Pokémon Gets Smooth Jazz Tribute With ‘Live From Pallet Town’ | popgeeks.com
Whether you’re trying to relax and unwind after a long day or you’re looking for something calming in the background to help increase your focus, there’s arguably nothing better than some lo-fi tunes drifting through your head. If you’re a fan of Pokémon, then Live from Pallet Town might be the perfect lo-fi jazz collection to check out.
Jazz ensemble VGM Collective recently came together as a group for the first time to record soothing jazz covers of classic Pokémon theme songs. With Max Boiko leading the band on Trumpet, the covers are absolutely gorgeous, filled with perfectly executed improvisation, and offer such a level of easy-listening that it’s impossible not to love these versions of beloved tunes from Pokémon games of old.
As a (lapsed) saxophone player myself, I have to admit I’ve got a certain soft spot for anything containing the instrument, and jazz as a whole. Jasper Dutz is an infinitely talented saxophonist, so it’s lovely to both see and hear him at work in this collection. I’m also a massive fan of classic Pokémon, so seeing the two combined so artfully is a real treat. Maybe I’ll even dust off my Alto…
Boiko is not only an insanely talented trumpet player, but also a fan of classic Pokémon games himself. According to him, he got Pokémon Blue on Game Boy Pocket at the tender age of four and has been a fan ever since, later combining his musical knowledge with his love for the games to bring these jazz renditions to life with the help of musically talented friends in NYC.
Live from Pallet Town: Full track list with recognizable Pokémon tracks
Recorded at Red Convertible Recording in Queens, New York, Live from Pallet Town includes the following 12 immediately recognizable tracks:
- Title Screen (Pokémon Red/Blue)
- Pokémon Center (Pokémon Red/Blue)
- Eterna Forest (Pokémon Diamond/Pearl)
- National Park (Pokémon Gold/Silver)
- Sinnoh Pokémon League (Pokémon Diamond/Pearl)
- Ecruteak City (Pokémon Gold/Silver)
- In the Hands of Fate (Pokémon Mystery Dungeon)
- Mini-Game Complete (Pokémon Stadium 2)
- Hamilau City (Pokémon Black 2/White 2)
- Mauville City (Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire)
- Littleroot Town (Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire)
- Dragonspiral Tower (Pokémon Black/White)
Want to know the best bit? The entire collection is available to listen to for free on various platforms, including YouTube (where it’s accompanied by live footage of the recording sessions). So not only are these wonderful tracks now unleashed into the world for all to listen to, but it won’t cost you a penny, and maybe they’ll even make you more productive. Now that can never be a bad thing, can it?
Here’s a full list of streaming platforms where Live From Pallet Town can be found.
