’re all enjoying what’s going on with E3! I actually started this yesterday and got a bit derailed. So, we’re doubling up!

I dig the groove of this quite a bit! It has that credit roll vibe to it, and it’s really cool! The comping’s nice, and the melody really rolls along through all the changes. The beginning with just the hi-hat for drums is a lovely touch! The bass is super hip as well–all of the sounds together just make a lovely bed for everything. It’d be great to hear this one done with real instruments, as a fusion hip-hop groove. All the counter melodies are really neat as well, especially with the shift into the minor in the bridge section. This is very, very cool!

Boss Battle 2 (link) 08/19/2013
Boss 2 from Sonic 3D Blast Genesis, please?
- Anonymous

This vibe is really intense! The bass movement is really effective, and I almost like how the high end in the melody rings in my ears! It has a repetitive, short melody, that’s really effective in boss fights, especially mini bosses. It has a classic feel to it, with a solid chord progression, a memorable melody, and a nice mix all together!

Green Grove Act 1 (link) 09/09/2013
Green Grove Zone from Sonic 3D Blast would later go on to be remade in Sonic Adventure. Quite a few classic songs got this treatment long before Generations. So let’s give a little love to the original for today.
- primesonic

Oh yes, this is from Windy Valley! Or rather, Windy Valley comes from this! This track has a certain charm to it that almost fits a little better in this medium than the Sonic Adventure version. It’s a definite first stage music, with a lot going on in it. There are lots of counter melodies, especially in the B section, and the melody itself has a lot of bounce and variety to it. The bass is really happening as well, and I love the comping sounds that are brought out as well. It’s always fun to see tracks in their different incarnations like this!

Opening/Panic Puppet Zone Act 1 (link) 01/20/2015

Hey, everyone! Hope everyone’s gotten a good start to the week!

If you’ve played Sonic Adventure, this should sound very familiar–it’s the same track as the kart segment from Twinkle Park! Jun Senoue put a lot of 3D Blast songs into the first Adventure game once he got musical director reins, and it’s fun to find them all. You can hear where the souped up synth came from in that track! This song has great drive and a catchy, repetitive melody that pushes everything forward. It makes a nice dance groove! The bridge section changes up things nicely, with some cool fills, and the turnaround creates space to ramp right back into the main melody. The intro, with the lack of the solid drum groove, makes it perfect for the “opening story” utility of the track, while the rest is great for stage music.

Sega Saturn

The Final Fight (link) 01/26/2013
I just kinda want someone elses opinion on the differences between the genesis and saturn versions [of The Final Fight]. My friends are no help in that category :P
- patrickrgt92

All right then, I’ll see what I can do!

This track has much more of a final boss feel to it than the Genesis version. We’ve got the Redbook audio going on, we’ve got the horn sounds for a main melody, as well as the timpani and the deep bells, and that ominous laughter in the background. It definitely has that sense of urgency to it, but in my opinion, it’s very…typical final boss feel. The reason I like the Genesis version better is because it has a more unusual mood to it for a final theme, and I think it’s neat. Not to knock down this one though! I like its composition, as well as the “four on the floor” beat that it has going on; it’s really driving, and I like how it pushes everything forward. The melody also has a nice flow to it!

My Hero (link) 07/02/2013

And my choice! Might as well do a Saturn day!

I really love the progression to this track–it’s the whole underlying theme for the Saturn 3D Blast soundtrack, and it’s just so catchy! I love singing along to this song, and the female vocal is just so lyrical, poppy, and melodic. It has that upbeat, light pop feel from the era, conveying an acoustic sense, while still having a high production value, with some subtle synth sounds. I just love this style, and the hip-hop vibe from the drums makes it even more delightful!

“You’re my hero, don’t ever let me go, I just want you to know there’s so much inside, and I want to let it show!”

Gene Gadget Act 1 (link) 01/30/2015

All right folks, it’s the end of the month, so we’ll be moving on from the classic era (for now). But one more track!

The Saturn 3D Blast soundtrack does one of those things that I love: it keeps a musical theme throughout not just zones, but through the entire soundtrack. It’s tough to keep a melody fresh when you keep rehashing it, but it’s done very well here. The dance pop feel of this is really cool (then again, I love the 90’s dance genre), as well as the tone of the electric piano. There are a few repeating lines that overlap on each other that create a very nice bed of sound. The intro sets the tone too, even though it’s very different from the rest of the track. There’s a souped up synth bass near the bottom of the mix that has that watery sound to it, too! It’s very reminiscent of the Sonic R feel–was this before or after? Either way, Richard Jacques is still the composer, therefore the resemblance is valid.

Green Grove Act 2 (link) 02/17/2024

Hey everyone!

I believe I’ve mentioned this before, but one thing I love about the Saturn 3D Blast soundtrack is its use of leitmotifs. The little connective thread and repeated melodies that persist through each song–even if it’s in a small way! This track is no exception, while bringing a fun, jazz samba feel to it all. It’s tropical and bouncy, with a horn section punctuating the entire way through. The comping and hits through this are incredible–and yes, there is a jazz guitar with a wah pedal deep in the mix, too! You can hear it best toward the end of the loop. Great use and contrast of a piano and organ too: the piano is more of a support instrument, while the organ can play both roles very well. Super fun and sunny beats here!

Sonic Jam (1997)

Sonic World (link) 07/02/2013
How about the Sonic World music from Sonic Jam?
- Anonymous

Doubling up!

This is a cool sort of samba feel! It’s clear that this was made with MIDI, and some of the parts seem disjointed and thrown together execution wise, but overall it’s got a cool flavor! The island sounds, from the steel drums to some of the flute sounds, to the horn patches, give it a cool vibe! The bass ostinato is the thing that drives the whole thing as well, and some of the “solo” sections are super cool as well! The drums don’t seem very present, and perhaps that’s the reason for the off beat mix. It’s still very fun!

Sonic R (1997)

Super Sonic Racing (link) 04/11/2012

I could post this without comment, but I’ll make a small one.

This is a huge ball of 90’s dance party cheese, and it could be the only reason I like it. Besides the couple of direct modulations that are in it. It is the song that carried me through Biolizard and a few other bosses. If you put this song on, you can honestly do anything. That is the power of Super Sonic Racing. It drives, and I think I screamed when I heard the remix of it in Generations (although I like the original mix better). Yes, I know how to play this on several different instruments. You will either love it or hate it.

Either way, you will be dancing.

“EVERYBODY.”

Work It Out [Red Raw Mix] (link) 08/19/2012
Work it Out (Red Raw mix) from Sonic R.
- julygdiaz

What’s up, everyone? It’s been a while since we’ve had any R stuff! This is a great dance track, and I think it should be played all of your parties that you’re going to tonight. The groove is so solid, and I love the pedal synths in the beginning; reminds me of “I’ve Been Thinking About You” by Londonbeat (from the same era). The keyboard sounds are so funky, especially once we settle into the mix–right from the weirder sounds to the straight up piano. The vocals in the entire R soundtrack are absolutely wonderful, perfect for the genre. I think if you listened to this whole thing, with the exception of “Super Sonic Racing”, you wouldn’t guess that this was a Sonic soundtrack. The bass in this keeps the same sort of groove, but damn, it’s a solid one! The chords are pretty basic, just modulating a bit, especially from the chorus to the verse sections. It has a trance-like quality about it in some places, which is typical for a dance mix. The coda, with the new vocals, is really neat, and keeps things fresh.

In most dance mixes, it ends with a simple drum beat, so that the DJ can transition smoothly to the next song, and this track is no exception. I’ve heard dance mixes that loop so effectively, that I didn’t even realize that the track restarted. This is great, and if you’re not dancing by the end of this, well…I don’t know what to tell you. Enjoy!

Options Screen (link) 09/11/2012

How’s it going everyone? Today is my birthday, and although many of my favorite tracks have already been uploaded, I thought this one would be pretty appropriate!

This is hands down one of the smoothest mixes I have ever heard. Listen to that bass line! I love how it slaps right before the next phrase, I can’t help but move my body to it. Not to mention the chords going on there. It’s awesome voice leading, and it makes everything really flowing and smooth. The percussion in here is also nice and sharp, adding quite a bit of color, while not being terribly obtrusive. The melody line, if you could call it that, is very busy, almost just there to add some more motion to the mix. It’s good background music, but I could listen to it for hours and hours. It’s just fantastic, even though the loop is short. Enjoy!

Diamond In The Sky (link) 12/28/2012
i don’t know if i requested this yet or not, but..diamond in the sky?
- Anonymous

It hasn’t been requested! We don’t get nearly enough Sonic R requests here. Happy Friday, cats!

It’s no secret that I love all of the Sonic R soundtrack, but this one just has such a lovely vibe to it! The dance beat is so infectious, especially in the synth toms and bass. They really lay it down! The piano comping is also really great in keeping the groove. The arpeggios that outline the intro and other sections really make the track, separating it from the others. I like the “sparkle” sounds during when Ms. Davis sings “diamond in the sky”, it’s really great imagery! The chords going on are also very cool, doing some constant structure stuff in the chorus, which makes us change our conception of where the tonal center is. Despite that, this track doesn’t have any sneaky key changes like most of the R soundtrack. The vocals in this are absolutely supreme, smooth and groovy, just as we’d expect from T.J. Davis (listen to her riffing at the fadeout!). Such a gorgeous, fun track!

“You’re the one that makes me feel so high, I never want to hear you say goodbye!”

Number One (link) 01/20/2013
Hey, just started following your blog and I think it’s super! I’d love to know what you think of a couple of tracks: You’re My Number One from Sonic R […]
- saintjimmyoh

Thank you so much for the praise! I always love posting stuff from the R soundtrack!

This is such an upbeat and fun track, featuring the lovely T.J. Davis! I love the beat going on, it’s got a very hip hop vibe, and just adds to the mood. This features some more sneaky modulations, as the chorus is in a different key than the verse. The chorus is very catchy, with its rising melody and easy to remember verse. The synth lines sprinkled here and there are equally as memorable, creating its own little hook. The brass synths are nice in the chorus as well, adding to the color. The chord progressions in the verse and chorus are similar, but because of the modulation, they sound quite different–it’s a neat little trick! The harmonies in the vocals are infectious as well!

“All we need is love for us to be together, ‘cause you’re my number one!”

Can You Feel The Sunshine? (link) 03/19/2013
You love Sonic R’s soundtrack yet you haven’t done Can You Feel The Sunshine!? That’s crazy! How about you brighten up everyone’s day with that song? :)
- Anonymous

I do love Sonic R’s soundtrack! This one just hasn’t been requested–not everyone loves it as much as I do!

This one is a great one to start off with–it really establishes the vibe of this whole game. I like the emphasis of the major seventh in the verse melody, it really puts a whole lift to the lyric. The quality of the vocals is beautiful, per usual! There’s a modulation for the chorus of the track, adding more push, especially with the shift in the drum groove and the busier synths. The bridge in this is particularly funky, going from a smooth sound to a complete samba breakdown. The riffs in this are really nice too, per usual of TJ Davis. It’s really fresh!

“The bad times pass me by, because today is going to be a brighter day!”

Back In Time (link) 04/22/2013
How has Back In Time from Sonic R not been requested already? I mean, come on! A good chunk of it was features in Racing Transformed. Well, I’m gonna request to complete the Sonic R playlist and give you a track I just know you love. ^_^
- primesonic

Hello, everyone!

Back In Time is one of my favorites! I really like the synth line that it starts out with, it’s a very whimsical sound combined with the heavy dance groove. The chorus is one of my favorite parts–I think there are some really nice harmonies that can be found in the lines, and I usually always sing along with them (or make them up)! And the melody itself is really lilting and smooth. It has a really infectious beat to it, with a strong synth piano in the back and just an overall solid groove and progression! There are also a bunch of small modulations that keep things happening in your ears. Enjoy!

“There’s nothing to decide, apart from where we want to go!”

Living In The City (link) 07/08/2013
I don’t see “Living in the City” on the Sonic R playlist. Has it been requested?
- theshubox

It has not! Doubling up!

I love the vibe of this track! Of course, it’s the whole feel of the Sonic R soundtrack, but I think I say that just about every time there’s a R request. I love the harmonies during the verse, from the vocals to the comping underneath everything. The piano is really nice as an underlying bed! The chorus is just as memorable as well, with the bass and the catchy riff in the vocals. There’s even a sneaky little key change in the middle that can go nearly unnoticed if one isn’t paying attention! Davis’ riffing in the chorus is absolutely stunning as well!

“You’ve got to keep the dream alive, where everything is free–can’t you see?”

End Fanfare (700 follower milestone) (link) 02/15/2013

700 followers! All of you are wonderful!