Exciting news for video game music enthusiasts! Hyperdub, the renowned London-based record label, has announced the release of a new collection titled “Diggin’ In The Carts, A Collection Of Pioneering Japanese Video Game Music.” This 34-track compilation builds upon the critically acclaimed Red Bull Music Academy documentary series of the same name, which explored the history and global influence of early Japanese electronic music.
The collection has been meticulously researched and curated by Nick Dwyer, writer and co-director of the Diggin’ In The Carts series, alongside Hyperdub’s founder Kode9. It delves into the rarely explored archives of Japanese video game music from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras of the 1980s and 90s. The tracks, originally composed for systems like the Famicom, Super Famicom, and PC-Engine, as well as more recent platforms such as the MSX, MSXturboR, and PC-8801, are presented here as significant pieces of pioneering Japanese electronica, rather than mere background music for old video games.
The compilation includes masterworks created by composers who pushed the limits of the technology available at the time. For example, Soshi Hosoi’s “Mister Diviner” from The Mahjong Touhaiden, which is influenced by Steve Reich, exemplifies the innovative spirit of these compositions. The collection aims to highlight the artistic and cultural value of these tracks, showcasing them as standalone pieces worthy of recognition.
Adding to the album’s appeal is the artwork by renowned Japanese anime artist and Studio °4C founder Koji Morimoto. The collection will be available on November 17 in CD and digital formats, with a vinyl version to follow. Pre-orders are already open, allowing fans to secure their copies ahead of the release date.
In conjunction with the album release, Red Bull is organizing a live event series under the Diggin’ In The Carts banner. This series will bring together Japan’s leading composers of video game music with a new generation of artists in cities like Los Angeles and Tokyo, starting in October. These events promise to be a celebration of the rich legacy and ongoing influence of Japanese video game music.
