The Anatomy of Inner Universe: Who Sang/Wrote What?
There seems to be some confusion among fans as to who sang and wrote each part of Inner Universe. On many youtube videos, you will see “Inner Universe by Origa and Shanti Snyder”. This isn’t wrong, but it isn’t fully correct either. I think it’s more proper to say, “Inner Universe by Origa and Benedict del Maestro”, or better yet, “Inner Universe vocals by Origa and Benedict del Maestro, lyrics by Origa, Shanti Snyder and Gabriela Robin”.
The treble soprano vocals for the refrain are provided by Benedict del Maestro. Benedict is not credited at the main lyrics page, but at the music staff section, saying Treble : benedict delmaestro [m-11][the london oratory school schola], where [m-11] means track 11, Inner Universe. If Benedict del Maestro does not ring any bells, probably his involvement with the Lord of the Rings OST will.
As for Shanti Snyder‘s involvement, I sent her an email and she answered: “Hello, I wrote the english portion of Inner Universe. I did not perform as a vocalist on that particular song. …” There seems to be a widespread notion that she sang the refrain, or she did the backup vocals, but she says otherwise. Shanti is a singer with smooth, haunting vocals and is probably most popular for lending her voice to the song “Sora” in Escaflowne: A Girl in Gaea OST, and fans might have been so excited to see her name in the credits and thought she was actually singing.
And another item to clear up: Gabriela Robin wasn’t credited in Inner Universe as one of the lyricists! But how do we know that she was part of the team? Certainly I did not email anyone.
Since the start, there has been a lot of arguments as to what the lyrics are that come before the chorus, which is sang purely by Benedict del Maestro. In many sites, it says “Naljubuites, Naljubuites, Aeria Gloris, Aeria Gloris”, but these lines are not in correct grammar in Russian or Latin respectively. GreyArchangel of YKDB has asked both Origa and Shanti but they also don’t know. Besides, does it sound like “Naljubuites”? More like “Onia do ozis, No ia do vozis, Aeria gloris, Aeria gloris”.
Now when “Flashback Memory Plug” from Ghost in the Shell: SAC OST 3 was published, Gabriela was credited for the lyrics. The clincher is, this song is supposed to be a semi-acapella version of Inner Universe and no changes in the lyrics were made. So, that’s the answer to the years-long question: “Naljubuites, Naljubuites, Aeria Gloris, Aeria Gloris” is Gabriela and it’s non-sense.
To sum it all up, Inner Universe is Origa and Benedict del Maestro on vocals, and then Origa, Shanti Snyder and Gabriela Robin on lyrics.
May 1st, 2007 at 9:56 am
Bada-bing, bada-boom! Those arguments and point makings really own! But I knew that Snyder was a lyricist, but it’s weird seeing that the whole song was credited by Origa according to Animelyrics.com.
May 2nd, 2007 at 9:42 am
I believe it is Soichiro Otuksa that sings on “Blue.” Wikipedia attributes the intro and outro of ethereal vocals to Gabby Robin and Soichiro Otsuka, twice. While I haven’t been able to find out much information on Soichiro, I did research Benedict Delmaestro, and found nothing about commerical ventures other than: The Lord of the Rings Sountracks, and Ghost in the Shell OSTs.
not sure if I’m right. Just thought I’d share my thoughts.
May 2nd, 2007 at 11:39 am
Ach! My bad! *dies* I edited the post. Thanks for the correction… I’ve been shuffling the two around eversince the start because they sound similar!
July 28th, 2008 at 3:58 am
Thanks you cleared up alot for me. Though I’ve already researched this point a million times. I knew that Ben DelMaestro sung the chorus and that Origa did all the other singing but I had no idea what Shanti did. And I even had somewhat of an idea about Yoko Kanno and her beats. It was the thing about Shanti that had an ulcer growing in my head. Well anyways I know Im late to this thread. But you did help me. Just a year after the fact!
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