For as many Tokusatsu-related CDs as I buy each and every year, there are dozens that I skip over. On top of repetitive EPs, there is usually some kind of annual Kamen Rider or Super Sentai theme song collection slipped out onto store shelves. They sell well enough...so I guess that is grounds to keep releasing them.
Every once in awhile there is something done to make these compilations worthwhile. The CD that I'm going to talk about today is something of an oddity...enough so that I pre-ordered it based on the title alone. What's a "Non-Stop Best Mix"? Who is DJ Caesar? Is this CD any good??
Let's find out!
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Super Sentai Series 45th Anniversary Non-Stop Best Mix Vol.1 by DJ Caesar
COCX-41416
2021.03.24
I guess I can start this review by answering the first two of my questions. DJ Caesar has worked previously with Columbia to create not one, but two volumes of mixes from the Gundam series in 2019. It's only natural that the next step would be for DJ Caesar to recreate the magic for another long-running Columbia music property...Super Sentai. I mean, it's fertile ground for mixes, right? Given that this is an anniversary year for Super Sentai it only makes sense that we are getting something special instead of (or, more accurately, in addition to) the same old theme song collection.
This is the part where I usually do a track by track breakdown of the album. I *could* do that...but the reality is that this is literally the opening and ending theme songs from Goranger to Gingaman. This album's party trick is that the tracks are arranged seemingly at random and are stitched together in a non-stop presentation. Some of the transitions are done with cross fades of various lengths, some are a little more abrupt, and then there are the puzzling ones with extra effort like the transition into Kakuranger's opening theme song.
The really, REALLY strange thing is that this album was announced like the day after I released my album, which is a similar premise made up of deeper cuts from different franchises. [Shameless self-promotion--check out my album "Live Action Sounds" for some good fun...I totally handled "Ashita ni ikiru ze!" better...]. Based on how I did my album, you can tell that I'm more of a fan of the abrupt transitions on Non-Stop Best Mix.
Some of the better transitions are the aforementioned skip into the Kakuranger opening, the hard cut from Gingaman's opening into the Sunvulcan theme, Turboranger's ending into Liveman's opening is really slick, Dynaman's ending song transitioning into the Dynaman opening song is possibly the most seamless of them all, and I think the weird jump from Liveman's ending into the Goggle Five opening is kinda funny.
The ones that I don't really like are the long cross-fades. They just kinda take me out of it. Sunvulcan's theme song transitions into the Ohranger ending theme song in a very strange way. Not only is the fade really long...but it fades into the already long full intro of Ohranger's Ending. Yeah, we get the whole "Ohrangers, Stand By" bit. Earlier on the disc we had a long fade into the Zyuranger OP, but it cut past the whole Total Recall knock-off bit.
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OVERALL: I think this CD is really neat. I'm not just saying that because it pretty much covers the only theme songs that I like (it would've been rad if it ran through GoGo Five...oh well) but it's certainly a new way to listen to songs I already love. Would I ever think to blend the Fiveman opening theme song into the Maskman ending theme song? Never. I kinda gained a new perspective for some of these theme songs as well. I never really cared for Never Stop! Changeman (sorry!) for some reason, but I kinda came around on it during my listen here. Meanwhile, the usually invincible Tengoku Samba from Carranger becomes somewhat anonymous when sandwiched between the Kakuranger and Denjiman ending songs.
I get that this is meant to reach as many ears as possible, but I definitely would've been more interested in an album of more obscure songs. Yes, I know that I'm pretty much describing what I did, but I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that. I also wouldn't mind a strictly Super Sentai version of what Michiaki Watanabe did with his Eurobeat Metal Hero album back in 2001.
I will close with two things...
1. I do enjoy this album and am curious to hear what a Vol.2 would sound like. Though I may have to punch out if it's only a continuation. How about mecha theme songs??
2. I feel like DJ Caesar is a man after my heart with his extra effort on the Kakuranger theme song. It's so weird that it's one of the few songs that has some extra arrangement (Zyuranger Ending song does as well) and the unique transition...but the Kakuranger Superfan in me makes me think that we may be cut from the same cloth,..
Preordered CDs came with a sticker of the front cover as a bonus
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So there is my review of this fun new release. Definitely check it out if you're looking for something a little different. You can also check out some other. Or if you just like reading about Tokusatsu music (you weirdo) I have a page for my CD Collection.
I'll see you soon with a post that 100% going to make you roll your eyes and completely dismiss me. Just wait...it's another CCLemon99 unpopular opinion incoming.
See ya!
-CC
PREVIOUSLY.....
CCLemon99 - Live Action Sounds [Full Tokusatsu Medley Album]
I modified my car and really went too far this time [Tokusatsu License Plate]
The CD Collection--Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger Shudaika ["Zenryoku Zenkai!" Ban Limited Edition]
Kakuranger Ball!!!
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