Showing posts with label tatsuo ohba. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tatsuo ohba. Show all posts

Sunday, November 9, 2025

Liner Notes from Hiroki Inui's "THE MUSIC FROM LAYZNER"


Back with some more liner note translations.

This one had actually been translated since May of this year, though I had chosen not to post it immediately since I wanted to wait first until I could get new scans of this album.

They were just finished recently, so I decided now would be a good time to finally put these up.
(Slightly unrelated—I actually have some liner notes translated from some other OSTs... they were translated around the same time that Layzner's notes were worked on, but I'm unsure when I'll be putting up here).

Having said that—the liner notes for this album were written up by Tatsuo Oba, who had previously been the producer/director on various other Starchild albums. He talks a little bit about the music's production before providing some descriptions for each track on the album.

Translation provided by OverworkedSalaryman (@osalaryman on Twitter).

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"The Music From LAYZNER" has an ethnic sound!

The Layzner project was born on a Saturday early in the afternoon—four to five days after talks with Inui over pizza and beer at the end of June, near the live house Ruido in Shinjuku. You likely already know "The Music Of VOTOMS" and this album can be considered a sequel to it.

In performance, a "One Night Stand Band" is the name for an ad-hoc one night band of musicians created at live houses and the like.

This time, aside from guitarist Toru Aoyama, drummer Yuichi Togashiki and bassist Akira Okazawa were added as new members—and they all put on a splendid performance. Whatever the case, they are all first-rate musicians, and if you listen to it, you'll hard agree on the members.

Also, when it comes to composing, editing and his performance on the keyboard, Inui—who demonstrated his abilities on an unregrettable level—is a big shot who graduated from the music science faculty of Tokyo's University of the Arts because he has a kind look in his eyes and is someone I hold very dear to me. While Inui was busy composing and editing for NHK's Minna no Uta and Okaa-san to Issho, he flew to Nepal when he found the time for it and planned the compositions while gazing at Mount Everest. This album was made using both Layzner's BGM as a motif while incorporating these experiences of his as well.

Side 1

1) Blue Diamond
This piece, which starts off with a piano solo, is a light-hearted one that fits very well as the album's opening piece. The title, "Blue Diamond", is the name of the hotel that Inui frequented while residing in Kathmandu.

2) Prithvi Highway
It starts with a unique, oriental motif. That sound in the intro and midway through that sounds like a percussive instrument was made using a synthesizer. Additionally, the melody in the middle segment which sounds like a synthy merry-go-round was made by sampling a bicycle bell. The title is the name of the highway going from Kathmandu to Pokhara.

3) Capriccio
"Capriccio" doesn't refer to the name of the cake shop in Roppongi. In music terms, it refers to a "Kisoukyoku" (a short, cheerful and whimsical piano piece). Inui's piano solo was really solid.

4) Contemplation
To be deep in thought. The straightforward start to the piece, followed by bassist Akira Okazawa's solo & continued by Aoyama's guitar solo, steadily builds up then fades out. The finger cymbal that clings during the piece belongs to Inui and was made in Nepal with an Adamski UFO shape.



● Side 2

1) Last-Minutes
The final moment. The executioners platform. It's a jazz-like piece that starts with a thrilling drum solo with a drum solo wedge in the middle of the song, fitting perfectly with the performance. It's a piece I'd really want to listen to in a live house.

2) Walk Upstream
It means to walk against the flow. I wonder if the melody came to them while they were trekking along the base of Everest. In the BGM, this should have been M-29.

3) Night Owl
One who remains awake long after dark. While everyone is silently asleep, at night is the best time to be making a song. Even tonight, Inui is likely facing his Fender Rose (Electric Piano) and continuing to produce some splendid music.

4) Capriccio II
In the BGM, it is used a lot in the main show as EM-11—but unfortunately, it wasn't recorded in the LP. For this album, all the string instrument sounds were created with a synthesizer.

5) Orchid
This refers to the orchid flower. Whenever Inui goes to Nepal, the Thai Airline he frequently uses has an inflight service called the Royal Orchid Service—passengers are all given an orchid as a present. If you put it in a cup of water at the hotel, it will continue to bloom on. I hope this album continues to become one of your favorite pieces from here on out...


- 1986.6.22 (T. OBA) 

Friday, August 19, 2022

Ulysses 31 - Liner Notes from the Japanese BGM Collection OST (Part 1)

 


Per the usual...a while back on Twitter I posted scans of the insert booklet that came included with the vinyl record release of the Japanese Ulysses 31 BGM Collection OST. What makes this release special is the inclusion of several comments from various staff members that were completely omitted in the album's CD release.

The comments in question are from Tatsuo Ohba of King Records and Tatsuo Ikeuchi, a producer on Ulysses 31—included alongside the comments is a summary of the anime's story, which I think is the only thing on here that was salvaged and brought on over to the CD release's liner notes.

This post will focus on the comments of Tatsuo Ohba, translated by Windii. Translation can be found below the line.

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To Ulysses 31
(King Records Co., Ltd.: Tatsuo Ohba)


Looking back, my relationship with Ulysses 31 began on November 6, 1980, when I attended the funeral of the late director Tadao Nagahama, who passed away just before the completion of Ulysses 31, and was told that the first film print was placed in his coffin. After that, there were many twists and turns, and in the end the series was not broadcasted in Japan, but I heard rumors of its great success in France and wondered if something could be done.

However, the situation surrounding animation has changed, and I am delighted to be able to present the series in the form of an original video animation and a vinyl record. I was also able to create all new background music and theme songs for the Japanese version.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Mr. Tatsuo Ikeuchi, producer of Tokyo Movie Shinsha, Mr. Mitsuo Koshikizawa, music publisher of Tokyo Movie Shinsha, Mr. Tokuya Shimada of Production Eureka, Mr. Seiji Suzuki, sound director of Tokyo Movie Shinsha, and many others for their efforts in making this project a reality.

The background music is original and specifically written by Kei Wakakusa, a composer and arranger whom I respect, and was completed with the extraordinary cooperation of Yuuji Saitou of Imagine Inc. and the tireless efforts of Jun Araki of Appo Sound Project, who literally forgot to eat or sleep. Incidentally, all of the background music, except for the electric & folk guitars played by Masayuki Chiyo, was created using computers & synthesizers researched and developed by Mr. Araki and the rest of the Appo staff. Due to time constraints, we were not able to collect all of the 50 or so BGM tracks.

Finally, we hope that those who listen to this LP will also enjoy the original video series.

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Just some thoughts about the info above that I felt like writing out...I'm really glad to have gotten this translated! Nowhere on the net (at least, from what I could find) was it ever mentioned that Nagahama had a film print of the show placed inside his coffin. Bit sad, yeah, won't lie...but still fascinating nevertheless.

The music mention was also of huge interest to me too. Before I had managed to get this OST on vinyl, Appo Sound Project was only ever credited on the actual credits in the JP episodes themselves. It's relieving to confirm even further (thanks to the liner notes) that Appo Sound Project had a hand in making the BGM for the JP dub!

That is all for these notes. I'll post Part 2's notes in a bit.