Now who can't say that the first time they saw Sonic CD way back when on they're lil' Sega CD they weren't impressed? The full motion video, the longer levels, and the music! Awesome pre-recorded music that fit wonderfully with the levels, at least on the American version. The European and Japanese versions also had excellent music, but in America they rewrote it all, with Spencer Nilsen in charge. Nilsen cotacted a trio of female singers, named Pastiche, and contracted their help in recording the theme song and in background vocals throughout the game.

I decided I'd try to get a hold of Pastiche, and see what they were up to now. As it is, I could only find Sandy Cressman, through her webpage. To my knowledge Pastiche broke up a while ago, while Sandy does solo work now. (UPDATE: Incorrect. Sandy emailed me with the correction that Pastiche is in fact still around. My mistake. =) I couldn't find any viable info on Jenny Meltzer or Becky West, the other two singers in Pastiche and on Sonic CD.

Here is the email interview I conducted with her. =)

My email:

From: "Ryoga Masaki"
To: Sandy Cressman (email withheld)
Subject: Hey! Quick question about "Pastiche"! =)
Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2001 17:12:21 -0700

Hello,

I just have a couple quick questions for you, if that's alright. =) Now, I'm not 100% sure I have the right person, so I'd better as this first: Are you the same Sandy Cressman who was part of the vocal trio "Pastiche"? If not, then just ignore this.

Anyway, there was a game released several years ago for the Sega CD game system called Sonic CD. According to the credits, the title song "Sonic Boom" was sung by you, Jenny Meltzer, and Becky West, in the trio called "Pastiche."

If you'd be so kind, could you explain how Sega approached you/Pastiche with this opportunity, what happened during recording, if there was any "extra" music that was not put in the game, or anything else that may seem interesting. =) Also, if you happen to know the email address of Jenny Meltzer and Becky West, that would be helpful too.

Of course, if you don't want to, that's fine too. =) I'm just a fan of the Sonic the Hedgehog game genre, and I like to learn as much as possible behind every aspect of the games. ANY info you can give us at all about the part of the game you were involved in would be VERY appreciated!

Thank you so much in advance!

-Ryoga Masaki (ryoga@thesushigroup.org) www.thesushigroup.org

Her reply:

From: Sandy Cressman (email withheld)
To: Ryoga Masaki
Subject: Re: Hey! Quick question about "Pastiche"! =)
Date: Monday, September 10, 2001 11:53 AM

Dear Ryoga,

Yes, you have the right person, I am the same Sandy Cressman who is part of Pastiche. And yes, we did record the title song for "Sonic" CD ("Sonic Boom") as well as quite a lot of the game music itself.

I can't recall exactly how we were referred to the music producer at SEGA, probably through some backing vocal work we had done with major rock bands in the San Francisco area at one point; in any case, the producer called us and proposed that we help create some game music as well as co-write the theme song. We collaborated on the game music by working out vocal parts to music tracks that the producer(Spencer) had created. A lot of the vocal parts were improvised based on experimentation we had done using the instrumental tracks Spencer had prepared.

As for the theme song, we tossed ideas back and forth with Spencer to come up with the Sonic Boom song. I don't recall there being any extra music that wasn't used but it is possible.

Glad you enjoyed the game music. We are releasing a new CD this October on Summit Records that should be available at stores and on amazon.com

Thanks for your interest,

Sandy Cressman

Pastiche, the trio that sung 'Sonic Boom': Jenny Meltzer, Becky West, Sandy Cressman (not in order)