Few game composers have a body of work as large as Allister Brimble. His listing on MobyGames, which compiles credit listings for both console and computer games, lists no fewer than 245 titles to his name.
And with good reason, too! Brimble is a versatile maestro, writing music in a variety of styles to fit the demands of whatever game he’s working on. This versatility extends to composition technology as well, as he’s experienced in both tracking music for the UK microcomputers and performing in-studio for modern titles.
UK gamers will fondly remember him for his incredible tunes on the Amiga like Alien Breed, Overdrive, Superfrog, and Agony. North American players may have a slightly different nostalgia for his work, instead rocking out to his jams from Driver 1 and 2 on the PlayStation, Spider-Man & Venom: Maximum Carnage on the SNES, and both RollerCoaster Tycoon and Power Wash Simulator for the PC.
It was because of this pedigree of quality music that I was very excited to learn that Brimble has released an Amiga tribute album in honor of the system’s 40th birthday, affectionately titled Amiga 40. “This album is my tribute to 40 years of the Amiga, an extraordinary machine that shaped so much of my creative life,” Brimble writes in the liner notes of the Bandcamp release. “This album is for anyone who remembers the thrill of booting up Workbench, the joy of discovering new mods, and the magic of making music on a machine that felt like it truly understood you. I hope it brings back some of that wonder.”
That sense of wonder is alive and well on this album. The listener will find themself absolutely awash in textured synths, all while tapping their feet to Brimble’s signature catchy basslines and rhythms. A standout for me is the track “Martyn’s Light,” which includes the composer’s live guitar work over rich bell pads and a vibe that reminds me of U2’s “Beautiful Day.” The song was written as a tribute to Martyn Brown, a key figure and mentor in Allister’s career at development house Team 17, and his earnestness and gratitude shows through in his soaring chord progressions.
Even if, like me, you’ve only discovered the magic of the Amiga later on in life, seeing the system through Allister Brimble’s eyes while listening to this album is sure to give you a new appreciation for it. This one is a must-listen!