Alchemy of Love
Poineer Entertainment
CD single
PIDA-1033
Price: 1000 yen
Released Date: 8/21/96

Tracks

1. Alchemy of Love (performed by Megumi Hayashibara)
2. Alchemy of Love (off vocals)
3. Achika's Theme
4. Epilogue

On my never ending search to find more Achika stuff, I found this. Although it's labeled as "sung by Achika/Hayashibara Megumi", it's sung in Megumi's voice and not Achika. That's ok since I'm a huge Megumi fan. Anyway, this is the Japanese version of the movie theme. When I saw the movie, I thought the song was weird. One day, I downloaded this 60 meg file and it turned out to be this Japanese version with different footage. Now, don't get me wrong. The japanese version isn't the version that the japanese see... they hear and see the normal english version. I think the Japanese version of the theme(and footage) comes from one of those special collector's edition Tenchi Muyo in Love LDs. I saw two different ones, one for US $100 and another for US $150. I figured they were special since you can get the domestic one for $40.

Anyway, on to this CD. Will you like it? Do you like Alchemy of Love? Would you like to hear it in Japanese? Do you like Hayashibara Megumi? I figure if you answered yes to two of them, you should pick this one up. The last 2 tracks are nice. Track 3 is less than a minute but it packs a lot of emotion... piano and woodwinds. Track 4 is also pretty cool and is a little over 3 minutes. It combines a variety of instruments if you're into background music.

Lastly, the packaging is nice. As you can see, the front pic of Achika is worth the price alone(not everyone will agree but you know...). The back has the lyrics. Why don't they do that for all CD-S's? It's annoying having to open up the plastic wrap everytime you wanna peek at the lyrics. The inside also has lyrics but it's for the English version. The actual CD, disappointly, is pretty plain. But of course, it is a MUSIC CD and not an art CD... That's enough for aesthetics. Anyway, if you love TMiL, love Achika, or love Megumi, do yourself a favor and get this.

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Tenchi Muyo In Love!
Japanese Version
Poineer LDC
PICA-1097
Price: 3000 yen
Released Date: 4/24/96

Tracks

1. Prologue (4:09)
2. The Opening (3:16)
   
3. The Rythem of Cause and Effect (2:00)
   
4. First Encounter with Achika (0:54)
   
5. Operative A (1:05)
   
6. A Change in Tenchi (1:20)
   
7. The Future House (1:06)
   
8. Kain's Image Analyses (0:55)
   
9. Nobuyuki and Achika (1:32)
   
10. Ryoko's Chase (3:32)
    
11. Tenchi's Decision (2:01)
    
12. Achika and Tenchi (1:09)
    
13. Power Booster (7:39)
    
14. The Battle Against Kain (4:40)
    
15. Sadness (0:50)
    
16. Come to the Rescue (1:46)
    
17. The Power of Love (2:47)
    
18. Kain's Return (3:33)
    
19. Achika's Theme (2:07)
    
20. Epilogue (3:03)
    
21. Alchemy of Love (4:37)-sung by Nina Hagen and Rick Jude[Read Lyrics]
    

the US release version contains a Bonus Track listed as track 22: Achika in Rage (?)

Personal Opinion:

Songs:
BGMs:
Good Deal to Buy?:

(There're quite a few nice BGMs in this CD and are very fitting, with a mix of evil music and peaceful music really make up your feel of the movie itself. However, many individual BGM has the same rhythm recurring over and over to others, that makes it kinda hard to distinguishsome tracks from the next since they sound so similar. In this case I can't record which tracks are similar, but believe me -- a lot! Out of 20 BGMs, there're only about 7 tracks are completely in different themes. Nevertheless, if you're a TMiL fan, I sugguest you should purchase this CD.)

The TENCHI MUYO! IN LOVE Soundtrack, done by Christopher Franke, maybe the most wonderful piece of work done by an American composer on a anime. The soundtrack itself was the second Japanese anime soundtrack done exclusively by an American composer (the first being PROJECT A-KO), and the only Japanese animated movie soundtrack done by an American composer. Christopher Franke, as most people already know, does the soundtrack and audio work for Babylon 5.

This series of tracks seems to have been specifically set up to the appearance of the characters themselves, with interweaving themes directly connected to the characters and woven together into the fabric of the music itself. Sometimes there are completely dark pieces like "Kain Fukatsu" (Kain's revival), at other times a bright piece like "Tenchi to Achika" (Tenchi and Achika). Other times, you get a mix of the two where "dark" and "light" parts alternate freely, bringing a sort of struggle to the track that doesn't need the movie for empathization. The fact that Sonic Images (Mr. Franke's studio) didn't leave anything out in doing the soundtrack shows as well, as the CD has a wonderful quality and fullness of sound that occasionally seems to be lacking from lesser soundtracks.

The disc comes in a box with a small poster and comments on the movie by Mr. Franke. Careful though, as the poster has paper cherry blossom petals enclosed in it.

TENCHI MUYO! MANATSU NO EVE ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK Copyright © AIC / Pioneer LDC, 1998 PICA-1146 Japanese Release, PICD-1013A US Release 23 July 1997 ¥ 3,000, US$16.98 —by Roderick "Agitator" Lee 1. Startica  3:26 2. Yuzuha's Theme  2:07 3. Mayuka's Theme  2:35 4. The Masaki's Dining Room  1:38 5. Washu's Conclusion  1:33 6. Christmas Dream (Midsummer's Eve variation)  2:20 7. Mystery  2:30 8. Mayuka's Theme (Melancholy version)  1:51 9. Sliding Through the Air  1:18 10. Anxiety and Worry  1:36 11. Jealousy  2:16 12. Tenchi on the Roof  2:12 13. Mayuka's Theme (Voluptuous version)  1:41 14. Mayuka's Theme (Running version)  1:52 15. Into the Dimension of Darkness  1:51 16. Fight!  1:46 17. Theme of the Dark Dimension  3:01 18. Complications  1:47 19. Yuzuha's Theme (Malicious version)  1:45 20. Mayuka's Theme (Mayuka's Death version)  1:32 21. Yuzuha's Collapse  1:46 22. Mayuka's Theme (Hope of the Rebirth version)  1:57 23. Manatsu no Eve [ED], Nagai Mariko  4:11 Midsummer's Eve

TENCHI MUYO! MANATSU NO EVE ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK (released by Pioneer Entertainment USA as TENCHI THE MOVIE 2: DAUGHTER OF DARKNESS ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK), while returning to more traditional instrumentals, continues this musical tradition with 23 diverse tracks across a range of styles and themes. The disc opens with "Startica," which is not your typical instrumental opener. Instead, what first greets listeners is a haunting chant, evoking images of a Middle Eastern or (East) Indian religious ritual, a great parallel to the mystery surrounding this unknown young woman who claims to be Tenchi's daughter. Follow this by two character themes, one for Yuzuha and one for Mayuka, the mystery daughter. A scan of track titles reveals two different versions of "Yuzuha's Theme" and six "Mayuka's Theme" incarnations; together, that is over one-third of the disc. Certainly, this may summon fears of "Fly Me to the Moon" syndrome where one or two tracks ends up dominating the disc to the point of absurdity. Fortunately, these versions are distinct enough to make a difference, while the CD arrangement helps by interspersing the tracks to reduce repetition. The third track, the base, is a calm composition of bells and chimes often reminiscent of a xylophone. "Mayuka's Theme (Voluptuous version)" is ethereal and eerie, but even its growing energy fails to adequately project seduction. But, this is the exception. The following track, "Mayuka's Theme (Running version)" indeed sounds like a running theme, quick with hints of frenzy. The two-track combination of "Mystery" and "Mayuka's Theme (Melancholy version)" is an effective juxtaposition of similarly themed melodies. The muted tones and slightly distorted echoes of this melancholy version complement the foreboding and wonder of the previous track. A similar but even greater effect occurs at the close of the disc as the final tracks paint a musical vista of sound that no doubt parallel the climax of the film. First, "Yuzuha's Theme (Malicious version)" is foreboding and dramatic with a melody that oddly shows no signs of the original. As the first track fades, it transitions into "Mayuka's Theme (Death of Mayuka version)," which is slow and quiet without being a dirge. The sense is that of a denouement immediately following a crescendo, and that is exactly what it is. Then, the pace picks up again with "Yuzuha's Collapse," a powerful display of horns alluding to the close and aftermath of a battle. Then, Mayuka's theme chimes in again, this one the "(Hope of the Rebirth version)," a majestic epilog conveying, what else?, hope and rebirth. There are also highlights that do not revolve around Mayuka specifically. "Christmas Dream" is a celebratory and dignified tune with holiday bells in the background. "Fight!" is powerful, driving, and forceful—raw energy in a thunderous musical form. It resides between two equally strong tracks. "Into the Dimension of Darkness" is another atypical anime BGM. The most distinguishing characteristic here is not the music, but the litany of background voices, first dark and evil, then perplexing, all disturbing; particularly when the music fades into the background and the voices take center stage. Bracketing the other end is arguably the best track of the disc, "Theme of the Dark Dimension," a sweeping, symphonic synthesis of styles and subjects. About a third of the way into the piece, a brief repetition of Mayuka's theme cuts in before yielding to the more powerfully charged movements around it; the quiet chimes are like the eye in a storm of horns and other stronger instruments. Essentially, this is an instrumental disc. But what instrumentals, representing a broad range of individual instruments, musical styles, and emotional themes. The single vocal track is the eponymous ED, "Manatsu no Eve" (Midsummer's Eve), a poppy, pleasant tune by classic vocalist Nagai Mariko (of YAWARA! fame). Otherwise, this is a treat to instrumental BGM enthusiasts and a giant red flag to vocals fans. Too bad the movie behind the music is not comparable.

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