Nov 29

Dance Dance Revolution 2nd MIX Original Soundtrack Deluxe Edition presented by Dancemania
Release Date: 11/9/11 ? 11/30/11
Price: 3619 yen (2 CD+DVD Version) or 3048 yen (2 CD Only Version)

Update (12/20/11): The entire OST, including bonus tracks and non-stop mix, is now available on iTunes Japan. It’s 150 yen per track or 2,400 yen for the whole album.

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Nov 21

Bemanistyle have an update on the recently released DDR X3 vs. 2nd MIX. 2nd MIX mode has all of the 2nd MIX licenses playable with the exception of “Strictly Business,” which I suppose shouldn’t be a surprise. So far 6 of these licenses are also playable in X3 mode. Interestingly, all of this wouldn’t have been possible just a year or two ago since EMI lost the AATW license (necessary for the Bus Stop song) to Avex and only recently reacquired it. I’m sure they probably would’ve worked something out, but getting the license back no doubt made things easier.

X3 has some others songs by artists I frequently cover here. “Come Back to My Heart” by Another Infinity feat. Mayumi Morinaga makes a surprise appearance, and there’s also a J-Mi and Midi-D song, “Wings of an Angel (Fly with Me).” Also licensed is Yuki Kimura’s “Love & Joy,” which is about 5 years too late since it was most popular during the Hime Trance era.

Shout out to my friend, Tyma, repository of obscure DDR trivia. Make sure to check out his podcast at http://www.maniacmode.com/ for a nostalgic trip back in time as he, Max, and special guest JAKAZiD look back at the history of DDR 2nd MIX. It’s kind of like The Ricky Gervais Show, except about DDR. And funny. Oh, I kid, I kid. Neither is very funny.

Nov 1

Dance Dance Revolution 2nd MIX Original Soundtrack presented by Dancemania
Release Date: 11/9/11 ? 11/30/11
Price: 3619 yen (2 CD+DVD Version) or 3048 yen (2 CD Only Version)

Update (11/7/11): Track lengths have been released, and it appears that the new bonus tracks won’t be DDR-sized edits. Sadly, “Brilliant 2U” gets a ridiculously short edit. 🙁 Speaking of which, Mieya reports that DJ Command will be handling the “Brilliant 2U” remix, while kors k will be doing the “Paranoia” remix.

Bonus Tracks
39. [2:12] Keep On Movin (Y&Co. DJ Boss remix) / N.M.R.
40. [5:11] Put Your Faith in Me (DA’s Twinkly Disco Remix) / Uzi-Lay
41. [3:12] Trip Machine (xac nanoglide mix) / De-Sire
42. [2:11] Brilliant 2U (AKBK Mix) / Naoki
43. [4:14] Paranoia (kskst mix) / 180
44. [2:43] Love Is the Power -Re:born-

The official Dancemania website has also been updated with info on the 2nd MIX OST. Apparently all of the old tracks have been digitally remastered. As for the DVD, it will include special performances by “charisma” player, Zio.

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Sep 12

Dance Dance Revolution 2nd MIX Original Soundtrack presented by Dancemania
Release Date: 11/9/11 ? 11/30/11
Price: 3619 yen (2 CD+DVD Version) or 3048 yen (2 CD Only Version)

Update (9/15/11): It’s only been a few days since this was announced and it’s already been delayed to the end of November. The price for the CD+DVD set has also been reduced from 3790 yen to 3619 yen.

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Aug 25

As reported on Bemanistyle, the next release in the Dance Dance Revolution series, DDR X3, will feature a Dance Dance Revolution 2nd MIX mode. Rather than simply emulating 2nd MIX, the game will feature 2nd MIX on the X3 engine so you can enjoy it for the first time in HD. Obviously it wouldn’t be 2nd MIX without the licensed tracks, so Konami have teamed up with EMI for the first time since 2006 to include Dancemania tracks on DDR. Presumably all 2nd MIX tracks will be present so we can once again relive the glory of the 90s.

Why 2nd MIX? Without a doubt, 2nd MIX represented the height of popularity for both DDR and Dancemania. The soundtrack, which is scheduled to be re-released by EMI this November, sold an astounding 550,000+ copies. By comparison, 3rd MIX sold less than half that at only 200,000 sold.

Meanwhile, Dancemania Sparkle has been selling relatively well, reaching as high as 16 on the Oricon daily charts. There’s definitely an appetite for 90s music out there, so let’s hope we see more Dancemania and DDR releases in the future.

Nov 27

Top the Charts (Single)
Artist: J-Mi & Midi-D feat. Hanna Stockzell
Price: N/A

J-Mi & Midi-D, along with former Smile.dk member Hannah, have a new track out on the latest DDR game. It’s still uncertain if they’ll give it a proper single release, but I hope they do. “Life Is a Journey” was a great track, and Almighty made it all the better. I’d love to see some remixes of this track as well.

Jul 31
Dance Dance Revolution X2
icon1 DanceMaster | icon2 Dance, Dancemania | icon4 07 31st, 2010| icon32 Comments »

DDR X2

Bemanistyle has the song list for the Japanese arcade release of DDR X2, and there are quite a few surprises:

CAPTAIN JACK – CAPTAIN JACK (GRANDALE MIX)
JOGA – DAM DARIRAM
PAPAYA – HERO
JENNIFER – IF YOU WERE HERE
JENNIFER – IF YOU WERE HERE -L.E.D.-G STYLE MIX)

I’m told that Captain Jack (Grandale Mix) is a different edit than the one used previously. The biggest surprised, however, is the new “If You Were Here” remix!

I wonder how likely we are to get a full version, considering that Konami rarely include licensed tracks on the soundtracks nowadays.

May 3

DDR SDance Dance Revolution S
Release Date: 4/15/09
Price: 1500 yen

Konami recently released a digital soundtrack for their mobile DDR game, Dance Dance Revolution S. It’s mostly notable for featuring a new remix of the Naoki and Smile.dk collaboration, “A Geisha’s Dream.” The remix is nothing outstanding, but it is a nice change of pace from the original, which was too similar to “Butterfly” for my liking.

The soundtrack is available for purchase on iTunes.

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Jan 30

DDR XDance Dance Revolution X & FuruFuru Party Original Soundtrack
Release Date: 3/11/09 (Retail Version), 1/29/09 (Konamistyle Version)
Price: 3048 yen

The Japanese version of DDR X is out now, and someone graciously uploaded “A Geisha’s Dream” to YouTube:

Ahem. Let’s go back to what I said in my Party Around the World review:

And will someone please tell Smile.dk to stop using the words “samurai” and “butterfly”? It was cute in Doo-Be-Di-Boy, but it’s 2008, people.

It’s 2009 now. I like the song well enough, but it’s too lyrically, not to mention musically, derivative of “Butterfly.” There’s absolutely no reason for that. We’ve had at least one “Butterfly” retread per album, and it’s way past time for Smile.dk to move on. “Tokyo,” “Koko Soko,” and other songs have shown that it’s possible for them to do Japan-themed songs without resorting to cheap “Butterfly” callbacks, so please let “A Geisha’s Dream” be the last one.

Jan 15
Naoki × Smile.dk!
icon1 DanceMaster | icon2 Dance, Dancemania | icon4 01 15th, 2009| icon32 Comments »

DDR XDance Dance Revolution X & FuruFuru Party Original Soundtrack
Release Date: 3/11/09
Price: 3048 yen

It was previously announced that a collaboration between Naoki and Smile.dk would be appearing on the Japanese version of DDR X, and we now have a song title: A Geisha’s Dream. A Japanese-themed song from Smile.dk?! Shock!

A full version of the song will be appearing on the upcoming DDR X + FuruFuru Party OST. Check out the rest of the track list at Bemanistyle.

Unlike the last few OSTs, which were available exclusively through Konamistyle, this one will also be published by Sony Music Entertainment, meaning that it will be available at various retailers. You can pre-order the 3-disc OST at CDJapan. 3200 yen is a surprisingly good price for 3 discs.

Sep 16

DDR X
…and it’s largely disappointing when it comes to the licenses. The 2008 X-edits are indeed just edits of the originals, generally using the second verses in place of the first verses. I’m told that they play well, but new remixes would’ve been much better.

As far as I know the only other revival not mentioned so far is Smile.dk’s “Boys.” No Captain Jack O_O

Sep 3

DDR XMore licenses announced! In addition to “Get Up ‘n Move” (which has been confirmed as receiving a new DDR X-edit), there’s also a new edit of Papaya’a “Hero.” Of course, it wouldn’t be DDR w/o Captain Jack, so I’d be surprised if one of his songs didn’t make an appearance. E-Rotic would be great as well, but they didn’t even appear on Party Collection so I won’t hold my breath.

2.) GET UP’N MOVE (2008 X-edit) – “Get dancing to this DDR classic track, reworked exclusively for DanceDanceRevolution X! With a healthy dose of Hip-Hop and Dance, “”GET UP’N MOVE”” has an energy and rhythm perfectly suited for the DDR dancefloor. “”GET UP’N MOVE”” was featured in the early DDR arcade machines throughout Japan.”

3.) HERO (2008 X-edit) – “First appearing in the early DDR arcade machines all over Japan, “”HERO”” has been reworked exclusively for DanceDanceRevolution X! “”HERO”” is a shining example of Danish Eurodance music. It’s melody, both light and catchy, capture the attention and lead you on a rhythm filled journey of delight.”

Aug 26
Dance Dance Revolution X
icon1 DanceMaster | icon2 Dance, Dancemania | icon4 08 26th, 2008| icon3No Comments »

Konami recently announced a default song list for the upcoming DDR game, Dance Dance Revolution X, and there were a few surprises included.

http://www.ddronlinecommunity.com/forums/3/forum_topics/428

10.) Butterfly (2008 X-edit) – The mega-hit “Butterfly” was released on the original DanceDanceRevolution in Japan. Now, ushering in a new decade of DDR sounds, “Butterfly” has been reworked exclusively for DanceDanceRevolution X! Enjoy it’s familiar, “impossible to resist”, melody, while exploring the fresh new arrangement.

11.) DUB-I-DUB (2008 X-edit) – Making a sensation both on and off the DDR dance-floor, “Dub-I-Dub” has been reworked exclusively for DanceDanceRevolution X! “Dub-I-Dub” was first released in 1995, and was featured in the early DDR machines throughout Japan.

The wording seems intentionally vague, so it’s a bit unclear whether the songs will be actual remixes or merely just edits of the original. It also remains to be seen if any other classic Dancemania songs will receive the “X-edit” treatment.