SUMTHING ELSE MUSIC WORKS ANNOUNCES RELEASE OFHALO 2 ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK VOLUME TWO
FEATURING THE ACCLAIMED ORIGINAL SCORE COMPOSED AND PRODUCED BY MARTIN O’DONNELL & MICHAEL SALVATORI
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New York - March 20th, 2006 - Sumthing Else Music Works, Inc., through its licensing relationship with Microsoft Game Studios, proudly presents Halo® 2: Original Soundtrack Volume Two. The highly anticipated Volume Two soundtrack will be released on April 25th to US retail outlets through Nile Rodgers' Sumthing Else Music Works label www.sumthing.com, the industry leader for licensing and distributing video game soundtracks.
The Halo 2: Original Soundtrack Volume Two CD features nearly 70 minutes of award-winning compositions by Bungie Studios' Audio Director Martin O'Donnell and his writing partner Michael Salvatori, the composers behind the best-selling Halo® 2: Original Soundtrack Volume One and Halo®: Combat Evolved Original Soundtrack. The signature guitar sounds of revered rock guitarist Steve Vai also make an appearance, courtesy of Epic Records, and the album is produced by veteran music producer and Sumthing Else label founder Nile Rodgers.
Commenting on the back-story to the Volume Two soundtrack release, Martin O'Donnell said, "In the summer of 2004 Nile Rodgers and I decided that it would be a good idea to present the music of Halo 2 in two separate volumes. The first volume would contain all the music that was finished and mixed plus some 'inspired by' music from groups whose music was being used in the game."
Since the first Halo 2 soundtrack was assembled before the game actually shipped, it was always envisaged that the second volume would contain the rest of the game's music, some of which Martin O'Donnell was still composing and producing, and would be rearranged for maximum listening pleasure.
"The music in Halo 2 will play back a little differently each time someone plays the game," explains O'Donnell, "But on the soundtrack I have the opportunity to arrange the music in an album format. For Halo 2 Volume Two I decided to use a 'suite' structure that also corresponds to the chapters within the game. In a sense by listening to this soundtrack you will hear the musical representation on the story of Halo 2. Enjoy!"
Halo® 2 is the game that redefined first-person combat and multiplayer action for millions of gamers worldwide. In Halo 2, the saga continues as Master Chief - a genetically enhanced super-soldier - is the only thing standing between the relentless Covenant and the destruction of all humankind. For more information visit http://www.xbox.com/games/halo2/.
About Bungie
Bungie Studios was founded in 1991 with two goals: to develop games that combine brilliant technology, beautiful art, intelligent stories and deep gameplay, and then sell enough of those games to achieve its real goal of total world domination. Over the past 10 years it has produced games such as the "Marathon Trilogy," the first two "Myth" games, and the "Halo" franchise, hailed as classics by critics and gamers around the world. Released in 2004, the award winning "Halo 2" for Xbox has achieved phenomenal success and has sold more than 7.3 million units worldwide. More information on Bungie can be found at http://www.bungie.net.
About Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the Xbox® and Xbox 360TM video game systems, the Windows® operating system and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse games for Windows (http://www.microsoft.com/games), including such franchises as "Age of Empires®," "Flight Simulator" and "Zoo Tycoon®;" Xbox and Xbox 360 (http://www.xbox.com), including such games as the upcoming "Gears of War" and franchises such as "Halo®," "Fable®," "Project Gotham Racing®" and "Forza MotorsportTM"; and MSN® Games (http://www.games.msn.com), the official games channel for the MSN network and home to such hits as "Bejeweled" and "Hexic®."
About Xbox
Xbox (http://www.xbox.com) Microsoft's future-generation video game system that delivers the most powerful games experiences ever. Xbox empowers game artists by giving them the technology to fulfill their creative visions as never before, creating games that blur the lines between fantasy and reality. Xbox is now available in North America, Japan, Europe and Australia.
About Nile Rodgers
Award winning record producer Nile Rodgers is one of the most prolific music producers in history. Nile's production accomplishments include such diverse artists as Diana Ross, Madonna, David Bowie, Duran Duran, The B-52's, David Lee Roth, Grace Jones, Mick Jagger and top selling game soundtracks such as Halo® 2 Volume One. Records produced by Nile Rodgers have sold more than 100 million copies worldwide. As a founding member of the perennial Rhythm & Blues dance band Chic, Nile co-wrote all of their big hits including "Le Freak" and "Good Times," as well as "We Are Family" for Sister Sledge. In addition to records, he has also scored or produced music for numerous films including "Coming to America," "Thelma and Louise," "The Flintstones," "Beverly Hills Cop" and "Rush Hour II," as well as a variety of television shows and commercials. Nile is a board member of several organizations including the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS).
About Sumthing Else Music Works, Inc.
Nile Rodgers started Sumthing Else Music Works (SEMW) as a nationwide record label and creative outlet for independent artists and unique musical projects. Through its affiliated company, Sumthing Distribution, SEMW prides itself on its ability to rapidly and effectively deliver to the marketplace many innovative products. In view of the successes of its previous game soundtrack releases, the company is now considered the leader in this newly emerging musical genre. Accordingly, SEMW has bolstered its commitment to enhancing gamers' overall experience by acquiring many new titles to complement its current catalog of releases.
Microsoft, Bungie, Halo and Xbox are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries, and are used under license from Microsoft.
Sumthing Else Music Works and Sumthing Distribution logos are copyright of their respective companies. All other names of products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
Sumthing Else Music Works Press Contact:
Greg O'Connor-Read
702-407-0935
greg@topdollarpr.com