© 2024 Lawrence Tuczynski

All information courtesy of Sam Scali

Title: Exciting Fantasy Satsuma Godzilla
CD Label: BKM
CD Number: G.R.F.KSG1
Music Performed by: Bukimisha Weird Secret Society
Music Composed by: Akira Ifukube
Number of tracks: 1
Running time: 35:01
Number of discs: 1
Year of release/manufacture: December 30, 2023

REVIEW

May 17, 2024

This CD-R features a single track, an a cappella medley combining several of Akira Ifukube's film score motifs into an extended vocal suite, similar in spirit and structure to the maestro's "Symphonic Fantasia" concert works.

The concept for this release is an unusual one, even for Bukimisha. The suite is a heartfelt tribute to the Japanese monster suit actor and stunt man Kenpachiro Satsuma, who sadly passed away in December 2023. Each of the track's musical themes represents a movie scene that featured Satsuma in the role of a monster. Most of the cues are taken from the four Heisei-era Godzilla films that were scored by Akira Ifukube, but there are also two stock themes from EXPO 70's multimedia Mitsubishi exhibit - "Volcano", which appeared in the theatrical trailer for GODZILLA VS. HEDORAH (1971), featuring Satsuma as the smog monster, and "Storm", from GODZILLA VS. GIGAN (1972), with Satsuma playing Gigan ("Volcano" was also used in that film). Also included is an excerpt from Ifukube's SYMPHONIC FANTASIA NO. 1 (1983), which appeared in the trailer for GODZILLA 1984 (starring Satsuma as the monster), as well as the title music from the original GODZILLA (re-recorded in 1986 for Ifukube's OSTINATO album), as utilized in GODZILLA VS. BIOLLANTE (1989) in the scene that depicts Godzilla's revival from the volcanic crater of Mt. Mihara.

As always, Bukimisha's male chorus faithfully interprets the musical arrangements of each cue using their voices alone, without instrumental accompaniment. The results are lively and inspiring, and a truly fitting salute to a beloved kaiju actor. Any fan of Ifukube's familiar film themes will surely enjoy it.

Bukimisha CDs are available to non-Japanese buyers through BOOTH (The International Indie Art Marketplace) by using a proxy service or other intermediary: https://bukimisya-maal.booth.pm/

Exciting Fantasy Satsuma Godzilla (G.R.F.KSG1)

  1. Exciting Fantasy Satsuma Godzilla (medley of themes from film scenes featuring suit actor Kenpachiro Satsuma)

    2. Trailer music for GODZILLA VS. HEDORAH (M3, "Volcano" from EXPO 70: MITSUBISHI FUTURE BUILDING, 1970)
    Godzilla vs. Gigan (M6, "Storm" from EXPO 70: MITSUBISHI FUTURE BUILDING)
    Trailer music for GODZILLA 1984 (from SYMPHONIC FANTASIA NO. 1, 1983)
    Revival from Mt. Mihara Crater in GODZILLA VS. BIOLLANTE, 1989 ("Ostinato" version of M1, "Main Title" from GODZILLA, 1954)
    Memories of Lagos Island (M15 from GODZILLA VS. KING GHIDORAH, 1991)
    Vs. King Ghidorah (M1, M8 from GODZILLA VS. KING GHIDORAH)
    Vs. Battra (M14, "Battra Attacks Nagoya" from GODZILLA VS. MOTHRA, 1992)
    Vs. Mothra (M18, "Larva Mothra's Birth" from GODZILLA VS. MOTHRA)
    Vs. Mechagodzilla (M2, "Main Title" from GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA II, 1993)
    Tanzawa, Self-Defense Forces Battle (M32, "Mesa March" from GODZILLA VS. MOTHRA)
    G-Force Battle (M16, "G-Force March" from GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA II)
    Super XIII Battle (M32B, "Junior vs. Destoroyah III" from GODZILLA VS. DESTOROYAH, 1995)
    Vs. Radon (M6, "Godzilla vs. Radon" from GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA II)
    Encounter with Baby Godzilla (M41, "Parting With Baby" from GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA II)
    Vs. Destoroyah (M3, "Main Title" from GODZILLA VS. DESTOROYAH, 1995)
    Death at Ariake (M44A, "Requiem" from GODZILLA VS. DESTOROYAH)
    Godzilla Never Dies (M38, "Ending" from GODZILLA VS. KING GHIDORAH)