8 Tracks: Classic Video Game Themes You Can Dance To Brennan Green

Music

Brooklyn's acid legend Brennan Green has been producing house and electro since the turn of the century. A DJ, composer and producer, he has worked with Kid Creole and Arthur Russell over the past two decades. Founder of US label Chinatown Records, he has also seen his releases and remixes on labels such as Balihu, Paper Recordings, Crosstown Rebels and Bearfunk. Brennan was a key forerunner in the Scandinavian nu-disco movement several years back. Part of a healthy rave scene in Buffalo in the 90s, he was inspired by acts such as Motorbass, Faze Action and Idjut Boys and the immergence of a nu-disco movement. He has also been a frequent guest on Tim Sweeney's Beats In Space radio show.

Catch Brennan Green Djing with Amp & Deck this weekend at The Soul's in Stoke Newington HERE. Follow him on Facebook HERE.

LISTEN

Commodore 64 Music - 147 - Way Of The Exploding Fist

When I wasn’t at the Bijou/Arcade I was sat in front of my Commodore64 obsessively playing video games.
I sometimes wonder how influenced my production was from these listening experiences as a kid.
WOTEF was released in 1985 The A section has a bizarre time signature I can’t seem to wrap my brain around with the B section relaxing into the 4/4. I used to leave this game on all the time with this theme playing over and over in the background. Melody was everything with these old themes and this one was based on Dance Of The Yao People ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtch2HjmBQI )

Commodore 64 Music - 147 - Way Of The Exploding Fist

When I wasn’t at the Bijou/Arcade I was sat in front of my Commodore64 obsessively playing video games.
I sometimes wonder how influenced my production was from these listening experiences as a kid.
WOTEF was released in 1985 The A section has a bizarre time signature I can’t seem to wrap my brain around with the B section relaxing into the 4/4. I used to leave this game on all the time with this theme playing over and over in the background. Melody was everything with these old themes and this one was based on Dance Of The Yao People ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtch2HjmBQI )
Maze-A-Tron Second Round Defeating Mcp On Intellivision

The thing that makes all this music so magical is the SID chip sound generator inside the Commodore64 that was the precursor to the digital music revolution. The swedish synthesizer company Elektron bought up all the remaining stock of these chips and made a synth in late 1999 called the Sid Station. I regret not buying one when they were released and they now go for well over $1000! This was by far one of the most confusing games. I’m not sure there was even a goal. But I loved the pulsing bass and 8-bit sound FX so much I played it all the time anyway, not knowing what I was doing but just grooving along. Could be a lost LoSoul record.
Rob Hubbard - Commando [C64]

Ron Hubbard was the leader of the few video game composers of the early 80’s. His game themes were proper compositions – recently he has been known to perform them with orchestras! The arrangement for this is so tight you can’t help but nod your head. Reminds me a bit of Jan Hammer’s Miami Vice Theme or some old Bunker records.
David Whittaker - Lazy Jones Theme

I always knew there was something familiar about Kernkraft 400 by Zombie Nation. The International DJ Gigolo masterpiece and soon to become baseball stadium anthem was almost a note for note rip off of David Whittaker’s 8-bit original song. And in the end paying an undisclosed fee to the original artist and rightfully so, this tune was massive. Odd becoming famous for someone else’s work!
Original Theme To Alien On The Commodore 64

AMAZING ATMOSPHERE! This game was almost impossible to pass the first level. The amount of games I would play just for the music is laughable. Sounds like a Jupiter-6! Love that LFO.
Ghost N' Goblins (Commodore 64) - Main Theme Extended

Shortly after the spooky and dramatic orchestral introduction this song kicks into a pumping 8th note Italo-esque groove that could find it’s way home on that old Balihu label. Strong theme and strong melodies abound made this epic game super fun to play. Horror house!
Death Wish 3 Theme [C64] (By Ben Daglish)

Ben Daglish was another member of those early 8-bit music pioneers who delivered nothing short of fantastic techno-driven, synthesizer-laden dance music. This one sets the pace with a quick 6/8 rhythm with dope chord and half-step key changes and of course those unforgettable melodies that are – if I dare say – LACKING in todays dance music.
Way Of The Exploding Fist C64 Music

I’ll finish this off with another ethereal version of The Way Of The Exploding Fist theme. I have no idea who did it and it’s only a short little loop but oh my…! So dreamy and really takes me back. Gotta love those Chinatown Vibes!