© 1999 Lawrence Tuczynski

Title Film Works by Akira Ifukube Vol. 7
CD Label SLC Inc.
CD Number SLCS-5056
Music by: Akira Ifukube
Number of tracks 8
Running time 63:02
Number of discs 1
Year of release/manufacture 1995

REVIEW

Updated August 24, 2000

CD number 7 in the Film Works series is made up of themes from two of the "Zatoichi" films that Akira Ifukube scored. There are many movies starring Shintaro Katsu as the character Zatoichi and Ifukube did the score for several of them. The Zatoichi film series was very popular in Japan and the Zatoichi character is a blind Masseur, gambler, drinker and expert swordsman. In all his films he seems to travel the countryside and plays a lovable scoundrel who is always helping out others and fighting their oppressors. Track # 1 & # 2 are from two of these films. I have seen about 6 of the series and they are quite enjoyable. Track #4 is from "Invasion Of Astromonster" and features some music we've heard in "Monster Zero" (since "Invasion Of Astromonster" is another name for this film). Track #5 contains some female vocals. I am not familiar with the other films on this CD.

Overall this CD has a very good mixture of musical styles and I will certainly give it many more plays. The booklet picture for this CD is a bad picture of Shintaro Katsu as Zatoichi. 

English Title:	The Complete Collection of Akira Ifukube's Film Music - Volume 7
Japanese Title:  Ifukube Akira - Eiga Ongaku Zenshu Dai-nana Shu

1.	Zatoichi: The Life and Opinion of Masseur Ichi  
	(Japanese title: 'Zatoichi Monogatari')
	(1)	Main Title
	(2)	Bitter Victory

2.	Fight, Zatoichi, Fight  
	(Japanese title: 'Zatoichi Kessho Tabi')
	(1)	Main Title
	(2)	The Threesome at Night
	(3)	Ending

3.	Shokon Ichidai - Tenka no Abarenbo 
	( 'A Lifetime of Business Savvy - The Toughest Guy Around')
	(1)	Main Title
	(2)	For Love's Sake
	(3)	The Meiji Restoration
	(4)	Yataro's Resolve
	(5)	Kisei's True Intention
	(6)	Ending

4.	Monster Zero  (Japanese title: 'Kaiju Daisenso')
	(1)	The Three Giant Monsters from the X Star *1
	(2)	The Electromagnetic Capsule(s)
	(3)	The 'Monster Zero' March

5.	Adventure in Kigan Castle  
	(Japanese title: 'Kigan Jo no Boken') 
	(1)	Main Title
	(2)	Tunhuang
	(3)	Enzai *2 and Daikaku *2
	(4)	The Capital of Peshiru *3
	(5)	Suisen *2, the Holy Man
	(6)	Gorujaga's *3 Plot
	(7)	Run, Daikaku *2!
	(8)	The Decisive Battle at Kigan Castle
	(9)	Ending

6.	Wakamono Yo Chosen Seyo  
	(Literal translation: 'Go For It, Young Ones!')
	(1)	Opening - Main Title
	(2)	Photographs for an Arranged Marriage
	(3)	The Proposal
	(4)	The New Products Ship Out
	(5)	Go For It, Young Ones!
	(6)	Ending

7.	Odate Orochi  ('Sword Fight - The Giant Snake *4)
	(1)	Raging Swordfight
	(2)	The Fall - The Awakening


8.	Sono Kabe wo Kudake 
	(Literal translation: 'Break Down Those Walls') 
	(1)	Main Title
	(2)	Ending

*1  	Or possibly 'The Three Giant Monsters from Planet X'.
*2  	This is probably a name and may have different readings.  
*3	This is a direct transliteration from the Japanese. 
*4	Or possibly 'Sword Fight - Orochi'.