The new site is up and they have a list of all the composer's contributing.
http://www.smashbros.com/en_us/music/music01.html

That is QUITE a list! I wonder if their "origin" works is a hint at the roster:

I think this is unprecendented!

Just saw this and came here, WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.

Yeah, you beat me to it.  And yes, "holy crap" is pretty much the only thing that went through my head when reading it.  It's funny that nearly every other website I've seen talk about the SSBB site update is really disappointed, while I'm grinning with glee because of the music staff update. 

Also, if there is no soundtrack release for this version of Smash Bros, there will be hell to pay.  I'm still seething about the lack of one for the Gamecube game.

Does this mean that all these composers will actually be actively contributing to the soundtrack, or will we just get lots of arrangements of their music done by someone else?

Based on the phrasing used at the website and the fact that nearly all of them have never touched an actual Nintendo soundtrack, I think we're just going to be seeing lots of arrangements of Nintendo themes done by them.  Not that I'd mind having characters from a lot of those third party games in Smash Bros. Brawl, though...

He still exists!

If nothing else the list is great for seeing what composer is freelancing or employed by some company.

Edit: the most impressive part of the site for me is that all 6 (7?) language versions of it have exactly the same content, I hope this is an indication for a global release...

Hope we get some actual soundtrack releases this time around.

They didn't mention Uematsu's work on the theme track, oddly enough?

I was actually thinking of the same thing, except only about Michiko Naruke

Really nice to see her name pop up.

I just got word of the news Nintendo World Report, saw that list, and rushed over here.  As usual, it was already posted! 

But man, did I almost crap myself when I saw that list... talk about a VGM fan's wetdream.

Yup, and it even looks like there will be getting MULTIPLE arrangements of each track.  So we could theoretically get Mitsuda's, Naruke's, Iwadare's, etc. take on the Super Mario Bros. theme...  It says:

Based on this next quote, I'm thinking we will definitely get multiple composer arrangments of each and every song:

So, hopefully, that means not only will you pick a stage in vs. mode, but you'll pick which arrangement of the song you want to hear during gameplay.  That would friggin' ROCK.

Also, I wonder what this means for orchestration purposes.  Will each arrangement get the orchestra treatment?

Seriously.  Why wasn't Uematsu mentioned?  It was reported earlier that he did indeed compose the "Main Theme," and it was featured on IGN and on the old Smash Bros. Brawl site.  It was even played as the encore at the Press Start 2006 concert.

Is it possible that what Uematsu composed was simply a trailer piece?  I suppose that makes sense in a lot of ways, but they went all out if it truly was a trailer piece.  But even more so, you'd think they'd take the time to mention to Uematsu is contributing to the project on the new site if that is the main theme, given his popularity among game music fans.  What's up wit' that?!

Hee hee, Sakuraba.

I agree that this had better get a CD release. I'll definitely buy it, especially if it contains tons of arrangements of old favorites.

Masafumi Takada + Yoshi = Dopeness

Holy crap, Michiko Naruke does Zelda.  And it is AWESOME.  Damn you Nintendo, there had better be a CD release this time!

http://www.smashbros.com/en_us/music/music04.html

"Ocarina [Song of Storms" ~ "Ocarina [Epona's Song]" ~ "Ocarina [Song of Time]" ~ "Ocarina [Saria's Song]" ~ "Ocarina [Zelda's Lullaby]"

I thought that Ocarina of Time arrangement was pretty weak for quite a few reasons:

1). I'm not a synth whore, but the low quality MIDI samples in this piece really causes it to stand out when compared the high quality samples of the previous three song samples.

2). I was expecting something a bit more epic - how about a boss battle theme medley or a few of the major heavy hitters from the score? If I want an Ocarina medley, I can just throw in Hyrule Symphony.

3). "Ocarina [Song of Storms]" was a bit off in two key places.

I'm mainly disappointed by with reason #2, but I'll get over. Plus, they really need to polish up that synth, maybe throw an orchestra behind it - which would definitely redeem it.

*sigh* I really wanted to hear what Sakuraba, Tsujiyoko, Shimomura, or Mitsuda would've done with some of Kondo's masterpieces. Hopefully one of 'em will still get the chance.

The Zelda thing to me, almost sounds like a parody of Naruke. Not that it's bad, but it seems almost TOO like Wild Arms.

-Joshua

Like the arrangement, hate the synth quality.  I hope that's not the quality level they plan on using for the final game.

Had to bump this to show you were RIGHT ON THE MONEY!

Brawl's "My Music Feature"
http://www.smashbros.com/en_us/music/music08.html

There's TWO Music Updates with this one. One for Pokemon Stadium and the Brawl main theme.

It's not RIGHT on the money is it?
It doesn't say anything about there being different arrangements of one song, just that you can adjust the likelihood of a particular theme showing up as BGM, which is pretty cool in itself.

And more music can be earned by collecting CD's during battle, which should satisfy all the obsessive collectors amongst us (like myself)

I think it's a very exciting feature, though I find myself disappointed with the synth quality of the arrangements as well. Melee really spoiled us, and when the theme for Brawl was revealed, I was led to hope for more of the same. The mostly orchestral score made Melee feel like a grand event.

At first glance, though, I thought "My Music" meant you could import your own tunes. The Pokemon anime has a number of nicely arranged battle themes from the games...

You have a good memory!

Amazingu is right though, my prediction wasn't exactly on point but it was DAMN close.

Mitsuda's (first?) arrangement for the game has been put up on the site - from Pikmin:

http://www.smashbros.com/en_us/music/music20.html

What are people thinking about the sound quality of more recent samples?  It seems like there's a much wider variety of stuff here than in Melee - some synth, some live-performed, all different styles.

Yeah, I'm digging it. 

We're still waiting on Koshiro and a few others, but I think I like Naruke's the best so far.  It's looking to be a lot of fun.  I'm enjoying the variety although the sound quality has been highly variable.

It reminds me of why I lost interest in Mitsuda to begin with...  He should just change his name to "folk music".

I rather like the Pikmin arrangement. I think he's one of the best arrangers of VGM out there.  I'm surprised he hasn't really released any "folk music" in the past few years. Tsugunai was his last major Celtic based soundtrack.

Koji Kondo's classic Mario arrangement is up.

http://www.smashbros.com/en_us/music/music21.html

Somehow after the HUNDREDS of official and unofficial remixes out there, Kondo still manages to make a fresh take on Mario. At least IMO

Agreed, fantastic stuff. Haven't been following Kondo for a while, but it's great to know that the man's still got it.

Angel Island Zone arrange by Senoue is NOT FAIR. I want the entire thing arranged! And I'm not impressed that "True Blue," the regeritated "hits" album is getting this track a bonus either.

I thought there was one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smashing_live

That's from the live concert, not the game, so no OST.

Oh.

Iwata/Sakurai interview about the music in the game:

http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/ssbb/vol6_page1.jsp

Nothing especially earth shattering, but it's interesting nonetheless.  The way they talk about it, I kind of doubt that they'd be able to work out a CD release.

Another update.  The dojo now lists the arrangers for all the songs in the game that will be available from the start (as opposed to the new songs you can unlock):

http://www.smashbros.com/en_us/music/music22_list.html

I'm a little disappointed that so many composers just arranged their original tracks (Shimomura doing Mario & Luigi, Sakuraba doing Mario Tennis/Golf.  I'm surprised they didn't give Mitsuda something from Mario Party), but overall it looks fun.  I'm REALLY looking forward to Yuzo Koshiro's arrangement of the Zelda theme though.

Not really fair to put Sakuraba in that category, given that he also arranged tracks from SSBM, Donkey Kong Country, and Kirby Super Star.