Konami’s “MIDI Power Pro” series (a pseudo-sequel to the “MIDI Power” series) features some of the best synth-style arranged music Konami has ever released. And what better OST to work with than Policenauts? Policenauts, a spiritual successor to Hideo Kojima’s “Snatcher,” has some of the coolest jazz-pop fusion the Kukeiha Club has ever put together.
Now, if you’re looking for a real arranged album, then what you want is “Policenauts F/N,” complete with live guitar performances. But this album does the job well also. If you listen to the true Policenauts OST, you may be taken aback by the abrasive synths. When I listen to the MIDI Power Pro album, my first thought is, “if they remade Policenauts, they should use this album to help score the game.” It’s like a super-high-quality OST sound.
The eleven tracks chosen for this MIDI arranged album are perfect. I can’t think of any one track that doesn’t belong on this album. There’s a great balance of fast and slow music on here as well.
My favorite tracks are “Old L.A. 2040” and “Lavender.” The former is a seven minute medley of melodies used in the game’s opening. The latter is a nice jazz ballad piece. Good, good stuff!
If you’re a “Konami Kukeiha Club” nut, you may not have noticed this album. And if you’re an RPG nut, you may not know very much about the Kukeiha Club. If either of these two categories describe you, then you need to hear some Policenauts music. Particularly, if you want a perfect balance of decent arrangement and the good synths of yester-year, MIDI Power Pro 3 is exactly what you need. Do whatever it takes to locate it. I, for one, love this album.
