In the frenzy of last week, we got confirmation of the release of Transformers Generation 1 cartoon score music for the first time on any format, a release date, and an actual drop of the product. 40 tracks, 45 minutes. Collector level vinyl records only, 2000 copies total. 500 Optimus Prime themed, 500 Megatron themed, and 1000 Bumblebee themed. Op and Megs sold out in under 5 minutes, Bumblebee later that day. All three containing the same awesome tracks. EnjoyTheRide Records and Hasbro Studios, along with one of the original composers Robert J. Walsh have graced us with pure gold. We were provided with a preview copy of the record and I have been listening to it non stop all weekend. Read on to check our thoughts and some quick pics!
Hasbro Studios Presents: 80s TV Classics – Music from The Transformers Original Television Series Score by Robert J. Walsh and Johnny Douglas
Overall Thoughts:
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.
Soooo good. I’ve been waiting for this for 20 years. Not 30+ years, because as a kid I never dreamed of owning the background music to the cartoon. But as I became an adult collector, the music from the original show triggered nostalgia feels like nothing else. I think it’s a step above all other toons, the music featured in Transformers, G.I. Joe, and other Sunbow produced shows was top notch in retrospect.
These tracks are pristine quality. Nice and crisp, free of sound effects, voices, and other distractions. What a difference getting them from the source can make. You can hear the subtle drums and hi-hats of the beat, faded melodies that are difficult to catch in the shows or fan edits. We have 40 total, hitting 45 minutes worth of music. So lots of short bursts. All of side A is from seasons 1 and 2. Tracks 1-7 on side B are also from seasons 1 and 2. So 29 total. Track 8 – Mad Planet and forward on side B is season 3 music, which was inspired by the music Vince DiCola did for the 86 movie.
Be aware, this is not a complete presentation of everything heard in the show over the course of it’s run. It is a curated selection. Why this was done, I don’t know. Was it on purpose, to wet our appetite for more? Is it all they had, and masters have been lost for the others? Did they want to get it out now, so they are still working on re-mastering the others? Are they saving the rest for a CD / digital release? Who knows, I’ll try and ask the powers that be but for now it’s a mystery. I’m a little bummed that versions of Cold Slither and the Dancitron disco music was not on this. Both are significant pieces worthy of a spin.
Another key point – the theme song is not the final version we heard at the start of each show. It does not have the robotic effects layered on top of the vocals. While cool to hear, as I assume this is the raw version that was actually recorded, it would have been nice to have them both at this level of pristine quality. Speaking of which, the intros and outros for season 2 and 3 are also not present.
Bottom line, this is well done, crisp, clean awesome presentation of some of the music from the show. The only things that could make it better – MORE / ALL of it, and a CD release of it.
These sold out immediately and ticked a lot of fans off. The folks at Enjoy The Ride Records did mention on social they plan to do another run in different themes to address demand. So hold tight, word on that should be coming soon. Right now, no non-vinyl version is planned.
Check some pics below, and to those that caught a copy, get ready for a fun ride!
Beast_Megatron
The aforementioned vinyl release is the only commercially available option right now. Hasbro teased that a new CD and digital release is on the way this year, but no further details have been released after the initial announcement.
Poppes
I would be interested to buy (or rent) the original scores including this music. Do you guys have a clue if it would be possible in any way?
Rodimus
great news!
ILoveLuci4
Yeeeaaah…I was excited for a minute; Then I realized everything y’all have written. Meh.
what’s that fansite that created the tracks?
Jetstorm
Awesome that the music is getting an official digital release! Buuut I already have the version that the fans made for all three seasons, so I don’t really need it lol.
Hoping for Beast Wars and Beast Machines someday, though.
Beast_Megatron
Correct. And it was a recreation, not the original. I’m guessing there were rights issues with the vocal track.
shamanking282
The vinyl only had the season 1 OP, right? I’m hoping this digital release is more expansive.
Beast_Megatron
I think you may be disappointed based on the vinyl.
shamanking282
I will be ecstatic if we finally get high quality versions of all the G1 openings (especially season 2) without all the pew-pew effects and crap in it.
Murasame
We'll see. But even if it's just digital but in great quality then I might just get the digital files. But since my childhood I love putting in a disc and then looking at the cover or booklet while listening
jamarmiller
Well. I am assuming that is what they meant, I may be wrong and hope I am wrong
Murasame
Oh, I hope this time it's complete. The original music is also great, but my favorite tracks are all from season 3.
Oh. They meant digital as in download? I thought digital meant CD, because I think of vinyl as analog. And CD is basically binary. I mean, in other context I would have thought directly of this as download. But music is for my either vinyl or CD.
Sweep
Sure wish they would put it on a cd, so that I could I have too.
jamarmiller
very happy to hear this news, still wish I could buy a physical copy but as long as I can download it onto my harddrive I guess Im good.
Geof7609
Hooray for necrobumps, redux! This time with actual news!
Toybook has an article on Hasbro's "G1 Unleashed" marketing plans for next year's 40th anniversary, and there's a specific mention regarding the soundtrack from Casey Collins, Hasbro's President of Licensed Consumer Products.
While it'd be nice if this turned out to be an expanded edition, I'm not expecting this to be anything more than the 46-minute album plus the "exciting bonus track". But still, finally a digital release!
Murasame
Yup, those are the tracks I wanted remastered on either vinyl or cd.
ChromeMagnus
You can find the individual tracks by name + GI Joe on youtube. They will have the same thumbnail/background image and the channel with either be Rob Walsh Topic or Johnny Douglas Topic. Oddly though, when you go to the channels you won't find the tracks. There for you'll have to search for the tracks and build your own playlist on youtube.
As far as Transformers Season 3, youtuber Antronus Music Nexis created this playlist.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLG-ol0jTdM19f88u1Xz2tFhjsYkSTvV0L
Murasame
Oh, some of these tracks are some of the tracks I was missing on the Transformers soundtrack. But even here many tracks I loved in season 3 are not present.
ChromeMagnus
Next best option
https://www.amazon.com/Hasbro-Presents-Classics-Music-American/dp/B08NCSQXZC
Hasbro Presents: '80s TV Classics – Music From G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero by Various Artists
https://www.amazon.com/Hasbro-Presents-Classics-Exclusive-Collectible/dp/B08RHDVR61
YoJoeNCSU
Interesting…I was 99% sure I had the Optimus version but no sticker anywhere.