© 1999, 2014 Lawrence Tuczynski

Title The Film Music By Masaru Satoh Vol. 11
CD Label SLC Inc.
CD Number SLCS-7111~12
Music by: Masaru Satoh
Number of tracks Disc 1 - 8
Disc 2 - 6
Running time Disc 1 - 62:33
Disc 2 - 73:54
Number of discs 2
Year of release/manufacture 1993

REVIEW

Feb. 12, 2000

I have noticed that much of Masaru Satoh's (sometimes spelled Sato) music has a 1940's & 1950's Jazz feel to it. I'm willing to bet Jazz music was a big influence on him. While I'm the first to admit that his Godzilla scores don't do much for me, I really enjoy his scores for Akira Kurosawa and other films. For me, the jazz feel of his Godzilla scores just feels wrong or out of place when compared to Akira Ifukube's famous action and march music in the Godzilla series.

As to this set, Vol. 11, I enjoyed it very much. Mr. Satoh gives us a good mix of many styles including some Jazz influenceed numbers. Most of the music has a slow, soft feel to it and is good for just sitting back in a comfortable chair and relaxing. You won't find any rousing action pieces or marches here like you would on an Ifukube CD. So if you're looking for Ifukube style music, then you might not enjoy this CD. However if you like soft music and old style Jazz, then this just might be your cup of tea.

One thing I like about this series is that the track titles are given in both Japanese and English. The wording on the cover and spine is also in English. The biggest drawback is that the English doesn't say what films these songs are from.

REVIEW

Title: The Film Music By Masaru Satoh Vol. 11 (MOVIES DIRECTED BY HIDEO GOSHA VOLUME)
Japanese Title: GOSHA HIDEO KANTOKU EIGA HAN
Translations & notes courtesy of Jolyon Yates

DISC 1

  1. Goyokin (1969, aka Official Gold, Steel Edge of Revenge, dir Hideo Gosha, str Tatsuya Nakadai, Kinnosuke Nakamura, Yoko Tsukasa)
  2. The Wolves (Shusshu Iwai, 1972, aka Prison Release Celebration, dir Hideo Gosha, str Tatsuya Nakadai)
  3. Cash Calls Hell (Gohiki no Shinshi, 1966, dir Hideo Gosha, str Tatsuya Nakadai)
  4. Juttemai ([10 Hand Dance] 1987, aka Death Shadow)
  5. Boryokugai ([Gang of Thugs])
  6. Usugesho ([Light Makeup] aka Tracked, 1985)
  7. Heat Wave (Kagero, 1969, aka Heat Wave Island, dir Kaneto Shindo, str Nobuko Otowa)
  8. Hitokiri (1969, aka Tenchu, dir Hideo Gosha, str Tatsuya Nakadai, Yujiro Ishihara, Shintaro Katsu, Yukio Mishima)

DISC 2

  1. Yokiro (1983, aka The Geisha)
  2. Gokudo no Onna-tachi (1986, aka Yakuza’s Ladies)
  3. Tokyo Bordello (Yoshiwara Enjo, 1987, dir Hideo Gosha)
  4. Kita no Hotaru (Fireflies in the North)
  5. Kai ([Oar], 1985, dir Hideo Gosha)
  6. Oil-Hell Murder (Onna Goroshi Abura no Jigoku, 1992, dir Hideo Gosha)