Press Release: 1996-07-25: Sega Music Group Scores Top Studio Talent
From Sega Retro
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This is an unaltered copy of a press release, for use as a primary source on Sega Retro. Please do not edit the contents below. Language: English Original source: SegaSoft (archived) |
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. (July 25, 1996) - Sega Music Group (SMG), a unit of independent software developer SegaSoft, Inc., has retained a trio of recording industry veterans to head up its music-related enterprises. The Sega Music Group operates from a state-of-the-art recording facility in San Francisco, a studio that has been rated one of the world's best by several music industry publications. Spencer Nilsen Presiding over SMG is Executive Music Producer and Director Spencer Nilsen, who joined the team in 1992 and now serves as group director, producer and composer-in-residence. Nilsen's production credits at SMG include the group's first two commercial audio CDs: Ecco: Songs of Time, a collection of musical soundscapes from Sega 1st award-winning underwater adventures including Ecco The Dolphin and Ecco: The Tides of Time, and Sega PowerCuts 1, a compilation of some of the most powerful tracks ever to grace hit Sega games. Nilsen joined Sega as an audio engineer/producer, but quickly gained a reputation as a composer and producer of original soundtracks for such breakthrough CD-ROM titles as Batman Returns, Ecco The Dolphin, Ecco: The Tides of Time, Sonic The Hedgehog and Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin. Prior to joining Sega, Nilsen ran AdVenture Communications, a Southern California production company specializing in commercials, videos and corporate films. In his spare time, Nilsen was writing and producing original music for Network Music Library. After landing a solo recording contract with American Grammaphone Records, he released Architects of Changes, a critically acclaimed collection of instrumental works in 1989. Gary Cirimelli Working alongside Nilsen at SMG is Senior Producer Gary Cirimelli. Formerly a producer for Sony Music, Inc., Cirimelli has worked on projects for such top recording artists as Mariah Carey, Michael Bolton, Boyz II Men, Celine Dion, Luther Vandross and many others. Cirimelli joined SMG earlier this year and serves as producer and composer. Cirimelli has also produced music for television advertising and programming. His advertising credits include commercials for Wham-O, Ford Motor Company - Canada, Ernest & Julio Gallo and Supercuts. Tony Berkeley The newest member of SMG is Audio Producer/Engineer Tony Berkeley. A Texas native who studied classical piano as a child, Berkeley earned degrees in both electrical engineering and music production. He began his professional career at EFX Systems, a post-production facility in Burbank, Calif., where he worked as a recording engineer, sound editor, and music editor on a variety of TV and film projects. His credits include Thirtysomething, Dark Justice, Deep Cover, Poison Ivy, Hellraiser III and The Rapture. Berkeley joined the gaming industry in 1992, signing on as an audio specialist with Electronics Art. Among his EA credits are sound and music for such CD-ROM titles as Shock Wave, Road Rash II , John Madden Football and Wing Commander III & IV. Polygram Distribution Agreement In addition to signing three top talents, SMG has signed an exclusive agreement with PolyGram Group Distribution. The recording industry giant will distribute all future SMG music products, including its two new video game soundtracks. SMG plans to release additional titles, including original soundtracks, a line of children1s CD/book products and albums by original artists. About SegaSoft SegaSoft was founded in 1995 and develops interactive software and content for delivery on all platforms, including PCs, gaming consoles and the Internet. SegaSoft is a joint venture of CSK Corporation and Sega of America, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of the $3.6 billion Sega Enterprises Ltd., a global leader in interactive digital entertainment media. SegaSoft is headquartered in Redwood City, Calif., where it employs 150. For more information about Sega Music Group and a complete list of services, link to their web site through www.segasoft.com or contact them via voice (415) 284-1980 or e-mail at [email protected]. Contact: Anne Magor or Christa Hovis Access Communications (415) 904-7070, ext. 278 or 279 [email protected] [email protected]