Ys SEVEN didn't get an arranged album after its release. This may be the closest we get. And if it is, I'm satisfied, because the four Ys SEVEN tracks on the most recent JDK Band release are the best tracks on the disc.

Though this album mostly represents Falcom's newest products (Ys SEVEN, Sora no Kiseki 3rd, Zero no Kiseki, and Ys vs Sora no Kiseki), there are two references to what I would call "legacy" products. One is Gurumin's "To Make the End of Digging." This hilariously-titled track is making a reference to the classic Ys II piece, "To Make the End of Battle." The music itself is like a variation on a theme, but as a piece of music it still takes itself at least half-seriously. The JDK Band arrangement is spot on, and totallya wesome.

The other legacy product, and one I totally wasn't expecting, is a boss battle theme from The Legend of Heroes III (in the Gagharv trilogy, it is chronologically the last but is first in order of publishing). This game is nearly two decades old, but they selected it for this collection. It was a great choice on their part.

From start to finish, this whole album is great. Even the opening and ending tracks, which are vocal themes, will impress battle-hardened Falcom fans who will only accept the best. All I can say at this point is: "Dear Falcom, keep 'em coming!" Who can say no to a great company with a great sound team keeping their trademark sound alive and fresh?

Reviewed by: Patrick Gann