© 2024 Lawrence Tuczynski

All info courtesy of Sam Scali

English Title: SFSF - Science Fiction Symphonic Fantasia
CD Label: BKM
CD Number: G.R.F. SF123 (CD-ROM)
Music Composed by: Akira Ifukube
Music Performed by: Bukimisha (vocals) / Takeo Yahiro (vocals, vocal arrangements and MIDI keyboard)
Number of tracks: mp3 portion: 41 / MIDI portion: 10
Running time: mp3 portion: 2:53:46 / MIDI portion: 3:12
Number of discs: 1
Year of release/manufacture: December 30, 2023

REVIEW

February 16, 2024

This special CD-ROM commemorates the 40th Anniversary of Akira Ifukube's "Symphonic Fantasia No. 1-3", his 1983 concert arrangement of his classic Toho science fiction film themes. The disk contains six folders of mp3 files featuring all of Bukimisha's astonishing a cappella recordings of the piece, taken from six CDs released between 2004 and 2023. Also included are two photos of sheet music for Symphonic Fantasia and thumbnail images of the CD covers, as well as a folder containing brief MIDI piano samples from the work.

The MIDI files tie in with perhaps the most valuable and informative feature on the disk - a lengthy, highly technical analysis of the Symphonic Fantasia score, written in Japanese by Takeo Yahiro and included as an HTML file. Takeo discusses the content, structure and instrumentation of each musical motif in scholarly detail, and traces how the themes developed from their original film appearances. The music in the 6th mp3 folder (a limited Japanese version of Bukimisha's 2023 remix of "SF Symphonic Fantasia", before it was remastered by BSX Records for worldwide release), subdivides the three suites into 32 individual cues for easy reference.

"SFSF" provides a rich, impressive summary and is a worthy tribute to Ifukube's monumental work. It demonstrates how Bukimisha's mastery of the composition (and their performance of it) has evolved over the years, and it is a true testament to their devotion and service to the maestro and his legacy.

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/

SFSF - Science Fiction Symphonic Fantasia (G.R.F. SF123 (CD-ROM))

    mp3 tracks:

    Folder 1 (from "RITUAL MUSIC OF ODO ISLAND", G.R.F.014, 2004)
  1. SF Symphonic Fantasia No. 1 (1983)
    Folder 2 (from "GOUKAI Na SYMPHONIC FANTASIA", G.R.F.015, 2005)
  1. SF Symphonic Fantasia No. 1 (1983)
  2. SF Symphonic Fantasia No. 2 (1983)
  3. SF Symphonic Fantasia No. 3 (1983)
    Folder 3 (from "HEROIC RHYTHMICA OSTINATO", G.R.F.040, 2017)
  1. SF Symphonic Fantasia No. 2 (1983)
    Folder 4 (from "GOUKAI Na SINFONIA TAPKAARA", G.R.F.041, 2019)
  1. SF Symphonic Fantasia No. 1 (1983)
  2. SF Symphonic Fantasia No. 2 (1983)
  3. SF Symphonic Fantasia No. 3 (1983)
    Folder 6 (from "BUKIMISHA: SF SYMPHONIC FANTASIA", BSXCD-9157, 2023)

    SF Symphonic Fantasia No. 1 (1983)

  1. Godzilla Appears
  2. Intermezzo
  3. Theme from "Godzilla"
  4. King Kong vs. Godzilla
  5. Night Music Serenade
  6. Baragon's Horror
  7. Godzilla vs. Rodan
  8. Theme from "Battle in Outer Space"
  9. Theme from "Destroy All Monsters"
  10. Allegro Repeat
  11. Intermezzo
  12. Fighting Music from "Battle in Outer Space"
  13. Destroy All Monsters

    14. SF Symphonic Fantasia No. 2 (1983)

  14. Theme from "Adventure in Kigan Castle"
  15. King Ghidorah
  16. Sacred Fountain
  17. Theme from "Varan the Unbelievable"
  18. Kurobe Valley
  19. Theme from "King Kong Escapes"
  20. Element X
  21. Operation "L" March
  22. Flying Music from "Rodan"
  23. Operation "L" March (reprise)

    24. SF Symphonic Fantasia No. 3 (1983)

  24. Opening theme from "Destroy All Monsters"
  25. Mechani-Kong's Theme
  26. Sanda's Theme
  27. Beauty and Kong
  28. Tokyo Bay and the Ghoten
  29. Operation to Transport King Kong
  30. Giant Octopus vs. King Kong
  31. March from "Atragon"
  32. Battle March from "The Mysterians"