The Blueshift Big Band, founded in 2017 by drummer Joel Baer and guitarist Chris Parsons, performs love covers of videogame themes, drawing from the history of jazz standards, blues, and the Great American Songbook.

Record label iam8bit has opened preorders for the second volume of the band's Joystick Jazz arrangement series, pressed on audiophile black vinyl. The compilation includes jazz renditions of popular tracks from Grim Fandango, Sonic 2, Kingdom Hearts 3, Bomberman Hero, and Castlevania.

The analog record release, decorated with cover art by Mark Borgions, includes a digital download code. Both volumes of the Joystick Jazz compilation series are streaming on Spotify.


From the product page:

Introducing Joystick Jazz: The Blueshift Big Band Plays Iconic Video Game Hits (Vol. 2) Vinyl Soundtrack, a second scooping of jazzy video game goodness presented on audiophile black vinyl, with a digital download code to boot.

For Volume 2, The Blueshift Big Band turned to classic video game tracks from titles near and dear to iam8bit’s pixelated heart — games like Castlevania, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Grim Fandango. They reimagined iconic themes as only the Blueshift Big Band can do, revivifying them through the power of brass, beats, and big band bravado.

iam8bit - Joystick Jazz: The Blueshift Big Band Plays Iconic Video Game Hits Vinyl - Vol.1 / Vol.2

Joystick Jazz: The Blueshift Big Band Plays Iconic Video Game Hits Vinyl Soundtrack - Apple Music / YouTube Music

NEW:

Enjoy more sweet video game jazz, courtesy of The Blueshift Big Band! 🎶🎷🥁

Joystick Jazz Volume 2 is IN STOCK & SHIPPING NOW: https://t.co/5JdzHmPo6y pic.twitter.com/mNrQBL5QMD

— iam8bit (@iam8bit) April 18, 2024