First of all, can I just say that this review is only meant for UK people. American visitors might like to visit a sight more in line with their home countries hideous musical taste. Try this site instead.
Right. So now we've got rid of the Americans, we can have a serious discussion about music. After all, we invented it, right?
So, Club Saturn is the name of the latest compilation CD trying to cash-in on the games/music love affair, following in the footsteps of the Playstation Wipeout things, and some more obscure Japanese releases. However, this CD isn't quite the same, as Sega have allowed some of the countries most underground DJ's and producers to sample Saturn games, and build tracks around the samples.
This definitely is not a remix CD, as only one or two tracks use any of the actual tunes from the originals, most tracks just use a few vocal samples and sound effects from the games. Sometimes it does appear that samples have been stuck in just for the sake of it, but they don't ruin the tracks, and I doubt if anyone who wasn't familiar with the games would notice the samples any more than in a normal track.
Most obscure sample must be on the Sega Rally track by D'Cruze, as they actually use the little 'plink' sound from the option screen as a main sound, and tyres screeching throughout the track, with the occasional "Turn around" and "Over Jump" thrown in.
As far as the actual music goes, I would say this is not only the best game related compilation, but a stunningly good CD in its own right. Sega seem to want to make it obvious that they are heading for the "Drum & Bass" audience, as for some reason, every track on the listing has "Drum & Bass mix", "Jungle mix" of "Trip Hop mix" stuck after it. Strange.
This is not a watered-down, dance music for beginners compilation, and there are none of the more well known "Underground" acts like the Chemical Brothers and Underworld, this is completely up-to-date un-compromising stuff, most of the tracks are in a really hard Drum & Bass style, with 2 or 3 House tracks thrown in as well for a great balance. And it also comes with the 'Sega Flash vol.2' CD, with playable demos of NiGHTS, Worldwide Soccer, Baku Baku and Athlete Kings.
I do wonder who Sega are aiming this compilation at though. The cover is a montage of Sega game characters, and the way every track is painfully labeled "Drum & Bass mix" makes it seem like they are trying for a more mainstream audience. But the music, artists and label (top underground tune suppliers Suburban Base) are definitely not for the casual buyer who might buy this CD on the grounds of it being endorsed by Sega.
Don't buy this CD if you're a fan of Sega's in game music, but do get yourself a copy if you love club strength Drum & Bass and really deep House tracks.
ukr:gary