Today I'm taking this in a slightly different direction: Video game music! Composed by Rémi Gazel*, this is one of the best soundtracks I've ever encountered in a game, and I'm very excited about sharing it with you guys -- both for those of you that have played the game, and those of you that haven't.
* Edit 2: After posting this yesterday, I actually wrote a fan letter to mr. Gazel, with an attached link to this post. And I got a response from him! I feel so honored. As it turns out, I made an important fact error in my original post: He was indeed the main composer of the soundtrack, but not the sole composer. So all the songs were not composed by him. He also tipped me off about live versions of some of the tracks, that he sells on his website. Be sure to grab a copy and support a great artist!
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I will not be discussing the game much, except that the lead developer was Michel Ancel, it was published by Ubisoft, and that it's one of the best 2D platform games I've ever played. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the genre -- the atmosphere in the entire game is very unique, and I believe that the musical soundtrack plays a major role in achieving this.
I have played through some of the later Rayman games as well, which I have found entertaining, sure, but not anywhere near as captivating as the original game. This might have something to do with the fact that they used different music composers in the subsequent games. I truly can't understand why they would do something like that...
Anyways, it's been nice to reminisce about one of my childhood's favorite games, and I hope that you'll like this compilation. Enjoy!
Introducing the Rayman Soundtrack (1995)
The Dream Forest
Dream Forest #1
MOSKITO (Hold on tight) by R. Gazel
Here are two of the theme songs from the first part of the game. They are real mood setters as you punch your way through all the whacky enemies that reside here.
THE MAGICIAN by R. Gazel
Band Land
BLAZING BRASS - (Band land big boss) by R. Gazel
Funkiest boss music in the world.
Band Land #1
One of the most iconic themes from the entire game in my opinion, and the main theme for Band Land. What better theme to bounce around on drums and avoiding evil scores to.
Band Land #2
Some amazing melodies and rhythms in here. Note especially the synth that comes in at exactly 14min and 17sec.
Band Land #3
Jazzy.
Band Land (Bonus) Drum Solo Sequence
Blue Mountain
Blue Mountain #1
This one here is special..
Blue Mountain #2
Picture City
Picture City #1
If I were to recommend only 1 track, it would probably be this one. Simply amazing.
Picture City #2
Picture City (Bonus) Scratch, scratch
The Cave of Skops
Cave of Skops #1
ENTERING THE CAVERN (Crystal palace) by R. Gazel
Bonus Track from somewhere in the game (credits?)
CLOAK OF DARKNESS (Mr Dark) by R. Gazel