© 2025 Lawrence Tuczynski
All information courtesy of Sam Scali
| Title: | Exciting SRI |
| CD Label: | BKM |
| CD Number: | G.R.F.SRI1 |
| Music Performed by: | Bukimisha Weird Secret Society (vocal arrangements by Takeo Yahiro) |
| Music Composed by: | Takahiro Saito (Tracks 1-5, 7-10) Toru Fuyuki (Track 6) |
| Number of tracks: | 10 (4 hidden) |
| Running time: | 23:44 |
| Number of discs: | 1 |
| Year of release/manufacture: | December 29, 2024 |
| REVIEW |
November 06, 2025 (Written June 27th, 2025 by Sam Scali) This fun CD-R features a selection of music from Tsuburaya Productions' 1968 TV show, OPERATION: MYSTERY (aka, "Mysterious Strategy"), performed in Bukimisha's inimitable a capella vocal style. "SRI" refers to "Scientific Research Institute", the show's team of investigators that focused on supernatural phenomena. The disc begins with a vocal adaptation of the show's brief "Main Title" fanfare, followed by the iconic song, "Town of Terror". The mood changes from heroic to somber with "The Grim Reaper's Lullaby", which was originally performed by a female singer in the 5th episode of the series. This is followed by a vocal arrangement of a slower, instrumental version of "Town of Terror", which is then reprised as a song in its "TV Size" version. As an added bonus, Track 6 is a vocal performance of Toru Fuyuki's title theme from OPERATION MYSTERY: SECOND FILE, a 2007 reboot of the series. No Bukimisha release would be complete without hidden bonus tracks, and in this case, there are four. The first one (Track 7) consists of just over 3 minutes of mostly silence, occasionally interrupted by the isolated vocal cries and guttural grunts that are heard in the "Town of Terror" theme. Hidden Track 8 is very interesting, as it features musical instruments as well as vocals. It starts with a sparse, mysterious, bass-and-drums jazz motif (reminiscent of Angelo Badalamenti's music from TWIN PEAKS), which is soon joined by languid vocals singing the "Town of Terror" theme, punctuated by high-pitched synth strings. The creepy mood is suddenly interrupted by a startling, orchestral blast and a vigorous, uptempo drum-and-vocal interlude, before it falls back into slow, eerie territory. The cycle is repeated twice more before the track ends in a thunderous, orchestral climax. The shorter Track 9 follows a similar dynamic, though it begins with vocals before the jazz combo and orchestra join in. The final hidden track starts with a minute of silence, followed by passage of spoken Japanese dialogue backed with somber vocal chants. It ends with yet another brief, triumphant vocal reprise of the "Town of Terror" song. Once again, Bukimisha delivers an inspiring and creative performance of music that is clearly special to them. Whether or not one is familiar with the original show (I wasn't), EXCITING OPERATION MYSTERY is an enjoyable listening experience. 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/ |
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Exciting SRI (G.R.F.SRI1)
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