© 2025 Lawrence Tuczynski

All information courtesy of Sam Scali

Title: I Tried Playing Akira Ifukube's Music 8 - April Fools' Day Fantasy, Continued
CD Label: BKM
CD Number: G.R.F.AI-08
Music Performed by: Bukimisha Weird Secret Society
Takeo Yahiro (arrangements and keyboards)
Music Composed by: Akira Ifukube
Number of tracks: 2
Running time: 29:46
Number of discs: 1
Year of release/manufacture: December 29, 2024

REVIEW

September 01, 2025 (Written June 27, 2025 by Sam Scali)

This CD-R, which is a sequel to G.R.F. AI-07 from the previous year, once again features a demo recording of an alternate "Symphonic Fantasia". For this medley, Takeo Yahiro has assembled a selection of Akira Ifukube's themes from Toho's sci-fi and fantasy films that focused on South Seas locations. Conveniently, most of these motifs were not utilized in Ifukube's original three-movement concert work, so the results are refreshing to hear. As before, Takeo has skillfully blended and arranged the themes for maximum dramatic effect.

As on the previous volume, this new disc presents two versions of the completed musical montage. The first is performed by Takeo on electronic keyboards, while the second consists of a lush, dynamic vocal rendition by the Bukimisha male chorus. For the most part, Takeo avoids Ifukube's more familiar, heroic themes, concentrating mostly on exotic motifs, and the overall effect is hypnotic and eerie. Even in demo form, the arrangements are a seamless blend that showcases the diversity of Ifukube's compositions. Hopefully, a more fully-developed version of the medley will be recorded in the near future.

Bukimisha CDs are available to non-Japanese buyers through BOOTH (The International Indie Art Marketplace) by using a proxy service or other intermediary: https://bukimisya-maal.booth.pm/

I TRIED PLAYING AKIRA IFUKUBE'S MUSIC 7 - APRIL FOOLS' DAY FANTASY, CONTINUED (G.R.F.AI-08)

  1. SF Symphonic Fantasy South Seas Edition (instrumental version)
  2. SF Symphonic Fantasy South Seas Edition (vocal version)

    3. The above compositions are sourced from the following film cues;

    1. The Wedding Ceremony (M22 ~ first part only) from YOG, MONSTER FROM SPACE, 1970
    2. Main Title (M1) from KING KONG ESCAPES, 1967
    3. The Devil's Purification (M17) from MOTHRA VS. GODZILLA, 1964
    4. Giant Octopus - The Devil of the Sea (M2) from WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS, 1966
    5. Princess Salno I (M2) from GHIDORAH, THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER, 1964
    6. Cardiac Transport Route (M2) from FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD, 1965)
    7. The Natives (M7) from KING KONG VS. GODZILLA, 1962
    8. Appearance Of Gezora (M6) from YOG, MONSTER FROM SPACE, 1970
    9. King Kong Heads to Tokyo Bay (M27) from KING KONG ESCAPES, 1967
    10. Main Title (M1 ~ intro and conclusion) from SNOW TRAIL, 1947
    11. Get Rodan! (M15) from RODAN, 1956
    12. Rodan Flies to Sasebo (M16) from RODAN, 1956
    13. Ending (M29) from DESTROY ALL MONSTERS, 1968
    14. Ending (M30) from KING KONG VS. GODZILLA, 1962