Today we’re going to look at a few tunes showing how game musicians grabbed trendy music from the 90s to maximize the “cool” in their soundtracks. 

this is the same youtube-safe version that you hear in the video. there's a not-safe-for-youtube version available on patreon, if you need the cleanest of drums

EXTMIX

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Maximum 90s Cool

Hammers on metal, mechanized jitters, harsh drones, and even some glitches. This is the sound we’re exploring today, with a brief excursion into something a little more chill, since not everything needs to be iron and steel.

Video

Derelict Machinery

Alberto J. González, sometimes under the alias of Joe McAlby, made a name for himself as the king of Gameboy music back during the system’s lifespan. Today, we’re going to explore how he pushed the system to its limits, how he got to that point, and what he’s done since.

be sure to check out his soundcloud!  https://soundcloud.com/joemcalby/tracks

GST♥ Artist Feature

Artist Feature #21: Alberto González

There’s a certain style of music that seems to only appear in 90s video game music. What’s up with that? Well, it’s called jazz fusion and it was very big in Japan. Today, we’re going to explore a little bit of that from the SNES!

GSTMIX

Stylish Breeze

The 16 bit generation brough sample playback to devs working on the SNES. This opened up a new field of possibilities for soft music that was simply impossible on the NES. What did they do with this ability?
Let’s take a listen.

Lush & Chill Sides

Today, we’re looking at SOME PROG, in its various forms, as it appeared on the SNES. Last time was filled with odd time signatures, but prog can mean more than that. Let’s take a listen!

SOME SNES PROG

exploring the short but storied (and sadly often overshadowed) music career of Eveline Novakovic!

Artist Feature #26: Eveline Novakovic

NEW MIX! We've got some more cute beeps... but arranged in an early 90s rompler style!

Some More Cute Beeps (with arrange)

Listening to all of the SMS/GG soundtracks, I noticed an interesting trend: a lot of songs would create this looping, spinning, shimmering soundscape. It worked really well with the square waves on these systems, so I’d like to highlight that sound today!

GG Spinning Squares

Square waves are pretty good at creating a spinning, “shimmering” soundscape, but sometimes, I want it to go further. I want some varied timbres. So I arranged a few tunes! Let’s take a listen!

Assorted Arranged Arps

Today we're exploring the works of Traz Damji, one of the many musicians responsible for making sports game OSTs go hard!

Artist Feature #28: Traz Damji

I love video game music that could work on the dancefloor. But, sadly, the humble Game Gear has a tinny bass-less sound chip, so it can’t drop any bass. But maybe you can still go hard anyway? Let’s take a listen!

This Handheld Can Make Banger Tunes (i swear)

The Game Gear has some amazingly dancefloor-ready arrangements that are stuck inside a doorbell tier sound generator. Today, we’re giving some 90s synths to these tunes. Time to jam.

Extracting the Rave from Game Gear

Paul Wilkinson is probably best known for his first ever score, which is unfortunate because he’s done way more, and way better. Let’s take a look!

Artist Feature #29: Paul Wilkinson

Today, we're looking at a few jazzy selections from the Game Gear. Maybe. I mean... it could be jazz. Perhaps. You'll see what I mean.

Dubiously Jazzy Beeps

Today, we’re looking at some jazzy 8-bit Sega tunes... in the form of a MIDI medley. (Made with real MIDI!)

GameGearJazz.mid

Paul “Z80GameCoder” Hutchinson grew up surrounded by pirate radio in London, and he brought some of that with him to Sega of America. Let’s take a look at some newly uncovered examples!

Artist Feature #30: Paul Hutchinson

Today, we’re looking through some of the jazz fusion cuts from the SMS and Game Gear. Or, if not specifically jazz fusion, then at least some breezy jfusion adjacent tunes. Let’s jam!

Handheld Fusion Flavors

Let's check out a few groovy tunes centered around the Sega Genesis.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnLlwuo4Xvg&list=PL5drWs8U-49sYqC3yulH3068ljPUy-70G&index=3

GST++MIX

Nice Basslines

A little bit more jazz with some FM flavor, or maybe the other way around?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnJC2k9f7FA&list=PL5drWs8U-49sYqC3yulH3068ljPUy-70G&index=4

GST++MIX, no holds barred

Check This Vibe

Tim Follin: The best chiptune composer...with the worst luck. Let's explore the history of this amazing musician!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC1dTzyb5Gs&list=PL5drWs8U-49vGGyIoyjx7hv-a21GaKS2N&index=2

Artist Feature #2: Tim Follin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJJgjAq50lw

Let’s check out some game music that’s kinda chill, but also kinda…not? You'll hear what I mean!

Official Video

Luminescent Elixir

The goal was a kinda bossa flavor but it ended up being more like....driving? hmm.
it's still a nice chill mix though!

NIGHT DRIVE

I started my focus on Sega Genesis music with the rad dance tunes from the platform. Today, for the finale before I shift my focus to SNES music, we’re looking at prog.

Odd time signatures, extended chords, dissonance, and general fun!

I’m incredibly happy with this mix, and I hope you enjoy it too!

The Video

PROG LIFE

We're starting out the next chapter of this channel with a chill SNES mix!

I wanted to start with this style because it's something the SNES does well that the Genesis can't really do: chill but crisp sampled chords. 

enjoy!

video

IN DEEP

Time to look at some SNES music with a focus on like....deep house? post-rave? I really don't know what category this falls under. It's chill but it grooves.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jvIQZW-pUw

Outer Orbit

Dean Evans: one of the incredibly talented musicians at Ocean, best known for his work on the SNES version of Waterworld. Let's explore how his worked evolved over time, from the SNES and beyond!

Artist Feature

Artist Feature #10: Dean Evans

Oldschool rave. You know what I'm talking about: orch hits and rave stabs and 909s. Truly the essence of the 90s. So of course this appeared on the SNES as well. Let's take a listen!

R U Ready?

Acid. The genre that Roland accidentally created with the TB-303. As the music from raves started to influence the music in games, so too did acid. Today, we’re swapping out the samples for (an emulated version of) the real deal. Let’s dive in!

SPC-303

A simple waveform with a low pass filter and lots of resonance. The looping basslines of a TB-303. These were popular sounds in 90s dance music. Did you know they appeared in several SNES games as well? Let’s take a listen!

Acid on SNES

We’re back in the bar with some more jazz flavored SNES tunes, though this time we’ve got a few more locales. Don’t worry though, there’s still a Japan-only mahjong soundtrack. ;)

ii V I Drink Minimum

today, we’re focusing on the works of JeroenTel it’s a record-breaking mix: my longest yet. There’s Much to Tel ;)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx-ggwaWvvs

Artist Feature #13: Jeroen Tel

Yuzo is well known for his work on the Streets of Rage series, but he has a 30+ year history on far more games. Today, we’re going to explore some of these!

Artist Feature #15: Yuzo Koshiro

Game SoundTracks, lovingly curated by theme.
This is just the audio portion of my video mixes, so do check out my youtube channel for the full experience!

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